Just read Romans 8:26-27: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
That's a familiar passage of comfort, but upon closer look with the help of a commentary...man, this passage has a depth of comfort that I have overlooked!
1. Intended translation: "God helps our weaknesses." He doesn't just help periodically when we need it, the idea is that we are weak consistently, and He is there to consistently help.
2. "Weaknesses" refers to physcial, emotioan, and spiritual needs. God's help is well-rounded and wholistic.
3. The Spirit "makes intercession for us with groaning" and the Father "knows what the mind of the Spirit is." This wordless exchange really shows the intimate intricacy of the Trinity. To complete the picture, the Son also intercedes for us (v.34).
How amazing is it that the entire Trinity is at work in helping me!
So often, I end up trying to live life alone in an attempt to please God. Instead, I need to realize that the Triune God is right there with me every step of the way--enabling a weakling like me to live strong for His glory.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Dirty Hands Can't Serve Anything. . .
This passage is traditionally thought of as the "I gotta go out and serve more passage" but I have a little bit different angle on this one.
John 13:1-17
. . . 4 So Jesus . . . began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” . . . 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. . . .
We need to allow God to "wash" us first before washing others feet. This washing is not only accepting his salvation, but also accepting his cleansing of our hearts on a daily basis. The simple fact is the more we allow him to cleanse us of, the better we are able to help serve others through biblical encouragement, prayer, loving attitudes, service with a joyful heart, etc. Our hearts more free of our selfish ways and desires when we are cleansed. So if we want to be the best servant leader we can be, as Jesus has commanded us, let us start with accepting and asking for His "washing" each morning of everyday. Then we can truly go out and wash other's feet--without dirty hands. Lord, thank you for cleansing, and help me to remember to accept and allow you to cleanse my heart everyday, Amen.
John 13:1-17
. . . 4 So Jesus . . . began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” . . . 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. . . .
We need to allow God to "wash" us first before washing others feet. This washing is not only accepting his salvation, but also accepting his cleansing of our hearts on a daily basis. The simple fact is the more we allow him to cleanse us of, the better we are able to help serve others through biblical encouragement, prayer, loving attitudes, service with a joyful heart, etc. Our hearts more free of our selfish ways and desires when we are cleansed. So if we want to be the best servant leader we can be, as Jesus has commanded us, let us start with accepting and asking for His "washing" each morning of everyday. Then we can truly go out and wash other's feet--without dirty hands. Lord, thank you for cleansing, and help me to remember to accept and allow you to cleanse my heart everyday, Amen.
Hope
Romans 8:22-25
We were saved in hope of being adopted and of having a redeemed body. The word hope gives us a clue that it hasn't fully happened yet, because it goes on to say that you don't hope for something that you already see or have. That helps me make sense of the futility issue from earlier in the passage. Sure, there's futility--but we also have the hope of exchanging our fallen, futile body for a redeemed one!
One more word on hope that I recently learned in chapter 5 of Romans...it is not intended to be the flimsy word we use today: "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow!" There is nothing uncertain about the Biblical use of hope--it is characterized by a confident trust that what has been promised WILL happen in time. That is why we should "eagerly wait" for our redeemed body with "perseverance."
We were saved in hope of being adopted and of having a redeemed body. The word hope gives us a clue that it hasn't fully happened yet, because it goes on to say that you don't hope for something that you already see or have. That helps me make sense of the futility issue from earlier in the passage. Sure, there's futility--but we also have the hope of exchanging our fallen, futile body for a redeemed one!
One more word on hope that I recently learned in chapter 5 of Romans...it is not intended to be the flimsy word we use today: "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow!" There is nothing uncertain about the Biblical use of hope--it is characterized by a confident trust that what has been promised WILL happen in time. That is why we should "eagerly wait" for our redeemed body with "perseverance."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The Hope of Futility
Romans 8:18-21
Whenever I had previously read about "creation being subject to futility", I only thought of inanimate creation...that's why trees die, that's why glaciers melt, that's why earthquakes and forest fires happen. This morning it struck me that I am also creation, and I am also subject to futility. Hmm...that makes sense given the frustrating last two weeks of my life. Cheater notes say that futility refers to the inability of all of creation (including me, I take it) to entirely fulfull God's original purpose because of man's sin. So three thoughts to carry with me into this day:
1. I should not be surprised when life seems completely futile--it's part of the effect of sin and under God's control (v.20). That realization can help stop the snowballing effect that Scott mentioned last night.
