In John 12:23-26 Christ speaks of His glorification, which one would normally associate with being honored, but then follows that with the example of the kernel of wheat which must die to produce much fruit and continues on to extend that to His followers. While the lessons here are endless, I have but one focus for myself today: dying to self.
Christ’s glorification could come only after He surrendered His personal, human will to that of His Father, completing the task for which He came to earth (John 12:27-28), that of sacrificing Himself for our sins. Only then could come the resurrection, bringing new life for us and setting the stage for His return to glory in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.
In proportion as I submit my personal, human will to the Father, I live my life in Christ (Galatians 2:20), taking on the likeness of His personality, emotions, and will. Only as I yield my will to the Father’s, dying to self, can He mold me into the likeness of Christ and use me to complete the tasks for which He created me.
Do I truly surrender myself to His will on a daily—hourly—minute-by-minute--basis? Am I resisting when He uses people (perhaps those I might not like) and circumstances (perhaps uncomfortable or even hurtful ones) to bring out the life of Christ that is hidden in me? Is my refusal to yield, to become the dying kernel of wheat, keeping my life from being fruitful for the Kingdom? I fear it is so, but it does not have to continue to be so. I have a choice.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for seeking my own will without regard for Your perfect will for me. Honor my desire to please You and to be wholly and completely Yours. Use my life as an instrument of Your love and grace to those you place in my path today. Help me to set self aside, to be ready and willing to take risks for You. I thank You for Your love which sustains me and for Your grace and mercy which free me. Amen.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
John 11:4
By the time Jesus learned of Lazarus sickness, Lazarus had already died (John 11:14). Yet Jesus spoke and sent a messsge to Mary saying "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." (John 11:40 imples that these words were not only spoken, but sent to Mary.) The result would be a revelation of Jesus divine power and God's character, and would bless all who beheld it.
Do I look to God when one of life's trials presents itself, trusting Him to use it so that I might grow and see His glory in some new way (see also Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18; James 1:4), understanding that His working and my faith might provide a blessing to someone else, possibly even bringing one to His throne of grace (see also 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 1:12, 13)? Or, forgetting about God's control over all the circumstances of my life, do I grumble and complain, wondering "why me?" Do I fail to trust Him and miss some blessing He has planned for me and others so that someone else receives it?
Lord, ever draw me to You. Forgive me for those times when I complain instead of trusting your care. Give me more faith in You, in your divine omnipotence. I want to trust you with everything and everyone in my life. Help me to look for your glory in every situation. Help me to see the lessons you have for me. Show me how and where I can use circumstances to point others to you, and give me the burning desire and boldness to do so.
Do I look to God when one of life's trials presents itself, trusting Him to use it so that I might grow and see His glory in some new way (see also Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18; James 1:4), understanding that His working and my faith might provide a blessing to someone else, possibly even bringing one to His throne of grace (see also 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 1:12, 13)? Or, forgetting about God's control over all the circumstances of my life, do I grumble and complain, wondering "why me?" Do I fail to trust Him and miss some blessing He has planned for me and others so that someone else receives it?
Lord, ever draw me to You. Forgive me for those times when I complain instead of trusting your care. Give me more faith in You, in your divine omnipotence. I want to trust you with everything and everyone in my life. Help me to look for your glory in every situation. Help me to see the lessons you have for me. Show me how and where I can use circumstances to point others to you, and give me the burning desire and boldness to do so.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Psalm 56:8
Staying in the Word is so important. I love seeing scriptures again that remind me of God's love. It's so pleasant, kind of like sifting through old photographs and finding those that bring back happy memories.
Psalm 56 was my devotion for today, and Psalm 56:8 tells me how special I am to God. He keeps track of everything that happens to me. All the hurts, the disappointments, the struggles, tbe failures, the times I felt alone, He was there and He remembers. My tears, and sometimes there were many, were so precious to Him that He kept them all--every single one--in His bottle. (He must have quite a storehouse, for He has not only mine but yours as well!)
He took those tears and with them the sting that caused them. I know He did, because sometimes I can't even remember them. I have looked back and felt that I've been so blessed, and wondered why God would give me such a life. I've felt that I had it so easy, nothing that could really be called a hardship. I've worried sometimes that I'm not doing what I should be or that I'm not worthy, so God doesn't give me what I would consider real trials. I've even shed tears about that. Then my husband has reminded me that there have been times: mother's Alzheimers and nursing home for years, father's cancer, losing them both within nine months, daughter's cancer at age 14, childrens' problems, illnesses and death of his parents, my own illness. He carried me through those times, and more, and took the tears. They're gone. All that's left are memories of His comfort and love.
How can I begin to thank you, Lord, for the amazing love you have for me? Thank you for caring enough for me to keep every tear and to write down all of my sorrows in Your book. You sustained me though those times, giving me comort, providing for my needs, and taking the hurt so that I don't feel it anymore. You love me so lavishly. Open my eyes and my heart, and use me to share Your love with others, that they might become aware of how much you love them. How I do love You, Lord. Amen.
