As For Me And My House…
As For Me And My House…
April 22, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 24:1-33
Luke 21:1-28
Psalms 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
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Today is another day where we find A LOT going on in our reading. What I try to do is pull the piece of scripture out that “speaks” to me on a given day. That doesn’t mean that the rest of the time I read or listened to the Bible was wasted.
In fact, a piece of scripture encountered today may not be revealed to me until later in the day or week. I have been in a situation before facing a tough issue and a piece of scripture I’ve previously read comes to mind that is relevant to my tough situation. I have also been driving down the road and seen a sign that reminds me of a piece of scripture I’ve read recently that helps me with a struggle I’m having. You just never can tell. The key for me is to be open to the Word. When I’m open to the Lord’s instruction it comes.
The way the Holy Spirit “speaks” is limitless. The Holy Spirit can speak audibly, use a street sign, an advertisement, a rock song on the radio, or even the words of a child to speak. Let’s dive into the word and see how God gains commitment from the children of Israel.
As For Me And My House…
…We will serve the Lord.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NIV)
In Joshua today, the Bible says that the Lord spoke to the people using Joshua. The verse is amazing to me because of the way that God tells the peoples story to add depth to what He says. Then Joshua basically tells the people “you can’t do this. You will fall away.” Then the people come back and say, “Oh yes we can. We CAN throw away our foreign gods (idols) and serve him only.”
It’s kind of like the challenges we give our children from time to time. That “reverse psychology” that we use to get our children to commit themselves to something… HMMM.
I noticed the similarity in God’s relationship with the nation of Israel and a parents relationship with the children after we had Gabby and I began to be a parent myself. This a beautiful example that God provides us in scripture today. He is basically challenging His children to do what is right.
He lays it out in steps.
Tells them why it’s important by recounting what He has done for them as a people.
Tells them the right thing to do by telling them to get rid of foreign Gods and serve Him only.
Tells them to be careful before committing to it by using Joshua to warn them.
Tells them the danger due to their own character traits because the have committed in the past and fallen short.
Gains their commitment and challenges them again.
Gains their desperate commitment and changes their mind set
I know this works for hard-headed people because it worked on me!
Can I Get a Witness?
Can I Get a Witness?
April 21, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20:27-47
Psalms 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
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Did You Know?
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Can I Get a Witness?
It took this simple country boy a minute or two this morning. Reading the Word daily has become a great part of my day. Sometimes, truth be known, it is difficult to interpret what the Lord is trying to say to me through his Word. Somedays it may be something profound that jumps off the page. Other days it takes a little more meditation for me to get it.
Here goes… In the Old Testament the Reubenites, Gadites, and Half-Tribe of Mennassah returned to the allotted portion of the Promise Land after the Lord had “given the land peace”. They knew that future generations would have disassociated with them due to geographic reasons and they built an altar. Only it was not an altar for worship. It was an altar to mark a place in time. A memorial. A Witness.
My next stop today wasn’t Luke. I scoured Luke for the word “witness” and could not find it. My next stop was Psalms. The Psalmist writes:
it will be established forever like the moon,
the faithful witness in the sky.” (Psalm 89:37 NIV)
Bare with the danger of taking things out of context for just a moment and roll with me here… That faithful witness in the sky, the moon is a big rock that has seen it all. It also is a marker in space that has been there through the ages. It reminds me that regardless of time and space, we are all in this fallen world and have been since the beginning. Nowadays, we have TVs, cars, and iPads instead of the scrolls, chariots, and tablets they had then (Well, that tablet reference wasn’t a good one was it?).
I went back to Luke and found my witness…
While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” (Luke 20:45-47 NIV)
Jesus was making everyone a witness that day.
Ok. Cool. You Pulled Out The Word Witness. Now What?
Great question. To answer it let’s take a look at another question.
