Month: October 2008

Treasure in Heaven

Read Mt 6.19-34
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Jesus promotes an eternal perspective on the spiritual versus material.

A person who is Kingdom Focused does not see the material things of this world as gain but as leverage (Lk 16.8-9). Disciples use what God has given us in the way of physical gifts to translate them into spiritual gifts for His sake. My house does not belong to me. It’s on loan for the sake of the Kingdom. I drive a car because its transportation for the sake of the Kingdom. Everything I have has been entrusted to me for God’s uses and I am to be a responsible steward. In turn, I store up riches for myself in heaven. This kind of investment never loses its value, it is eternal. What are we modeling in the area of material things? Are we free and open as we use these things for advancing the gospel? Or have we built fences, turned locks, and set rules to keep them solely to ourselves? Are we living in light of the fact that it will all burn. Encourage the disciples through your example of charity, generosity, and hospitality (2 Cor 9.6-7)

· Are you giving extravagantly?
· Is there anything you own that you wouldn’t share?
· Are you living beyond your means?
· Are there any missionaries who benefit from your generosity?
· Have you said no to something to help someone?
· Before you purchase do you ask, “How will this impact the Kingdom?”

FJ82

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Beware of Being a Spiritual Exhibitionist

Read Mt 6.1-18
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:1)

Jesus warns His listeners not to practice their spirituality in front of people to gain the honor of men. If they do, their reward will be the earthly applause from men rather than God’s reward.

Jesus is not telling us that spiritual disciplines are bad because they produce pride. No, spiritual arrogance is bad not the disciplines. Don’t ever mix the two. Secondly, this problem has more to do with motive than the action. Notice the reason for the exhibition in Jesus’ story was “to be honored by men” (vs2). But in Matthew 5.16 Jesus turns the teaching around and commands them to exhibit their good deeds. And for what purpose? To glorify the Father in Heaven. These are two different motives for practicing spirituality in front of men.
With proficiency comes the possibility of pride and spiritual proficiency is no different. Disciplemaking is very tricky in this area because we want people to become effective in the spiritual disciplines but there is always a risk of spiritual pride. But, as tricky as it may be to measure the heart, Jesus gives warnings to help us with our spiritual practices. The first place we need to go to help young disciples is to our very own hearts. Do we practice the spiritual disciplines to win men’s praise? Are we modeling and giving ample explanation (like Jesus did) in order to curb hypocrisy? The second place we need to go is to the heart of the one we are discipling. This is one of the most difficult components of discipleship (Jer 17.9, Prov 20.5) and yet Jesus spoke of heart issues often (Mt 15:18, Mk 12:30, Luk 6:45, Joh 14:27). At times, working on heart issues takes the finesse of a surgeon and others times the blunt force trauma of a baseball bat (Mt 11.21-22, Mt 23.15).
Here’s a tip: start with the scalpel! It would be a huge mistake to accuse someone of wrong motives. We need to gently explore with questions that would allow for self discovery and ownership. A reflective statement with a “Why” question is usually a good place to start. For example; “When you were quoting verses in the group, why did you feel the need to quote so many?” If the person is struggling with spiritual pride and answers the question with integrity, the door has been opened for further dialogue. On the other hand, a person may have very good reasons for their actions and just needs to be aware of how they are perceived by others.
A word on zeal. Often times zeal is mistaken for pride or legalism. Being zealous is not a bad thing, it’s a good thing. Be very careful not to throw a wet blanket on a budding disciple’s passion. You may be quenching the Spirit (1 Thes 5.19). Often, it’s a matter of teaching social skills and helping them manage their zeal in order to have greater impact on those around them. On the other hand, we cannot “dumb down” a person’s zeal for Christ so that others feel better about their mediocrity (Rev 3.15-16). Food for thought, your comments are welcome.
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The Goal is Reaching Readers in All 50 States

Help get the word out to new readers from these states:

Montana
Utah
Nevada
Wyoming
Minnesota
West Virginia
Vermont
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
New Mexico
Hawaii
Alaska

Shout out to all the readers from the United Kingdom!

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Raising the Bar

Read Mt 5.21-48
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:48)

Jesus makes the intent of the Law clear by equating real righteousness with outward action and inward motivations. He also describes the righteous requirements of God.

The kind of people who are committed to reading this type of material are usually looking to improve themselves. We are conscientious and determined to progress. But we can also become choleric in our approach to spiritually and start checking blocks. We want to make sure that we have colored within the lines and all mistakes quickly erased. But the fact of the matter is that the best we can do is clean up the outside and conceal the inside. We make sure that our deviant thoughts are tucked away in the back rooms of our hearts like misbehaving children. Having these thoughts and desires lurking in the darkness is a problem, but the bigger problem is when we don’t acknowledge them and act as though they aren’t there. We begin to give the impression that we really are holy and pure in ourselves. But we all know that if a TV screen were hooked to our brains and revealed our inner most thoughts to those around us we could not endure the embarrassment.

