Saturday, April 30: Hebrews 3- Fix your thoughts on Jesus

Devotionally the opening sentence attached to my heart as God’s prompting for me today. Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess (1). Immediately I began to think practically about how to fix my thoughts on Jesus today.

As a Saturday I typically don’t set an alarm, but was up with the sun at 6:30 anyway and the first thing I did was my Bible reading as I ate breakfast. So that means I have all day to fix my thoughts on Jesus. I began to think through my day…

I have some errands.  How do I fix my thoughts on Jesus as I run to this store and do this and that? I often listen to the radio as I drive in the car, maybe news items that catch my fancy can be prompters for prayer? Hmmm. As I interact with folks on my errands, I can keep an ear open to ways I can express love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (the fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23). This would help me keep my thoughts fixed on Jesus.

Back home as I do my chores and later relax with my family, I could live these same fruits out with them. I fix my thoughts on Jesus when I bow to pray over each meal.

Since it is Sat. night, I usually do some message review for Sunday that helps me fix my thoughts on Jesus. I could pray a quiet blessing prayer for each family member as I climb into bed…

With a little thought I can remember to fix my thoughts on Jesus. If it can work for me, it can work for you. How will you fix your thoughts on Jesus today?

Thanks, Jesus, for these simple and practical thoughts about keeping my life centered in You today as I enter my day.  Now, please help me to do these things. Amen.

 

Friday, April 29: Hebrews 2- Listen up.

Chapter 2 blasts out of the starting gate, We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away (1).

Listen up, pay attention.  To what? The nightly news? NO. We are to pay attention to what we have heard about Jesus. Why? So we don’t drift away!

Pay attention. Listen up to what you have heard about Jesus.

Some of you have been reading the Bible with me for a couple of years now. Others may be new to reading the Bible. What I am hearing for my own life and for those who might read what I write is simple: Pay attention to what you have learned about Jesus. Don’t let thoughts and your belief about Jesus get pushed from the center of your life somewhere out toward the peripheral, where you might pay attention only once in a while. No, keep your listening to Jesus present and at the core of who you are becoming and how you live daily.

Drifting away happens and it is not good.  The way to prevent drifting away is to pay attention to Jesus!

Jesus is there to help you and me, that what verse 18 says, but if you drift away from Him how can He help you? And that’s God’s message for today.

Jesus, I need You. Like a boat or ship ties itself to a dock so it doesn’t drift away, I tie myself to You… today and every day! Amen.

 

Thursday, April 28: Hebrews 1- Jesus.

Hebrews begins with a glorious depiction of Jesus, the Son of God.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs (1-4, bolded text is my emphasis).

My thought immediately flashed to other New Testament writers who used different words to describe the same truth that Jesus is the Son of God.

John 1:1-4, 12-14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

And one more stop,

Colossians 1:15-23: He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

I simply pondered these words and these descriptions of who Jesus is. And I confirmed in my heart that I believe this. I invite you to do the same…

Jesus, I believe that You are fully, 100% God.  I not only believe that but I say to You that I will obey and follow You as the God of my life. Thank you for death on the cross, which reconciled me to You. I love You, I will follow You and I surrender to You. Amen.

 

Wednesday, April 27: Romans 16- Does your life reflect Jesus?

God where do You want to challenge me this morning? What is it You want to say to me this morning through Your Word? These are the simple prayers that I wrap around my Bible reading daily. Lord, speak to me through Your Word.

As Paul greets person after person in verses 1-16, I thought, Wow, each of these people have, in some way, served Jesus and others. Some host/run a church in their home, some have ‘worked hard’ for the Lord, one mothered people in Jesus, one had been in prison… and so on. Amazing, each in their unique way served Jesus and their lives reflected Him.

Even as I was marveling at the different ways different people lived out their faith, a question formed in me. How am I reflecting and serving Jesus?

As the question lingered within me, I knew that was the Spirit’s focus for me today. How is my life showing that I love, worship and serve Jesus? The question tumbled in different iterations:

• What is different about my life because I love, worship and serve Jesus?
• How have I changed over the years because I love, worship and serve Jesus?
• What would others notice about my life that they would attribute to my loving, worshiping and serving Jesus?

I leave these questions for you, as I mull them myself and then turn to pray…

Lord Jesus. since I have read this Word first thing in the morning, I pray that my life reflects You throughout the day. I pray that my attitude about others is Christ-like; that my greeting of others is Christ-like; and that the character of my life, that others see in me toda,y is filled with character traits that hone and reflect You, Jesus. In Your name I pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday, April 26: Romans 15- Build up.

