Humility is the Key

Read Luke 7:1 - 9:62

"Then he said to them all, if anyone would come after me he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

Following Jesus requires self denial. The human nature is the opposite. The natural reaction is to look out for your self interest. It is to defend yourself and not turn the other cheek. It is to take and not give whether it be in the world or sadly in the church.

I would be safe to assume that all, if not most human beings love to be correct and dislike being corrected. I think this is interesting. I've yet to meet a person who satisfies the requirement Jesus states in denying him/herself "daily" including myself. The term "daily" is not mentioned in the other synoptic gospels of Matthew and Mark but I like the emphasis. I've been praying a lot recently to be more like Jesus. This is what it is to be like Jesus;

"...who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God, something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in apperance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!" (Phil 2: 5-8)

This is exactly why He deserves praise. This is why we exalt Him on high. This is why we glorify our King. This is why we magnify Jesus. Because He is the only one worthy of praise. Amen!

Poor Eyesight

Read Luke 4:14 - 6:49

Writers block so let Jesus do the talking.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye! How can you say to your brother, Brother let me take the speck out of your eye when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hyprocrite, first take out the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Luke 6:41-42)

Clearly a great teaching in that we should look at our ownselves before pointing fingers at others.

The Book of Luke

Read Luke 1:1 - 4:13

So the pilgrimage continues to finish the new testament by December 31 2010. I've done the book of Mark which was enjoyable, so onward with Luke. The main theme in Luke is the emphasis on Jesus' messiahship and mission to seek and to save that which was lost.

I think it's awesome how the bible depicts so many instances where Jesus heals and delivers so many people. The world is craving for this kind of Power in our generation. The church is boring to them. Jesus clearly states that we would do greater things than He because He is now with the Father. Excited to see what God has in store this Thursday night in the city.

In other news, I have to wear glasses now. Picked them up today and everything looks like High Definition.

Upon This Rock

Read Mark 14:1 - 16:20

Have you ever wondered why so many new believers are so radically all about Jesus? and most of us, who have grown up in church are so lethargic and luke warm? It's an interesting phenomena. I fall into the latter category growing up in church all my life. I didn't live a life addicted to drugs, sex, money and power to have Jesus pull a saul into paul conversion. I knew all the sunday school stories, knew the sermons and what the pastor was trying to preach. 
It's similar to a 400m race I think. The new believers are the ones who are crouched on the starting blocks ready to take off with ravaneous faces like a 300 pound, 6ft 5inch line backer wanting to sack the quarterback, drooling at the sound of the whistle to initiate the bloodbath. The rest of us are already running this race metres ahead. We're probably running at a slower pace with sweat running down our faces, stumbling over our feet and the finish line no where to be seen.

This human existence seems like a lifetime to our human feeble minds. But to God it is but a vapour in the wind, here and gone tomorrow. A thousand human years is probably 10minutes in the eyes of our God. The race seems like a marathon with obstacles and hurdles every 10metres. The marker who fired the gun seems no where to be seen and the once heart stopping, life changing cracking sound of the gun is replaced with the sound of moaning, long breaths and desperate plea for a sip of gatorade.

There are two evident characteristics here; one which is radical and a bit unpredictable and another which is steady and "faithful to the end". It is similar to comparing a firework and a rock which has been rolled over to cover a tomb. A firework is easy to set off - you simply light it and enjoy the show. However, to move a rock which has been embedded in the earth is a difficult task and cannot be moved by man alone. It can only be moved by the spirit of God.
On a bit of a tangent, I was reading Mark 15:46 and was surpised to see that Joseph of Arimathea had "rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb". I was a bit dumbfounded because then the stone could of been rolled away just as easy as it was put in. But apparently setting the rock in place was a relatively easy task but once it had slipped into the groove cut in bedrock it was near impossible to move it with human strength.

The "rocks" of our christian community need to be moved by the spirit of God by opening our eyes to see the working of God in our new believers. The new believers of our christian community need to respect and learn from the steadfast and tree like characteristic of our rocks in the christian family.   