In this passage Jesus is digging deep into this predicament. We managed to clean up what people see and yet the heart still clings to the stuff of the old nature. Jesus describes a kind of righteousness that goes beyond show. He talks about holiness in our thoughts, intent, and motives. And quite frankly, the realization that God is holding me accountable for even my thoughts could be discouraging. Jesus just made it impossible for me to completely clean up my act. “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

I think that was the intent of His message. He raised the bar so high, no one would be able to ascend to such heights. He showed us we need a Savior. We need someone who would rescue us and make us righteousness. One who would see our absolute failure and provide grace and mercy for the errors but add the perfection (holiness, Rom 3.23) that is required to commune with God. This is what’s so amazing about our salvation. Jesus’ death on the cross did not only bring us to zero by canceling our debt but He imputes His righteousness to us bringing us to 100%. He makes us perfect. (Rom 3.21-24, Rom 10.3-4, 1 Cor 1.30, 2 Cor 5.21, Phil 3.9)

And this is not only good medicine for us but for those we are bringing up in the faith. A true follower of Jesus Christ would never look at this wonderful gift as a pass to live contrary to the Father’s desires. They would feel compelled to return in obedience such a love even though they knew they could never repay the debt. They would see the relationship as a great privilege and not as an opportunity to cash in on some cosmic benefit. Therefore, we continue to clean both inside and outside, not to earn our salvation, but to prove our gratefulness to the one who purchased it (1 Cor 6.20). FJ80

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Testimony 2: Jesus is Watching You

Chapter 2

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.
(Proverbs 15:3)

As we moved around the country following my dad in his Army career, I encountered other events that would shape my spiritual awareness. Some of them were not as positive as the first. My mother had left my brothers and me when Dad was in Vietnam. When my dad returned to the United States, there was no way he could take care of us by himself, with Army life being what it was at the time. So we were enrolled in the Southwestern Christian Children’s Home. It was as close to going to a parochial school as you can get without being Roman Catholic. We were required to attend chapel, devotionals, prayer times (that seemed to last forever) and church on Sundays. But the most vivid memory I have of that place was a picture of Jesus on the front wall of the study hall. This wasn’t your nice, loving Sunday School kind of picture of Jesus. Oh, no. This was a “Jesus on steroids” kind of picture. He looked like he had really had enough of kids for that century and was about to blow a fuse (the picture probably didn’t look anything like that, but that’s how I remember feeling as a kid). The worst part of the picture, though, was His eyes. The painter had done a fantastic job on the eyes. They were penetrating and seemed to follow you everywhere you went in the room. You didn’t goof off in study hall because “JESUS WAS WATCHING YOU.” So this experience wasn’t the most positive, but God would use it to His benefit in the future.

Chapter 1: The Beginning
Chapter 2: Jesus is Watching You
Chapter 3: Paratrooper Religion

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The Pursuit of Righteousness in God’s Economy of Grace

Read Mt 5.17-20

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
(Matthew 5:17)

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets

This passage can be very confusion and even the scholars admit the complexities of untangling the theological aspects of Jesus’ statements. This is how I have arranged the passage in my mind;

1. Jesus fulfilled the Law (He was perfect and this made Him a worthy sacrifice; 2 Cor 5.21, Heb 4.15, 7.26, 1 Pet 2.22-23)
2. The Law is good and eternal (Rom 7.13, Isa 40:8, 1 Pet 1:23, Lk 16:17)
3. The Law will accomplish its intent (to be a tutor to bring us to Christ; Gal 3.19-22, Rom 5.20, Gal 3.24-25)
4. Obedience is expected in the Kingdom of God (although our obedience in itself would never be enough to gain entrance into the Kingdom; Mt 7.24, Mt 28.20, Jm 1.22)
5. To enter the Kingdom one must be more righteous then the Scribes and Pharisees (1 Pet 1.16, Mt 5.48; Jesus is alluding to the righteousness that comes only through Him in justification. This is grace; Rom 4.6, 2 Cor 5.21, Rom 4.22-25, Heb 7.26-27)

The implications of what Jesus says for disciplemaking are huge. We must completely embrace the gift of grace while at the same time shoulder the responsibility of obedience. This causes us to live in a tricky tension that, although we may not completely understand, we accept as truth. Communicating these truths to young disciples takes time and clarification through study, explanation, and experience. FJ79

If you have other cross-references that would fit into these categories, please send them to me. I’d love to include them as an edit to this devo.

