Tag Archives: Jesus

When Our Role is to Pray and Wait

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When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father…’
Luke 15:17-18a NLT*

Last week we talked about how if there’s something our loved ones need to learn or change in their thinking, we can trust God to make it plain to them. We were looking at how God works in the lives of believers (including our own lives!)

Today’s verse reminds me this principle also applies for those who don’t yet know Jesus. That’s a huge comfort as we pray for people who are outside of relationship with God. And it makes perfect sense. After all, it’s God who initiates the contact, who softens hearts and gives faith.

When the young man in the parable left home, his father’s only option was to pray. Jesus didn’t say he did, but I think it’s implied by how he was watching and waiting for his son’s return.

We don’t know how long he waited, either.

The father knew the trouble his son could get into, and he presumably prayed for physical and spiritual protection. I’m guessing he also prayed for God to change the young man’s heart and bring him home.

He may well have prayed in terms of love, light and freedom. [Please follow the link to read Ginny Jaques’ insightful article on praying for unsaved loved ones.]

God our Father, thank You for revealing Your love to us, shining Your light of truth on our lives, and giving us freedom to choose You. Help us as we pray for those we love who don’t yet trust You. Help us pray in love, power and confidence, and help us wait for Your perfect timing as You draw them to know You. You love them even more than we do, and in this we will rest.

∞

Amy Grant‘s song, “I’ll Be Waiting,” captures some of the longing heart for a wayward loved one.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

When Jesus Prays for Us

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“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32, NLT*

This is Jesus talking. He who has the power to stop storms, banish demons and raise the dead. Yet all He does here is pray for the fallout. Couldn’t He have rejected Satan’s request? Placed a special protection around the disciples?

Of course He could.

The fact that He didn’t shows that, as with Job, the trial would be permitted because it would ultimately accomplish God’s purposes in the lives of His dearly loved people.

So He let it happen.

It can happen to us too.

Sometimes, as with Peter’s denial, it’s our failure. Sometimes, like with Job, it’s out of our control: circumstances and others’ actions. Either way, if we surrender it to God He can use it to shape and grow us into the image of His Son. (See Painfully Conformed, at Other Food: daily devos)

And Jesus intercedes for us. Just as He did for Peter.

Father God, I affirm Your sovereignty. Nothing can touch me outside of Your will. Your plans for me are good. I rely on the intercession of Your Son, and I ask for grace to cooperate with Your Holy Spirit who lives in me, so that whatever the day holds, I can offer it to You in worship and conduct myself in a manner worthy of Your Name.

∞

In hard times or in good times, instead of handling life alone we can take Third Day‘s invitation to “Cry Out to Jesus.”

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Putting our Faith in Jesus

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We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Romans 3:22, NLT*

I like the NLT’s use of “made right with God”. The NIV equivalent is “righteousness,” which we can sometimes misconstrue. They really both mean the same, but this way it’s easier to see the focus on relationship with God rather than focusing on ourselves.

What caught me about this verse, though, is “placing our faith in Jesus Christ”.

This is more than intellectual belief, more than a casual agreement.

It’s an active trust, the same as we would sit in a chair or step onto a bridge. We place our faith in Jesus Christ. This suggests a few things to me:

  • following His way instead of living for ourselves
  • walking with Him each day and in each situation
  • relying on His leading, equipping, presence and protection
  • trusting Him to work things out as He chooses
  • trusting the goodness of His character
  • living to bring glory to God the Father

Holy and majestic God, there is none like You. Thank You for making a way for us to be right with You through faith in Jesus. Thank You for His death and resurrection, the most costly gift we’ve ever been offered. Thank You for the faith to believe. Help us to embrace this faith actively and fully and to let faith in Jesus change the way we live each moment, to Your glory.

∞

This week’s song is Chris Tomlin‘s “Jesus Messiah“.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[Linked with Wednesday’s Word]

A Song on Good Friday

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Without the Cross, there’s no salvation. No hope. But it’s hard to think about what the Son of God endured for you and me that day.

Jesus Christ. God’s Son. Our Saviour.

Not a victim. The fulfillment of prophecy. A daring Rescuer.