What is a witness?
witness [?w?tn?s]
n
1. a person who has seen or can give first-hand evidence of some event
2. (Law) a person or thing giving or serving as evidence
3. (Law) a person who testifies, esp in a court of law, to events or facts within his own knowledge
4. (Law) a person who attests to the genuineness of a document, signature, etc., by adding his own signature
(Law)
bear witness
a. to give written or oral testimony
b. to be evidence or proof of Related adjective testimonial
vb
1. (tr) to see, be present at, or know at first hand
2. (Law) to give or serve as evidence (of)
3. (tr) to be the scene or setting of this field has witnessed a battle
4. (Law) (intr) to testify, esp in a court of law, to events within a person’s own knowledge
5. (Law) (tr) to attest to the genuineness of (a document, signature, etc.) by adding one’s own signature
[Old English witnes (meaning both testimony and witness), from witan to know, wit2 + -ness; related to Old Norse vitni]
A common practice in Old Testament Times was to pile up rocks in remembrance of an event. We do this today in the form of statues. You don’t need a trip to the Mall on Washington or Mt. Rushmore to see it. You need only to pull some change out of your pocket to see the imprinted “evidence” or “witness” of an event in our Great Nations history.
But a witness is also a person who testifies. That is what most of us struggle with as Christians. “What is my witness”. I was talking with a friend the other day about witnessing and he told me compassionately that it would be easier for him to witness to people in a different country than to people in his own family.
Many people feel that way when it comes to being a witness for the Lord. I believe (and it’s open for discussion) that’s true because we don’t know how to effectively witness for the Lord.
So How Can I Be An Effective Witness For The Lord Then?
Let’s start with Scripture. How about John 4. Jesus shows us how to witness with the Samaritan woman. “But He is Jesus… He can do that… I can’t.” True, True, and False. He did have a unique perspective in this woman’s life because He is all-knowing. True we cannot know the history of someones else’s life, but we can know the history of our own life and what Jesus has done for us.
The Holy Spirit will let you know when you should witness. It’s that sweaty palms moment when your ears get all hot and you know you should ask a question of someone but don’t know why. That’s when you should ask the question. What question? The relevant one. Just like Jesus did to this woman.
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7 NIV)
He didn’t begin with ramming scripture down her throat or exposing her past. He certainly didn’t begin with, “You Sinner. You are going to hell, but before you go… Get me some water!”
He began with a conversation about what was going on in that moment. He allowed here to open up and when she did, He gave her reasons to believe.
That is what I try to do and it seems to work for me. The thing for me is not to try to “Tell” someone why they should believe, but rather tell them why I do. That makes all the difference.
Character, Karate, and Bible Questions
Character, Karate, and Bible Questions
April 20, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 21:1-22:20
Luke 20:1-26
Psalms 89:1-13
Proverbs 13:15-16
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Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
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Life presents its share of difficult situations and people. Interactions with those people can leave you feeling terrible. Sometimes you feel terrible because you reacted the wrong way and sometimes… Well, sometimes you fell terrible because that was the intent.
It could be a cashier at Starbucks, a friend, or anyone you come in contact with. So, when I ask, “Lord, what would you do in this difficult situation?” I am hoping for an answer… Every time I turn to scripture for that answer I usually get one and usually rocks my world. Today is no different.
I pick up my daily reading and… BAM! Jesus is approached in several situations where the people in Jerusalem including the Religious Leaders are trying to catch Him in some kind of lie. They want to expose Jesus as a phony. In short, they are attacking His character. I love what Jesus does next.
Jesus keeps His character intact by staying in control. I heard a long time ago from someone (I really can’t remember where) that whomever is asking the questions is in control. Jesus filets these folks with questions. When they attack His character, Jesus asks questions that expose their character and convict them for their actions on the spot. I love how He handles His Bid-ness!
That’s my answer… Do not react out of haste or out of “karate-like” self-defense. Pause… think about the character of the attack, stay true to your character, and ask them a question.
Jesus does this several times in today’s reading. Then finally in Proverbs (ahhhhh the Proverbs) we see this:
All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly. (Proverbs 13:16 NIV)
When you find yourself in a difficult situation or dealing with a difficult cashier at Starbucks, it could be a great time to witness to them. Today, I’m going to take that with me. I’m going to do my best not to miss the chance to not only stay in control of my character, but also to witness if I encounter any difficult cashiers…
(DISCLAIMER: NO CASHIERS AT STARBUCKS WERE ACTUALLY HARMED IN THE WRITING OF THIS POST.)
