Date: March 11, 2012 11:50 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Larger than Life
Larger than Life
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 13, Hebrews 12:1-2
Worship is the native language of the kingdom of heaven. And if the kingdom is as Jesus describes it here in these parables - that is, something so valuable for which we will joyfully lose all other things - then worship ought to be characterized by profound joy. Yet, I think if we're honest, our worship often is not saturated with the "solid joys and lasting treasures" which none but Zion's children know. At times, worship for me can become merely cerebral, a transfer of information rather than a joyful encounter with the living God. Other times, what I mistake as true joy in worship escapes my heart quickly after the benediction. The weight of everyday life descends yet again.
How can we become more joyful worshipers? What we need is a re-evaluation of our lives. If we value the kingdom of heaven above all else, then we will rejoice to speak its native language. The kingdom must be larger than everyday life. When you're known by Jesus, the Man who "sold all he had" and bought you, your joy is larger than life.
Insight: An Unhealthy Preoccupation With Life's Concerns Will Dampen Worship. Remember, You Are "Seated With Christ In Heaven." Let That Truth Saturate Your Worship.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
+DEV+ Warped Worship
Date: March 8, 2012 10:17 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Warped Worship
Warped Worship
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen." (Romans 1:25)
Scripture Focus: Romans 1:18-32
Bob Dylan got it right when in 1979 he wrote, "You're gonna have to serve somebody." The question is not whether you worship, but what you worship. Often we live under the illusion that if we're not worshiping God, then we must not be worshiping anything at all; but the truth is that we all worship something. We all have ultimate allegiances. We all live for something and are devoted to something. Indeed, you're "gonna have to serve somebody."
It's often tempting to see the struggles in our lives as simply a matter of what we do or don't do. But Scripture diagnoses our problem as something much more fundamental - as a matter of what we worship. Therefore, if we have any hope of beginning to live for God, then what we worship must be changed. We must begin from the inside out. And that is exactly what the Lord promises to do in the Gospel: "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols" (Ezekiel 36:25). Let's put Jesus Christ at the center of our worship.
Insight: Scripture Claims That Everyone Worships Something Or Someone. What Do You Worship? Ask The Lord To Increase Your Desire To Worship Him Alone.
Topic: +DEV+ Warped Worship
Warped Worship
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen." (Romans 1:25)
Scripture Focus: Romans 1:18-32
Bob Dylan got it right when in 1979 he wrote, "You're gonna have to serve somebody." The question is not whether you worship, but what you worship. Often we live under the illusion that if we're not worshiping God, then we must not be worshiping anything at all; but the truth is that we all worship something. We all have ultimate allegiances. We all live for something and are devoted to something. Indeed, you're "gonna have to serve somebody."
It's often tempting to see the struggles in our lives as simply a matter of what we do or don't do. But Scripture diagnoses our problem as something much more fundamental - as a matter of what we worship. Therefore, if we have any hope of beginning to live for God, then what we worship must be changed. We must begin from the inside out. And that is exactly what the Lord promises to do in the Gospel: "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols" (Ezekiel 36:25). Let's put Jesus Christ at the center of our worship.
Insight: Scripture Claims That Everyone Worships Something Or Someone. What Do You Worship? Ask The Lord To Increase Your Desire To Worship Him Alone.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
+DEV+ Worship: Expressing the Worthiness of God
Date: March 7, 2012 12:32 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Worship: Expressing the Worthiness of God
Worship: Expressing the Worthiness of God
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name." (PSALM 96:8)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 96
What does it mean to worship? In many Christian circles today, the word "worship" has simply become synonymous with "singing." I would like to suggest a fuller definition to be used throughout these devotionals. Our English word, interestingly, does not have roots in the Bible. Rather, it comes from an Anglo Saxon root meaning literally "worth-ship." In other words, at its heart, to worship means to ascribe greatness or worthiness to someone or something.
This definition highlights the essential God-centeredness of Christian worship. God is most worthy to be praised. God is the greatest treasure that exists. He is most holy, most gracious, most wise, most compassionate, most jealous, and most glorious. Therefore worship begins and ends with God Himself - ascribing to Him the glory that is due His name.
Who is God? What is He like? Who am I compared to God? What has God done? What has He still promised to do? Answering such questions is at the heart of what it means to worship and "ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name."
Insight: In What Ways Do We Make Worship More About Us Than About God? Consider Who God Is And What He's Done. Praise Him For It!
