I put together a devotional for this the passion week of Christ. It has a NT reading corresponding to the events of that day in this passion week of Jesus, it also as an OT passage showing how Jesus fulfilled a specific Messianic prophecy, a suggested song to sing, then a thought provoking question. I hope you find it useful, and more importantly I hope it brings you closer to Christ.
Sunday— NT Reading: Matthew 21:1-11.
OT Reading: Zechariah 9:9-13
Songs: “O Worship the King” & “Praise Him, Praise Him”
Question: The crowd that greeted Jesus were excited! What are you looking forward to in the next week as you celebrate Easter?
Monday— NT Reading: Matthew 21:12-19; John 12:20-36.
OT Reading: Isaiah 56:1-8; Psalm 8
Songs: “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” &
“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Question: God tells us we are His “temples” (1 Cor 3:16-17). What cleansing needs to be done in your temple?
Tuesday— NT Reading: Matthew 21:20-46, 25:14-46, 26:1-16
OT Reading: Psalm 110; Isaiah 11:1-16
Songs: “You Are My All in All” & “Majesty”
Question: Is there something the LORD has told you to do that you haven’t? If so, why not?
Wednesday— NT Reading: John 12:36b-50; Luke 22:1-13
OT Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 11:12-13
Songs: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” & “Lamb of God”
Question: Many were afraid to openly confess Christ as the
Messiah because of the fear of other men. Is there anyone you are afraid to confess Christ as the Messiah to?
Thursday— NT Reading: John 15:1-17:26; Luke 22:14-65
OT Reading: Psalm 91; Proverbs 27:1-6
Songs: “Fairest Lord Jesus” & “Speak O Lord”
Question: Jesus showed great love and service to His disciples as He washed their feet. What ways do you serve each other as a family?
Friday— NT Reading: Luke 22:66-23:56
OT Reading: Psalm 22; Zechariah 12:10-13:1
Songs: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” &
“The Power of the Cross”
Question: What thoughts or feelings do you have as you read the story of the crucifixion this time?
Saturday— NT Reading: Matthew 27:62-66
OT Reading: Psalm 16
Songs: “And Can It Be” & “Amazing Love”
Question: Why did the chief priests and the Pharisees request a guard and a seal on the tomb? What did it actually accomplish?
Sunday— NT Reading: Matthew 28:1-15; Luke 24:13-48
OT Reading : Psalm 118
Songs: “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” &
“LORD, I Lift your Name on High”
Question: We can have confidence that through faith in Christ we have eternal life. How does knowing this affect the way you view your life? Your death?
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reading Psalm 11
Many times when we read the Psalms we are not sure how to take them. The Psalms are poetry, and like poetry throughout human history, they use simile and metaphors to create images and fire the imagination to communicate an idea. Often the Psalms are communicating an actual historical event, like the modern ballad. Sometimes they are simply the lament of the author over some event or action by him or others, which are connected to an actual historical event.
While acknowledging this literary truth about the Psalms, we also affirm they are inspired Scripture. The Psalms are written by a human author under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; this inspiration is intended for all people across time, including us. The challenge comes in understanding how they apply to us today as modern readers. Psalm 11 is an example of understanding how a Psalm applies to us today.
David starts Psalm 11 describing his state, being pursued by his enemies with the purpose of killing him. David then makes his pivot** in verse 4, there David talks about God’s place in heaven and how He is the final judge over the pursued and the pursuer. God will deliver the righteous and judge the wicked.
David expected God to intervene in his situation and provide justice. We see from I and II Samuel that God did so. We too can call to God and hope in His intervening for us in this life when evil pursues us, but we can’t claim this Psalm as a promise He will intervene in this life. We see from church and human history God does not always intervene in this life, Jim Elliot and his co-laborers in Ecuador in 1952 is an example of God not intervening in this life for the righteous and the pursued.
God will intervene for believers, some of the time in this life. However, the Psalm for us is a picture of how God intervenes in eternity over sin and eternal punishment. We should see this Psalm as a promise that comes true, and finds its ultimate fulfillment, at the great judgment occurring at the end of time.
God’s intervening for David in this life is a picture of how God will intervene for all His children in eternity, when the accuser drags our sins before God, which he was the inciter and instigator for, and declares we are not God’s children and belong with Satan in hell. The LORD will judge Satan for his wicked actions, but because of the work of Christ, His children will behold His face, declared upright.
When we are unjustly pursued by wicked individuals and hoping in God’s intervening hand in this life, we can read Psalm 11 and hope God will act for us, while recognizing that the ultimate fulfillment is in the future, when God judges based on our faith in Christ and His work on the Cross.