One of the marks of converted believers is a heart to build up others rather than tear them down. Easier said than done. We all like things our way… we like our seats, our music, our colors, our ‘this’ and our ‘that’.

Things flare up when couples build houses and compromises have to be made on everything from flooring, to faucet design to bathroom tile. Flare ups show up in “remote wars” as family members vie for what station is watched on the TV. I have seen it in communities over “fence rules” for the subdivision.  And the list goes on. Unfortunately it happens even in churches.

Understanding this and knowing the situation in the church in Roman, Paul writes some strong words: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up (1-2).

Where the strong normally enforce their will, Paul presents a servant approach to conflicting issues.You who are strong, please bear with the failing of the weak and build up your neighbor! Now that’s a different approach!

I print verse 2 again: Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Well, the Holy Spirit began to burrow into my life. How do I treat others, particularly those with whom I disagree? When I feel I am right (one aspect of believing I am the ‘strong’ one) how do I treat those I feel are wrong? The last four words hit particularly hard, do I build him/her up?

We may still disagree.  We may still discuss, even argue, our points but what manner do I project as we live side by side in the church together…

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Those are words I can put into practice today!

Lord, help me to be a builder today… a builder of lives and a builder of people. Let this thought infuse my words, my body language and my heart. Show me specific moments today when I can choose to build up rather than tear down. Help me to be a people-builder. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Monday, April 25: Romans 14- Giving Account to God

One short verse tucked into the middle of this chapter carried a wallop when I read it. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God (12).

I know that, I understand there will be a judgment day… and yet the conciseness of that sentence struck me.

I will give an account to God of how I treated brothers and sisters in Christ.

The context of this chapter is about dealing with ‘disputable matters’… nonessential matters, like the food we eat or the special days we celebrate, over which brothers and sisters in Christ might disagree. It was the context that informed me to add the words “how I treated brothers and sisters in Christ.”

God cares about how I relate to others in His family. God cares about how I treat people with whom I disagree. I’m thinking it would behoove me to inventory and consider how I treat others. This way I can amend my ways before my day of account comes…

Jesus, give me Your eyes and Your vantage point to see how I treat others… and today, particularly others, in Your body. Where I ‘judge’ them and believe myself to be superior, show me that I might take on your attitude of love and care and change my ways. I am not perfect and I do not always love as You would have me love.

And where I get it right and do treat others with dignity and respect and compassion.  Help me not to grow proud and give me strength to live like that more and more. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

 

 

A brief note on Romans

Romans in an incredible book filled with the riches and ways of God. Culturally the Roman church had undergone incredible upheaval in recent years. Its founding was primarily as a Jewish Church, but maybe a decade prior to the letter Jews were expelled from Rome. Thus, the Gentile members of the church had to rise up and keep the church going. So a major shift occurred in the church from one with Jewish flavor to one with Gentile flavor. Now, more recently, the emperor’s edict against Jews in Rome was lifted and Jews returned. The impact on the church was real as former members and leaders returned to a church that had changed!

On a number of occasions in this letter, Paul addresses factions, weaker and stronger brothers, and the like, arguing that they learn to live not merely for themselves but for the whole of the church. We will see this play out one more time in the reading for Tuesday…

 

Saturday, April 23: Romans 13- Learn to love

With April 15, ‘tax time’ just passed, the commendation to pay taxes, revenue and give honor seemed timely. Yet God’s voice spoke clearest to me with the next verse and the explanations that followed. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law (8). The debt to love one another… what an interesting turn of phrase. I understand that debt is a way of life for many but not so much for me. Debt makes me uncomfortable. I avoid it like the plague and when it is necessary, I try to pay it off early. So when I read this verse, I immediately heard God say, “Bill, treat love like you do debt! Work hard to pay it off.” In other words do everything possible to love…

Then I kept reading… and the practicalities of love unfolded: The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (9-10).

Love does no harm to its neighbor… now that’s practical, that’s a definition I can understand, albeit a definition based on the negative.

Then I recalled some words from yesterday which described love from the positive. Love must be sincere. …Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. … Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. …Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (12:9-18).

Okay, Lord, I think it get it… learn to love. That’s what you are asking of me. Learn to love…

Lord, on the eve of Easter, with Good Friday still in my thoughts, Your desire that I learn to love seems fitting. After all that’s what Jesus did for me and the world.  He showed us what true love is. He spoke truth. He was compassionate to those in need. And He sacrificed His life so that we could be forgiven and find peace and a relationship with You, our Heavenly Father.

Now, Lord, You want me to do similarly… I get it.

But, Lord, I also know I need your help to do so. So much in me and the influences of my world pushes me to do the direct opposite. Please send Your Holy Spirit with a countering voice and strength to live as Jesus would have me life… Please… Amen.