My Prayer: Psalm 23 (New International Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
The Reading: John 9-11
John 10:2-5 (New International Version)
2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
My Thoughts: We're supposed to recognize Jesus' voice. We're supposed to know Him and follow him the way the sheep follow the shepherd. Later he says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me...no one can snatch them out of my hand." When I read this, I think about how much security those sheep have because of their trust. How much security I have because of my faith. I rememember talking about this in one of our bible studies at work, how we're supposed to recognize the Father's voice. There used to be 2 people in the world who could call me at work and I'd get choked up, no matter the purpose of the call. With my mother, it was a little better because we talked every day anyway, but almost without fail, if my dad called me at work, a sudden homesick feeling would hit me. And for some of that time, I lived 3 doors down from my parents! I might not see them for weeks, but one phone call got me all choked up. Totally weird, but it was just something about hearing his voice. He didn't have to identify himself or even say much at all and I knew who it was. All it took was a "Hey" and I recognized his voice. I don't know the sound of Jesus' voice that well. But I really want to. I want to know the safety that comes from knowing the shepherd is here, not some thief, not some stranger, but the shepherd who wants good things for me.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day 29-I Am
My Prayer: Psalm 89:8 (New International Version)
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
The Reading: John 6-8
Exodus 3:14 (New International Version)
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
My Thoughts: Tricky, right? The notes in Bible mention that here, Jesus says over and over "I am..." I think there are seven different places where he says something that starts with this phrase ("I am the light of the world") and at the end of Chapter 8, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!" This is one of the names of Jesus that I've always been interested in. It really captures the eternal and god-like nature of Jesus...always has been, always will be powerful enough to do it...whatever it is. I like the song by Mark Schultz in the box. Check it out.
8 O LORD God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.
The Reading: John 6-8
Exodus 3:14 (New International Version)
14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
My Thoughts: Tricky, right? The notes in Bible mention that here, Jesus says over and over "I am..." I think there are seven different places where he says something that starts with this phrase ("I am the light of the world") and at the end of Chapter 8, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am!" This is one of the names of Jesus that I've always been interested in. It really captures the eternal and god-like nature of Jesus...always has been, always will be powerful enough to do it...whatever it is. I like the song by Mark Schultz in the box. Check it out.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Day 28-Not to condemn
My Prayer: Psalm 57:10 (New International Version)
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
The Reading: John 3-5
John 3:16-18 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
My Thoughts: God is love, right? We've all heard it, some of us have said it, and some of us believe it. It's difficult to reconcile a God of love with a God who will someday divide us up...those who know Jesus from those who do not. Really, we couldn't get to God before Jesus, and Jesus will be the one to divide us up...those who he knows and those of us he doesn't know, right? God loved us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we would have a way back to Him. Jesus came and died for us, another example of amazing love. But he also says that someday, he's going to divide us up and say "Depart from me." Everyone has a choice to make. Jesus came to die to give us that choice. When the time comes, we'll be divided up based on what we did with that choice...those who know Jesus from those who don't. God sent the Way, but we have to make the choice.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
The Reading: John 3-5
John 3:16-18 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
My Thoughts: God is love, right? We've all heard it, some of us have said it, and some of us believe it. It's difficult to reconcile a God of love with a God who will someday divide us up...those who know Jesus from those who do not. Really, we couldn't get to God before Jesus, and Jesus will be the one to divide us up...those who he knows and those of us he doesn't know, right? God loved us enough to make the ultimate sacrifice so that we would have a way back to Him. Jesus came and died for us, another example of amazing love. But he also says that someday, he's going to divide us up and say "Depart from me." Everyone has a choice to make. Jesus came to die to give us that choice. When the time comes, we'll be divided up based on what we did with that choice...those who know Jesus from those who don't. God sent the Way, but we have to make the choice.
Day 27-Grace and Truth
My Prayer: Psalm 100:4 (New International Version)
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
The Reading: John 1-2
John 1:17 (New International Version)
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
My Thoughts: The law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus. What does that mean? Jesus answered over and over the questions of the Pharisees and teachers who tried to trip him up. He was a great teacher, a rabbi, a man who knew the law and boiled it down to the basics for us. And thanks to him, it doesn't have a hold on us anymore. We could never come to God while under Moses' law. We mess up. I mess up. Jesus brought grace and truth, light in the dark. We spend a lot of time doing our best to check off the list of things on our "Christian To-Do" list, given to us through the law of Moses. Thank God we aren't under that law anymore. I would never measure up. Jesus brought us a new law, a new agreement with God. All we have to do now is follow the Son, the son he sent to save the world.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
The Reading: John 1-2
John 1:17 (New International Version)
17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
My Thoughts: The law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus. What does that mean? Jesus answered over and over the questions of the Pharisees and teachers who tried to trip him up. He was a great teacher, a rabbi, a man who knew the law and boiled it down to the basics for us. And thanks to him, it doesn't have a hold on us anymore. We could never come to God while under Moses' law. We mess up. I mess up. Jesus brought grace and truth, light in the dark. We spend a lot of time doing our best to check off the list of things on our "Christian To-Do" list, given to us through the law of Moses. Thank God we aren't under that law anymore. I would never measure up. Jesus brought us a new law, a new agreement with God. All we have to do now is follow the Son, the son he sent to save the world.