Psalm 56 was my devotion for today, and Psalm 56:8 tells me how special I am to God. He keeps track of everything that happens to me. All the hurts, the disappointments, the struggles, tbe failures, the times I felt alone, He was there and He remembers. My tears, and sometimes there were many, were so precious to Him that He kept them all--every single one--in His bottle. (He must have quite a storehouse, for He has not only mine but yours as well!)
He took those tears and with them the sting that caused them. I know He did, because sometimes I can't even remember them. I have looked back and felt that I've been so blessed, and wondered why God would give me such a life. I've felt that I had it so easy, nothing that could really be called a hardship. I've worried sometimes that I'm not doing what I should be or that I'm not worthy, so God doesn't give me what I would consider real trials. I've even shed tears about that. Then my husband has reminded me that there have been times: mother's Alzheimers and nursing home for years, father's cancer, losing them both within nine months, daughter's cancer at age 14, childrens' problems, illnesses and death of his parents, my own illness. He carried me through those times, and more, and took the tears. They're gone. All that's left are memories of His comfort and love.
How can I begin to thank you, Lord, for the amazing love you have for me? Thank you for caring enough for me to keep every tear and to write down all of my sorrows in Your book. You sustained me though those times, giving me comort, providing for my needs, and taking the hurt so that I don't feel it anymore. You love me so lavishly. Open my eyes and my heart, and use me to share Your love with others, that they might become aware of how much you love them. How I do love You, Lord. Amen.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
John 8:18-22
In Matthew 8:18-22, the man, as he was determining to follow Jesus, asked to go bury his father first. But Jesus told him to "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." While this may seem strange and perhaps even cold to us, this is Jesus speaking, so the judgment and meaning must be righteous. Christ knows the heart, so perhaps the man was making excuses to delay following Christ. Whatever the reason, I do not question the Lord, but look to see what this says to me today.
Is my love for Christ above all other loves in my heart? Is He the Lord of my life? Do I seek to know Him and His will first? Do I put doing His will above pursuing my own?
Can I be honest in answering these questions? Do I really know the answers? It is difficult to look honestly at myself, to see the real me. Lord I say with the psalmist, "search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23). Then reveal me to myself, open my eyes and give me the desire and will to change what needs to be changed, that You might mold me into what you created me to be. I want You to be first in my life, but I am so weak in so many ways. Give me your strength. I thank You for Your unending love for me and will praise You on high all of my days. Amen.
Hymn for today: Search Me, O God.
Is my love for Christ above all other loves in my heart? Is He the Lord of my life? Do I seek to know Him and His will first? Do I put doing His will above pursuing my own?
Can I be honest in answering these questions? Do I really know the answers? It is difficult to look honestly at myself, to see the real me. Lord I say with the psalmist, "search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23). Then reveal me to myself, open my eyes and give me the desire and will to change what needs to be changed, that You might mold me into what you created me to be. I want You to be first in my life, but I am so weak in so many ways. Give me your strength. I thank You for Your unending love for me and will praise You on high all of my days. Amen.
Hymn for today: Search Me, O God.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Psalm 53
"God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God" (verse 2)
When God looks down and sees me, what does He see? Does He see a woman of prayer? Someone who comes to Him with all her cares? One who lays before Him her very life--all she does and desires? One who pleads with Him for the unsaved, the hurting, the abused, the hungry, the lonely? Or does He see a woman who comes to Him irregularly, often filling her time with activity and activities to the point where she fails to find time to share honestly with her best Friend?
Father, forgive my failure to spend time with you in prayer. It must hurt you so, and I know I certainly suffer myself. Please know that I love to share with you, to bring my burdens and my joys to you. I don't know why I let other things keep me away. I feel you close when I come close to you in prayer. Give me a greater hunger for prayer, Lord. Not only the quick, "thank you, Lord" or "help me, Lord," but the deep, friend-to-friend, child-to-Father conversations which bless us both--and others, as well. Thank you for bringing this message to me today, for caring enough to try to draw me closer. Thank you for answering my prayer. You are such an awesome God, and I love you so. Amen.
My reflections on this Psalm are a result of my devotions this morning from God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms by Ben Patterson.
When God looks down and sees me, what does He see? Does He see a woman of prayer? Someone who comes to Him with all her cares? One who lays before Him her very life--all she does and desires? One who pleads with Him for the unsaved, the hurting, the abused, the hungry, the lonely? Or does He see a woman who comes to Him irregularly, often filling her time with activity and activities to the point where she fails to find time to share honestly with her best Friend?
