"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for 40 days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry." Luke 4: 1-2
This passage gets (at least for me) to the heart of Jesus and His love for us. Technically speaking, as far as the economics of our salvation goes, the bare minimum required was for Jesus, the Son of God to bear our flesh, live a perfect sin-free life, die on the cross for our sins, and then rise from the dead. This incredibly humbling act of grace earns for us by faith our salvation. It was really all that was required.
Jesus however, did more than the bare minimum.
God himself, not only took on our flesh, but He also took on every possible form of suffering that comes with being a human hip deep in a sinful world. His journey to the cross began not with a coronation or pep rally - but with a 40 day journey of suffering in the desert. God willingly walked towards difficulty, and in an amazing turn of events, He did not use His might to immediately snuff it out - rather, He took it all.
He suffered temptation, the likes of which we could only imagine, and He forced Himself to know and experience hunger. And all of this suffering took place, not at the park, the mall, or the golf course, but in the loneliness of the desert. He allowed the devil to sock Him with his best punch, without any evident defense. God suffered.
So why did Jesus suffer? Why did He do more than the bare minimum?
Out of His great love for us. Whenever we must endure temptation, whenever we are hungry, whenever we must struggle through the desert - know this: We are loved, and carried, and strengthened by one who has gone before us. Jesus fully understands how we feel and what we're going through. Jesus did more than was needed because He wanted to be able to love you as much as He possibly could.
The God who loves you is a hungry God.
Be God's, Scott
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Equality
"Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him." Rom. 10: 11-12
I learned early on in life that there is a pecking order in our world - a social hierarchy if you will. I remember vividly the inequality in the society of the elementary school playground - boys outranked girls (at least in the eyes of the boys). I remember vividly the inequality in the society of the burgeoning puberty of junior high - looking good brought you to the top of the ladder. I remember vividly the inequality of high school popular society - a cutthroat pecking order based on anything from looks, and athletic performance, to the ability to party without conscience.
Adulthood has it's social hierarchy too, doesn't it? Money, vocation, family, looks, gender, race, political preference...all of these things and more tend to peg us into some sort of social strata. Life can certainly be difficult and a burden when lived out on one of the bottom rungs of the ladder, constantly being stepped on by others advancing at your expense. Quite frankly sometimes life isn't fair, and we treat others differently based on their place in the pecking order - whether we realize it or not.
The Kingdom of God is completely different from the cutthroat hierarchy of the world. It stands out in stark opposition. For in the Kingdom of God, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, beautiful and plain, male and female, intelligent or slow, a CEO or a fry cook. The Kingdom of God is a safe place where anyone and everyone can enter in, and never be put to shame. There is equality in Christ.
This Kingdom is an Oasis of safety and healing from the dog eat dog nature of our society. The good news is that anyone can enter this Kingdom and receive the blessing of God.
May you know the blessing of unity in Jesus.
Be God's, Scott
I learned early on in life that there is a pecking order in our world - a social hierarchy if you will. I remember vividly the inequality in the society of the elementary school playground - boys outranked girls (at least in the eyes of the boys). I remember vividly the inequality in the society of the burgeoning puberty of junior high - looking good brought you to the top of the ladder. I remember vividly the inequality of high school popular society - a cutthroat pecking order based on anything from looks, and athletic performance, to the ability to party without conscience.
Adulthood has it's social hierarchy too, doesn't it? Money, vocation, family, looks, gender, race, political preference...all of these things and more tend to peg us into some sort of social strata. Life can certainly be difficult and a burden when lived out on one of the bottom rungs of the ladder, constantly being stepped on by others advancing at your expense. Quite frankly sometimes life isn't fair, and we treat others differently based on their place in the pecking order - whether we realize it or not.
The Kingdom of God is completely different from the cutthroat hierarchy of the world. It stands out in stark opposition. For in the Kingdom of God, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, beautiful and plain, male and female, intelligent or slow, a CEO or a fry cook. The Kingdom of God is a safe place where anyone and everyone can enter in, and never be put to shame. There is equality in Christ.
This Kingdom is an Oasis of safety and healing from the dog eat dog nature of our society. The good news is that anyone can enter this Kingdom and receive the blessing of God.
May you know the blessing of unity in Jesus.
Be God's, Scott
Thursday, February 25, 2010
simple
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"
Rom. 10:9-10
I realize this will make me sound old, but...is it just me, or are things just getting more and more complicated? Things that used to be simple, are now elaborate, time consuming tasks. Last year I coached basketball at the local high school - something I really enjoy doing, and have done so, off and on in different places for years. When I first began volunteering at the school, it was a very simple process - meet with the coach and principal to get their permission, and that was it. This year, the New York State High School Athletic Association decided that all coaches (paid or volunteer) needed to take 3, 3 credit junior college courses on coaching, and receive training in 3 other seminars - all of this would have been at my expense, and I would have had to travel at least a half hour or so for the training.
