Pass the Salt Has Moved
15 years ago
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Do You Have A Blog?
Have you taken The Challenge, and do you have a Blog? If so, we'd love to add you to the WCC Blogroll on the right side of this page. E-mail Brian Schulenburg at bschulenburg@wccmn.org, and we'll get your blog added to the WCC Blogroll.
Wanted: Sowers
Today's Reading: Psalm 12, Genesis 13:2‐18, 1 Chronicles 13, Luke 8:4‐21
Luke 8:4-21 - Jesus loved to teach by telling stories. In Luke 8:4-21 he tells us two parables, the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Lamp.
The Parable of the Sower talks about several different types of soil that a sower sows his seed on. He throws some seed along the path, and that seed is trampled underfoot. Some seed falls on the rock and quickly withers away because of a lack of moisture. Some falls among thorns and when it grows it is choked out by the roots. Some of the seed falls on good soil and grows and yields a hundredfold.
Many pastor's have preached messages on this passage and said, "What kind of soil are you?"
But, I wonder if the point is less about the soil and more about the sowing. Maybe the point of the parable is that we would become sowers, recognizing that not every seed we throw will bear fruit, but we need to thrown the seed. Remember, the seed is the Word of God. Let's keep working to get His Word heard, but not just heard, let's live incarnationally and let it be seen!
Luke 8:4-21 - Jesus loved to teach by telling stories. In Luke 8:4-21 he tells us two parables, the Parable of the Sower and the Parable of the Lamp.
The Parable of the Sower talks about several different types of soil that a sower sows his seed on. He throws some seed along the path, and that seed is trampled underfoot. Some seed falls on the rock and quickly withers away because of a lack of moisture. Some falls among thorns and when it grows it is choked out by the roots. Some of the seed falls on good soil and grows and yields a hundredfold.
Many pastor's have preached messages on this passage and said, "What kind of soil are you?"
But, I wonder if the point is less about the soil and more about the sowing. Maybe the point of the parable is that we would become sowers, recognizing that not every seed we throw will bear fruit, but we need to thrown the seed. Remember, the seed is the Word of God. Let's keep working to get His Word heard, but not just heard, let's live incarnationally and let it be seen!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Forgiven
Today's Reading: Psalm 11, Genesis 12‐13:1, 1 Chronicles 12, Luke 7:36‐8:3
Jesus came into this world for sinners. There are few places in Scripture where this is as apparent as Luke 7:36-8:3. The guest of a Pharisee, Jesus seems almost out of place at his table. Jesus is righteous. The Pharisee is self-righteous. Jesus is concerned with matters of the heart. The Pharisee is concerned with matters of the head. Jesus is concerned for all people. The Pharisee is concerned about the "right people." When a sinful woman comes in to anoint Jesus' body with oil, the Pharisee saw only the sin in the woman. Christ saw her faith. Christ saw her potential. Christ saw her as the woman that He created her to be.
I'm glad that Christ came for sinners like me. And, I'm glad he came with the power to forgive. One more thing He saw that the Pharisee didn't -- He saw her forgiven. He saw her redeemed. And, Jesus forgave her. For the first time, we see Jesus say that He has the power to forgive. This was blasphemy to the Pharisee, and jubilee to the woman. Has He forgiven you? He can. 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all iniquity. Praise God!
Jesus came into this world for sinners. There are few places in Scripture where this is as apparent as Luke 7:36-8:3. The guest of a Pharisee, Jesus seems almost out of place at his table. Jesus is righteous. The Pharisee is self-righteous. Jesus is concerned with matters of the heart. The Pharisee is concerned with matters of the head. Jesus is concerned for all people. The Pharisee is concerned about the "right people." When a sinful woman comes in to anoint Jesus' body with oil, the Pharisee saw only the sin in the woman. Christ saw her faith. Christ saw her potential. Christ saw her as the woman that He created her to be.
I'm glad that Christ came for sinners like me. And, I'm glad he came with the power to forgive. One more thing He saw that the Pharisee didn't -- He saw her forgiven. He saw her redeemed. And, Jesus forgave her. For the first time, we see Jesus say that He has the power to forgive. This was blasphemy to the Pharisee, and jubilee to the woman. Has He forgiven you? He can. 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all iniquity. Praise God!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Strengthened By Another's Faith
Today's Reading: Psalm 10, Genesis 11, 1 Chronicles 11, Luke 7:1‐35
John the Baptist sat in a prison cell. He was there because he had spoken against King Herod's sin. He had seen much in his life. God had allowed him to grow up in a godly home. His parents always doted on him. They called him their "miracle child." And, to be fair, he was! Everything about John's life spelled miracle. His birth was announced by an angel. He was born to a couple well past childbearing years. He was filled by the Holy Spirit from the womb. And, despite his strange diet and appearance, and his less than ideal ministry setting, God used him to impact hundreds, perhaps thousands of people.
