Stillness in the Midst of Chaos (Apr 1)

Posted on April 1, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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April 1
Stillness in the Middle of Chaos

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 46:8-11 | Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20 | Luke 9:28-50 | Proverbs 12:10

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 46

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

I’m always struck by how noisy this psalm is: Mountains quaking and falling into the middle of the sea, water roaring, nations in uproar, kingdoms falling, the earth melting, desolations, wars. Yet, it is in the midst of all this noise and chaos that God says to us: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted.”

At first it seems ironic that a passage about being quiet and still before God is found in the midst of a noisy cacophony. Yet it is in such a place that we most need stillness, quietness and solitude. It is in the midst of craziness and busyness that we most need to slow down and be quiet.

It’s when the world seems to be falling apart that we most need to remember that he is God and is still in control and that he will be exalted in the nations and in the earth. It is when life gets difficult and we are most vulnerable that we need to remember that “the LORD Almighty is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Does your world seem to be falling apart? There is no reason to fear even if a mountain falls into the heart of the sea (2). Be still. Remember who your God is. Spend some time there in reverent awe meditating on his greatness. Slow down and put your trust in him! He is the fortress to whom you can run to find safety and rest.

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Who Do You Say I Am? (Mar 31)

Posted on April 1, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 31
Who Do You Say I Am?

Scripture Readings: Psalm 46:1-7 | Deut 16:1-17:20 | Luke 9:7-27 | Prov 12:8-9

Scripture Focus: Luke 9:7-27

Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” (Luke 9:18-20, NIV)

Jesus asks what is perhaps the most important question that can be asked, “Who do you say I am?” For the most part the crowds didn’t have a clue and even those closest to him seemed a bit confused. But impulsive Peter has it right this time: “God’s Messiah.”

All the Hebrew Scriptures pointed to this one who was the fulfillment of the promise: Jesus the Messiah. Yes, a prophet, priest and King—the ultimate expression of each—but yet he was more. Israel’s long awaited Savior, King and Messiah would one day rule in glory and every knee would bow and every tongue would confess; wrongs would be righted; The King of Kings would bring justice and rule forever. But first, he would “suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Before the glory, there is the suffering. Before the exaltation, there is the humbling. Before the resurrection, there is the cross.

To answer the question rightly, to understand who Jesus really is, leads us down a similar path. In the words of Jesus: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

How does one answer Jesus’ Question, “Who do you say I am?” Jesus seems to imply that the real answer to the question is found not so much in words as in our commitment to follow him wholeheartedly—denying our selves and taking up the cross daily.

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Passing it on to the Next Generation (Mar 29)

Posted on March 29, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 29
Passing it on to the Next Generation

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 45:1-9 | Deuteronomy 11:1-12:23 | Luke 8:22-39 | Proverbs 12:4

Today’s Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:23

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country . . . It was not your children who saw what he did for you in the wilderness until you arrived at this place . . . but it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done. (Deuteronomy 11:1-5 NIV)

In this text we are once again reminded that our Love for God expresses itself in obedience to God and his word (1). This is a key theme of Deuteronomy: The Torah—the law of God—was given to the people of God that they would be able to walk in the ways of God. True love for him was to be expressed in obedience. This basic principle remains true in the New Testament as well: “If you love me, obey my commands.”

Love for God also expresses itself in remembering what God has done and then passing on what we remember to the next generation. “It was not your children who saw . . . but it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done.” We are quick to forget the answers to prayer; we are apt to forget the ways he has blessed us. Taking the time to remember produces gratitude in our hearts. It strengthens our faith during times of testing. Passing on the stories of God’s blessings and his intervention reinforce not only our own faith but also the faith of the generations that follow.

As we pass on the stories of God’s goodness—his intervention, his answers to prayer, his blessings—our words of testimony become a strong incentive for the next generation to love, trust and obey.

It was not your children who saw these things…it was you…so pass it on!

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Fertile Soil (Mar 28)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 28
Fertile Soil

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 44:17-26 | Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22 | Luke 8:4-21 | Proverbs 12:2-3

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 8:4-21

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. (Luke 8:5-8 NIV)

Is God’s word growing and producing a bountiful harvest of righteousness in you? What is the condition of the soil of your heart?