Now, I am not really complaining - it is what it is. But wow, they sure made a simple thing very complicated.
I wonder if we've done that with salvation. You must attend a certain church for a certain amount of time, you must attend certain classes in said church, and know certain and particular things, you must tithe 10% of your income, you must listen to Christian music, you must have a Jesus fish bumper sticker, you must not smoke or chew or go with girls who do, you must be fluent in the language of the church - Christianese, you must dress a certain way, you must always bring your specialty to the potluck etc. etc.
You get the idea right...I wonder if we haven't made coming to Jesus more about conforming to some type of complex Christian sub-culture rather than the simple plan of the Bible.
The Bible can at times be difficult to understand, but I don't think the way to salvation is - it's simple.
Believe in your heart in the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ - and confess this belief out loud for all to hear and see. This belief and confession might take many shapes and forms, but it's ultimately about the belief and confession and not the way one manifests them.
God still offers a simple plan of salvation to all through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Believe it in your heart, and confess it with your mouth.
Be God's, Scott
Rom. 10:9-10
I realize this will make me sound old, but...is it just me, or are things just getting more and more complicated? Things that used to be simple, are now elaborate, time consuming tasks. Last year I coached basketball at the local high school - something I really enjoy doing, and have done so, off and on in different places for years. When I first began volunteering at the school, it was a very simple process - meet with the coach and principal to get their permission, and that was it. This year, the New York State High School Athletic Association decided that all coaches (paid or volunteer) needed to take 3, 3 credit junior college courses on coaching, and receive training in 3 other seminars - all of this would have been at my expense, and I would have had to travel at least a half hour or so for the training.
Now, I am not really complaining - it is what it is. But wow, they sure made a simple thing very complicated.
I wonder if we've done that with salvation. You must attend a certain church for a certain amount of time, you must attend certain classes in said church, and know certain and particular things, you must tithe 10% of your income, you must listen to Christian music, you must have a Jesus fish bumper sticker, you must not smoke or chew or go with girls who do, you must be fluent in the language of the church - Christianese, you must dress a certain way, you must always bring your specialty to the potluck etc. etc.
You get the idea right...I wonder if we haven't made coming to Jesus more about conforming to some type of complex Christian sub-culture rather than the simple plan of the Bible.
The Bible can at times be difficult to understand, but I don't think the way to salvation is - it's simple.
Believe in your heart in the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ - and confess this belief out loud for all to hear and see. This belief and confession might take many shapes and forms, but it's ultimately about the belief and confession and not the way one manifests them.
God still offers a simple plan of salvation to all through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Believe it in your heart, and confess it with your mouth.
Be God's, Scott
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Angels
"For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up lest you dash your foot upon a stone." Psalm 91: 11-12
I don't know if you've noticed, but angels are everywhere. There is a peculiar fascination with angels like never before in our culture. They're on TV shows, and the focus of movies and books. There are a multitude of websites about them, and even stores which sell nothing else but angel stuff. Much of this information is fanciful at best. People are enamoured with the idea of angels. Unfortunately, there are many that take their fascination too far, to the point of worship. So what's the real deal with angels?
Angels certainly are real. They are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and us, His beloved children. They are not objects of worship or any more special than humanity. They are just another amazing aspect of God's creative brilliance designed to bring Him glory. Now the real role and substance of angels may not sell many books, movies, or figurines but I would argue that it is more than amazing.
What would you think, if I told you that angels were created in large part because of God's great love for you. God loves you so much that He dreamed up these amazing heavenly beings. And these amazing heavenly beings were charged with the task of watching over you: ministering to you, both physically and spiritually, and protecting you from danger. Angels, in essence, act as God's protective hands and feet, invisibly watching over you and I, keeping us safe from harm. God has given His angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways.
Who knows, how many times we have been spared from calamity through the protective intervention of angels? I suspect, more times than we could even know.
I do think it important to note though, in our consideration of these beings, that they are simply doing what they were created to do. They are instruments of God - graciously used by Him for our protection and benefit. If anyone is to be thanked and venerated for this gracious act, it our beloved Father - He who cared and continue to care for us enough to create and sustain spiritual beings to minister to us.
Thanks be to God for angels who bear up those who love Him. May you know His love and protection on this day.
Be God's, Scott
I don't know if you've noticed, but angels are everywhere. There is a peculiar fascination with angels like never before in our culture. They're on TV shows, and the focus of movies and books. There are a multitude of websites about them, and even stores which sell nothing else but angel stuff. Much of this information is fanciful at best. People are enamoured with the idea of angels. Unfortunately, there are many that take their fascination too far, to the point of worship. So what's the real deal with angels?