Tell Them The Lord Needs It
Tell Them The Lord Needs It
April 19, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 19:1-20:9
Luke 19:28-48
Psalms 88:1-18
Proverbs 13:12-14
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Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
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This story is amazing to me. It seems to breeze through a couple of things and I’ve noticed them before. I have always been so focused on the “Jesus riding on a donkey” part, that I’ve never unpacked other pieces of the story before.
This is a culture of people that abhor thievery. Stealing in this society carries serious consequences. In fact, in just a few days from this story the fate of thief is told on the cross next to Jesus, right?
So how is it that the owners of this donkey catch two guys they don’t know taking their animal and let them go because they said, “The Lord needs it.” Then I remember… The Holy Spirit. Although the Holy Spirt was not yet poured out on the people at Pentecost, I’m not going to doubt the Holy Spirit’s ability to work in these people’s lives.
As I think about it I wonder, could the Holy Spirit have spoken to these donkey owners ahead of time? Were they testing the disciples to make sure they were the ones that were supposed to take the donkey?
There is a much bigger story here, I know. We’ve covered Palm Sunday in the previous two of the Synoptic Gospels. This is the story foretold as prophecy.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9 NIV)
However, unpacking this little part of the story got me to wondering… “Where in my life have I missed contributing to the Glory of the Lord because I was unable or unwilling to listen to the Holy Spirt in MY life?” and “If I had listened then, would I have known how to test the situation like these donkey owners did?” and finally, “How can I be ready when the Holy Spirt speaks to me so I can receive His message, test the others involved, and KNOW that what I’m doing is in accord with the Holy Spirit?”
Whew! That’s a lot of wondering. I believe the answer to at least the last question is for me to remove the “Junk” in my life. The things I have allowed to get in the way. As I’ve talked about for a couple of days… clear the path. By clearing the bitterness, unforgiveness, the pettiness, and the other misgivings I can begin to reorient myself to God. When I want what he wants… I’ll get exactly what I want! When I want something that he doesn’t want… I either don’t get it or I get it and it comes with consequences. And finally, (my 4 grade teacher is shooting herself in the face right now because I began a sentence with “and”… Sorry Mrs. Harrington) I want something and by chance it is what the Lord wants to happen… then I get what I want.
I’m tired of leaving it to chance. I’m going to try to reorient myself to God daily. What would He want for me in this situation. That’s what I’m taking with me today.
“It’s All Relative for 100″
“It’s All Relative for 100″
April 18, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 16:1-18:28
Luke 19:1-27
Psalms 87:1-7
Proverbs 13:11
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Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
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Lot’s of places to go today in scripture. It would be tough to touch on all that is here today, so I’m going to focus on the one thing that stands out to me. I’d love to hear what stands out to you. Email me or leave comment and share.
Jesus’ compassion, understanding, and love for all people is truly amazing. It blew people away that he would not only talk with such a sinner like Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, but he also chose Zacchaeus’ home to visit. In fact, it says the people grumbled against him for this.
In true Jesus form, He really didn’t care. He knows truth and the work He was sent to do and He does it. I draw strength from that. Zacchaeus puts aside what he had formerly put all of his trust in, money, and chose to follow Jesus. That is an amazing story. It’s about removing those idols in our lives so we can receive the Word of God. I love what Jesus says next.
“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9, 10 NIV)
The funny thing is, it doesn’t have to be money. It can be and often is, but it doesn’t have to be. I wrote yesterday about the same thing, but it’s about clearing the path. Removing the “junk” we’ve created for ourselves so the path is clear to hear the Lord.
“It’s All Relative for 100″
What I like most about this is Jesus’ posture of heart. He knows what to do and does it no matter who cares. He is Truth, the Way, and the Life for sure. It’s amazing when I look around in my life and note those that have that power of truth or at least have glimmers of it. Often we are drawn to people because they have that evidence of truth. They know what they are doing, what they will do, and the don’t care who doesn’t like it. Not in a mean way. Like Jesus, we don’t need to withhold compassion from those that don’t understand yet, but we do need to be steadfast in our convictions of truth. Yep… that’s what I’m going to carry with me today.