This song from Todd Agnew helps me process what Good Friday means to me: “Blood on My Hands.” [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuNc9iXxRfg]

God’s Good News

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For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.
Romans 1:16-17a, NLT* (emphasis mine)

Nobody wants to be a pushy, in-your-face salesperson. Well, except pushy, in-your-face salespeople, I suppose…

But I think that’s partly why it’s hard for Christians to share our faith. We forget that it’s not our job to “close the deal” on a person’s salvation. It’s God’s job to soften the other’s heart and open them to hear the truth about Jesus, and it’s God’s job to give the faith and courage to accept that truth.

He may want us to be part of presenting some of that truth, though. If people have questions, we need to be able to give an answer about our hope and faith. (1 Peter 3:15)

Think for a minute about this good news:

  • It tells what God has done for all people, all over the world. We didn’t even know He’d done it until after the fact.
  • We need to believe it and obey Jesus. (verse 5)
  • It’s the power of God at work. Wow!
  • It saves everyone who believes it.
  • It tells how God makes us right with Himself.
  • It’s only by faith. (verse 17)

Doesn’t that put a bit more light in your spirit, just thinking about it? Doesn’t it sound like something worth sharing?

Holy and Majestic God, this Holy Week we thank You again for the gift of Your Son Jesus, who came to show us who You are and to make us right with You. None of us could earn Your approval, but You did this for us, in all our messes, to rescue and redeem us. Remind us of the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Remind us of our hope. And help us to share the good news with those who need to hear it, in ways that will reach their hearts.

∞

Here’s Phil Driscoll with  “Jesus Paid it All.” This is such a powerful song, and the trumpet is amazing. I don’t think the video is too graphic, but if you’re concerned, listen with your eyes closed…

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

What if Jesus Hadn’t Come?

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What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Psalm 124:1a, NLT*

What if the Lord had not?

What if Jesus hadn’t come?

Things are dark, but they’d be so much darker without the Holy Spirit working in and through His followers.

We wouldn’t have His presence with us in the happy and the sad.

Despair and hopelessness would be everywhere – if God hadn’t already brought final judgment.

We wouldn’t know as much of what God is like, or how to walk with Him, because Jesus showed us both. And how could we walk with Him? We’d still be alienated from Him by our own choices. We’d be cut off from Him in our sin, blinded and miserable.

But He took our side – He came – and so we live.

God our Maker, God our Redeemer, God our Sustainer, thank You that “the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.“** Thank You for Jesus’ life, His willing sacrifice and daring rescue, for His rising, His gift to us of the Holy Spirit, and for His coming again. Help us live in praise, gratitude and confidence in Your care. Help us love You in response to Your great love for us.

∞

Here’s “Joy to the World” as done by Third Day.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

** John 1:14, NLT

When the Wait is Long

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Jesus’ birth ended a period of 400 years of silence from God. The angel Gabriel had brought personal messages to Zechariah and to Mary, and we don’t know how young Simeon was when God promised he’d see the Messiah before he died, but these were private revelations. The nation of Israel as a whole heard nothing. Not even a whisper.

400 years.

No prophets. No angelic visitors. Silence.

A remnant of Israel had returned from exile and begun to rebuild, as God had promised.

He also promised a Messiah, a King to come who would rule in power and justice and break the people’s bondage for good.

Nobody expected the King to suffer and die first.

Nobody expected to wait so long.

400 years.

Are you waiting today?

God hasn’t forgotten, or changed His mind, or discovered He can’t do what He promised.

He’s waiting too, for the best time to unveil what’s coming.

May His peace, hope, love and joy sustain each of us in the waiting.

And Merry Christmas. Christ has come.

A Good Grip on the Truth

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[A church leader must] have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
Titus 1:8-9, MSG*

The Spirit caught my attention with “have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth.” That expanded to include “have a good grip on yourself.”

For me, the reminder is to get and keep a good grip on myself—take troubling thoughts captive to Christ, use the armour of God, keep repeating the words He gives me about His shepherding and my freedom. Hold tightly to Scripture and use it wisely.

The challenge in the verse is to do this in cooperation with Him for my own healing and growth, and at the same time to keep alert to the wider picture to see where and how He wants to use me in others’ lives.

