QT 9/23/2024 Josh 5:13-15, It is His will we seek, not ours

Joshua 5:13–15 (ESV) —

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

 

NOTE: Jericho is the first city in the conquest of the land, and Joshua is near the city, probably staring at it before looking down. It was a walled city like none other in the land. It required siege instruments, not the swords and arrows of Joshua's army. Leon Wood writes,

 

"The walls were of a type which made direct assault practically impossible. An approaching enemy first encountered a stone abutment, eleven feet high, back and up from which sloped a thirty-five degree plastered scarp reaching to the main wall some thirty-five vertical feet above. The steep smooth slope prohibited battering the wall by any effective device or building fires to break it. An army trying to storm the wall found difficulty in climbing the slope, and ladders to scale it could find no satisfactory footing."

 

When Joshua looks up, he encounters the Commander of the Lord's Army. The instruction to take off his sandals suggests that this is the Lord himself (like Moses encountered at the burning bush). The Lord answers Joshua's question of which side he was on with a resounding "No." God does not take sides; God is not at man's beck and call, we serve God's will.

 

What do we learn? When we think it is impossible, we need to go to God, searching His will, not His help to do our thing. We need to do His thing. God did take down Jericho in a very miraculous manner. And when we go to God, we need to throw away our support. Sandals were man-made devices to protect our feet. Joshua was commanded to stand on his bare feet, not on the works of his hands. Also, it is holy ground, which means we need to repent. Before we go to God, we go with a clear conscience, ready to do his will.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I go to God to get him to do my thing?
2. Do I go to God to know His Will?

 

PRAYER: Father, get our eyes off of ourselves and our little problems. May we seek you and what you desire to do with our lives.

QT 9/22/2024 Matt 6:9-15, God is looking for true worshippers

Matthew 6:9–15 (ESV) —

9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

12 and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

NOTE: This model of prayer is not to be repeated in a rote fashion. Jesus spoke against those types of prayer (vs 5). Religion includes prayer as a "work," but for God, works cannot save a person. God is looking for the person who worships in spirit and truth. Also, if done in rote, this would be "empty phrases (vs 7)." Having grown up Catholic, and repeated this prayer many times after "confessional," I know how empty it is. I did not know the savior back then and my religious works did nothing for me. When I truly put my faith in Jesus and asked him into my life, everything changed from the inside out. I was, as 1 Cor 5:17 reads, a new creature, the old was gone and the new had come. I felt it, I knew it, and I saw it. I still see it today as God speaks through his Holy Spirit (who resides within me) and the scripture. The Holy Spirit brings understanding as I read the scripture, and He applies it to my life.

 

PONDER:

1. Do you know the savior or do you follow religion?
2. Are you changed, born again, or just someone who does good works in a futile attempt to please God?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you the salvation is a gift. It can never be earned. There is no good work that can take away our sin. Jesus, perfect and infinite, paid our penalty for sin on the cross. He alone can take away sin and give life, including a resurrected life in the future.

QT 9/21/2024 Ezek 37, Pray for Israel

Ezekiel 37:7–14 (ESV) —

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. … 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

 

NOTE: At this point in history, the northern kingdom has been destroyed by Assyria and the southern kingdom, more recently, by Babylon. The nation is gone, and like many nations of that time, Aram, Tyre, Edom, and others, they are in the dustbin of history. But God says 'not so,' to Ezekiel. God was going to do the impossible and bring to life the nation and bring them back to the land of Israel. We could take the graves literally, and this can refer to the millennial kingdom, but another option is that the graves are being used as a symbolic reference to the destruction of Israel where the dead lie in many nations, in that case, it has been fulfilled already. Ezek 37:15-23 says it more clearly with two sticks, a much more obvious metaphor than graves since God can raise people from the dead. Although, 37:24 says David would rule over them, and that is clearly a reference to the millennial kingdom. I think both are true. The nation will be reestablished as it has been, true believers will be resurrected after the tribulation, and David will rule once again.

 

So what does it mean to us? Right now, God has brought the nation back from the dead. Right now, the world seems to be in agreement to destroy the nation. But that is not God's intent. At some point a peace treaty will be signed between the leader of the world (Gentiles) and the leader of Israel. That world leader is the antichrist. He will break his word after 42 months. And then in 42 more months, God will end his judgment upon the nations, to include Israel's initial rejection of the Messiah, and all Israel will be saved. And peace will reign for a thousand years.