Revolution 365
Me and J.C. had some company last night at the Bible Study. It was good to be in the presence of the Lord and watch Him work within his people last night. Thank you to all for your support. Keep praying… IT’s WORKING!
Ask And You Shall Receive
Ask And You Shall Receive
April 17, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 15:1-63
Luke 18:18-43
Psalms 86:1-17
Proverbs 13:9-10
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Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
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In the Old Testament, Caleb’s daughter urges her husband to ask her father for a field. It doesn’t sound very exciting, I know. However, later in today’s reading Jesus is asked a question by two people. Psalms today is nothing but asking. We round out the day with proverbs with the promise of advice. The reading kept reminding me of a previous couple of pieces of scripture.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)
And…
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NIV)
If you didn’t get a chance to read the scripture yet or listen to it, I recommend you listen to it. Brian from the Daily Audio Bible does a magnificent job with his commentary and insight today around the passages in Luke.
Bottom line is because of the work that Jesus did we can ask our Lord anything. In order to receive it we must let go of everything we are holding onto with full trust that God will not let us fall.
We get really good at spotting other people’s idols. It’s when we focus inward that we usually give up. It doesn’t matter whether it’s as easy to spot as a bottle in the hand of a homeless man or if it’s much tougher to spot, like money, an idea, or even a person. If we put anything before our Lord and Savior, we have basically blocked ourselves from an answer.
If it is in the way of me and my Heavenly Father, I must let go. That doesn’t always mean that I will lose whatever it is. There have been many times that I just “let go and let God” and because of my putting God first, I became ready to receive his gifts. It truly is when I let go that He delivers me.
The Blind Man and The Rich Man
In Luke, we see a blind man fighting through a crowd to get to Jesus. When he gets to Him, Jesus asks him. “What do you want me to do for you. I am here. I hear you.” That in itself is comforting. The blind man asks, “I want to see”. I love what Jesus says next. “Receive your sight.”
Jesus could see that there was nothing in this mans way of putting God first, therefore the man had not put any stumbling blocks in front of himself. God doesn’t want to block us like some spiritual game of Connect Four. We are the ones that allow these things to creep into our lives. We allow these stumbling blocks in, then usually blame God for not listening.
The rich man was a good man with a good heart by Jesus’ account so why did he leave disappointed. Why is Jesus talking about his money? The reason is not because of money alone. It is because money is the one thing besides God that this man had put is belief, faith, and trust in. He could not see a future without his money. That is why Jesus pointed it out. It makes a good example.
How Does This Relate?
I imagine my kids waiting to go swimming. I love when they splash around and have a blast in the pool. It’s one of our favorite things in the Spring and Summer (even if it is a blow-up pool). I’ve told them, put your swimsuit on and come to the bathroom so we can put sunscreen on you before you can go. Once you’ve done that, you can go outside and swim. 30 minutes later, I go to find out why they haven’t come to me yet. On the bed Gabby sits playing NintendoDS with Evan watching. She sees me as I walk in and says, “Daddy, I want to go swimming.”
That is a small example of what God must go through. We ask Him for things and help to do things and then we lose focus. Not a loss of focus on the project or the obstacle in our lives… We lose focus of Him and what He is telling us.
Proverbs… Ahhh the Proverbs
I think “Proverb” is the Hebrew word for “Cuts Like A Knife”
Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 13:10 NIV)
Jesus gives us all the advice we need. Whether its money, a person, a job, a habit, or whatever else, drop it and follow Him. Put Him first and the rest will fall into place. Not because of some mysterious way of the universe, but because our Heavenly Father wants things to be in place in our lives, but we must first put Him first.
Good Advice, Jesus, Thanks!
Revolution 365
Revolution 365 meets again tonight. I’ve been asked a few times what this Bible Study is about. It’s probably easier to tell you what it’s not.
It’s not a rigid, unforgiving, maniacally run, group of people ready with switches to beat you into submission if you miss a day of reading or a meeting one week. We are a group of people that are ready to take the journey through the Bible in a Year and want to do it with someone to help navigate and answer questions from each other on the way. Come join us tonight at Panera Bread in Evans GA at 7pm.
Does Persistence Really Pay Off?
Does Persistence Really Pay Off?