If I had to choose between the two traits i'm not sure which one I would choose and conclude that both are needed to be a healthy christian. You need believers who are radical, on fire for Jesus and you also need the ones who are steady, firm and have been running this race for years. Together it is a potent and deadly mix for the enemy. I assume this is why satan loathes unity and Jesus champions it. 

A good example of this is Peter. The guy was like a firework and a rock mixed together. His faith was steady enough to enable him to walk on water (Matt 14:29)  yet his passion was so unpredictable that he severed the ear of a servant who arrested Jesus (John 18:10). This is the man who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed twice (Mark 14:72) yet this is the man who Jesus chooses to build His church upon. "And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matt 16:18).

You are The Church.

Cross Cultural Prayer Conference - Watchmen

Read Mark 13:1-37

So I just got back from a 17 hour day at Calvary Chapel in Georges Hall where the Australian Prayer Network alongside the Arabic Prayer Network collaborated together to cater an event called "one heart for our nation". It was an amazing 1 night 2 day conference from keynote speakers representing the Anglo saxon, Arabic and Korean speaking churches in Australia.

The gist and theme of the conference was about reclaiming this nation for its God divine purpose. For the southern land of the Holy Spirit to rise up and be all that God wants it to be. It was amazing to see people of different cultures, ethnicities, ages and walks of life come under one roof and worship our heavenly king.

It truly inspired and stirred my heart to go deeper and pray bigger, for our God is a mighty God amen! It was encouraging to see awesome eldery men and women of God so genuine for the next "chosen" generation to take this baton and run with it. But it was more than about the "next" generation. It was about the theme of unity. The truth that we as the royal priesthood, the people of God cannot run this race alone. In the words of one of the speakers, this is a "marathon" and we need to hold each others arms when they start to become weak.

One message that really struck a chord was the notion of being a "watchmen" for our nation. A nigerian pastor preached on the importance of being watchful for our nation and ourselves. Ironically enough, the text today centres around Jesus warning us to be watchful for two things; 1) The end times and subsequently 2) False prophets.
The end times? Its a pretty dense and heavy topic. It strikes fear of the uncertain and also a desperation for the salvation of loved ones. Jesus warns us to be watchful for the end times where "nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. These are the beginnings of birth pains" (Mark 13:8).

Jesus is returning. This I am certain of. My prayers go out to those who have loved ones and are yet to be saved. I am in the same boat. Lets burden ourselves for their salvation. Let us be alert! Let us be on guard! Lets us pray without ceasing for them! Jesus has assigned us with tasks. To preach the good news. Let us not be "ashamed of the gosepl because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16)

Lets be watchmen for our nation, our city, our families and our churches "because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening or at midnight, or when the rooster crows at dawn. If he comes suddenly do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone. Watch!"


"If MY people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Taking a Fruitful Stand

Read Mark 11:1 - 12:44

In this passage we see Jesus riding in on a colt to inagurate passion week, going to town on the merchants selling in front of the temple, rebuking an unfruitful fig tree and other awesome stuff.

My understanding of fig trees isn't that great but from knowledge, a figtree which has many leaves is meant to bear fruit. It was the season in bearing fruit as it was not the season for figs. Jesus was hungry. And if Jesus is hungry the man is going to eat! He walks up and investigates the tree full of leaves and no fruit! In response he says "May no-one eat fruit from you again" (Mark 11:14). And then the next day they pass the tree and its completely withered. There is also a theological meaning behind this but I aint gonna get into that. ;)

It has been said that Intimacy is the key to fruitfulness and I couldn't agree more. I want to be a tree that does not have to force fruitfulness. How ridiculous would it be if an apple tree has to violently force an apple onto its branches?!

In the game of basketball, one often frustrating sequence you will see is when a player is trying to force up a shot or try and make something happen. Hopefully he's not on your team. But its one of the most frustrating things as a player because they're trying to do it by themselves. Rather when scoring becomes natural and effortless it is something to be praised and imitated. Why? Because they use teamwork in getting other people involved by passing the ball, rotating the defence and finding the open man. 