 

We need to pray for Israel during these dark days -- they will get darker yet.

 

PONDER:

1. How often do I pray for the nation of Israel's safety?
2. How often do I pray for the salvation of Israel spiritually?

 

PRAYER: Protect the people who are called by your name. Open their eyes. Help them to see and understand that they rejected the Messiah, but you have not rejected them. Protect them, and bring them to Jesus.

QT 9/20/2024 1 Cor 4:16, Imitate me?!

1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) —

16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

 

NOTE: Can I say that to the men I disciple? Actually, I should be able to say that and if I cannot then I have some serious choices to make. The choices revolve around the questions, who or what am I living for? And, what is my definition of success? Is it money or pleasure or laziness?

 

What does the person look like that I would want to imitate? It is a serious person with a good sense of humor. It is a humble person who listens but is actually very wise. It is a kind and gentle person who cares about others. It is a person who is always concerned with presenting a good witness to others in the hope of an opportunity to share their faith.

 

There is probably more I could add, but to do those would be enough.

 

PONDER:

1. Is my life such that I can ask men to be an imitator of me?
2. If not, what do I need to change?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to see those hidden blind areas in myself that do not represent Jesus to others. Help me to balance the new demands on my life with my desire for a witness and to minister.

QT 9/19/2024 Mark 5:13-14, What do we smell like?

Matthew 5:13–14 (ESV) —

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

 

NOTE: These verses are clearly using salt and light as metaphors. I have never liked the salt metaphor, preferring the light metaphor. The light metaphor emphasizes the need to witness and be a witness to those around us. Our life should be so different that it can't be hidden. It should be a good thing, not something that people turn away from. The salt metaphor is quite different. There are two ways salt is used, one is for taste and the second is for preservation. A relationship with God makes life taste much better. It is a pleasing thing to add salt to our food. But Jesus is more than just a pleasing thing and also much more than an addon to our life. The preservation metaphor suggests that our relationship with God preserves something that is very important. I have watched my society degrade over the last few decades. Faith has become less important. People don't believe something is a lie unless caught, and don't believe in God's commands if their sin is pleasing to them. As a result, the society is crumbling. Our faith in what God commands preserves some of the beauty of life. But when we fail to live like Jesus, everything begins to smell. If we hold to what is true, people will see the difference in our lives and it will be a very good thing.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I bought the lies of the culture over the truth of God's word?
2. Is my life a pleasing thing or does it smell like the rest of the world?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to preserve the little good that is left in the world. Help me to stand up for rightness, justice, truth, kindness, goodness, patience, and love. Help me to stand up for Jesus.

QT 9/18/2024 Neh 1:4-6, 11, Standing for truth

Nehemiah 1:4–6, 11 (ESV) —

4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. …. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was cupbearer to the king.

 

NOTE: It hurts to see your country suffering and falling apart. On one side, you recognize that it was deserving. We failed, we rebelled, we served and are serving the gods of steel, plastic, and wood. God's commands, even at the most basic level, have been placed aside. We think we are so much wiser. We have become our own gods, deciding what is good and evil. We have decided that God's rules are evil. We have decided there is no God, life is random, and we are the product of random chance and evolutionary processes (despite the statistical impossibility of such processes). And so, we deserve destruction. It is happening now.

 

If there be any chance for reprieve, I ask for it now. I pray for a spiritual revival to take place once again. I pray for holiness, righteousness, and godliness to reign once again. I pray for you to show mercy to us, if it be your will.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I live for self or do I live for God? How can I tell?
2. Do I stand up for truth (in gentleness) or do I just ignore it?

 

PRAYER: Father, give us wisdom to gently confront the evil around us. The Lord's servant must always represent Jesus' character to our neighbors. Jesus stood up against evil, but he did it in a kind way. His harshness he reserved for the religious hypocrites of his day.

 

QT 9/17/2024 Mark 10:42-45, Humility as a leader

Mark 10:42–45 (ESV) —

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

NOTE: I see people on LinkedIn with the title "Servant-Leader." The problem is that I know them and they are not (at least when I knew them) servant-leaders. It's a catchy title and it should emphasize that the person is more concerned about their people than their own careers, but I don't think that is the case. Still, I should give them credit for realizing that the title is good and that people look for that type of leader. What is it that people imagine when they see the title, servant-leader? In my mind, it is a humble person. It is a person who will take the bullet for the team when something comes apart. It is a person who wants the team to get credit for the work, not him or herself. It is the person who is always talking about the individuals on the team and the work they are accomplishing, and who downplays his/her own role. It is the person who is thinking about individuals and how to make them better and how to get them promoted. It is someone who cares.