April 16, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 13:1-14:15
Luke 18:1-17
Psalms 85:1-13
Proverbs 13:7-8
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Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
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In today’s reading, Jesus tells us to be persistent in prayer, to be humble, and receive the Kingdom of God. Yes… I got all of that from one day!
We all face challenges in our lives. Some challenges are easier than others. No matter what the challenge or situation is I find comfort in what Jesus is telling me here. I’m a story guy. Maybe that’s why I like Jesus’ parables so much. When I first began to read them, they might as well have been in Hebrew, because I had no clue what they were saying. Then I began to think on them, talk about them to other people seeking the Word, and praying for the wisdom to understand them. Something as simple as:
Lord, please grant me the wisdom to understand what your stories are trying to tell me.
I’d love to tell you it was overnight magic the way it happened. That would be MY story. This is not MY story. It is our story… The story of God’s relationship with His people. That means that the story will go the way He writes it. And for my understanding and wisdom, it comes with reading, praying, talking about, and praying some more.
Today’s Message
In Luke Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge and says we can even learn from him (and we can). During a particularly hard time, you can be sure that your prayers will be heard and answered if you are persistent. Does that mean that God is lazy and just does things when he feels like it? No, by no means.
There may be other factors that we cannot see that are still yet to come before your prayers can be answered. There is lots of danger involved in trying to “change” the path so that you can have the prayer answered. Don’t make the mistake I used to. I would say, “If I do this, then God can answer my prayers.” or “if that person would just do this, then…”. You get the idea.
That is taking the matter into your own hands. You are trying to answer your own prayers. If you are the one answering your own prayers, you have become the god of your own kingdom. If you allow that to happen, you will be lost.
Listening to what Jesus says today helps me a lot with this. He says to be humble, be persistent, and receive the Kingdom of God like a child.
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:6-8, 14, 17 NIV)
The Unjust Judge
In this parable the widow was persistent and finally was vindicated. Basically, because she bugged the unjust judge enough that he didn’t want to be bothered by the widow anymore. God is not an unjust judge. He loves us and wants to answer our prayers. Therefore, what the parable is saying is if an unjust judge can be turned due to persistence then how much more for a full Just God.
The Tax Collector
The way the tax collector approached God was with a humble heart. Even though he had sinned and the Pharisee had not, (actually the Pharisee did because he judged his fellow man against the standard of himself) the tax collector recognized his sin and that he didn’t deserve to be in the presence of God. He was humble.
The Kingdom is for the Kids
I believe what Jesus means to receive the Kingdom like a child is to receive the Kingdom the way a child receives the belief that there daddy can pick up a house. I told Gabby that I was strong enough to pick up a house just playing around one day. Thinking no one would believe that not even a little 4 year old girl, I thought nothing of it.
I was picking her up from a friends house one day and she came running out with her friends in tow. “Daddy, Daddy. Tell them that you can!” she yelled. “Can what, babe?” I said. “Pick up a house of course!” I was in trouble, but I think you understand where I’m going.
She believed because her daddy told her so. That is how we are to believe what Jesus says.
Bring It!
Bring It!
April 15, 2012 Bible Reading
Joshua 11:1-12:24
Luke 17:11-37
Psalms 84:1-12
Proverbs 13:5-6
Audio Version – Daily Audio Bible
Reading the Bible through from cover to cover in a year can be an arduous task. It can also be a beautiful journey. You have to open up. This morning during my prayer time, I asked the Lord to help me be his instrument to bring his Kingdom in this work he’s asked me to do. You see for the last couple of days, I’ve struggled with what to put on paper and share. Instantly, a passage from a recent reading popped in my head.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23, 24 NIV)
And Also…
As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. (Luke 12:58 NIV)
I’ve learned that in order to hear the Word of God, you must be clear in conscience. Your spirit must be pure. Mine was not. I prayed to the Lord to reveal to me what was blocking His work. As I began to examine my actions over the last couple of days, there were several times when I had a chance to bring the Kingdom of God and I not only missed it, but goofed it up pretty badly. I took a position of offense, of anger, of unbelief of the situation, and just overall I had bad form. I brought the wrong kingdom.