** The term pivot is one I use to describe the point in a Psalm where the author suddenly pivots and takes the Psalm in a different direction from where he started. Every Psalm has a pivot point, and often they occur in the middle of a Psalm. Sometimes the Psalm will have more than one pivot point.
While acknowledging this literary truth about the Psalms, we also affirm they are inspired Scripture. The Psalms are written by a human author under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; this inspiration is intended for all people across time, including us. The challenge comes in understanding how they apply to us today as modern readers. Psalm 11 is an example of understanding how a Psalm applies to us today.
David starts Psalm 11 describing his state, being pursued by his enemies with the purpose of killing him. David then makes his pivot** in verse 4, there David talks about God’s place in heaven and how He is the final judge over the pursued and the pursuer. God will deliver the righteous and judge the wicked.
David expected God to intervene in his situation and provide justice. We see from I and II Samuel that God did so. We too can call to God and hope in His intervening for us in this life when evil pursues us, but we can’t claim this Psalm as a promise He will intervene in this life. We see from church and human history God does not always intervene in this life, Jim Elliot and his co-laborers in Ecuador in 1952 is an example of God not intervening in this life for the righteous and the pursued.
God will intervene for believers, some of the time in this life. However, the Psalm for us is a picture of how God intervenes in eternity over sin and eternal punishment. We should see this Psalm as a promise that comes true, and finds its ultimate fulfillment, at the great judgment occurring at the end of time.
God’s intervening for David in this life is a picture of how God will intervene for all His children in eternity, when the accuser drags our sins before God, which he was the inciter and instigator for, and declares we are not God’s children and belong with Satan in hell. The LORD will judge Satan for his wicked actions, but because of the work of Christ, His children will behold His face, declared upright.
When we are unjustly pursued by wicked individuals and hoping in God’s intervening hand in this life, we can read Psalm 11 and hope God will act for us, while recognizing that the ultimate fulfillment is in the future, when God judges based on our faith in Christ and His work on the Cross.
** The term pivot is one I use to describe the point in a Psalm where the author suddenly pivots and takes the Psalm in a different direction from where he started. Every Psalm has a pivot point, and often they occur in the middle of a Psalm. Sometimes the Psalm will have more than one pivot point.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Top Ten Praises for 2009
As with any year I have many reasons to praise the Lord for what He has done (and what He has not done). As it seems "Top Tens of 2009" are popular right now, I thought I would join the Top Ten bandwagon with my Top Ten Praises for 2009.
10. Finishing (almost) my degree at Southern.
God's provision this year in physical and emotional ways could have been number one. By this time next week I will have completed my last class and all my requirements for my MDiv at Southern. However, in the greater scheme of life and eternity this degree doesn't merit a number 1 rating.
9. The Origins class during the Spring semester.
After studying the origins of the universe under Dr. Kurt Wise, I finally saw that you don't have to choose between holding to orthodox Christianity, or legitimate science.
8. We had a healthy 2009 with no major illnesses or accidents.
2008 had its share of significant hospital visits for the Smith family, so making it through 2009 without a major incident was a gift from God.
7. Having Amy's parents here in Louisville the last half of the year.
While the reasons for the having to come and live with us for a few months was not something to praise God for, the impacts of them living with us and now only a mile away have been a gift from God. Never before in their lives nor the childrens' lives have they been able to have so much time with them and be a part of their daily lives.
6. The recovery of Clifton Heights Baptist Church.
When 2009 started I was the acting interim pastor for our church here in Louisville. We were struggling and I was not sure what would happen with our church, would we be able to turn things around or close the doors? By June we had the new permanent pastor, Steve Matteucci, and were on the road to recovery. CHBC has made a great turn around and the Lord is at work not only in our church but the community around it as well.
5. My England-Scotland Study Tour in the summer.
I got to see some wonderful sites, like St. Pauls Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Old Course at St. Andrews, among many others. Again it was what the Lord taught me that was most important in this trip. I began to see that American styled Christianity isn't the only way to be faithful to Scripture and authentic in your Christian living.
4. The struggles and testing of my faith this year.
Trying to get all my degree requirements completed in 2009, meant an extra heavy load this year. The extra load was enough to test my faith. However, the academic struggles were only part of the challenges. The result was while I would not want to go through it again, the crucible of 2009 greatly strengthened my faith and trust in God's watchcare and provision in trying times. A lesson I will greatly need in the coming years as a pastor.
3. Israel Trip at the begining of the year.
On January 1, 2009 I saw the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, Jericho, the Judean wilderness, the desert oasis of En Gedi (where David hid from Saul), Masada and spent the evening floating in the Dead Sea (well Dead Sea water pumped into the hotel pool and heated, it was really cold outside that night!). My entire Israel experience could fill a book. The main thing from that trip that I praise God for is that I will never read the Bible the same way again. To walk on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, to read the account of Jesus night in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the garden of Gethsemane is beyond my ability to put into words.