Jesus tells us that God’s word sometimes ends up on a rocky path where it is trampled upon and eaten by the birds. This is a heart where the seed is stolen before it can take root and grow. The word doesn’t have a chance in such a heart.

Other times God’s word is planted in rocky ground. These hearts initially hear the good news, but their roots are unable to go down deep and they quickly dry up in the time of testing. When things get tough, they haven’t allowed the word of God to grow deep and they quickly dry up and wither on the vine.

Other times God’s word is planted in thorny soil. The weeds of prosperity, pleasure and the worries of life come and choke the word. The pursuit of pleasure and things keeps the word from maturing, as it should. It stunts the growth and we prove to be unproductive in our faith.

But thankfully for others, God’s word takes root in good soil that represents “those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (15).

Don’t allow God’s word to be stolen from you. Don’t allow times of testing to choke out the word. Don’t allow the pursuit of pleasure or wealth or the worries of this life keep you from being productive. Open up your heart to God: hear, retain and persevere in obedience to produce an abundant crop.

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Remember the Long Way (Mar 27)

Posted on March 28, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 27
Remember the Long Way

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 44:9-16 | Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Proverbs 12:1

Today’s Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 7-8

Remember the long way that the LORD your God has made you travel in the wilderness these past forty years, that He might test you by hardships to learn what was in your hearts: whether you would keep His commandments or not. (Deuteronomy 8:2 TNK)

Remember the long way—remember God’s work in your life over the years.  It’s so easy to get caught up with what we are doing—become too busy to even notice God’s work in our lives.  It’s easy when things get tough to forget all the ways that God has proved himself faithful over the years.

I remember the testimony of a second-generation missionary; she told how her mother had kept a journal of answered prayers from their time in Africa. Whenever times got difficult, the family would gather together and she would read the stories of God’s faithfulness. Remembering what God had done before, brought hope to press forward in the most difficult of present circumstances. It’s important to remember when we’re going through difficult times.

The people of Israel were warned of the complacency that could set in once they were settled in the land and began to enjoy their houses and things. This is a temptation that we are quite familiar with today as well. When things are going well, it is easy to forget that the source of all the blessings we enjoy is God. We do well to remember the way he provides “manna on the way,” how he gives us even “daily bread.” When things are going well, we dare not forget the faithfulness of God “on the long way.”

Whether this leg of the journey is easy or difficult, don’t forget the “long way.” Remember the numerous ways that God has helped you on the journey so far.  Let the thanksgiving that flows encourage you to move ahead to further adventures of his grace.

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Becoming Like Our Teacher (Mar 25)

Posted on March 25, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

becominglikeourteacher

March 25
Becoming Like Our Teacher

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 44:1-3 | Deuteronomy 4:1-49 | Luke 6:39-7:10 | Proverbs 11:28

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 6:39-7:10

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:39 NIV)

The goal of a disciple is to become just like his teacher. For the disciple of Jesus, it means that when we are fully trained we will be like Him. Jesus gives us a few of the lessons we will learn, as we become more like Him.

We will grow in truth (41-42). Instead of playing games that reveal our hypocrisy, we will “get real” and allow Jesus to get the planks out of our eye. Our self-righteous attempts to judge and show ourselves superior, are revealed as we attempt to take a speck out of others eyes while we have a plank coming out of our own.

We will bear good fruit (43-45). “Each tree is recognized by it’s own fruit.” Our words and actions reveal what is truly inside of us. As we grow more and more like our master teacher, our words and actions will reveal, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control,” the fruit of the Spirit.

We will put Jesus words into practice and demonstrate that he is Lord (46-49). “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” We will build our lives on the firm foundation of God’s word and the storms of life will not be able to topple us. “I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

I’m learning, but I’ve got more to learn. Teach me Jesus. I want to be like you.

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Choosing Leaders (Mar 24)

Posted on March 24, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 24
Choosing Leaders

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 43:1-5 | Deuteronomy 2:1 – 3:29 | Luke 6:12-38 | Proverbs 11:27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 6:12-38

One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (Luke 6:12-13 NLT)

Jesus lived a life of prayer. So it’s not surprising that when he came to critical junctures in his life that he would spend extended time in prayer. It’s not surprising that when a critical decision was to be made that he spent the whole night in prayer.

As Jesus looked at his disciples and chose twelve to become apostles, he was identifying the team he would spend the bulk of his time discipling. These were the ones who would help him carry out his earthly ministry; the ones that would be handed the leadership of the ministry when his work was completed.