 

The same thing applies in the Christian ministry. We need humble leaders. We need servants. We don't need people who require the limelight. They are happy seeing God exalted and the ministry progressing. They are comfortable becoming less like John the Baptist.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I need to hear my name mentioned in something I was involved in?
2. Am I comfortable being forgotten in order to see God exalted?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray as you continue to humble me, help me to see where I show pride. Help me as I work at de-emphasizing myself.

QT 9/16/2024 Jam 3:13-18, What does it mean to be wise?

James 3:13–18 (ESV) —

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

NOTE: James argues that true wisdom is seen in a person's actions. He focuses on two actions that are contrary to spiritual wisdom from above, jealousy and selfish ambition. These two lead to a number of vile practices. Spiritual wisdom, on the other hand, is characterized by peace, gentleness, an openness to reason, mercy, positive responses, impartiality, and sincerity. This is a work of the Holy Spirit that takes time and does not happen overnight. But it is the Holy Spirit, through the power of God's word that transforms a person into a different individual. My early life was characterized by selfish ambition. I still struggle with its remnants but I see a different man than I used to be. I know this is God's work, a long and very painful work, but one that in the end was worth it. I am still working on filing edges off of my personality, but I am absolutely convinced that God is doing this good work. What will follow? Does it really matter if I am living more and more like the savior. I am content with his plan.

 

PONDER:

1. Where do I struggle with jealousy?
2. Where do I struggle with selfish ambition?
3. What is my commitment to getting God's wisdom into my life daily and applying it daily?

 

PRAYER: Continue to lead me Lord and teach me. Continue to pour your word into my life. Open my eyes to see my failures. Transform me by your word. I desire to please you with my life.

QT 9/15/2024 1 Thess 4:10b-12, On mission

1 Thessalonians 4:10b–12 (ESV) —

10b But we urge you, brothers, to do this [Love] more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

 

NOTE: I think was gets forgotten in this verse is that we are still on mission, we are still taking the gospel to the ends of the world. We may not be missionaries in a foreign country, but we are missionaries wherever we are. Consequently, our witness is extremely important for the sake of the gospel. We are to evangelize but we have to have a witness that matches. Therefore, "to live quietly" means that we are not offensive in our passions. I think many American Christians are offensively political. It is good to vote and care for the country, but it can be offensive to our witness. We need to realize that acceptance of a political party has nothing to do with the gospel or believing. The enemy has used this to separate us from the mission field.

 

Mind your own affairs suggests that we can be too inquisitive into another's life. Let them share their story when they are ready. You need a relationship first before you can go deep with another.

 

Work with your hands suggests that we are not freeloaders. We don't use people, even taxpayers, to pay for our life. We need to earn our living, just as we need to earn a hearing.

 

The point of all that Paul is sharing is that we have a Christian walk that is genuinely beautiful and draws people to our savior.

 

PONDER:

1. Are there things that I am obnoxious about?
2. Does my life draw people or turn them off?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me grace to have a lifestyle that is a pleasing aroma and draws people to the savior.

QT 9/14/2024 2 Tim 2:4, Mission takes precedence

2 Timothy 2:1–7 (ESV) —

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

 

NOTE: What are civilian pursuits? They are things that do not contribute to the mission (or at least very lightly) but take considerable time and energy to accomplish. The mission is to make disciples (Matt 28:19-20) and to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Since I have retired, a few opportunities have opened up, and each of them is a way to be involved with people, but what is better? I see three things, but let me add another for comparison purposes:

 

1. Work at a downtown homeless shelter. They are opportunities to identify with Christ but they are not great. There really isn't a way to make disciples. It is good to serve the poor.
2. Spend time serving on our HOA. This is a good way to meet neighbors. It could lead to opportunities to share in depth or to make disciples. Mostly it is dealing with worldly issues of wealthy people.
3. Teach at a local community college. Currently I am helping students with resumes and job interviews. It is an opportunity to identify with Christ. Teaching would bring me in contact with more students. And then involvement with the established campus ministry would give me opportunity to disciple and to share my faith. As a teacher in an science field, my testimony will have more weight.
4. Play golf for exercise. While this is an opportunity to meet people and share, I have never found it that fruitful. The actual amount of time spent in close proximity is small, especially if you are walking.