2. God's unseen protection.
I have no idea how many times God protected me or my family from devastating events, both physical and emotional ones. Being in Israel during the Hezbollah rocketing last January and walking around Jerusalem during that heightened tension, I know we were protected from unseen dangers. However, just during the year how many times are each of us protected by God's divine hand from a swerve across the dividing line that leads to a devastating wreck? Our some distraction just as we are about to utter a careless and thoughtless word that can never be retracted, no matter how many times we say we are sorry?
1. That I know and have a fulfilling personal relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe, Jesus Christ.
No matter what gifts and experiences I have during the year, the most important aspect of life is to have a personal relationship with Christ. All the thrills and opportunities the world has to offer will be hollow and empty if we never have a relationship with our God and King the maker of our souls. Life is never perfect this side of heaven, but nothing can satisfy the soul like walking with God and knowing Him as my Father. I pray that a relationship with Christ is true for you, if not do not let sleep come to your eyes until you have called on Christ as your Savior and redeemer of your soul.
Praise God for His great mercy and unending goodness, or as the Psalmist says, His steadfast love.
10. Finishing (almost) my degree at Southern.
God's provision this year in physical and emotional ways could have been number one. By this time next week I will have completed my last class and all my requirements for my MDiv at Southern. However, in the greater scheme of life and eternity this degree doesn't merit a number 1 rating.
9. The Origins class during the Spring semester.
After studying the origins of the universe under Dr. Kurt Wise, I finally saw that you don't have to choose between holding to orthodox Christianity, or legitimate science.
8. We had a healthy 2009 with no major illnesses or accidents.
2008 had its share of significant hospital visits for the Smith family, so making it through 2009 without a major incident was a gift from God.
7. Having Amy's parents here in Louisville the last half of the year.
While the reasons for the having to come and live with us for a few months was not something to praise God for, the impacts of them living with us and now only a mile away have been a gift from God. Never before in their lives nor the childrens' lives have they been able to have so much time with them and be a part of their daily lives.
6. The recovery of Clifton Heights Baptist Church.
When 2009 started I was the acting interim pastor for our church here in Louisville. We were struggling and I was not sure what would happen with our church, would we be able to turn things around or close the doors? By June we had the new permanent pastor, Steve Matteucci, and were on the road to recovery. CHBC has made a great turn around and the Lord is at work not only in our church but the community around it as well.
5. My England-Scotland Study Tour in the summer.
I got to see some wonderful sites, like St. Pauls Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Old Course at St. Andrews, among many others. Again it was what the Lord taught me that was most important in this trip. I began to see that American styled Christianity isn't the only way to be faithful to Scripture and authentic in your Christian living.
4. The struggles and testing of my faith this year.
Trying to get all my degree requirements completed in 2009, meant an extra heavy load this year. The extra load was enough to test my faith. However, the academic struggles were only part of the challenges. The result was while I would not want to go through it again, the crucible of 2009 greatly strengthened my faith and trust in God's watchcare and provision in trying times. A lesson I will greatly need in the coming years as a pastor.
3. Israel Trip at the begining of the year.
On January 1, 2009 I saw the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, Jericho, the Judean wilderness, the desert oasis of En Gedi (where David hid from Saul), Masada and spent the evening floating in the Dead Sea (well Dead Sea water pumped into the hotel pool and heated, it was really cold outside that night!). My entire Israel experience could fill a book. The main thing from that trip that I praise God for is that I will never read the Bible the same way again. To walk on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, to read the account of Jesus night in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the garden of Gethsemane is beyond my ability to put into words.
2. God's unseen protection.
I have no idea how many times God protected me or my family from devastating events, both physical and emotional ones. Being in Israel during the Hezbollah rocketing last January and walking around Jerusalem during that heightened tension, I know we were protected from unseen dangers. However, just during the year how many times are each of us protected by God's divine hand from a swerve across the dividing line that leads to a devastating wreck? Our some distraction just as we are about to utter a careless and thoughtless word that can never be retracted, no matter how many times we say we are sorry?
1. That I know and have a fulfilling personal relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe, Jesus Christ.
No matter what gifts and experiences I have during the year, the most important aspect of life is to have a personal relationship with Christ. All the thrills and opportunities the world has to offer will be hollow and empty if we never have a relationship with our God and King the maker of our souls. Life is never perfect this side of heaven, but nothing can satisfy the soul like walking with God and knowing Him as my Father. I pray that a relationship with Christ is true for you, if not do not let sleep come to your eyes until you have called on Christ as your Savior and redeemer of your soul.
Praise God for His great mercy and unending goodness, or as the Psalmist says, His steadfast love.
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