God my Shepherd, Healer and King, Your Word is the sword of truth. Help me use it wisely, in battle for myself and for others, as You equip and direct.  

∞

Here’s a classic hymn that has blessed me a few times this week (most notably at the close of this year’s Write! Canada conference… over 200 voices, singing exuberantly): “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” sung here by Chris Rice.

*The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Performance-Based Living

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Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1, NLT*

In Hannah Whitall Smith’s words, “What we do to be seen by men is seen by men—and that’s all there is to it.” (The God of All Comfort, p. 276)

Somehow that unlocks a new depth of meaning for me: the warning isn’t just “live to please God and don’t show off.” It’s also “don’t be a people-pleaser.”

Don’t do your good deeds to impress, but don’t do them to appease or placate. Don’t live and act in fear of rejection, fear of not measuring up, fear of being yelled at or misunderstood.

The enemy of our souls would whisper lies and inflame our fears of failure and rejection, but I don’t for a moment believe this verse says anything about a frowning God who will disqualify us from receiving something good if we’ve operated in people-pleaser mode. Or even if we’ve been showing off.

I do believe our motives will have cost us the reward we could have earned. It’s an opportunity cost, to use an accounting term. It’s not a punishment. God has the reward and wants to give it, but we have a part to play.

Holy and majestic God who hears our quietest prayer, forgive us for the times we’ve acted “to be seen by people” rather than to please Your heart. Thank You for saving us and for loving us too much to leave us in this damaged behaviour pattern. Thank You for today’s and tomorrow’s opportunities to do good with God-ward hearts and to earn that reward in the Holy Spirit’s power. Thank You for the freedom that confidence in You brings, including freedom from fear of other people.

∞

Here’s a classic Petra song: Godpleaser.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Waste or Worship?

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While [Jesus] was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said.
Matthew 26:7-8, NLT*

A variant of this story is found in all four Gospels**, and I usually think of the one where Judas complained about the money and John says it was because he used to steal from the money pouch.

What catches me here is that all the disciples are indignant about it. Jesus has been telling them He’s going to die, and Matthew actually shows them trying to figure it out a bit. Of course they’re not getting it—the human brain could never conceive of a plan on the scale of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

The disciples were good men, devoted to Jesus and learning His ways. Giving to the poor was important. They understood that, even if they didn’t get the “coming death” part.

They were so caught up in “the plan” as they knew it that they missed another thread in God’s tapestry. God had a different assignment for this woman on this day, and they would have blocked it by “leaning on their own understanding.”

Anointing Jesus this way expressed her love and gratitude, but it was also a visual prophecy like so many in the Old Testament. She demonstrated what was to come.

And I think her tender gesture blessed Jesus’ heart. He knew what was ahead, and although He didn’t show any sign of strain about it until the struggle in the garden, I’ve wondered how He focused on the now without being paralyzed by the yet-to-come.

God our Father, Master Artist, Your work is detailed beyond our imagining. Help us listen closely to know Your leading, and help us obey with willing hearts. Give us courage when what You ask is different from others’ expectations. And give us grace to recognize Your leading in others’ lives when it doesn’t look the same as the way You work in us. Thank You for the whole picture, which only You can see. We will trust Your ways.

∞

Don Francisco’s  song, “Beautiful to Me,” tells the story as found in Luke’s Gospel. I love how he brings stories like this to life.

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

**I hadn’t realized there were two women who had a part in anointing Jesus for his burial. Both took place in Bethany around the same time, but this one’s in the house of Simon, a former leper, and the woman isn’t named. The other is in the house of Lazarus and it’s his sister, Mary. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet, this woman anoints His head [Luke says she anointed Jesus’ feet, and that may be a third woman but the host is still named Simon (the Pharisee).] Some would say it’s all one event, but while I know a lot of Scripture needs a non-literal interpretation, I view the actual events as historical. Clearly, some of them were (eg. the crucifixion). I don’t dare pick and choose. This is my interpretation, and I respect yours whether or not it’s the same. I’m not here for argument or debate, just to share what God’s teaching me. In this case, the take-away is the same whether there was one anointing or more. ~JS.