Angels certainly are real. They are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and us, His beloved children. They are not objects of worship or any more special than humanity. They are just another amazing aspect of God's creative brilliance designed to bring Him glory. Now the real role and substance of angels may not sell many books, movies, or figurines but I would argue that it is more than amazing.
What would you think, if I told you that angels were created in large part because of God's great love for you. God loves you so much that He dreamed up these amazing heavenly beings. And these amazing heavenly beings were charged with the task of watching over you: ministering to you, both physically and spiritually, and protecting you from danger. Angels, in essence, act as God's protective hands and feet, invisibly watching over you and I, keeping us safe from harm. God has given His angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways.
Who knows, how many times we have been spared from calamity through the protective intervention of angels? I suspect, more times than we could even know.
I do think it important to note though, in our consideration of these beings, that they are simply doing what they were created to do. They are instruments of God - graciously used by Him for our protection and benefit. If anyone is to be thanked and venerated for this gracious act, it our beloved Father - He who cared and continue to care for us enough to create and sustain spiritual beings to minister to us.
Thanks be to God for angels who bear up those who love Him. May you know His love and protection on this day.
Be God's, Scott
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Desert Survival
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and fortress; my God, in Him will I trust." Psalm 91: 1-2
The desert is one of the harshest places on earth for humans to survive. The unforgiving temperature and sparse landscape make any type of prolonged existence in a desert more than difficult. Two things in particular have brought about the death of unprepared desert wanderers over the years - dehydration and heat stroke. The lack of water, and the human body simply overheating are the two obstacles that must be overcome if you ever found yourself stranded in a desert. With this in mind, there is one thing that will help you with both, something to look for immediately...and that is shade.
Not only can the temperature be considerably less in the shade, thus keeping your body temperature down, but the shade also helps you conserve water by discouraging sweat. When faced with a harsh desert environment, the first thing you must do find some shade and be still.
Much of the Bible was written by people all too familiar with the harshness and danger of the desert. Israel was surrounded by the Sahara desert to the south and the Arabian desert to the east. In fact much of their land is on what geologists would call a rocky plateau desert. They knew that deserts could kill you, if you did not respect them. They knew the value of shade for one's salvation.
David, in the Psalm above, describes God as shade, and encourages all to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Journeying through life can certainly feel like journeying through an unforgiving desert can't it? Not only can it beat us down, starve and exhaust us - but it can often leave us feeling all alone, scared, and uncertain about what might be coming next. It doesn't take much living to come to the realization that life is more likely to be desert than amusement park.
For those wandering in the desert, David gives us hope and salvation. He invites us to take up residence in the shade of God: To draw near to Him and to be still in the protection of His shadow.
The desert moments in our lifes journey will come, and they will try to consume and overtake us. We have two choices to make in response - try to go it on our own by stubbornly putting our head down and trudging through the heat of the day in no particular direction, or to seek out the protective shade of our good and loving God.
May the shadow of our LORD protect and replenish you on your journey.
Be God's, Scott
The desert is one of the harshest places on earth for humans to survive. The unforgiving temperature and sparse landscape make any type of prolonged existence in a desert more than difficult. Two things in particular have brought about the death of unprepared desert wanderers over the years - dehydration and heat stroke. The lack of water, and the human body simply overheating are the two obstacles that must be overcome if you ever found yourself stranded in a desert. With this in mind, there is one thing that will help you with both, something to look for immediately...and that is shade.
Not only can the temperature be considerably less in the shade, thus keeping your body temperature down, but the shade also helps you conserve water by discouraging sweat. When faced with a harsh desert environment, the first thing you must do find some shade and be still.
Much of the Bible was written by people all too familiar with the harshness and danger of the desert. Israel was surrounded by the Sahara desert to the south and the Arabian desert to the east. In fact much of their land is on what geologists would call a rocky plateau desert. They knew that deserts could kill you, if you did not respect them. They knew the value of shade for one's salvation.
David, in the Psalm above, describes God as shade, and encourages all to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Journeying through life can certainly feel like journeying through an unforgiving desert can't it? Not only can it beat us down, starve and exhaust us - but it can often leave us feeling all alone, scared, and uncertain about what might be coming next. It doesn't take much living to come to the realization that life is more likely to be desert than amusement park.
For those wandering in the desert, David gives us hope and salvation. He invites us to take up residence in the shade of God: To draw near to Him and to be still in the protection of His shadow.
The desert moments in our lifes journey will come, and they will try to consume and overtake us. We have two choices to make in response - try to go it on our own by stubbornly putting our head down and trudging through the heat of the day in no particular direction, or to seek out the protective shade of our good and loving God.
May the shadow of our LORD protect and replenish you on your journey.
Be God's, Scott
Monday, February 22, 2010
Road Trip
"He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and now behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me. Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God."