Crowds used to come to see John in droves. Now all that saw him were a few prison guards, some disciples who occasionally visited him, and his fellow prisoners. Jail gave him lots of time to think. Was Jesus really who John thought that He was? It had been so clear. At the baptism of Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit were present. Jesus had been so tender and yet powerful with his words. But that didn't change John's location. "Why?" John must have thought. "Why has God put me here?"
Even spiritual giants can have doubts from time to time. John the Baptist was no exception. In Luke 7:20, two of John's disciples are sent to ask Jesus if He really is the one who is to come (the Messiah). Why did John ask this? Because he needed reassurance.
Jesus gave John reassurance. Just before the disciples of John found Jesus, he had done something spectacular. He had healed a centurion's servant and raised a widow's son from the dead.
Jesus knew John would have doubts. He knew John's friends would come to find Him in that town. And, He healed and raised the dead not just as a blessing to those families impacted by the healing and resurrection, but as a blessing to John as he sat in that prison cell.
Sometimes God encourages us by allowing us to see what He is doing in the lives of others. Has he done that for you? If so, thank Him for it, and rejoice while others rejoice.
John the Baptist sat in a prison cell. He was there because he had spoken against King Herod's sin. He had seen much in his life. God had allowed him to grow up in a godly home. His parents always doted on him. They called him their "miracle child." And, to be fair, he was! Everything about John's life spelled miracle. His birth was announced by an angel. He was born to a couple well past childbearing years. He was filled by the Holy Spirit from the womb. And, despite his strange diet and appearance, and his less than ideal ministry setting, God used him to impact hundreds, perhaps thousands of people.
Crowds used to come to see John in droves. Now all that saw him were a few prison guards, some disciples who occasionally visited him, and his fellow prisoners. Jail gave him lots of time to think. Was Jesus really who John thought that He was? It had been so clear. At the baptism of Jesus, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit were present. Jesus had been so tender and yet powerful with his words. But that didn't change John's location. "Why?" John must have thought. "Why has God put me here?"
Even spiritual giants can have doubts from time to time. John the Baptist was no exception. In Luke 7:20, two of John's disciples are sent to ask Jesus if He really is the one who is to come (the Messiah). Why did John ask this? Because he needed reassurance.
Jesus gave John reassurance. Just before the disciples of John found Jesus, he had done something spectacular. He had healed a centurion's servant and raised a widow's son from the dead.
Jesus knew John would have doubts. He knew John's friends would come to find Him in that town. And, He healed and raised the dead not just as a blessing to those families impacted by the healing and resurrection, but as a blessing to John as he sat in that prison cell.
Sometimes God encourages us by allowing us to see what He is doing in the lives of others. Has he done that for you? If so, thank Him for it, and rejoice while others rejoice.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Breach of Faith
Today's Reading: Psalm 9, Genesis 9:20-10:32; 1 Chronicles 10; Luke 6:17-49
Saul was Israel's first king. He didn't reach that position because of birth. He became king, because God chose him to be king. And, he began as a fine king.
But, as the years went by, Saul became power hungry and broke his faith in the Lord. He even consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 1 Chronicles 10 is the sad story of Saul's death, and not only Saul's death but the death of his armor bearer and his three sons.
This morning in church we talked about God's judgement. We like to talk about God's grace and love, but His judgement is a topic we tend to ignore. Scripture doesn't sugarcoat the wrath of God. It's seen in many places in the Old Testament and New Testament, including in the chroniclers theological explanation of Saul's death in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Reread verses 13-14 now.
"13 So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."
Does God's wrath motivate you to share Him with others? Does it confuse you? Does it surprise you?
A.W. Tozer's words from his classic work, The Knowledge of the Holy might help you as you think about God's wrath. Read these words and record your thoughts in our comment section:
“God’s compassion flows out of His goodness, and goodness without justice is not goodness. God spares us because He is good, but He could not be good if He were not just. . . God’s justice stands forever against the sinner in utter severity. The value and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unregarded. As responsible moral beings we dare not to so trifle with our eternal future.”
Saul was Israel's first king. He didn't reach that position because of birth. He became king, because God chose him to be king. And, he began as a fine king.
But, as the years went by, Saul became power hungry and broke his faith in the Lord. He even consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 1 Chronicles 10 is the sad story of Saul's death, and not only Saul's death but the death of his armor bearer and his three sons.
