The Past Inspires A New Tomorrow



Godfather of Soul



Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:7-8





Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13







As a kid I remember hearing this verse all the time:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. - Hebrews 13:8

But never was it presented to me in the context of the verse that comes before it; remembering our leaders.

Seeing God As Father

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:9-11

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12

Earlier, I wrote a post about the “fearing God” in which I told the story of getting in trouble when I was little for riding my bike in the street. Since then something has changed in my understanding.

I was recently told that I need to learn to see God as “Father”.

Faith Exists... Literally.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 1-2; Hebrews 11:1-19

Several years ago there was this whole craze around “The Secret”. The basic idea was that there was this secret that successful people knew that no one else knew. It was that faith through positive thinking could manifest things in the real world.

Knowing God

This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
   after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
   and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
   and they will be my people. 

No longer will they teach their neighbor,
   or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
   from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
   and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:10-12

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 50: Hebrews 8

Knowing God. That’s what it is all about.

Obedience with our Talents

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. – Hebrews 5: 11-14

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 5

All of this obedience talk reminded me of the parable of the talents.

I know you remember that one. It is the one about the master who leaves town and gives five bags of gold to one servant, two bags of gold to a second servant, and one bag of gold to the third servant. The first servant invests the gold and doubles his profit. When the master returns he has ten bags of gold. The second servant does the same and produces four bags of gold. The third one is afraid because the master is demanding. He buries his bag of gold because he fears he might lose it if he risks using it.

Many of us are like that third servant.

Rep Our Set Right!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. – Titus 3:4-8

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 27-29; Titus 3

Unfortunately us Christians have a bad reputation in many circles. We are often called hypocrites, judgmental, mean, or a slew of other things. I have heard many people respond to that by saying that of course Christians are people too. We have the same faults and limitations that everyone else has.

Well… that’s a pretty wack excuse.

An Afternoon with my Stepdad

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:2

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24-26; Titus 2

Have you ever tried to teach someone older than you something important or correct them when they are wrong? Let me tell you something… that is NOT easy work.

Case in point my stepdad.

Respect Yo' Elders!

Not the best mentor/mentee relationship

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. – Titus 1:6-9

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1

Amongst my close group of friends I have one named Larry. He is the oldest of us, and by oldest I mean that he is merely a few months older than the rest of us. This of course does not prevent him from referring to himself as our elder.

(In related news he wore a cowboy hat

Scriptural Gynmastics

Life

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. – 2 Tim 4:3

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4

Have you ever read the Bible and found some random scripture that seems like a get out of jail free card?

Searching for Straight Answers

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. – 2 Timothy 2:3-7

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 15-17; 2 Timothy 2

Have you ever sought out advice on something and received an answer that didn’t seem like an answer? Maybe the person answered your question with another question. Maybe they answered your question with a riddle or metaphor like Paul did above.

This may seem frustrating. You may have felt this frustration when you read Jesus parables for the first time. Why not just give me the instructions simple and plain instead of making me figure it out?

I know I have been in that place many times but there is a reason for the riddle. Truth cannot be reached through words alone. The best we can do is try to get as close as we can to the universal by tucking it away in a story that everyone can relate to.

Rarely is there ever a thing that we should do 100% of the time in every single situation. Sure, life by be simple but it is never without its nuance. It is up to each and every one of us to examine our lives and ourselves to determine the right course of action.

Only you, with the help of God, can chart out your path.

It seem easier to just follow the direction of someone that you admire but if you did so then you really wouldn’t be walking your path. You’d be walking the path that they have determined for you. 

Why Are You Praying For Me?

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

Have you ever had someone pray for you? If you weren’t Christian at the time then I bet it felt really weird. This person puts their hand on you and then starts talking to some God that you think is probably a figment of their imagination. Then depending on the person they might have been extra reverent and solemn or they may have erupt into some extra sanctified version of hyphy behavior. You feel trapped! You’re looking for an exit. How do I get out of here?

A People Divided

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 1 Timothy 1:3-6

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

It really is sad how divided we are. We tend to look at ourselves as belonging to specific affiliations. We are black or white, male or female, republican or democrat, liberal or conservative. Some of us are for gay marriage and others against, some will tolerate abortion others will not. Some of us feel a duty to help the poor while still others want to find ways for the poor to help themselves.

You Better Put Some Water On That...

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

Lazy folks are not allowed.

Friday is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie starts out with the main character Craig excitedly making a huge bowl of cereal. He sits down and starts to pour the milk in the bowl and only a trickle comes out.

Drats…

Finding Peace

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 5

I was really frustrated at work the other day. It seemed like everyone wanted to work my last nerve. Folks were making unrealistic demands of my time, trying to force me to approve things that should not be approved; and when I resisted, went over my head to my bosses.

Just another day at the job I suppose.

I was lamenting about it all to my friend and she asked me “have you prayed about it yet?”

#TeamJesus

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 45-46; 1 Thessalonians 3

For those of you who have used twitter before you are probably familiar with trending topics. Trending topics are the topics that are being talked about the most at any given time on Twitter. When someone on twitter wants to start a new topic or conversation they tend to state the topic starting with a “#” symbol. This way if someone likes the particular tweet then they can click on that tag and see other ones on the same topic.

Well, a while back I stumbled upon “#TeamJesus”.

Life Lessons from Step Up

...we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. – 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2

I was watching this movie the other day called Step Up. I’ll start by saying that it is not a very good film; however, it was highly entertaining.

Judge me if you like.

One of the more interesting things about the movie was the relationship between the main character’s best friend and his little brother.

Wait... I've Gotta do What?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 37-38; Colossians 3

I’ve never liked this one but finally I’m starting to understand its value.

Get In The Game!

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. -  Colossians 1: 9-12

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 32-33; Colossians 1

I have had many people tell me that they have issues with this church or that church, this or that dogma or ideology. They cannot connect with Christianity because of the history of its church leaders, Islam because of “terrorists”, Hinduism because of the caste system or what not. They look down upon organized religion as foolish pursuits of uneducated or unenlightened people.

And you know what… part of me gets that. I know I was feeling really confused and discouraged when it came to how people have used religion for power.  

But part of me also thinks… that’s hogwash. Hogwash I say!

Hogwash.

We Can Do All Things

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:10-13

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4

I want to get like that. To be content in any circumstance… what an amazing thing for one to say. It really sounds almost unbelievable, especially when I think about the fact that Paul was under house arrest when he wrote these words.

Yep… dude was locked up.

Stop Whining

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil 2:3-4

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky Phil 2:14-15

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2

Paul delivered two heavy hitters in one short chapter. They happen to be two things that I am not so great at.