Old Treasures

Scripture
Matthew 13:52
Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

Observation
There is a difference between a teacher and a disciple. Also, there is valuable insights a teacher can bring from the past with new insights and understanding. The 'old' isn't to just be thrown out, but brought out again to be re-discovered. The new is to be celebrated as well. They are not in competition or tension, but both are to be treasured.

Application
Acts Leadership Training Center. It's been a long time since I went there. I've recently looked through some of my notes. I am remembering some of the things that I have come away from, and even seeing some old friends on facebook I have realized that I have some treasures that God has deposited into my life that I have long since forgotten. It's good to have a look in my past to see what I used to believe, and how I used to serve the Lord, and bring forward the good things.

Prayer
Lord, please help me discover what things I need to treasure, and what things I need to get rid of, all the while celebrating the new things I am learning in Your Word. There are old treasures that are valuable

Heart Disease

Scripture
Matthew 12:34 For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.

Observation
Jesus has just talked about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and casting out of demons. The Pharisees had just accused Him of being in league with Satan. Their words revealed their hearts!

Application
This verse is a struggle for me, as I am always so mindful of my misplaced words. I think I get my nose into things that I shouldn't. Too much with my kids and my Dree. I seem to weigh in on things that don't concern me, and it doesn't help. I need to keepers my mouth shut. However, it appears Jesus would say the problem isn't my mouth, but my heart. Sometimes the Pharisees kept their mouths shut and only thought wicked things.... and Jesus answered their thoughts.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to present my heart before You so You can change it. And may the overflow be evident in my thoughts and words. I want the meditation of my heart, and the words of my mouth to be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my God and my Redeemer.

Rest for my Heavy and Weary Soul

Scripture
Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”.

Observation
Jesus gives the invitation to come to Him and He will give rest. He says He will teach those who come, and there will be a new way of living ~ a easy yoke and a light load.

Application
I think that this is the very thing I have been searching for; to really discover how to pastor with an easier yoke, a lighter load, and a rested soul. This shouldn't be so wearying. This north American pressure of stress and busy and noise and worry. It weighs heavy on a person. It NEEDLESSLY weighs heavy on a person. Jesus. Ate to set me free from needless weight, so may I learn to live in His rest, walk united WITH Jesus, not just for Jesus, and to carry what He has given me, not what I or others have laid upon me.

Prayer
Lord, please teach me this. You said to come to You and You would teach. Please help me come and learn.

Scripture
Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Observation
Seeking the kingdom is a verb; action is required. Active seeking. This version translates the verse differently. I always knew it to say "and His righteousness", while this version says to 'live righteously'. I would understand the text to mean "and let His righteousness, His right path be the path you live on".

Application
In order to seek first His kingdom, I must have a kingdom mindset, putting first God's plan over mine. I must, as Colossians says 'set my mind on things above'. His eternal kingdom, as in the model prayer, is to come now. Even in my life, His kingdom has the potential to come now. The King reigning in my life, with His kingdom ever expanding. But the command is to seek. His kingdom expanding and advancing in my life is not going to happen by itself ~ but by intentionality. I must place myself in the courts of the King and welcome His active kingdom in my life.
Further, seeking the kingdom means to look for and discover kingdom principles, kingdom ways, kingdom insights, kingdom perspectives in the earthly situations I encounter each day.

Prayer
Lord, I want to be about seeking first Your kingdom. I don't want my life to be about temporal things, but rather seeing Heaven on Earth. Help me to actually be transformed into an ambassador of the Kingdom, who represents the King well. Help me to seek your Kingdom.

Good Works

Scripture
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Observation
It's not that good deeds are to be done so people can see them, it is so they can see them AND give glory to God. There must be a key to pointing people to glorify God.

Application
In the same way as 'a lamp giving light on a stand for everyone in the house',so are my good deeds to be done. But a lamp with no power, a candle with no fire, will be of no benefit either. I need to somehow let people see the good works which I do (not sure what those are yet), and them clearly point others to glorifying God. This is not as simple as I thought.