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Illustration – 6 Obstacles to Truth

Many times I see young disciples getting deflected by lesser things. Sometime even the good gets in the way of the best. This is a devotional I use to illustrate the obstacles to truth. Ultimately, I want these disciples to major on the Word of God as it points to the person of Jesus Christ who is Truth.

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Salt and Light – Being Radically Different

Read Mt 5.13-16

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)

Jesus preaches that we are to be salt and light in the world.

The admonition to be salt and light comes in the context of the Sermon on the Mount and in particular right after the beatitudes. Our saltiness is tasted by the world because we are seasoned with the goodness of God. Our shining light is a reflection like a full moon which can’t go unnoticed in the darkness. The lifestyle of Jesus’ way is so radically different we stand out. We are the reflection of Jesus Christ and that is not often seen in this world.

And this is the goal of discipleship, helping men and women be like Christ. As they become like Jesus, their words and deeds are so radically different from the culture, they cannot hide. They are intentionally shining that light for God and man’s sake alike (Mt 5.16). As Disciplemakers we model what it means to be salt and light in the world. But somehow we are missing this in our witnessing. I often see Christians using intimidation or manipulation to try and convert people. But in the context of the beatitudes I see that light and salt, the difference, is not anger or pride but love and humility. We need to teach and model that lost people need to be approached with the love of Christ rather than my theological arrogance. Do they need to hear the truth of sin and judgment, you bet. But a “Turn or Burn” placard doesn’t seem to communicate Jesus’ love very effectively. In fact, I think it’s a pretty cowardly way to share the gospel. Jesus meant His disciples to be on the offense but not necessarily offensive. How do I teach a young disciple to be this kind loving living witness? Answer: By witnessing the way Jesus did. (Note: there’s a big difference in the way Jesus spoke to the common people and the way He spoke to self-righteous religious leaders, do not confuse the two)FJ78

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Blessed are Those who Swim Against the Current

Read Mt 5.3-12, Lk 6.20-26

He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
(Matthew 5:2)

Jesus preaches the beatitudes to the people.

Can you imagine what the people were thinking when Jesus preached this sermon. Sure you can. What were you thinking the first time you heard or read this. I’m not talking about all the times since that you have glossed over it, thinking well that’s just Jesus. No, I’m talking about the first time you let these words impact your logic and registered with your emotions. “Wait a minute Jesus, are you serious?” I believe He is. His ways are so counter-cultural, so un-natural you are jolted by His expectations for real spirituality. He is looking for these attributes in His disciples; poor in spirit, mourning, gentleness, hunger and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaking, enduring persecution. What? You’re not there yet? You are in good company my friend. We all are in process but the process is real. He does have expectations of us but there is no way we could ever pull this off in the flesh. We are desperate for help if we are going to live our lives in keeping with the beatitudes. We need His Word, His example, His Spirit living powerfully within us. I think prayer and fellowship with likeminded people also play a huge role in swimming against the current of the world. If this weren’t hard enough, I believe this is part of making disciples. We are not only to live the beatitudes ourselves, we are supposed to help others do the same.

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Testimony 1: In the Beginning

The Testimony of Chaplain (Retired) Chuck Wood

Chapter 1

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. (PSALM 139:7-10)

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
(Matthew 19:14)

As long as I can remember I’ve always known there was a God. Even when I went through the throes of rebellion during a season of my life, I could not deny that there was Something, Someone watching over us. I was less than three years old living in California. It was a bright sunny day and I was playing in the backyard. My dart gun had malfunctioned (I always knew I’d be a soldier as well) and the spring was lost somewhere in the tall grass. Dart guns are pretty important to little boys and I couldn’t have a full and productive life without one. I panicked and searched frantically for this tiny spring in (what I thought at the time was) a huge backyard. I don’t know how I thought to pray about this tragedy, but I did. And through tears of my little eyes, I found the missing spring. Coincidence? That’s just the beginning. It was my first recollection of praying and (more importantly) thinking that there must be a God.

Testimony 1: In the Beginning
Testimony 2: Jesus is Watching You
Testimony 3: Paratrooper Religion
Testimony 4: Afraid of being Left Behind
Testimony 5: The Geographical Solution
Testimony 6: The Geographical Solution Fails
Testimony 7: The Seed is Planted
Testimony 8: Spiritual Melee
Testimony 9: Seeing the Light
Testimony 10: Receiving God’s Plan for My Life
Testimony 11: A New Creature
Testimony 12: What about You?
Testimony 13: A Little Miracle
Testimony 14: An Apostle to the Soldier
Testimony 15: First Steps toward Growth
Testimony 16: Being Discipled

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