 

There are many more examples that could be listed. The key is discerning the impact on the mission versus the impact on civilian concerns (wealth, quality of life, etc).

 

PONDER:

1. How do I use my extra time?
2. Am I committed to the mission or to civilian concerns?

 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your leading and direction. Continue to confirm my decision to teach at the local college campus. Use me for your glory.

QT 9/13/2024 Eph 4:28-29, Principle of replacement

Ephesians 4:28–29 (ESV) —

28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 

NOTE: In our battle against sin, sometimes we need to locate the counter-weight, the opposite of the behavior to overcome the behavior. For the thief, it is laboring honestly with his hands, and then giving to others as opposed to taking from others. For the foul-mouth individual whose words only tear others down, we are to build others up, giving grace to those who hear it. Whatever the sin, there is probably an alternative action that builds good and not evil. It is just a matter of finding it. For a person who struggles with pride and is always boasting, it is to not talk of self but to congratulate others for their achievements. Rather than talking about accomplishments, it is better to ask questions and draw others out. Success is found in not mentioning self but mentioning others. It is not enough to just stop doing something, it has to be replaced.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my sin struggle?
2. What is the effect and what behavior will result in the opposite effect?

 

PRAYER: Father, continue to give me insight into my failures and what I need to start building the opposite effect into my life.

QT 9/12/2024 Rom 8:3-4, Loved (almost unbelievably) by God

Romans 8:3–4 (ESV) —

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

NOTE: We know from Romans that the Law reveals our need for a savior because it is impossible to keep the law (earlier arguments in Paul's letter). This verse tells us that if a person kept the righteous requirement of the law, he would be accepted in God's sight. But we have a problem and it is the flesh that fights against the law, leaving the law only to highlight our pitiful shortcomings. Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the law. He lived a sinless life in his actions and in his thoughts. Jesus followed the letter of the law and he followed the spirit of the law. Therefore, he had no sin of his own, and he was free to take on another's sin. By virtue of being the infinite God, he could take on the whole world's sin and exchange our sinful status for his righteous state. The transaction is complete, our future is before us, except for one thing -- we must believe God and accept the free gift, for that is one command we are not free from following -- the requirement to believe upon our creator, God.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I believe in God or do I believe that my good actions will outweigh my bad actions? If the latter, I (you) do not understand the gospel.
2. Am I religious or am I born again? Religion will not save me (you)!

 

PRAYER: Father, I can say as many have said before me, "I am a sinner saved by grace." I have no personal qualifications. There is no reason you should love me or Jesus should die for me. But, I am incredibly grateful that you did. I can't understand your great love. I can't properly express my thankfulness. Even in thankfulness, I can't escape my sinful nature. My love for you should not even be mentioned, less the sentence be placed too close to your love for me. They are completely different things. And yet, I am adopted into the family and am now your son. These things are too great to understand. Continue to show mercy to me, a sinner.

QT 9/11/2024 Luke 22:45-46, Praying as spiritual preparation

Luke 22:45–46 (ESV) —

45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

 

NOTE: They were sleeping because they were depressed. Sorrow very easily transitions to depression. Sleeping is the natural result of being emotionally exhausted, weary, and sad. They had tried to pray. In the other synoptic gospels, Jesus came by two other times and warned them of sleeping. Why is this so important? What is the implication to me? And how do I apply it?

 

When a major event occurs, we need to pray as part of our spiritual preparation. The enemy is out in force for things that could have a major impact for the gospel. I don't know how major my event is today, but I think it is pretty big and is the result of almost a year of planning. I need to pray for people to attend, to be able to identify with my savior, and that I would be a real help to the college students as they prepare for a career. I can't do it in my strength, I need the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me. I need to be on guard for temptation, which can come in many forms. The three major avenues of attack are the lust of eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

 

The long term application is that whenever we are undergoing a significant event, the event needs extra prayer as preparation.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I tend to rely on my own strength when I am facing major events?
2. Do I spend the extra time praying in preparation?

