“Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:3-4).
Thanks! Gracias! Mahalo! Danke! Merci! Obrigado! No matter how you say it, every language has a way to express thanks. It is considered polite speech to say thanks to one who serves you, shows kindness, or gives a gift. Proper conduct and good manners are taught to children to prepare them for life. Similarly, in a life of discipleship, thanksgiving is a learned discipline.
By nature we may not be thankful or inclined to show appreciation. As a child learns to say please and thank you, the scripture teaches us to become disciples who show appreciation in our expressions to God. In a Thanksgiving Psalm we are instructed, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). In the New Testament Paul instructed believers in the gift of thanksgiving, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Some think of God with an entitlement mentality. That thinking is if I’m a good person then God is required to do good things for me. If I go to church a few times a year then God owes me some answers to prayer and maybe a miracle or two. It is a vending machine relationship with God; I put in my church service, Bible reading, a few prayers and donations and God spits out whatever I need when I push the button. In truth, God owes us nothing and no amount of good works obligates Him to honor our desires.
Instead of a vending machine model we should strive for a relationship of trust that acknowledges His blessings. In a proper thanksgiving relationship you can view every blessing as a gift, the bounty He provides as benevolent provision. God doesn’t owe us anything. No amount of giving or service requires God to grant the items on our wish list. He is a good God who showers us with His favor and endows us with His blessing. Whatever life brings our way, we can have confidence in God that He will work out all things for our good. Upon that premise we can thank God and give Him praise! “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Leadership through Discipleship #22
Simon, the Zealot, The Power of Passion
Aggressive and passionate men were among the chosen disciples. Simon Peter was one. Another was also called Simon. Perhaps it was to distinguish between them that Luke identified the latter as Simon the Zealot. There was surely something in his character or behavior that caused the Luke to tag him with the moniker. The other synoptic gospel writers identify this Simon as “the Canaanite.” Literally, it is Cananean, probably a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “zealot.” John does not identify the disciples individually but refers to “the twelve” on several occasions.
Throughout this time of history, from the Maccabees until the destruction of Jerusalem, there were extreme individuals who joined together to plot the overthrow of the Roman oppressors. Some were so passionate in their zeal for nationalism that they resorted to violent actions against the occupying forces. Some became assassins, intent on destroying the leaders of their opposition (Acts 21:38). The Zealots were not identified as a political group until around AD 68. These were leaders in the defense of the temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed two years later.
The use of the word “Zealot” to identify this Simon probably indicates his zeal for God’s honor and not extreme nationalism. Simon would likely have been passionate before the call to be a disciple, but now the cause for his passion was redirected. As he heard the teaching of Jesus he learned the principles of loving the enemy, submitting to God’s authority, and showing mercy to others. He also learned that he could channel this fervent drive to share the Gospel with others and appropriately face the opposition to the “good news” of peace. No longer would he dream of overthrowing Roman dominion, but now he could set out to defeat the kingdom of darkness as he proclaimed the message of light.
Passion is a valuable quality and zeal is an admirable attribute, but misdirected passion can destroy a legitimate cause. Untempered zeal can endanger a righteous movement. Extreme anti-abortion activists, who slay doctors and deface clinics in their zest for justice, do more damage to the cause than they do to advance the pro-life agenda. Paul spoke of those in Israel who had “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Teaching and understanding brings wisdom to our fervor and power to our passion.
If we can learn the lessons of the master teacher we may be able to focus our passion to His righteous cause and advance the Kingdom of God more effectively. Through discipleship we are not dismissing zeal and dissolving passion, but directing these God given talents to a positive expression. Paul wrote of Epaphras who had a “great zeal” for the Colossians. He said he is “always laboring fervently for you in prayers” (Colossians 4:12-13). May we be likewise passionate for the advancement of God’s kingdom in our day!
Aggressive and passionate men were among the chosen disciples. Simon Peter was one. Another was also called Simon. Perhaps it was to distinguish between them that Luke identified the latter as Simon the Zealot. There was surely something in his character or behavior that caused the Luke to tag him with the moniker. The other synoptic gospel writers identify this Simon as “the Canaanite.” Literally, it is Cananean, probably a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “zealot.” John does not identify the disciples individually but refers to “the twelve” on several occasions.