2. I should not lose heart when life is futile--v.18 reminds me that the sufferings of the present can't compare with the glories of what God will reveal (both in heaven and on earth). Realizing life's frustrations should immediately trigger the counter-thought of the glories God has in store.
3. In contrast to the "bondage of corruption" from sin...there is "glorious liberty" in being a child of God (v.21).
Whenever I had previously read about "creation being subject to futility", I only thought of inanimate creation...that's why trees die, that's why glaciers melt, that's why earthquakes and forest fires happen. This morning it struck me that I am also creation, and I am also subject to futility. Hmm...that makes sense given the frustrating last two weeks of my life. Cheater notes say that futility refers to the inability of all of creation (including me, I take it) to entirely fulfull God's original purpose because of man's sin. So three thoughts to carry with me into this day:
1. I should not be surprised when life seems completely futile--it's part of the effect of sin and under God's control (v.20). That realization can help stop the snowballing effect that Scott mentioned last night.
2. I should not lose heart when life is futile--v.18 reminds me that the sufferings of the present can't compare with the glories of what God will reveal (both in heaven and on earth). Realizing life's frustrations should immediately trigger the counter-thought of the glories God has in store.
3. In contrast to the "bondage of corruption" from sin...there is "glorious liberty" in being a child of God (v.21).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Fuel
This morning in the midst of my week of avoidance and snowballing laziness, I pulled away to reluctantly give God 5 minutes of my time as I ate a bowl of cereal. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening from the morning of August 28th stemmed from Exodus 25:6, "Oil for the light." Basically, the idea is that we need fuel from the Holy Spirit to shine brightly for God in this world. Spurgeon's last sentence resonated with me and definitely gave me the fuel that I needed for this day:
"Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love, these are all beams of the sacred light, but we cannot give them forth unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Ghost." I desperately want to be a source of truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, and love in my daily life...but I can never do it on my own.
"God, help me to draw daily from the fuel of the Holy Spirit, that I may be equipped to bring You glory in every decision I make. Amen."
"Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love, these are all beams of the sacred light, but we cannot give them forth unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Ghost." I desperately want to be a source of truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, and love in my daily life...but I can never do it on my own.
"God, help me to draw daily from the fuel of the Holy Spirit, that I may be equipped to bring You glory in every decision I make. Amen."
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thoughts from John 15
John 15
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 -8 . . . 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14-17...
Thought 1) God is the source of all true "fruit" in our lives. Fruit being personal growth on all fronts, as well as fruit in evangelism and increasing his kingdom in that way.
Thought 2) Obedience leads to overflowing joy. Why do I struggle with obedience then? Heartcheck on aisle 7. . . . how's my loving sacrificial service going?
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 -8 . . . 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14-17...
Thought 1) God is the source of all true "fruit" in our lives. Fruit being personal growth on all fronts, as well as fruit in evangelism and increasing his kingdom in that way.
Thought 2) Obedience leads to overflowing joy. Why do I struggle with obedience then? Heartcheck on aisle 7. . . . how's my loving sacrificial service going?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Isaiah 55:10-11
The reading that I have been doing recently hasn't really done anything for me. I'm going into these times, not with a heart of doing it out of duty, but seeking wisdom. Unfortunately I'm not receiving the wisdom that I seek; at least not in the manner I expect to. This verse is encouraging to me that although I'm not getting the wisdom that I seek, I am soaking up knowledge that will be of use later.
Who knows better than God what I'll need in the future and prepares me for that need ahead of time.
Who knows better than God what I'll need in the future and prepares me for that need ahead of time.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
I miss blogging
It's great to be back! I don't know why I can waste hours on the internet and not find my way to blogspot to post for 5 minutes. To me, that shows the power of spiritual blogging (splogging?). More often than not, things that are worth doing are not easy to do, especially from a spiritual perspective.
Romans 8:14
Although the contrast in Romans 6 about being a slave to God now that we are not slaves to sin makes sense, it feels like a concept that could use a sweater (creds to Waldo for the clever saying). Romans 8 brings the warmth by showing that we are actually adopted by God, and in a position to intimately call Him "Father." What a great picture. In a healthy father-son relationship, there is definitely an element of obedience and submission to authority, but it is not to the level of bondage or slavery. How great to know that that is our position with God--not a slave, but a son!