 

PRAYER: Father, today give me grace. I need your strength and power. As I spend some time after this praying, I pray for your spirit to lead me in my prayer.

QT 9/10/2024 Gal 5:25, Keep in step with the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–26 (ESV) —

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

NOTE: What does it mean to keep in step with the Spirit? Betz (1979) and Longenecker (1990) suggest

 

The verb translated “keep in step with” is a military term meaning to “be drawn up in line,” to “stand in a row.”

 

And T. George (1994) says

 

In Hellenistic philosophical circles, this word was used to mean “follow someone’s philosophical principles.” It suggests, therefore, the basic idea of discipleship: conformity to Christ under the leadership of the Spirit.

 

I like those definitions. I was hesitant to come up with my own, but these make sense. The next questions would be, "How do we keep in step with the Spirit?" Based on the above definitions, we need to know what the Spirit wants and is doing. The fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23 is an excellent guide. But even more so, daily intake of the word of God and prayer is how we stay in step with the Spirit, otherwise it is too easy to get off track or out of step.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I meet with God every day in His word?
2. Do I pray every day?
3. Does my intermittent behavior suggest that God is not really a priority in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, there are two things that have transformed me more than anything else, a regular quiet time, and teaching a bible study class. I look forward to my quiet time every morning. And I have learned so much in my preparation to teach a bible class. Thank you. Continue your work of transformation in my life.

QT 9/9/2024 1 Sam 12:19-25, Politics is the wrong answer

1 Samuel 12:19–25 (ESV) —

19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

 

NOTE: The problem was not the asking for a king, God knew that would happen and had provided instructions in the law for that day. The real problem is that they were not relying upon God. They thought they needed a king to save them. And the problem there was their sin. God used their neighbors (enemies) to discipline them for their failure to obey his commandments. In a sense, what they really wanted was a King to protect them so that they could continue in their sinful behavior.

 

To a certain extent, we desire the same thing. A new President or new laws will not save us. We need a change of heart and that does not come from laws. Changed hearts happen when people hear the word and see the word in the witness of Christ-followers. If we look like the world, what do we really offer to the world? Nothing. Politics becomes an excuse not to do what we really need to do, which is to confess our sin, repent, and seek God.

 

PONDER:

1. Is a new president more important than a new heart?
2. There is nothing wrong with desiring new political leadership, but who am I trusting to make change in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray for changed hearts. I pray that we would confess our sin, our evil, our violence, our hatred. We need you, and yet that is the underlying dynamic -- people don't want you as their God, they want to be their own god. Father, show us our error. Break us for our good.

QT 9/8/2024 Matt 7:7-11, Good gifts

Matthew 7:7–11 (ESV) —

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

 

NOTE: Our church is conducting a season of seeking, 40 days of fasting, feasting, and fellowshipping. The purpose is to spend time seeking God, confessing sin, and asking God what it is he wants to do in our lives to serve him. In the passage above, God says he is like a Father (and much more) and he desires to give good gifts to his children. The issue is that what we think a good gift is and what God thinks is a good gift are very different. We may even see God's good gift as a bad thing, because we can't see the big picture.

 

My life has had a number of bad things happened over the years. Whether they were direct from God or something that he took and brought good out of it, they were not things I would have wanted at the time. There is no doubt that I grew and learned from those things. Still, I might not choose those things, but they were good for me, just hard.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I learning from the hard things in life?
2. Do I thank God for all things that happen to me in life, knowing God is in charge?

 

PRAYER: Lord, give me your perspective on the things that happen in my life. You promise to give good things and you promise to use things for good to those who love you.

QT 9/7/2024 Matt 13:10-12, Using God's knowledge for his purpose

Matthew 13:10–12 (ESV) —

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

 

NOTE: One of the false philosophies is Gnosticism. It teaches that there is secret knowledge that God has hidden away and only certain people are allowed to know these truths. Satan used this appeal in the garden when he told Eve that after eating the fruit from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she would be like God have special secret knowledge.

 

In many errors, there is often a truth hidden and exploited. There is no secret knowledge hidden away for the few, but there is knowledge given to all who seek that knowledge. One cannot know a person without spending time with that person. One cannot know God without spending time with God, reading his word, praying, and obeying. But as one spends time with God, the Lord opens up our eyes to knowledge, called the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. They are not really secrets. They are just not understood by those who put no effort into knowing God. Anyone can know these secrets, but you can't know them without a relationship with God. Otherwise, the knowledge doesn't grasp them or move them.

