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Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2015
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Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Fwd: Daily Devotion
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From: Sugar Land Baptist Church <newsletter@sugarlandbaptist.org>
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Subject: Daily Devotion
To: jcvtx1800@gmail.com
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Sent from Gmail Mobile
Friday, May 15, 2015
Follow Me
Follow Me
John 21:1-25
AFTER
THIS, Jesus let Himself be seen and revealed [Himself] again to the disciples,
at the Sea of Tiberias. And He did it in this way: There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called the
Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, also the sons of Zebedee, (James & John) and two
others of His disciples. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They
said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out and got into the
boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing. Morning was already
breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there. However, the disciples
did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, Boys (children), you do
not have any meat (fish), do you? [Have you caught anything to eat along with
your bread?] They answered Him, No! And He said to them, Cast the net on the
right side of the boat and you will find [some]. So they cast the net, and now
they were not able to haul it in for such a big catch (mass, quantity) of fish
[was in it]. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord!
Simon Peter, hearing him say that it was the Lord, put (girded) on his upper
garment (his fisherman's coat, his outer tunic)–for he was stripped [for
work]–and sprang into the sea. And the other disciples came in the small boat,
for they were not far from shore, only some hundred yards away, dragging the
net full of fish. When they got out on land (the beach), they saw a fire of
coals there and fish lying on it [cooking], and bread. Jesus said to them,
Bring some of the fish which you have just caught. So Simon Peter went aboard
and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153 of them; and [though] there
were so many of them, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, Come [and] have
breakfast. But none of the disciples ventured or dared to ask Him, Who are You?
because they [well] knew that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread
and gave it to them, and so also [with] the fish. This was now the third time
that Jesus revealed Himself (appeared, was manifest) to the disciples after He
had risen from the dead. When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon,
son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with reasoning,
intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes,
Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal
affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. Again
He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with
reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said
to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive,
personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd
(tend) My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love
Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close
friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the
third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You
know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for
You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. I assure you,
most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your
own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when
you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a
girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. He said this to
indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said
to him, Follow Me! But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved,
following–the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had
said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You? When Peter saw him, he said
to Jesus, Lord, what about this man? Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay
(survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of
yours?] You follow Me! So word went out among the brethren that this disciple
was not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to
die, but, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to
you? It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who
has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true. And
there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all
recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain (have room for) the books that would be written. (John 21 AMP)
Monday
Jim's divorce.
John 21
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called
the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, also the sons of Zebedee, (James
& John) and two others of His disciples. Simon Peter said to them, I am
going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out
and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing. Morning
was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there.
Our scripture this
week finds several of the disciples out fishing. It was shortly after their Lord was
crucified and their world was turned upside down to say the least. Not exactly a group of college grads on a
vacation, but a good chance to try and figure out what's next with other men
you'd grown to love and trust. Now we
don't know much about what the disciples left behind to follow Jesus, but if we
may create an illustration, let's see what these men might have had to say.
James, or Jim to his
closest friends, was from outside appearances a typical good man. From a nice family. He had held a good job
and attended the synagogue on a regular basis.
All the right offerings made at the right times. And he had taken a young bride at an early
age and started his own family. Then
things changed. He listened to his
brother Johnny and they started listening to a young preacher. Then they decided to leave home and follow
this man.
Now Jim hadn't been
home in over three years, but once Jesus died, he checked in with the
family. His father Zebedee wasn't proud
of him right now. His wife and taken the
children and left him. Uncommon in those
days perhaps, but I can relate. He was
alone. He felt a failure. His family gone, a stigma hanging over him,
and now his master had died? If this
wasn't the bottom, he didn't want to go there!
But on a sunny morning, after a long night with no fish and too many
self condemning thoughts, the sun rises.
He looks to the sea side and see a familiar face. And in his heart, he hears a voice softly
say…. Follow me.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27 KJV)
Tuesday
Pete's fired!
II Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do
not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
How about another fishing disciple - I wonder if Pete might not have been thinking something like this...
Pete the Rock - yeah
right. I must have rocks in my
head. I used to be a good fisherman, and
now… (sigh).