Throughout this time of history, from the Maccabees until the destruction of Jerusalem, there were extreme individuals who joined together to plot the overthrow of the Roman oppressors. Some were so passionate in their zeal for nationalism that they resorted to violent actions against the occupying forces. Some became assassins, intent on destroying the leaders of their opposition (Acts 21:38). The Zealots were not identified as a political group until around AD 68. These were leaders in the defense of the temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed two years later.
The use of the word “Zealot” to identify this Simon probably indicates his zeal for God’s honor and not extreme nationalism. Simon would likely have been passionate before the call to be a disciple, but now the cause for his passion was redirected. As he heard the teaching of Jesus he learned the principles of loving the enemy, submitting to God’s authority, and showing mercy to others. He also learned that he could channel this fervent drive to share the Gospel with others and appropriately face the opposition to the “good news” of peace. No longer would he dream of overthrowing Roman dominion, but now he could set out to defeat the kingdom of darkness as he proclaimed the message of light.
Passion is a valuable quality and zeal is an admirable attribute, but misdirected passion can destroy a legitimate cause. Untempered zeal can endanger a righteous movement. Extreme anti-abortion activists, who slay doctors and deface clinics in their zest for justice, do more damage to the cause than they do to advance the pro-life agenda. Paul spoke of those in Israel who had “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Teaching and understanding brings wisdom to our fervor and power to our passion.
If we can learn the lessons of the master teacher we may be able to focus our passion to His righteous cause and advance the Kingdom of God more effectively. Through discipleship we are not dismissing zeal and dissolving passion, but directing these God given talents to a positive expression. Paul wrote of Epaphras who had a “great zeal” for the Colossians. He said he is “always laboring fervently for you in prayers” (Colossians 4:12-13). May we be likewise passionate for the advancement of God’s kingdom in our day!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Leadership through Discipleship #21
Philip, The Power of Sufficiency
“Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8).
Jesus sought and found Philip in the same town as the first four disciples. After the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John, Philip is always listed next in the order of the disciples. John is the only gospel writer to give us detailed information about this disciple. Upon the call of Jesus, Philip shares the news with Nathanael who appears to be skeptical but comes to follow Jesus as well.
After this initial introduction to Philip we are given three more narratives where he is mentioned with Jesus. At the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus asked Philip how they would feed the great multitude coming out to hear Jesus. In a quick assessment Philip determined it would be much greater than what they could provide even if the supply was available. He said, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little” (John 6:7). A denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wage in the first century.
Philip appears to be a pragmatic rationalist. He sees things the way they are and determines the impossibility of the task. He judges things “sufficient” or “insufficient” and this time he says even if we had the day’s wages for 200 men it would not be enough to feed this multitude. Andrew is almost apologetic as he offers that a lad in the crowd had a lunch of five loaves and two fishes, and says, “but what are they among so many” (John 6:9). Jesus was testing their faith. He then took the lunch, blessed it, broke it and fed the multitude with many baskets of leftovers!
Philip is with the disciples another time when Jesus began speaking of His imminent death. He said, “You know the way.” It was Thomas who spoke up and said, “No, Lord, we don’t know the way.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Then Philip responded, “Show us the father and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8). Again Philip is judging what is or is not sufficient! What he missed was the fact that Jesus was the Father among mankind. Jesus said, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” (John 14:9).
While Philip was concerned with what was sufficient, Jesus was ready to reveal heaven’s secrets. In the mind of Philip, everything has a value and you either have enough or not. But, Jesus came to show him the abundance of His provision and the vastness of his person. This isn’t just a rabbi, a prophet, or a leader. This is God in flesh, the Creator come down to visit His creation. The Father has walked their roads and felt their pain. What Jesus came to perform was more than sufficient, it was abundant. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The power of sufficiency is found in His abundance!
“Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8).
Jesus sought and found Philip in the same town as the first four disciples. After the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John, Philip is always listed next in the order of the disciples. John is the only gospel writer to give us detailed information about this disciple. Upon the call of Jesus, Philip shares the news with Nathanael who appears to be skeptical but comes to follow Jesus as well.
After this initial introduction to Philip we are given three more narratives where he is mentioned with Jesus. At the feeding of the 5,000 Jesus asked Philip how they would feed the great multitude coming out to hear Jesus. In a quick assessment Philip determined it would be much greater than what they could provide even if the supply was available. He said, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little” (John 6:7). A denarius was the equivalent of a day’s wage in the first century.