 

But there is another side to the revealing of the word, is that God calls us to be accountable. The possession of knowledge requires us to use it.

 

1 Corinthians 2:7–13 (ESV) — 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

 

Luke 8:18 (ESV) — 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

 

The passage in Luke seems to imply that if we do not use the knowledge that God has given, it will be taken away. God requires us to be faithful to the gifts he has given us.

 

PONDER:

1. What am I doing with the knowledge that God has given me?
2. Am I using what God gave me for his sake, or am I wasting it?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that this week I would truly seek you, and you would use my gifts to make an impact on men and women for the kingdom. Give me the words, wisdom, and insight to develop connections with the lost.

QT 9/6/2024 John 3:29-36, Loving others through our spiritual gift

John 3:29–36 (ESV) —

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 

NOTE: Do I take what is rightly God's and apply it to myself? Over the years, God's gift of speaking has matured in me greatly. People regularly thank me for my "message" or my class. But I am really nothing. God gave me a gift of teaching. God has given me the wisdom. God has given me the words. God has given me tools to study. God has given me the time to do the work. God has taught me. Really, it all comes from God, my joy should not be that people enjoyed it, but rather that people learned something and that God used me as his vessel.

 

That should be true in all of the spiritual gifts of the Spirit. God gives gifts to build up the body and build up the kingdom. We can misuse our gifts by taking pride, or doing them to be seen, or not truly loving the people we serve with our gifts. What do I mean by "not truly loving?" I believe if we do not think of the person, we are in danger of not helping, but rather enabling bad habits. I want people to get in the Word of God on their own, but if my teaching does not encourage that or even make them think it is not necessary, then I am misusing my gift of teaching.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think about how I am using my gift in individual people?
2. Do I think of what behavior I am encouraging or teaching?
3. Do I challenge people to know God and get into the word, because that is what is really important?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to think through this more and to think how I can use my gift to build up the body and not myself.

QT 9/5/2024 Ps 139:21-24, I am not so different

Psalm 139:21–24 (ESV)

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

NOTE: There is an apparent contrast between the first two verses and the second two. But they really don't differ. There is the world and those who follow the world, and who have given themselves to the world's way (verses 21-22). Like God, I should hate what they represent -- I should loathe them for what they do to God's creation and God's commands. But I am also told to love them, be kind to them, and gently try to lead them to Jesus. Verses 23-24 is the capstone to 21-22, that is, I am very close to being the very thing I "hate." And what is worse, sometimes I don't even know it. I sin so subtly as to fool myself. Who am I to think that I am so much different from my spiritual enemies? I am nobody. I need the Lord's help to make sure I do not follow my fellow men into that cesspool.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize that I can be as guilty in lifestyle as those whose lifestyle I loathe?
2. Do I realize I am but a hairbreadth away?
3. Do I remember that I certainly lived once like those whose lifestyle I denounce?

 

PRAYER: Lord, I am not so great. In so many ways, I am failure. I know what is right to do, and I fail to do it on many occasions. I need your help. I once was that man David described in verses 21-22. Search me, show me, and help me to leave my sinful ways behind me. Until I die, I will fight this battle with your help and your strength.

QT 9/4/2024 Matt 5:3-12, What do we truly seek?

Matthew 5:3–12 (ESV) — 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

NOTE: Another way of saying "blessed are" is to say "it is good that you are." So,

1. It is good you are poor in spirit,
2. It is good that you mourn,
3. It is good that you are meek,
4. It is good that you hunger and thirst for righteousness,
5. It is good that you are merciful,
6. It is good that you are pure in heart,
7. It is good that you are peacemakers,
8. It is good that you are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
9. It is good that others revile you and speak falsely against you,

Rejoice, for so they have treated the prophets before you.

 

Somewhere along the line, we changed Christianity and made it into a middle-class comfortable life promise. It is NOT. It is not this world plus God. It is God alone that should be our desire and focus. We do not live for this world.

 

PONDER:

1. How can we tell what we seek? Look at how we spend our time to know the inner heart.
2. How can we tell what our priorities are? Look at what comes first.

 

PRAYER: Father, I am guilty of seeking the wrong things in life. I once again come back to you. I want you and you first.