I left my boat, my
nets… I dropped all of that to follow
Jesus. Three whirlwind years - being
hated, seeing miracles, walking all over the country. I could have worn out three pedometers. And I loved hanging out with these guys. Never knowing where dinner was coming from. Whether or not there would be a roof over my
head at night. Seeing the storms come
and go - I mean, I actually WALKED On Water!
Well, not too far, but I did. I
know I did. But then… He was
crucified? I wanted to save Him. I
wanted to be there for him. But I denied
Him. And all they did to Him…. And then
the tomb was empty…. And now, I can't
even fish right. I bring all the guys
out here and promise them a good time, and all we get is water in the
nets. I have no breakfast to feed
them. I have no fish to sell. I have no idea where to look or what to do
next. ….
Wait. Who is that standing on
the beach over there? Do what? Other side of the boat? Like that will make a difference… but - wait, I can’t even lift this. Help me out guys… LOOK at the fish!!! who…
Is it really...
"It's the
Lord".
I must go to
Him…. I still want to follow Him!
Psalm 37:4 - Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will
grant you the desires of your heart.
Wednesday
Prodigal Nate.
Luke 15:24
… for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he
was lost, but now he's found.
How about another fishing disciple - I wonder if this could have been Nathaniel's story?
Nate had been a
troubled young man. He had gone through
a severe period of rebellion, not unlike the younger son in Jesus parable. He had run away from home. He had experimented with every unclean thing
one could think of. Women, men, drugs,
alcohol, cheating, stealing, even eating ham.
He had thought it a big fun time until he hit bottom. He ultimately found himself with no friends,
no money, no home, almost no clothes.
Hung over and bleary eyed, he listened to a neighbor named Phillip sing
the praises of some guy from Nazareth.
He had nothing better to do then listen about Jesus. Didn't really believe it all, but Jesus words
were surprising, and the promise of company and maybe a steady diet pulled Nate
up and changed his world.
Being with Jesus and
the disciples for the last few years had been amazing, but now it was
over. The hole in his gut was as big as
the Jerusalem sky at night. Nate was
afraid he would soon find himself in another gutter - Alone, hungry, and
without a compass. He looked to the
shore thinking about how much he missed Jesus and how badly he needed a
direction. He saw the silhouette of a
man and his heart heard Jesus voice
calling "follow me".
Thursday
Johnny's wife.
Just then a woman who had been subject to
bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus
turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed
you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matthew 9:20-22 NIV)
Johnny spent most of
the fishing night sitting in the back of the boat, listening to the gentle
waves slapping the side. So much had
happened on the last few years. He
thought back to the first time he learned his wife was sick. The bleeding disease. They had endured it for
years, with her spending much of her time at her parents where her mom cared
for her, while Johnny fished to earn a living.
Then about four years ago he met another John, this one a weird looking
baptist. His message drew Johnny from
the sea often to hear him preach. And
then… Jesus. And a chance to maybe be a
part of something bigger than himself.
Bigger than his illness-filled family.
Bigger than….
So Johnny left his
family and hit the road with Jesus and his friends. So much happened. The biggest moment seemed to be the one
where his wife came to see Jesus and the disciples pass by. He still couldn't believe her faith, and his
failure. She knew Jesus could, would
heal her. It never crossed Johnny's
mind. But she reached out and touched
Jesus. And Jesus felt her healing. And that was the moment he truly committed to
following Jesus.
Suddenly, his
concentration was broken as he realized the guys had finally caught a huge mess
of fish. He looked toward the shore and
could not hold back the words jumping from his heart with joy. "It's the Lord." And I will still follow Him.
Friday
Lonesome Thom.
John 20:
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to
him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the
print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my
hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 And after eight days His disciples were again
inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in
the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your
finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My
side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and
my God!”
Thom had been in and
out of groups all his life, but he'd never been part of anything like the
brotherhood he had with the other men on this boat, and his Lord Jesus. He'd certainly had his moments of social
awkwardness. Speaking out of his
willingness to die with Jesus, and seeing Lazarus healed instead. Even blurting out (to Jesus Himself no less)
that he didn't know where Jesus was going, so how could he know the way. Thom smiled thinking about the blessing
their small group received when Jesus had gently explained. Without even making Thom feel bad.