Such a decision requires much prayer. Having the wrong team members can be disastrous. Having a team of leaders that are able to work together is essential to accomplishing your purposes.

We may wonder why Jesus chose the twelve he did. By the world’s standards they were probably not the ones we would have chosen. We generally choose the popular, the powerful, the wealthy, and the successful. Jesus picked the humble, the average, the ones likely to be neglected. Yet through prayer he was able to see their potential. He saw men pliable enough to become the team he needed. He saw men humble enough to depend on God.

As you make decisions, look to the Lord for his wisdom. Don’t rush into it. As you choose leaders, pray that God will enable you to make the right choices. And don’t be surprised if he points you to unlikely choices. He is a God who often uses the unlikely and the unlovely to accomplish great things for his glory.

 

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Moving On, Moving In (Mar 23)

Posted on March 23, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 23
Moving On, Moving In

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 42:6-11| Numbers 36:1 – Deuteronomy 1:46 | Luke 5:29 – 6:11 | Proverbs 11:24-26

Today’s Scripture Focus: Numbers 36:1 – Deuteronomy 1:46

The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. [7] Break camp and advance into the hill country . . . go to all the neighboring peoples . . . [8] See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore he would give to your fathers–to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob–and to their descendants after them.” (Deuteronomy 1:6-8 NIV)

Sometimes we get stuck in a rut in our spiritual journey. We struggle again and again with the same things. We become content and complacent with the status quo. God is calling us, like his chosen people in this text, to move on from this place and move in to the Promised Land.

God has victories ahead. His plan for you is good. He is preparing the way for you to take possession of all that he has promised. You have wavered in doubt long enough. Now it is time to take the bold steps of faith that will enable you to enter into the land of promise.

What led to the time of wilderness wandering? For them it was doubt (lack of faith), grumbling (lack of contentment), and rebellion (lack of obedience). Those are common reasons for us to wander around aimlessly, without focus, without purpose, without victory.

Egypt was a place of bondage. The wilderness was a place of testing. All of it had a purpose, of course, but God’s desire for them was the land of promise–the same is true for you. A few steps of faith and obedience are all that separate you from the place of blessing. Move on, move in, and move up!

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Thirsty (Mar 22)

Posted on March 22, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 22
Thirsty

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 42:1-5 | Numbers 33:40 – 35:34 | Luke 5:12-28 | Proverbs 11:23

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalm 42:1-5

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. [2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? [5] Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and [6] my God. (Psalm 42:1-6 NIV)

We are created with a need for water, a thirst that must be satisfied. This truth, obvious in the physical realm, is just as true in the spiritual realm. Like the Psalmist, we are created with a thirst for “living water.”

We often try to satisfy that thirst with other things–seeking to find satisfaction in money, entertainment, popularity, power, relationships, etc. But there is a thirst that can only be satisfied by drinking deep at the river of living water. Like the woman at the well (John 4), we all need to enter into this stream of living water that wells up to eternal life.

But we must do more than enter in; we must also drink often at this stream. Our souls are beat up and bruised. We become downcast and discouraged. We need the refreshment that comes from intimacy with God. Drink deeply, drink long, drink often.

God is your hope, your desire, your satisfaction. Pant after him, seek him out, and allow him to fill you to overflowing with his living water. He is refreshment and life to your soul.

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Everything Changes (Mar 21)

Posted on March 21, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

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March 21
Everything Changes

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 41:10-13 | Numbers 32:1 – 33:39 | Luke 4:31- 5:11 | Proverbs 11:22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 4:31-5:11

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” [5] Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:4-5 NIV)

The disciples had been up fishing all night and hadn’t caught a thing. Tired, frustrated and at the end of their patience they heard Jesus words: “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

But instead of second guessing him, there was obedience. These seasoned fishermen knew that the chance of finding fish after a night of failure was not great. But they also knew that everything changes when Jesus enters the picture.

In response to their obedience, God provided an abundance of fish. The nets were filled to overflowing. In fact there were so many fish that the boat began to sink.

Don’t become weary in well doing. You may not see the results yet, but keep taking the steps of obedience–keep following the instructions of Jesus. Keep expecting the unexpected.

When Jesus steps into the boat everything changes.

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