Topic: +DEV+ Worship: Expressing the Worthiness of God
Worship: Expressing the Worthiness of God
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name." (PSALM 96:8)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 96
What does it mean to worship? In many Christian circles today, the word "worship" has simply become synonymous with "singing." I would like to suggest a fuller definition to be used throughout these devotionals. Our English word, interestingly, does not have roots in the Bible. Rather, it comes from an Anglo Saxon root meaning literally "worth-ship." In other words, at its heart, to worship means to ascribe greatness or worthiness to someone or something.
This definition highlights the essential God-centeredness of Christian worship. God is most worthy to be praised. God is the greatest treasure that exists. He is most holy, most gracious, most wise, most compassionate, most jealous, and most glorious. Therefore worship begins and ends with God Himself - ascribing to Him the glory that is due His name.
Who is God? What is He like? Who am I compared to God? What has God done? What has He still promised to do? Answering such questions is at the heart of what it means to worship and "ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name."
Insight: In What Ways Do We Make Worship More About Us Than About God? Consider Who God Is And What He's Done. Praise Him For It!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
+DEV+ Resisting the Devil
Date: March 6, 2012 12:42 AM
Topic: +DEV+ Resisting the Devil
Resisting the Devil
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:1-11
The Bible likens the devil to a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He is the great deceiver who cunningly hunts his prey. He lies in wait looking for opportunities to steal, kill, and destroy.
1 Peter 5 goes on to say that if we resist the devil and stand firm in the faith, the God of all grace will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. But how do we resist this roaring lion? By looking to Christ.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He met Satan's twisted words and empty claims with The Holy Word; "It is written." Satan skewed Scripture in a futile attempt to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus refuted him with Truth. It is imperative that we be students of God's Word so we can recognize when Scripture is used out of context or misinterpreted. We cannot depend on our own strength to resist Satan's enticements; we will surely succumb. Our only hope is to lean on the same omnipotent power of God's Word that our great High Priest used.
Insight: "I Write To You because You Are Strong, And The Word Of God Lives In You, And You Have Overcome The Evil One." (1 John 2:14)
Topic: +DEV+ Resisting the Devil
Resisting the Devil
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:1-11
The Bible likens the devil to a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He is the great deceiver who cunningly hunts his prey. He lies in wait looking for opportunities to steal, kill, and destroy.
1 Peter 5 goes on to say that if we resist the devil and stand firm in the faith, the God of all grace will restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. But how do we resist this roaring lion? By looking to Christ.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He met Satan's twisted words and empty claims with The Holy Word; "It is written." Satan skewed Scripture in a futile attempt to get Jesus to sin, but Jesus refuted him with Truth. It is imperative that we be students of God's Word so we can recognize when Scripture is used out of context or misinterpreted. We cannot depend on our own strength to resist Satan's enticements; we will surely succumb. Our only hope is to lean on the same omnipotent power of God's Word that our great High Priest used.
Insight: "I Write To You because You Are Strong, And The Word Of God Lives In You, And You Have Overcome The Evil One." (1 John 2:14)
Sunday, March 4, 2012
+DEV+ The Transforming Word
Date: March 4, 2012 11:52 PM
Topic: +DEV+ The Transforming Word
The Transforming Word
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart" (Psalm 19:7-8A)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 19:7-14
Have you ever met someone who radiated Christ in their countenance so much so that you knew they were a follower of Jesus - even before they opened their mouth to say a word? Psalm 34:5 says that those who look to the Lord are radiant because the shadow of their shame has been removed. They are transformed by the Gospel of grace, and their lives produce those blessed fruits of the Spirit because they abide in the one True Vine (John 15:5, Galatians 5:22).
As Christians, we are called to "put off the old self" and to be renewed in the thoughts and attitudes of our minds. In fact, we are told to let our minds dwell on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). The law of the Lord is the embodiment of all these attributes! It revives us, makes us wise, gladdens our hearts, enlightens our eyes, warns us, and brings great reward. As God's Word takes root in our hearts, it transforms us from the inside out, until we are radiant for Him.
Insight: "Do Not Conform Any Longer To The Pattern Of This World, But Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind." (Romans 12:2)
Topic: +DEV+ The Transforming Word
The Transforming Word
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart" (Psalm 19:7-8A)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 19:7-14
Have you ever met someone who radiated Christ in their countenance so much so that you knew they were a follower of Jesus - even before they opened their mouth to say a word? Psalm 34:5 says that those who look to the Lord are radiant because the shadow of their shame has been removed. They are transformed by the Gospel of grace, and their lives produce those blessed fruits of the Spirit because they abide in the one True Vine (John 15:5, Galatians 5:22).
As Christians, we are called to "put off the old self" and to be renewed in the thoughts and attitudes of our minds. In fact, we are told to let our minds dwell on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). The law of the Lord is the embodiment of all these attributes! It revives us, makes us wise, gladdens our hearts, enlightens our eyes, warns us, and brings great reward. As God's Word takes root in our hearts, it transforms us from the inside out, until we are radiant for Him.