Fruitfulness and productivity should be natural for the believer who has an intimate relationship with Jesus. I also think community is a must for fruitfulness as it allows other people to get involved and thats what Jesus was about. I would assume this fig tree that Jesus cursed was planted by itself somewhere where it had no other fig trees. The only application Jesus provides after this illustration is about believing in prayer "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24).

Doors, Walls and Fences

Read Mark 9:1 - 10:52

This passage talks about position and power, the value of welcoming children and the near impossibility of rich people entering the kingdom of heaven. The latter is what we're focusing on.

Jesus encounters a wealthy man and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Its nice to note that Jesus has compassion on the guy as "he looked at him and loved him". He recognised the mans earnestness in wanting to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him in response to sell everything he has and give to the poor but the man walks away sad which reflects a greater love for his earthly possessions than for eternal life.

Its also interesting to note that there is no indication that Jesus' command to him was meant for all christians. I think it only applies to those who have the same spirital problem of idolatory in earthly possessions.

Jesus also states that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25).  Apparently according to my study bible, the camel was the largest animal found in the holy land. This epic contrast between the largest animal and the smallest opening represents what humanly speaking is impossible. I think Jesus is again emphasising the danger the affects of money and earthly possessions can have on an individual. But lucky for us, he also states that "with man this is impossible, but now with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).

Furthermore, there are often suggestions that the "eye of a needle" refers to a gate in Jerusalem which was small enough for a camel to lower itself and crawl through. I don't believe this is substantial for two reasons.

1) Jesus states "eye of a needle" and not "eye of the needle" which is what the gate was referred to as. I'm pretty sure Jesus being the son of God knew what he was trying to portray and the specifics of it. But hey it's one word. So i think the next point holds more validity.

2) For a camel to lower itself and walk through the gate implies that we also can try and "do" something (as in become less worldly and more humble) to enter the kindgom of God. But Ephesians 2: 8-9 says "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this not from yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so that no-one can boast". Salvation is a free gift and it is credited to us by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and King. But that also does not give us an open pass to do whatever the heck we want and abuse his grace as Paul points out in Romans and also James in speaking on faith without deeds being dead.

Boasting about goodness always presents barriers in following Jesus and even more dangerous, it can open the door for pride to seep in. I guess the important thing is to realise that salavtion is by faith and not by works. The love for money and earthly attributes prevented this man from following Jesus, I wonder what doors, walls, eye of the needles and fences are prohibited me from doing the same.

Perspective

Read Mark 7:24 - 8:38

When Jesus talked about the rejection, suffering, and death that he would soon face, Peter took him aside and told him to stop. In modern words Peter was saying "quit that negative talk!" Jesus' response left no doubt where Peter had steered wrong: "you are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from Gods." Mark 8:33

Perspective makes all the difference. Peter misjudged Jesus' statement because of his poor perspective. We need to look on our own circumstances from Gods point of view. This requires that we become familiar with Gods priorities and values and see the big picture. This only comes from reading and studying the Scriptures.

The next time Gods way seem silly or out of line with "enlightened thinking" stop and ask God to help you see it all from His angle.

Preface - Where it all Began

I was sitting on the toilet one day and was reviewing my ten goals of 2010 I set for myself at the beginning of the year. One of them was to read the bible in its entirety but it seems that goal may not be achievable. So I am settling for the next best thing. To finish the New Testament by December 31.

This blog will contain my daily devotionals using a book I purchased 3 years ago. This book takes a reader through the bible in one year with date headings so you can pick up a bible and start reading. Usually when I try and read the bible I either turn to the back and look at the "what to read when your feeling..." section or better yet, I go outside and hold the bible for the wind to fall on a page and start reading like it was God ordained.

I could do this on my own and not use this blog, But the reasons why I use this is;

1) To keep myself accountable.

2) I believe in the power of the Word of God and if other people can pick up a bible and start reading then thats awesome.

3) I challenge you also to finish the new testament by December 31. ;)

Disclaimer:
We're starting from the Book of Mark so I (you) will have to catch up on the book of Matthew. This is because when I picked up my daily devotional book which was on September 20th this was the text it was on. ;)
Lets do THIS!