Father, forgive my failure to spend time with you in prayer. It must hurt you so, and I know I certainly suffer myself. Please know that I love to share with you, to bring my burdens and my joys to you. I don't know why I let other things keep me away. I feel you close when I come close to you in prayer. Give me a greater hunger for prayer, Lord. Not only the quick, "thank you, Lord" or "help me, Lord," but the deep, friend-to-friend, child-to-Father conversations which bless us both--and others, as well. Thank you for bringing this message to me today, for caring enough to try to draw me closer. Thank you for answering my prayer. You are such an awesome God, and I love you so. Amen.
My reflections on this Psalm are a result of my devotions this morning from God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms by Ben Patterson.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
John 9. Christ's Compassion for the Man Born Blind
Lesson 1
How compassionate is our Lord. As he leaves the turmoil of the temple (John 8, esp. John 8:59), He sees a man blind from birth..."sees" him...and stops to heal him. His disciples are concerned with theological specilations, but Christ is concerned with the man--his condition and needs--and with meeting his needs and doing His Father's will. He gives the man a physical touch, such a simple thing, but so important, even in the context of giving (not returning) sight. Thank you, Lord, that I am important to you, that you are never too busy for me. You know my hurts and my needs and are always there, reaching out to me.
Do I "see" those around me in need? Do I look to see what the Father would have me do? Or do I go on my way, concerned with my own situation, oblivious to the work I have been given? Oh, I can't meet all needs, but I can and should meet those the Father has prepared me to address in His name. Lord, make me more aware. Open my eyes that are often blind, and give me clear direction, and give me the discipline to act on your behalf. Steer me away from the "good" things I could do that are the enemies of the "best" that you have for me to do (Eph 2:10).
Lesson 2
The man, as would a new Christian be, has little knowledge of who Jesus actually is. As the Pharisees keep questioning him, he tells what he does know, and as he does so is given more knowledge until he boldly stands up to their irrational fury. At that point, he is cast out of the temple, which would leave him ostracized and practically alone in that culture. Jesus learns of this, comes to find him, and reveals Himself to him as "the Son of Man." Christ will always be there for one who testifies; in the midst of any trials, He will provide comfort and encouragement and growth to the one who acknowledges him, and He will "openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels" (Luke 12:8). Thank you, Lord, for your love for us and for your promise to never leave us alone. Thank you for your blessings in times of trial.
The man born blind who was healed did not fear the Pharisees, though they had the power to make his life miserable from an earthly standpoint. He stood his ground and testified to what he knew. The result was more spiritual insight and a closer relationship with Christ. How often have I said nothing when I could have spoken up for my Lord? Father, let me fear failing You more than I fear men. Let me seek to please You rather than those of this world. Again, open my eyes to opportunities to testify of You, and then open my mouth to speak boldly the words Your Spirit will give me. I want to make a difference for You. I want to do Your work. I want my work to last (I Cor. 3:11-15).
How compassionate is our Lord. As he leaves the turmoil of the temple (John 8, esp. John 8:59), He sees a man blind from birth..."sees" him...and stops to heal him. His disciples are concerned with theological specilations, but Christ is concerned with the man--his condition and needs--and with meeting his needs and doing His Father's will. He gives the man a physical touch, such a simple thing, but so important, even in the context of giving (not returning) sight. Thank you, Lord, that I am important to you, that you are never too busy for me. You know my hurts and my needs and are always there, reaching out to me.
Do I "see" those around me in need? Do I look to see what the Father would have me do? Or do I go on my way, concerned with my own situation, oblivious to the work I have been given? Oh, I can't meet all needs, but I can and should meet those the Father has prepared me to address in His name. Lord, make me more aware. Open my eyes that are often blind, and give me clear direction, and give me the discipline to act on your behalf. Steer me away from the "good" things I could do that are the enemies of the "best" that you have for me to do (Eph 2:10).
Lesson 2
The man, as would a new Christian be, has little knowledge of who Jesus actually is. As the Pharisees keep questioning him, he tells what he does know, and as he does so is given more knowledge until he boldly stands up to their irrational fury. At that point, he is cast out of the temple, which would leave him ostracized and practically alone in that culture. Jesus learns of this, comes to find him, and reveals Himself to him as "the Son of Man." Christ will always be there for one who testifies; in the midst of any trials, He will provide comfort and encouragement and growth to the one who acknowledges him, and He will "openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God's angels" (Luke 12:8). Thank you, Lord, for your love for us and for your promise to never leave us alone. Thank you for your blessings in times of trial.
The man born blind who was healed did not fear the Pharisees, though they had the power to make his life miserable from an earthly standpoint. He stood his ground and testified to what he knew. The result was more spiritual insight and a closer relationship with Christ. How often have I said nothing when I could have spoken up for my Lord? Father, let me fear failing You more than I fear men. Let me seek to please You rather than those of this world. Again, open my eyes to opportunities to testify of You, and then open my mouth to speak boldly the words Your Spirit will give me. I want to make a difference for You. I want to do Your work. I want my work to last (I Cor. 3:11-15).
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