I just came back from a road trip sort of vacation with my family to New York City. My boys are at an age now where they simply stick their heads in their video games for the trips duration - nary a peep to be heard. I found myself feeling a sense of nostalgia for the days when they were little and filled with wide eyed wonder, and would spend 90% of any Road Trip asleep in the vehicle. We would start out at home surrounded by familiar sights and smells, only to have then wake 4 or 5 hours later, (like it was only a minute or two for them) in a completely different world for their senses to consume. I would have loved for my boys to have experienced New York City like this (it's really quite different than Alexandria Bay you know ;)
I can just imagine them staring up in awe at all the lights and huge skyscrapers, all the while wondering, "where are we and how did we get here?"
As we begin our journey of Lent together today, lemme ask you - Where are you right now, and how did you get there? Are you at a place you want to be? Are you at a place where God wants you to be?
God took the Israelites on a journey to the promised land of milk and honey, and once they arrived, they had one of those moments of clarity. A moment wherein they recognized how far they'd come, and how much different and better this new place was from slavery in Egypt.
Their response was one that I think we'd be wise to consider for ourselves in our journey - They recognized that it was God's doing that brought them there, they were filled with thanksgiving, and their wide eyed wonder gaze, upon this great and good God, led them to a place of worship.
God is still great and good - and He still wants to lead you to places of "milk and honey." I'm afraid we spend way too much of our lives resisting God's direction in lieu of our own best laid plans, even though God's direction is clearly and evidently best. The Israelites did this more than once in their 40 year journey to the promised land - but God was patient and faithful with them. He brought them home.
May you be aware of God's good and great leading in your life, and may His direction cause you to stare in wide eyed wonderful thanksgiving, as you worship Him anew.
Be God's, Scott
I just came back from a road trip sort of vacation with my family to New York City. My boys are at an age now where they simply stick their heads in their video games for the trips duration - nary a peep to be heard. I found myself feeling a sense of nostalgia for the days when they were little and filled with wide eyed wonder, and would spend 90% of any Road Trip asleep in the vehicle. We would start out at home surrounded by familiar sights and smells, only to have then wake 4 or 5 hours later, (like it was only a minute or two for them) in a completely different world for their senses to consume. I would have loved for my boys to have experienced New York City like this (it's really quite different than Alexandria Bay you know ;)
I can just imagine them staring up in awe at all the lights and huge skyscrapers, all the while wondering, "where are we and how did we get here?"
As we begin our journey of Lent together today, lemme ask you - Where are you right now, and how did you get there? Are you at a place you want to be? Are you at a place where God wants you to be?
God took the Israelites on a journey to the promised land of milk and honey, and once they arrived, they had one of those moments of clarity. A moment wherein they recognized how far they'd come, and how much different and better this new place was from slavery in Egypt.
Their response was one that I think we'd be wise to consider for ourselves in our journey - They recognized that it was God's doing that brought them there, they were filled with thanksgiving, and their wide eyed wonder gaze, upon this great and good God, led them to a place of worship.
God is still great and good - and He still wants to lead you to places of "milk and honey." I'm afraid we spend way too much of our lives resisting God's direction in lieu of our own best laid plans, even though God's direction is clearly and evidently best. The Israelites did this more than once in their 40 year journey to the promised land - but God was patient and faithful with them. He brought them home.
May you be aware of God's good and great leading in your life, and may His direction cause you to stare in wide eyed wonderful thanksgiving, as you worship Him anew.
Be God's, Scott
Introduction
Hello everyone - Blessings to you and yours wherever you are.
My Lenten journey with you begins today.
I hope to write a daily devotional throughout the season of Lent in order to help make our journeys to the cross this Easter both meaningful and reflective.
It's been my experience in talking with people that we reflect far too infrequently any more - let alone on spiritual matters, the grandeur of God, or our sinful estate. Yet there is much value in slowing down, taking a deep breath, and carefully examining where we are at, how we got here, and where we are headed. Lent, for me, acts as a Yield sign on my spiritual journey to slow down and to take in my surroundings.
Each devotional will follow the scriptural suggestions of the Revised Common lectionary. I welcome your comments and input as well, for those who wish to make this shared journey conversational.
Be God's, Scott
My Lenten journey with you begins today.
I hope to write a daily devotional throughout the season of Lent in order to help make our journeys to the cross this Easter both meaningful and reflective.
It's been my experience in talking with people that we reflect far too infrequently any more - let alone on spiritual matters, the grandeur of God, or our sinful estate. Yet there is much value in slowing down, taking a deep breath, and carefully examining where we are at, how we got here, and where we are headed. Lent, for me, acts as a Yield sign on my spiritual journey to slow down and to take in my surroundings.
Each devotional will follow the scriptural suggestions of the Revised Common lectionary. I welcome your comments and input as well, for those who wish to make this shared journey conversational.
Be God's, Scott
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