Prayer
Father, I want to be this light in a dark place, this salt of the world, this lamp on a stand. So I've got some good works to do. Please lead me in this, and help me to walk in humility, and may my life (and good works) glorify You.

A Check-Up Exam

Scripture
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Observation
There is a demand for evidence that Jesus is among them - NKJV says "in you". If He is not, then it is not genuine faith and they are disqualified.

Application
So, the question remains: do I pass the test? Is there evidence, upon more than a casual examination, that Jesus is in me, and among us (our church, my family). So what are the marks of this test? Perhaps the following would be included:
• He is speaking (His voice)
• He is doing (His power)
• my lifestyle, heart, thoughts, motivations, responses, etc
• others can see

Prayer
Jesus, You are welcome in my life. Please help me pass the test of genuine faith. Show me the areas of my life where I am failing, and please help me to mature, and grow to a place where I am passing in every area. Amen.

Taken By Lot

Scripture
1 Samuel 10:20-21
Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot.

Observation
Samuel had already met with Saul, told him he would be king, and anointed him with oil. And THEN, went through the channels of casting lots to determine in the sight of all Israel who would be king. That's an amazing thing, that God spoke beforehand, and then allowed them to go through the process so that all Israel would see the working of the Lord. God could have just bypassed the process, but there was value in the process.

Application
Interesting that today is the day when we are announcing to the national leadership that Steve Falkiner is going to be our new president. God could have just told us that. In fact, I believe he did - but then we walked through the process. I'm not sure of all that was gained in walking through this, but am confident that it was for our benefit.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to hear your voice, know your direction, and walk confidently through the processes you have for me.

Maundy Thursday

Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:21
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Observation
An offering for sin. What a huge price for sin ~ the wages of sin is death. But through His death we are able to be right with God. Things set right in our relationship. Amazing.
Right with God. Jesus WHO NEVER SINNED gave His life for me. How incredibly sad, and wonderful.

Application
Maundy Thursday. Jesus is about to face the cross. The consequences of my sin - Jesus gave His life as an offering. I am so sorry. Filled with sorrow. And I am so grateful. Me, who always sins, is made right with God. Jesus, who never sinned, was separated from God. I'm so grateful - and so sorry. I'm thankful that everything is turning out to be okay. But what about for those who don't yet know Jesus? Or have rejected His free gift of salvation. Things are not okay - I need to let them know, by any means, that Jesus loves them so much. Oh, that people might know the Love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving Your life for me. And thank you for extending your great grace to my family, that we all would be saved. And thank you for working in my life today. I'm grateful for the relationship I enjoy with you, but I know that you have given me the ministry of reconciliation. May I be about the ministry you have given me.
Thank you Jesus for this day. May I love people today.
"A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another"

Great Power in a Jar of Clay

Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:7-8 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Observation
A shining light of the gospel in our lives, but clearly not originating from humanity. Great Power, not impotence. GREAT POWER in a clay jar; an earthen vessel.

Application
I need to make sure the light is actually shining in my heart. I need to be 'in front' of the source of light, allowing Jesus to shine in me. I need my life postured before His Word, His Throne, His Grace. And then Paul writes about Great Power. Where is this great power in my life? I feel like the greatness of the power should be so great that it is obviously not from me. Paul writes "This makes it clear...". Unfortunately, it doesn't appear I live in any great power, or at least power beyond what is normal for a modern day christian. I look at different men throughout history who demonstrated great power, and it was clear it was the power of God.

Prayer
Lord, I thank You for shining the light of the glorious gospel into my heart. I thank You for saving me, and bringing transformation to my life. Truly, I am a fragile jar of clay. I need Your transforming power and the brightness of Your glory to shine through my life, that people may see Your Great Power - and the power of Your love.