But Thom fell away
when it all went to…. right after the…. After Jesus…. A tear wet his cheek, and the soft sea
breeze wiped it away. He remembered his
feelings. The loss. The emptiness. The sadness.
The loneliness. And then, when he
pulled together every bit of strength he had, and walked into that upper room
only to hear he had missed his Lord. It
was almost too much. But Jesus loved
him so much, or at least that's how Thom thought about it, that He came back to
them there a second time just to see me.
Now I know I'll follow Him.
Suddenly drawn from
his reverie by a splash, he smiles and watches Pete swimming towards the
shore. Joyfully grabbing an oar to help
take the fish laden boat in, Thom smiles and hums to himself the old Bill
Gaither song…
Oh, this old ship's
been through battles before
Storms and tempests
and rocks on the shore
Tho' the hull may be
battered,
Inside it's safe and
dry
It will carry its
cargo to the port in the sky.
Let the anthems ring
out, Songs of victory swell
For the Church
triumphant is alive and well.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
2015.01.20 - 1 Timothy Lesson 10
| Beth, Sorry to be late. Hope these will work for you. Change what you need to, and thank you for letting me participate in this ministry. God bless, Jim... |
2015.01.20 - 1 Timothy Lesson 10 |
Monday
Who's responsible?
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (I Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV)
Growing up, I felt that everyone else was telling me things and trying to make me do things their way. The list of those people was long. They included parents, a big brother, neighbors, and even my grandmother at home. At school, it was the principals, teachers and coaches, then college professors and administrators. Church wasn't any better; the preacher, the music leader, the Sunday school teachers, the youth directors, deacons, and friends' parents. Now I also have a wife, children, more neighbors, bosses, employees, doctors, and customers who all seem so certain of what's right. Add in political leaders, news casters, denominational leaders, and the list gets so large, that it's a wonder I can decide what to wear every day.
But the fact is, that while these people all provide me direction and influence what I do, I make the decisions. Our scripture today truly states that some will depart from the faith. I don't think this is referring to losing salvation, but to choosing not to follow as closely as you may have in the past, and not nearly as closely as God wants you to. And I've done it. No, I'm not abandoning my faith. I'm not giving up on my relationship with Christ and I haven't lost the awe that God would sacrifice His son Jesus for me. But Even today, I'm choosing not to be active in a local church. I'm not regularly spending quality time in His word. I'm not leading my family as a sprirtual leader should. And this passage convicts me. I'm not a bad man. I'm not immoral or unethical. I'm not stealing from work, worshipping idols, or plotting to overthrow the government. I am merely a sinful man, again reminded of the rich blessings God has for me, that I am failing to accept. And I realize that a more Godly lifestyle awaits, but I have to seek it.
Lord, forgive me.
There are so many ways I fail to be the best I can, and we both know that even my best is unworthy of your love, mercy, and grace. I ask that you will be with me today. Help me choose to not depart from your ways, but to seek you. Give me the desire to know you better. Give me the hunger to seek a more Godly life, and to learn this week with those reading along with me to seek, to want, and to accept the training that will lead me closer to you.
Tuesday
Prayer
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)
The sixth chapter of Matthew seems so practical. If I want to train myself for Godliness, I should seek His Kingdom, and in just a few verses it covers several things I need to do please God. It lays out some of the basics, including prayer (the Lord's Prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13).
When I think of prayer, I see so many aspects. I believe prayer is talking with God. To God. Listening for God. It something I can do anywhere. Anytime. Alone in my quiet time. At church among other believers. In a restaurant with a bible study group. Mentally, verbally, or in writing. I can intervene for the sick, those who are lost, and those who have just lost their way. I can spend hours, or merely a fleeting moment. I can voice my deepest fears, and my greatest doubts without a fear of rejection. I can share my human anger when things don't seem to go my way, without fear of destruction. I can ask for guidance and direction in things large and small.
So today, I want to train myself in Godliness using the discipline of prayer. I want to daily spend time with God, and I'm praying especially today for those reading these words. Join me seeking to grow closer to God, by investing time regularly in prayer with Him.