Insight: "Do Not Conform Any Longer To The Pattern Of This World, But Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind." (Romans 12:2)
Friday, March 2, 2012
+DEV+ By Grace: To Stand and to Fall
Date: March 2, 2012 3:32 AM
Topic: +DEV+ By Grace: To Stand and to Fall
By Grace: To Stand and to Fall
"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:3)
Scripture Focus: Luke 18:10-14
Are you aware of how much you need God's grace every moment of every day? As you walk through the minutes and hours of your life, you make momentous decisions about whom and what you will worship, often without much thought or care. Many times each day, you will either turn toward God in faith and trust to worship Him, or you will sell your soul to the god of that moment, the idol you think you must appease to get what you want.
If you stand in the moment of temptation and resist the tones of the tempter, you will need the gospel to survive your own obedience. You need to know that your goodness is not your own - it is a gift from God - or you will become proud of your obedience and sink into self-worship. If you fail miserably and sin badly, you need the gospel. Remember that your sin is your own fault, but it has been paid for in full. Your sin is buried in the fountain of redeeming blood and every act of obedience performed by your Savior, Jesus Christ, is credited to you! Through grace you stand, and when you fall, it's into His gracious arms you go.
Insight: "Believers dare not ascribe anything to themselves, gladly acknowledging [defeat] if Jesus had not been their Savior, shepherd, and shield." (John Newton)
Topic: +DEV+ By Grace: To Stand and to Fall
By Grace: To Stand and to Fall
"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:3)
Scripture Focus: Luke 18:10-14
Are you aware of how much you need God's grace every moment of every day? As you walk through the minutes and hours of your life, you make momentous decisions about whom and what you will worship, often without much thought or care. Many times each day, you will either turn toward God in faith and trust to worship Him, or you will sell your soul to the god of that moment, the idol you think you must appease to get what you want.
If you stand in the moment of temptation and resist the tones of the tempter, you will need the gospel to survive your own obedience. You need to know that your goodness is not your own - it is a gift from God - or you will become proud of your obedience and sink into self-worship. If you fail miserably and sin badly, you need the gospel. Remember that your sin is your own fault, but it has been paid for in full. Your sin is buried in the fountain of redeeming blood and every act of obedience performed by your Savior, Jesus Christ, is credited to you! Through grace you stand, and when you fall, it's into His gracious arms you go.
Insight: "Believers dare not ascribe anything to themselves, gladly acknowledging [defeat] if Jesus had not been their Savior, shepherd, and shield." (John Newton)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
+DEV+ The True Mirror
Date: March 1, 2012 12:45 AM
Topic: +DEV+ The True Mirror
The True Mirror
"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25)
Scripture Focus: James 1:19-27
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21). The Lord of all creation cannot be fooled by lip service, for He looks straight into the heart. Only those who confess their sin, repent of it, and trust in the finished work of Christ for salvation will be saved. True faith in Christ yields holy fruit in the believer's life.
In the same way, we are told in James 1:22 to not merely be hearers of the Word, but doers. The Word of God is a true mirror that never lies. It does not flatter the one who takes time to study it; rather, it accurately reveals the stains of sin. Then it points to the only hope a sinner has of being washed completely clean: the blood of Jesus.
Let us not eye God's Word with a fleeting glance. Instead, let us stoop down and peer into His perfect law, beholding its freedom, and pursue living it out with joy, faith in action!
Insight: May Our Faith Show Itself In Humble Obedience To The Lord Out Of Our Gratitude For His Wondrous Gift Of Salvation Through Christ.
Topic: +DEV+ The True Mirror
The True Mirror
"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25)
Scripture Focus: James 1:19-27
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21). The Lord of all creation cannot be fooled by lip service, for He looks straight into the heart. Only those who confess their sin, repent of it, and trust in the finished work of Christ for salvation will be saved. True faith in Christ yields holy fruit in the believer's life.
In the same way, we are told in James 1:22 to not merely be hearers of the Word, but doers. The Word of God is a true mirror that never lies. It does not flatter the one who takes time to study it; rather, it accurately reveals the stains of sin. Then it points to the only hope a sinner has of being washed completely clean: the blood of Jesus.
Let us not eye God's Word with a fleeting glance. Instead, let us stoop down and peer into His perfect law, beholding its freedom, and pursue living it out with joy, faith in action!
Insight: May Our Faith Show Itself In Humble Obedience To The Lord Out Of Our Gratitude For His Wondrous Gift Of Salvation Through Christ.
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