This morning in church we talked about God's judgement. We like to talk about God's grace and love, but His judgement is a topic we tend to ignore. Scripture doesn't sugarcoat the wrath of God. It's seen in many places in the Old Testament and New Testament, including in the chroniclers theological explanation of Saul's death in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Reread verses 13-14 now.
"13 So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."
Does God's wrath motivate you to share Him with others? Does it confuse you? Does it surprise you?
A.W. Tozer's words from his classic work, The Knowledge of the Holy might help you as you think about God's wrath. Read these words and record your thoughts in our comment section:
“God’s compassion flows out of His goodness, and goodness without justice is not goodness. God spares us because He is good, but He could not be good if He were not just. . . God’s justice stands forever against the sinner in utter severity. The value and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all pleasant forms of iniquity while death draws every day nearer and the command to repent goes unregarded. As responsible moral beings we dare not to so trifle with our eternal future.”
Saturday, January 9, 2010
When Righteousness Invaded
Today's Reading: Psalm 8, Genesis 8:20‐9:19, 1 Chronicles 9, Luke 5:1‐6:16
Luke 5:1-6:16 records the calling of the first disciples. Our precious Lord chose ordinary men to follow Him as His disciples. And, their response to follow often times came because of that they had seen Him do. I find it interesting that Jesus came to save sinners, but Simon Peter, after seeing the miracle of the fish said, "Depart from me, I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus didn't want to depart from Peter, He wanted to save him. He came here because we needed Him. He came for sinful men and women.
These chapters really help us understand that it was because of to redeem sinful men that Jesus came to earth. Simon was right to ask Jesus to depart from his presence, because he felt guilty about his life. Jesus redeems Simon, and also offers this redemption to us.
I love after the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, that the Pharisees and Scribes accuse Jesus of hanging out with sinners. Jesus responds beautifully by explaining the the righteous don't need a doctor, the sick do. He came for sinners.
Luke, the doctor, is quick to point out the miraculous healings that took place in this chapter. These healings were needed because of the effects of the fall of man. Sin brought death, and Christ brings life. Embrace His gift of life today!
Luke 5:1-6:16 records the calling of the first disciples. Our precious Lord chose ordinary men to follow Him as His disciples. And, their response to follow often times came because of that they had seen Him do. I find it interesting that Jesus came to save sinners, but Simon Peter, after seeing the miracle of the fish said, "Depart from me, I am a sinful man, O Lord." Jesus didn't want to depart from Peter, He wanted to save him. He came here because we needed Him. He came for sinful men and women.
These chapters really help us understand that it was because of to redeem sinful men that Jesus came to earth. Simon was right to ask Jesus to depart from his presence, because he felt guilty about his life. Jesus redeems Simon, and also offers this redemption to us.
I love after the calling of Matthew, the tax collector, that the Pharisees and Scribes accuse Jesus of hanging out with sinners. Jesus responds beautifully by explaining the the righteous don't need a doctor, the sick do. He came for sinners.
Luke, the doctor, is quick to point out the miraculous healings that took place in this chapter. These healings were needed because of the effects of the fall of man. Sin brought death, and Christ brings life. Embrace His gift of life today!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Who Is Your Refuge?
Today's Reading: Psalm 7, Genesis 8:1-19, 1 Chronicles 8, Luke 4:14-44
What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord? David paints a beautiful picture of the safety that comes from following God in Psalm 7. I love verses one and two.
"O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver."
These verses bring to mind a youtube video that took the Internet by storm a few years back. A group of tourists were on an African safari when they came upon a pitiful scene. A pack of wildebeests were trying to cross a pond at Kruger Animal Park in South Africa when a juvenile wildebeest escaped from the herd. A pride of lions was lurking in the nearby grass, waiting for an opportunity to attack. The video shows the attack and what happened next. Watch it. The ending is incredible. And, it's a beautiful picture of the safety that comes when we take refuge. God is our ultimate refuge, the only One who will never fail us?
How has God been your Refuge?
What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord? David paints a beautiful picture of the safety that comes from following God in Psalm 7. I love verses one and two.
"O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver."
These verses bring to mind a youtube video that took the Internet by storm a few years back. A group of tourists were on an African safari when they came upon a pitiful scene. A pack of wildebeests were trying to cross a pond at Kruger Animal Park in South Africa when a juvenile wildebeest escaped from the herd. A pride of lions was lurking in the nearby grass, waiting for an opportunity to attack. The video shows the attack and what happened next. Watch it. The ending is incredible. And, it's a beautiful picture of the safety that comes when we take refuge. God is our ultimate refuge, the only One who will never fail us?
How has God been your Refuge?
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