Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Monday, September 30, 2024

QT 9/30/2024 Heb 10:23-25, Do we even understand what Fellowship really is?

Hebrews 10:23–25 (ESV) —

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

NOTE: Why do we neglect (don’t consider important) to meet together in fellowship? My years of observation has shown me that most people have never experienced Christian fellowship. They go to church and small group; they talk about work, sports, hobbies, and family, all the time thinking that they are fellowshipping. Real Christian fellowship is one thing I saw in a parachurch organization that I rarely see in the church body. In the parachurch, we were mostly new believers. We were excited about the new things God was showing us. We would share verses that we had memorized or new thoughts about God from our quiet times. We were on fire, and our fellowship energized others to know God more deeply. I saw real-true-Christian fellowship that STIRRED UP people to walk with God more closely. For the most part, I have been disappointed in most church bodies. Some bible churches seem to show a little bit more of that spirit, but most denominational churches fail. I am seeing it a little more at the current denominational church I attend. I think it is a product of an emphasis on discipleship, devotional life, and memorizing scripture, and I am encouraged. As we get into the word of God more, it is a natural byproduct of a deepening relationship with God.

 

PONDER:

  1. What characterizes my fellowship? Do I talk about work and sports, or do I talk and ask questions about what God is doing in my life and others?
  2. Am I in the word daily? If not, I will have nothing to fellowship about other than work and sports. My conversation (fellowship) with others reveals the extent of my commitment to knowing God.

 

PRAYER: Father, help us to see and understand this important truth. We are missing out on the joy of true Christian fellowship by going through the motions of church. Help us to break out of this and commit ourselves to a deepening relationship with you through your word.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

QT 9/29/2024 1 Cor 3:1-4, Training men to follow JESUS

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (ESV) —

1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

 

NOTE: There is a real danger in exalting teachers and not Jesus. Our teachers today are godly men, but are also sinners. They struggle with sins, even secret sins. They are not perfect. Their teaching is probably wrong at some point. They have biases, unconscious biases at least. They do not deserve heaven. They, like every one of us, are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And yet Paul could say 1 Cor 4:16 — I urge you, then, be imitators of me. How could he say that? It wasn't that he was perfect, but he was seeking God. That is the part we are to imitate. Yes, we will fail, but we pick ourselves up, we repent, we ask for help and strength, and we go back to seeking God -- every time.

 

I think the problem in the Corinthian church is they were trying to establish a pecking order. "If I was trained by so-and-so, then I must be a better trained Christian than you." No, no, absolutely no. It is God who causes the growth, not men. Our job is to seek him, and my job is to get you to seek him. I'm not trying to get you to have my point of view, I'm trying to get you to seek God daily.

 

PONDER:

  1. What is most important to us in our Christian walk? Is it making disciples or making people who think like me?
  2. What is more important, a theological point of view, or someone who daily searches God's word for answers (a Berean)?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to major on the majors and minor on the minors. What do people need to do to be a Christian man of God? That is what I desire to be my focus.

QT 9/28/2024 Ps 133:3, Unity causes others to grow

Psalm 133:title–3 (ESV) —

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers dwell in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil on the head,

running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,

which falls on the mountains of Zion!

For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,

life forevermore.

 

NOTE: Unity is the theme, but the illustrations are probably not as well appreciated in today's modern age. The one is verse 3 does fit if you think of a mountain where the water runs down and the dew in the morning covers all the plants. The valley is green and lush, everything grows well in that valley. That is the picture of unity, everything grows well when there is unity in the body of Christ and in smaller groups within the church.

 

But, where there is disunity, the opposite happens. When people fight, snipe, and are bitter toward others, there is no spiritual growth, just a worldly existence. The church is sapped of strength, because no one is growing in their relationship with the Lord. Sin blocks our relationship. The Holy Spirit is grieved. And one bitter person can be a root of bitterness that springs up and defiles everyone. It only takes one person.

 

PONDER:

  1. Am I bitter or angry toward someone in the church?
  2. Have I gone to God and repented of my sin of bitterness and asked him for the strength to love?

 

PRAYER: Father, I can't think of any issue that bothers me or any person I struggle with a relationship. I see difficult people, but I hold no grudge. I want your Holy Spirit to guide me in my relationships with others. Protect me from Satan's schemes.

Friday, September 27, 2024

QT 9/27/2024 Rom 15:1-3, Is it serving or volunteering?

Romans 15:1–3 (ESV) —

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

 

NOTE: The passage does seem to argue (with caveats) that we are to be people-pleasers. The caveat is that the purpose of people-pleasing is to build them up, and that it should be for their good. I would add their spiritual good. People-pleasing so that their life is more comfortable falls outside this definition because it is not good. The historical record of scripture (Israel) is that when life is good, people forget God, but when life has struggles, people turn to God. If my people-pleasing is just to make another person's life more comfortable, then it is destructive and not helpful. We can take burdens from other people's shoulders when they are over-burdened or overwhelmed. There can be "good" spiritually for them in that type of service.