Wednesday
Study
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP)
... you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed. (1 Timothy 4:6 AMP)
I've been blessed to learn many things. In school, I was able to make pretty good grades without too much study. In life, not so much. I've learned many lessons the hard way with many (confessed and forgiven) sins and scars to show for it. I have also learned that anything worth having comes at a cost.
As I have thought on the topic of Godliness the last few days, I am feeling a renewed desire to grow. To be more like Him. Our verse today, speaks to nourishing ourselves (our souls) on the truths of the faith and of the good doctrine. I can only come to know God better by learning about Him. His plans. His love. His mercy and grace. The history of His people. The best place to find that is in His word, and regular time spent there is an investment with an infinite return.
There are different ways to dive into the bible. I've tried many of them and found each to fill a separate but significant place in my journey to Godliness. I have a group of Christian men from different denominations I've met with pretty much weekly for nearly 8 years who take a passage a week, read it and share what it means to us or how we understand it. There's more formal bible studies like Sunday school where a diverse group trust a leader to help them grasp bible truths. I've even led some of these, and found it true that the teacher learns more than the student. Christian book stores have good literature broken out by topic or bible book for individual or group studies. There are good pastors like Phil who are blessed to be able to share so clearly the word of God. There are even podcasts now with ministers who break the bread of God into nite sized pieces that even I can understand. There are even free aps that will read the bible to you as you drive!
And if I want to grow in Godliness, I need to commit to regularly feeding my head and my heart with the word of God. Join me in promising God to seek His word regularly.
Thursday
Discipline
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. (1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NIV)
Twice in my life I have been consistent in a work out program, and I really enjoyed the rewards. The first time was in college, and it was a weight lifting (it's not polite to laugh) when some of my best friends and I decided to work out together. After the initial stages, I looked forward to the sweat. The fellowship. The way I felt afterwards, and even the way I looked (again, it's not polite to laugh). The second time was shortly after college when I was a regular racquetball player and met two to three times a week to play. It was the most fun I ever had exercising. I was in the best cardio shape of my life. I could play three hours of singles and had a 32" waist. Today, I own balls and gloves and bats and rackets and bicycles and golf clubs and... I'm 30+ pounds overweight. I can get winded climbing a flight or two of stairs. I sit too much and move too little. TV and computers were bad enough, but now with an iPad and a DVR? Who needs to move?
What changed? I did. I have not been committed to my health - to the diet and exercise discipline necessary to achieve the optimum health God has planned for me. And every time I try for a few days to make good choices, I let the aching muscles, the growling tummy, the business travel, and a dozen other things get in the way, and I fail, because I do not choose daily to do the little things needed to correct my course.
And I realize, as I seek Godliness, it applies to all areas of my life. Yes, the prayer and bible study are essential components of a successful Christian life. And I know I'll likely never again run the 50 yard dash or a try a half marathon. But if I want to truly be the best disciple I can be, I must consider my body. I want to be here on earth, healthy and productive, for as long as God allows. So along with the spiritual disciplines, I need to care for vessel God provided me.
Join me today in choosing just one aspect of physical health and commit to someone else to do something different for a month that makes us healthier (and more able to develop a Godly lifestyle).
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV)
Friday
Teach
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. 1 Timothy 4:11-12
Ok class, let's review. So far, we've learned that in training ourselves for living the Christian life, we start with a conscious decision. A responsible choice to seek Godliness. And some of the ways we proceed in that process involves the rather obvious. Prayer and study. Talking with God and seeking to know Him better through the bible and learning from others. Then we add in the respecting the body God gave us for this earthly journey by exercising and eating right, leading to physical and spiritual health.
But it's Friday, and we have another day and we need one more devotion. What could be left?
Think back to when you started your Spiritual journey. If your story is like mine, someone else was involved. A speaker shared a story. A minister preached a sermon. You met someone who was different. And you wanted more. Today, I know I have a chance to be THAT someone else. I'm not a preacher, but I have taught a class or two. I have stories of things God has done for me that I can share. I can Try to live a life that makes others want to know the a God I have. And the student becomes a teacher. And the circle is complete.
Join me today in committing to be aware of the opportunities you have to use the knowledge and talents you have to teach His ways to others.
The Lord said to him, "?.. Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12 NIV)
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