Romans 8:14
Although the contrast in Romans 6 about being a slave to God now that we are not slaves to sin makes sense, it feels like a concept that could use a sweater (creds to Waldo for the clever saying). Romans 8 brings the warmth by showing that we are actually adopted by God, and in a position to intimately call Him "Father." What a great picture. In a healthy father-son relationship, there is definitely an element of obedience and submission to authority, but it is not to the level of bondage or slavery. How great to know that that is our position with God--not a slave, but a son!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Did sleeping until evening help this man?
2 Samuel 11:1-2
1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
This passage shows me how dangerous it can be to become idle or lazy. Not that it's bad to have downtime, but as David did here, it can be very dangerous for us to be lazy or bored in our lives. Often times it's these bored times that we get tempted and often as David did take the next step toward sinful destruction. His sin with Bathesheba led to murder, the death of their first born, and a curse upon his household. Lord, pray that we learn our lesson from this. Lord,
help me not to be lazy or idle in times where I should be active for you. But, if I do find myself in this state help me to resist the temptations that may come my way. In your name, amen.
1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
This passage shows me how dangerous it can be to become idle or lazy. Not that it's bad to have downtime, but as David did here, it can be very dangerous for us to be lazy or bored in our lives. Often times it's these bored times that we get tempted and often as David did take the next step toward sinful destruction. His sin with Bathesheba led to murder, the death of their first born, and a curse upon his household. Lord, pray that we learn our lesson from this. Lord,
help me not to be lazy or idle in times where I should be active for you. But, if I do find myself in this state help me to resist the temptations that may come my way. In your name, amen.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
God is faithful
I had a post about Deuteronomy 8:17-18 typed up for yesterday but it felt too forced, it felt false.
Today I'm not really thinking about any particular verse, I'm just thinking about following God's lead. Following Him when he tells you to do something, not telling you what you'll receive when you do it.
Today I'm not really thinking about any particular verse, I'm just thinking about following God's lead. Following Him when he tells you to do something, not telling you what you'll receive when you do it.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Psalm 3
My focus was mostly in the area of 3-5 but I read the whole chapter. Today I am feeling as though I took a misstep with God and these verses encourage me. The truth is I did what I felt led to do by God, so my feelings are misleading. That is the trouble with following your feelings, they can be manipulated and faked.
By acknowledging that the Lord is a shield around me I am acknowledging that I need protection. Just like salvation it is a free gift, however I feel as though you should still be aware of you need for protection so that you don't take it for granted. There are so many things in my daily life that I am protected from without my knowledge. It seems so trivial then when I whine and complain that I feel left alone and unprotected without knowing how much He truly is protecting me from.
Thank you God for protecting me against the unknown.
By acknowledging that the Lord is a shield around me I am acknowledging that I need protection. Just like salvation it is a free gift, however I feel as though you should still be aware of you need for protection so that you don't take it for granted. There are so many things in my daily life that I am protected from without my knowledge. It seems so trivial then when I whine and complain that I feel left alone and unprotected without knowing how much He truly is protecting me from.
Thank you God for protecting me against the unknown.
Friday, August 3, 2007
My plans vs. Gods plans
Jeremiah 29:10-14
There are actions and decisions that I look back on and wonder why. It seemed like such a good decision at the time, but looking back with clearer vision it blows me away on how wrong I was. Most of these decisions are the result of implied urgency. So, as opposed to going to God or seeking wise counsel, I decide with my human wants; Wanting to be liked, wanting to be a part of the group, to be on the inside. As opposed to taking a stand for what I would know is right, given time to think it over.
Verses like those I read today give me comfort in knowing that despite all my bad decisions, God still has a perfect plan for me. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. We should all rejoice knowing God has these plans for us.
Lord, remind me daily to seek your plan for me. Encourage me in my search for that plan. Thank you God.
There are actions and decisions that I look back on and wonder why. It seemed like such a good decision at the time, but looking back with clearer vision it blows me away on how wrong I was. Most of these decisions are the result of implied urgency. So, as opposed to going to God or seeking wise counsel, I decide with my human wants; Wanting to be liked, wanting to be a part of the group, to be on the inside. As opposed to taking a stand for what I would know is right, given time to think it over.
Verses like those I read today give me comfort in knowing that despite all my bad decisions, God still has a perfect plan for me. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. We should all rejoice knowing God has these plans for us.
Lord, remind me daily to seek your plan for me. Encourage me in my search for that plan. Thank you God.
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