Philip appears to be a pragmatic rationalist. He sees things the way they are and determines the impossibility of the task. He judges things “sufficient” or “insufficient” and this time he says even if we had the day’s wages for 200 men it would not be enough to feed this multitude. Andrew is almost apologetic as he offers that a lad in the crowd had a lunch of five loaves and two fishes, and says, “but what are they among so many” (John 6:9). Jesus was testing their faith. He then took the lunch, blessed it, broke it and fed the multitude with many baskets of leftovers!
Philip is with the disciples another time when Jesus began speaking of His imminent death. He said, “You know the way.” It was Thomas who spoke up and said, “No, Lord, we don’t know the way.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Then Philip responded, “Show us the father and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8). Again Philip is judging what is or is not sufficient! What he missed was the fact that Jesus was the Father among mankind. Jesus said, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?” (John 14:9).
While Philip was concerned with what was sufficient, Jesus was ready to reveal heaven’s secrets. In the mind of Philip, everything has a value and you either have enough or not. But, Jesus came to show him the abundance of His provision and the vastness of his person. This isn’t just a rabbi, a prophet, or a leader. This is God in flesh, the Creator come down to visit His creation. The Father has walked their roads and felt their pain. What Jesus came to perform was more than sufficient, it was abundant. He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The power of sufficiency is found in His abundance!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Serve the Lord without Distraction
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Can you read the length of this devotional without an interruption or a distraction? Our lives are full of them. Just when you sit down to talk to someone the doorbell sounds, or the phone rings, or the teapot sings. About the time you say “I think I’ll pray awhile,” someone drops by, or you hear a siren, or the newspaper headline catches your attention. You think to read your Bible online but an urgent email arrives, or you suddenly remember an overdue payment, or a popup ad appears enticing you to check out the latest offer before time runs out. Our lives are full of distractions.
How easy we think it would be to accomplish our tasks if we just had enough time free of distractions! Yet we find it impossible to be without our phone or away from the internet for any length of time. We place ourselves where a call or text message or an email can interrupt us at anytime. We know we’re being distracted but don’t have the will to ignore the phone, lock the door, set aside the urgent demands of the day and make time for the truly important things in life.
If only there were time to complete all we set out to do! In truth we all have the same twenty-four hour day. Why is it then that some seem to accomplish so much more in the same amount of time? Could it be in the way we deal with distractions? Some create a “to-do” list and check off the items completed in order of priority. We are not all so organized. Others delegate the tasks that others can do and then focus on the things that only they can do. Wouldn’t it be nice to have such qualified people around us ready to do our bidding! Some isolate themselves from people in order that they might perform their duties. That may not be an option for us.
I believe that we can do a better job of prioritizing our responsibilities and asking God to give us people that can help accomplish all we have set out to do. Whether the distractions are sins or just encumbrances, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Put away the unproductive, unedifying, and unnecessary aspects of our lives and “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Serve the Lord without distraction! Allow me to join with the apostle Paul when he wrote, “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:35).
Can you read the length of this devotional without an interruption or a distraction? Our lives are full of them. Just when you sit down to talk to someone the doorbell sounds, or the phone rings, or the teapot sings. About the time you say “I think I’ll pray awhile,” someone drops by, or you hear a siren, or the newspaper headline catches your attention. You think to read your Bible online but an urgent email arrives, or you suddenly remember an overdue payment, or a popup ad appears enticing you to check out the latest offer before time runs out. Our lives are full of distractions.
How easy we think it would be to accomplish our tasks if we just had enough time free of distractions! Yet we find it impossible to be without our phone or away from the internet for any length of time. We place ourselves where a call or text message or an email can interrupt us at anytime. We know we’re being distracted but don’t have the will to ignore the phone, lock the door, set aside the urgent demands of the day and make time for the truly important things in life.
If only there were time to complete all we set out to do! In truth we all have the same twenty-four hour day. Why is it then that some seem to accomplish so much more in the same amount of time? Could it be in the way we deal with distractions? Some create a “to-do” list and check off the items completed in order of priority. We are not all so organized. Others delegate the tasks that others can do and then focus on the things that only they can do. Wouldn’t it be nice to have such qualified people around us ready to do our bidding! Some isolate themselves from people in order that they might perform their duties. That may not be an option for us.
I believe that we can do a better job of prioritizing our responsibilities and asking God to give us people that can help accomplish all we have set out to do. Whether the distractions are sins or just encumbrances, the writer of Hebrews encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Put away the unproductive, unedifying, and unnecessary aspects of our lives and “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Serve the Lord without distraction! Allow me to join with the apostle Paul when he wrote, “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:35).
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