Blog Archives

You got to have faith

8/31/2015

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Observation: Faith is.....Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. In what might be labeled as the 'book of faith chapter.' The preacher in Hebrews connects the life of faith and its many examples.

Application: I am a risk taker by nature. Taking the leap of faith comes easily (mostly) to me. That leap of faith is often seeing what cannot be seen. Noah was given instruction for the ark when it wasn't raining, taking the leap of faith he built it. There is great trust in that. Trust and faith are intertwined in an intimate way that they reassure us of the promises of God. Having faith is a risk taking adventure that God is in control more than we are....that can also be scary.

While on vacation this past few weeks I really enjoyed the not having to plan out everything and just allowed that time to be present with God and with my family. I trusted that there was no real emergency I needed to be called for, any meeting I needed to attend, and every issue was taken care of. I had faith to see that this time of abiding was an opportunity to trust God and to be intentional about that time away.

The bigger risks like endeavoring into a sanctuary renovation, having hard conversations with people concerning their faith practices, people coming into a relationship with God for the first time, or finding a new faith family to practice their discipleship....those are the times when I need to hear this definition of faith. I cannot always see what God has in mind. That takes faith...and trust.

Prayer: Lord open my eyes to your works that I might trust you when I have trouble seeing.

0 Comments

Seeing Jesus

8/12/2015

0 Comments

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-9

Observation: The preacher uses Psalm 8 as his preaching text here. "What are mere mortals that you think about them...or the son of man should care for him?" He does so to connect the authority given to adam over creation with Jesus connection over heaven and earth. Again establishing the Son's uniqueness from humans and angels. We are left to see only Jesus, crucified and risen.

Application: I started wearing glasses when I was 6. For a long time I had trouble seeing. That might be the point the preacher is trying to convey to this troubled community of faith. For some reason, christians have trouble wrapping their minds around Jesus being both divine and human. Such was the case here. There seems to be some trouble about Jesus being either too divine or too human. The community is having trouble seeing that Jesus will command control over all things....all things. Not angels, not us....Jesus. Sometimes people see (and hear) what they want to see (and hear).

The trouble with faith is that we do not see Jesus in control of anything. It appears that the world is going to hell in a heavily decorated hand basket. Like wearing glasses, the lens we choose to look out of helps us see. The lens of faith helps us see Jesus beyond the wreckage, beyond the suffering, beyond the death. Jesus, crucified and risen, is Lord of all and one day he will reign supreme. The eyes of faith are able to see Jesus' reign. Sometimes are vision is clouded but it is this faith of seeing Jesus that comforts us in the midst of tragedy and death, for those we love and the world outside our doors. And because he suffered death for us is now crowned in glory.

Prayer: Lord help us to see you at work in our lives and at work in the world.

0 Comments

Pay Attention

8/11/2015

0 Comments

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Observation: Many people a part of this faith community were drifting away from their faith for one reason or another; persecution, laziness, lack of accountability, lack of freedom from the state, personal conviction. the preacher intends to correct this by emphasizing God's announcement of salvation. The preacher will later add the emphasis of no longer wasting energy on people have heard the good news and decided to fall away (hebrews 6:1-6 OUCH!).

Application: In our discipleship huddle today, the discussion fell partly to the rhythm of devotions. I asked one of our members; "why do you want to keep those to yourself?" The preacher of Hebrews asks it a different way: So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

This rhythm of abiding helps us be fruitful. It is not for our own benefit but to be used by God for the abiding and fruitfulness through us.

Prayer: Lord, use those who surround me to speak words of your salvation, of your presence and of the works of your hands in my life and in the lives of the faithful throughout the world.

0 Comments

A pretty Big Deal

8/10/2015

0 Comments

Scripture: Hebrews 1:5-14

Observation: The preacher is describing the authority and uniqueness of the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is a pretty Big deal.

Application: The intimacy of this relationship that is being described for us is a glimpse of that Father/Son relationship. There is something very moving about how God talks about Jesus. I can hear the love that is being poured out in these pages. It is not a newspaper reading or a letter from its author, this is love being described.

It makes me ponder how I communicate to the people I care about. Do I use words of intimacy that convey my affection for them?
Do I continue to say the something hoping they catch my meaning?

Prayer: Lord, help me share the love and care for others in my life the way you share the love of your Son.

0 Comments

Duties

8/5/2015

0 Comments

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

Observation: This section of Paul's letter to Timothy (although probably not written by Paul himself) comes across as lots of duties toward believers. It is proverbial wisdom. Taken at a very literal level this could turn to legalism in a hurry.

Application: The Covenant Triangle continues to impress upon me that our obedience is never earned by the duties we are instructed in but by our identity and inheritance through the Father. Historical criticism of this text helps us celebrate what was happening in the regard to 1st century codes of household duties. There was a clear division of leadership. This does not translate well into an equalitarian society. Advice for widows in 1st century roman empire may not translate well into 21st century America. The application of duties without hermeneutic and discernment would fail to accomplish obedience <- Identity <- Father. I can see God's provision and wisdom even though the technique and application seems antiquated.

Prayer: Lord, the duties you call us to are for your kingdom. Remind us of our identity as your children so that we may obey you for the sake of who you made us to be and not just to follow the rules.

0 Comments

You got to have faith

Seeing Jesus

Pay Attention

A pretty Big Deal

Duties

Archives

Categories