Day 26-They do not know
My Prayer: Psalm 100:3 (New International Version)
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
The Reading: Luke 23-24
Luke 23:34 (New International Version)
34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
My Thoughts: So maybe this is the best example of Jesus praying for sinners. He spoke to his Father on behalf of the people responsible for his crucifixion. In that moment of suffering and pain, he prayed for others, the very people responsible for his suffering. What an example. I don't know why I never thought of Jesus praying for me. He did it on the cross.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
The Reading: Luke 23-24
Luke 23:34 (New International Version)
34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
My Thoughts: So maybe this is the best example of Jesus praying for sinners. He spoke to his Father on behalf of the people responsible for his crucifixion. In that moment of suffering and pain, he prayed for others, the very people responsible for his suffering. What an example. I don't know why I never thought of Jesus praying for me. He did it on the cross.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Day 25-Back to Peter
My Prayer: Psalm 54:4 (New International Version)
4 Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
The Reading: Luke 21-22
Luke 22:28-34 (New International Version)
28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
My Thoughts: I think I may have posted this before when I talked about Jesus praying for us. Peter really is my favorite. Don't you know Jesus just had to shake his head sometimes in disbelief at Peter. Peter was going to do great things...but he wasn't there yet. Then later on, verse 61, after Peter has, yes, actually denied knowing Jesus 3 times, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered..." Oh, man. Can you imagine? Peter blusters and promises (and cuts off some dude's ear and Jesus has to fix it) and then he messes up in a big way...and then he has to meet Jesus' eye. Oh, man. That's so much worse than getting a phone call at work to talk about how I've messed up in a big way. I cringe, and fret, and stay up at night worrying about it. Can you imagine the upset Peter faced? And Jesus knew it would happen and loved Peter anyway, made plans for his rewards in advance. Peter got a second (or with Peter, third, fourth, fifth) chance. And he did the right thing, the thing that Jesus prayed for. Satan sifted Peter and he failed, but he didn't give up. He did turn back, and he went on to impact the world. Thank you, God, for giving me a second (third, fourth) chance.
4 Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
The Reading: Luke 21-22
Luke 22:28-34 (New International Version)
28You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
My Thoughts: I think I may have posted this before when I talked about Jesus praying for us. Peter really is my favorite. Don't you know Jesus just had to shake his head sometimes in disbelief at Peter. Peter was going to do great things...but he wasn't there yet. Then later on, verse 61, after Peter has, yes, actually denied knowing Jesus 3 times, "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered..." Oh, man. Can you imagine? Peter blusters and promises (and cuts off some dude's ear and Jesus has to fix it) and then he messes up in a big way...and then he has to meet Jesus' eye. Oh, man. That's so much worse than getting a phone call at work to talk about how I've messed up in a big way. I cringe, and fret, and stay up at night worrying about it. Can you imagine the upset Peter faced? And Jesus knew it would happen and loved Peter anyway, made plans for his rewards in advance. Peter got a second (or with Peter, third, fourth, fifth) chance. And he did the right thing, the thing that Jesus prayed for. Satan sifted Peter and he failed, but he didn't give up. He did turn back, and he went on to impact the world. Thank you, God, for giving me a second (third, fourth) chance.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Day 24-The mission
My Prayer: Psalm 56
3 When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
The Reading: Luke 19-20
Luke 19:10 (New International Version)
10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
My Thoughts: I like this story about Zaccheus the tax collector, mainly because Luke tells us that Zaccheus, being a short man, couldn't see over the crowd so he climbed a tree. For some reason, this strikes me as funny. Still, he was dedicated and he was one of the sinners that the teachers of the law didn't approve of. And seeing Jesus was important enough that he climbed a tree. He was an important, rich man. He saw Jesus, Jesus saw him, and Zaccheus made the change...salvation came to his house. My notes say that this verse is the summary of the purpose of this gospel...emphasis on Jesus as the true Messiah, the one eagerly awaited, who came to save what was lost. Who Jesus was and what he was here for in one sentence. And he said it to Zaccheus the sinner.
And just a note...how many days does it take to form a new habit? So I did pretty well for the first 23 days. Today I was too busy fretting over work to get myself together in time to do this in the morning. I keep waiting for everything to kick in...the good habits.
3 When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
The Reading: Luke 19-20
Luke 19:10 (New International Version)
10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
My Thoughts: I like this story about Zaccheus the tax collector, mainly because Luke tells us that Zaccheus, being a short man, couldn't see over the crowd so he climbed a tree. For some reason, this strikes me as funny. Still, he was dedicated and he was one of the sinners that the teachers of the law didn't approve of. And seeing Jesus was important enough that he climbed a tree. He was an important, rich man. He saw Jesus, Jesus saw him, and Zaccheus made the change...salvation came to his house. My notes say that this verse is the summary of the purpose of this gospel...emphasis on Jesus as the true Messiah, the one eagerly awaited, who came to save what was lost. Who Jesus was and what he was here for in one sentence. And he said it to Zaccheus the sinner.
And just a note...how many days does it take to form a new habit? So I did pretty well for the first 23 days. Today I was too busy fretting over work to get myself together in time to do this in the morning. I keep waiting for everything to kick in...the good habits.
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