This blog is about my journey through the scriptures in a year and how the Word of God is revealed to me. I am doing that so that you, the curious reader, will become interested enough to join me on that journey. From time to time, you will have to endure my personal experiences to get to the “good stuff”… The Bible.
On my little prayer time walk to get some air and clear my head, this is what God revealed to me. In the Old Testament, we get an account of the conquest of Joshua and Israel. In the Luke, we read Jesus’ instruction on the Kingdom of God. Psalms has a special message the adds to the flavor of today’s reading of reassurance, and Proverbs there are some convicting revelations.
Lot going on today! (Must have been some walk, huh?)
Joshua
You have to remember what the people of Israel were like before the conquest of the Promised Land began. Israel was a peaceful people. For more that 40 years they wandered in the desert eating no meat and developing a culture of worship around God. They were not trained assassins or mercenaries that had the skills to kill. They were a God fearing meager people from all accounts. That means that this violence of the conquest we’ve been reading through must have been even tougher for them to encounter than we can imagine. It wasn’t in their nature to be warriors.
Through all of the killing, burning of towns, and sparing of no lives they made it. God brought them through and even fought for them in many cases as we’ve already seen. After noting that Joshua led the Israelites through the conquering of 31 kingdoms to bring the Kingdom of God to the Promise Land he gave them and the land peace. (I like how God gives even the land peace).
So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war. (Joshua 11:23 NIV)
Luke
Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God in Luke today. What is this Kingdom of God? The people of this world are looking for a kingdom with crowns, robes, and pageantry. There may indeed be those things in Heaven when we get there, but this Kingdom is within each of us. The Kingdom of God is in “the way” that we are. The Spirit in which we approach the situations and encounters in our lives. Check this out:
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20, 21 NIV)
Jesus is of course talking about Himself as the Kingdom of God because He is the embodiment of God Himself in the flesh. Jesus is also talking about us and “the way” we conduct our lives. We have the ability to bring the Kingdom of God because of Jesus full work (death, blood, sacrifice, preaching of the good news, resurrection, and ascension). He freed us to do his work or to bring “the way” in all our encounters in life.
In our midst takes on 2 meanings then. Not only Him, but how we can bring Him into our lives. We must do what is right in our ways or be righteous.
Psalms
Then in Psalms we see this:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11 NIV)
Blameless or righteous. Then I tought… “To be blameless, I must seek forgiveness not only from God for my ways, but also the offended. Then the Lord will withhold no good thing!”
Proverbs
These always cut me to the bone…
The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves. Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner. (Proverbs 13:5, 6 NIV)
This convicted me today. This is what rang out in my head. We all like to associate with the Righteous because it feels good. Indeed, there are many righteous things we all do as well. However, I asked myself these questions.
Have I made myself a stench to someone else or brought shame on myself? Did I guard the person of integrity or did I let wickedness overthrow me and retaliate and attack?
My answers made me sad at first because the answers convicted me. That admission also freed me to make things right and bring “The Way” or the Kingdom of God.
Let’s be clear. I’m not talking at all about some great crime against humanity. I’m not talking about any crime at all. I’m talking about the way we handle our day to day lives. The very people we love that we have influence over or have influence over us. Those daily interactions that we have with each other where we have the chance to bring the Kingdom of God or to not bring it.
Pray With Me
Dear Lord,
Please forgive our actions as unrighteous behaviors have overthrown us. Give us the strength to stop the way of the world in it’s tracks and bring “Your Way”, “Your Kingdom” to our daily conversations and actions that we me be pleasing to you, instruments for you, and experience the freedom you have granted us in Christ Jesus.
Amen
God Bless you on this great Sunday.
BE Blessed! and Bring It! 
Recent Comment
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April Maas:
Said on 2012/05/15
My nephew is out of control!
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Said on 2012/05/14
Omg thanks a lot Ryan for making me cry! Punkie Brewster your Auntie and Uncle...
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Ryan McKinney:
Said on 2012/05/08
Forgot to mention Bible Study is tonight. Andria Corral officiating!
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Said on 2012/05/04
Gabby is a good motivator.
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Said on 2012/04/29
YOU WIN! You are the proud winner of a chicken dinner ;)