 

Galatians 6:2 (ESV) — Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

The point of these verses -- it is good to do bear another's burden, in fact it is even commanded. But Paul reiterates in Galatians that our motivation needs to be the person's good. In summary, we must always ask a couple of questions:

 

  1. How can I serve that will please this person?
  2. Will my service be good for the person or merely allow them to continue in a poor path?

 

PONDER:

  1. Do I serve or volunteer? Volunteering is done on my terms. Serving is done on the other person's terms.
  2. When was the last time I truly served another?

 

PRAYER: Father, we are so selfish that often we don't even realize that our helping out is not really helping but putting another person on our timetable and schedule to make ourselves feel good. Forgive me for my selfishness. Help me to see and understand how I placed boundaries on my serving others. Cleanse me of my sin.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

QT 9/26/2024 Matt 6:30-34, We need to dump the selfishness and seek God to meet our needs

Matthew 6:30–34 (ESV) —

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

NOTE: "O you of little faith," that pretty much describes me. Instead of trusting, I am often scheming. Instead of believing, I am worrying. Instead of going to God in prayer, I'm considering my options first. I do go to God in prayer, but often too late, when I should go immediately. And I need to add a phrase to my prayer to remind me about God. "Answer me according to my needs, not according to my wants."

 

We do confuse "needs" and "wants." And consequently, we don't pray or trust God because we feel he has failed us, that is, he did not answer our prayer for a "want." We don't serve when it is inconvenient. We don't pray because we are focused on "wants." We don't grow because that takes time from the things we really want to do. We are selfish, selfish, selfish.

 

Who can rescue us or transform us? God can, but will we go to him and ask for his transformation? It might be inconvenient for what we want to do with our lives.

 

PONDER:

  1. Do I believe that he cares enough to give up worrying?
  2. Am I too focused on self?
  3. Do I understand the difference between getting what I want and getting what I need?
  4. Who am I really living for?

 

PRAYER: Father, we are a selfish people, sin is deep within our core being. It motivates us, drives us, confuses us. We call right, wrong; and wrong, right according to the dictates of our flesh. We are more worried about what others think about us, then what you think. Father, free us from our misery. Fill us with your Spirit. Help us to see life differently and to live not for selves but for you.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

QT 9/25/2024 Rev 2:2-7, Judgment for our rebellion is near

Revelation 2:2–7 (ESV) —

2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

 

NOTE: The phrase "… to eat of the tree of life …" is eternal life. It was denied to us at the fall in the garden of Eden when we rebelled against God's rule. Instead, we wanted to be our own gods, knowing good from evil. And how is that going? No so well. We seem to head to more and more evil with more and more freedom. We are never satisfied. And we have rampant mental health problems in our day of great knowledge, freedom, and pride that we can do as we choose. Our sin is slowing destroying us. We can see it in our societies. Evil grows, crime grows, and the love for others is missing. And somehow we think we are advancing.

 

We need a transformation, a reformation in faith, and a boldness to stand up to the evil around us. Soon, the rapture will take place and judgment will begin. I think we are within ten years, but it could be tomorrow or far into the future. Whatever the case, we need to start living and acting as if it is very soon.

 

PONDER:

  1. Am I in lockstep with the culture, or do live according to God's word?
  2. I can't force people to change -- that is not my role -- but I can warn them of a coming judgment for those who do not know Jesus. Am I warning others?

 

PRAYER: Father, we have strayed so far from you. I wish we were the church of Ephesus, but even the description of Laodicea does not fit us. We are falling fast. I pray to be a witness for truth in these days.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

QT 9/24/2024 2 Chron 7:12-14, Truly seeking God

2 Chronicles 7:12–14 (ESV) —

12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

 

NOTE: The passage is specific to Israel and in response to Solomon's prayer. But, the principles are common in how God has chosen to deal with those called by his name. He uses hard times to drive us back to him, and to seek him once again. He desires us to humble ourselves in repentance, to pray, seek him, and turn from our sin. Finally, he promises to forgive, and in his time, to heal. It is almost like math equation with one large difference, it is not a formula, but a reflection of what the true heart of a child of God should feel. One cannot fool God by going through the motions of repentance and seeking him through outward works. It has to be from the inside. It has to be from the heart.

 

PONDER:

  1. Am I going through the motions in my seeking God?
  2. Is my heart fully engaged? Am I truly repentant? Am I broken?

 

PRAYER: Father, I do so desire to seek you with all my heart. I don't want to live for this world or the things of this world. I am not placed here to enjoy life (although that is no evil), but I am here to serve you. Help me to follow your will and serve you with my whole spirit.

Monday, September 23, 2024

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.

Sunday, September 22, 2024

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.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

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.

Friday, September 20, 2024

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.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

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.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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.

 

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

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.

Monday, September 16, 2024

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.

Sunday, September 15, 2024

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.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

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.

Friday, September 13, 2024

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.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

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.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

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.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

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.

Monday, September 9, 2024

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.

Sunday, September 8, 2024

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.