The Light
We had some friends from Tennessee visit us in our home in Boerne, TX. "What do you want to do here in Texas?" we asked. The 18 year old daughter said, "one of my friends said that since I'm going to Texas, I have to go to In-N-Out." Having lived in California, I found that to be a pretty funny request. So we visited In-N-Out in Texas!
The Light
John 8:12-59
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life. So the Pharisees said to Him, ‘You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.
As He spoke these things, many came to believe. So, Jesus was saying...’If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.’
This is section of John is filled with the teachings of Jesus to the people and to the Pharisees. There is a lot here. There are several themes of massive gravity so I’ll do my best to keep it relevant and concise without glossing over too much. There are a few powerful and familiar gems that we don’t want to miss. Read more
Psalms 138
Psalms 138
I will give thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth. For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
What does one do when they don't feel like having their morning devotions?
- Sleep an extra 30 minutes beyond your alarm. Check!
- Curse the weakness of your flesh. Done!
- Piddle around with email. Check!
- Check out the news websites. Ok, Ok, Ok, I’ll open my Bible!
Rebellion and Deliverance
Rebellion and Deliverance
Psalms 106
They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wonders in the land of Ham and awesome things by the Red Sea. Therefore, He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.
Many times, He would deliver them; they, however, were rebellious in their counsel, and so sank down in their iniquity. Nevertheless, He looked upon their destress when he heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according the greatness of His lovingkindess. He also made them objects of compassion in the presence of their captors.
This is an amazing Psalm of repentance that exalts the lovingkindness of God to forgive and save. I tend to live in a state of grace. It's a good place to be. I didn't grow up in a religion of guilt and legalism requiring penance (voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong). So, I always lean toward grace and enjoy the comfort that I'm always forgiven. Perhaps even taking it for granted. Read more
There’s a promise!
There’s a promise!
Psalms 34, part 2
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.
Last time we discuss the beauty of being mindful of our Lord throughout the day. Additionally, the expression of our soul’s consciousness of God is to speak His praises out loud and throughout the day. I think we all agree, we should do it more. God calls us to praise Him always and in His calling us to action, He promises rich rewards. What a kind Father He is.
When we praise the Lord at all time, the look on our faces will reflect a radiance that comes from the God we praise. You will feel different and you will look different. Just like Stephan in Acts 6:15,
“And fixing their gaze on him (Stephan), all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.” Read more
Psalms 34
This pic is a Halloween throwback from several years ago!
Psalms 34
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Verse 1 says "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
If I'm honest with myself, I must acknowledge that I am not conscious of God throughout the day. I have this God-conscious adrenaline surge in the morning during my devotions (which I thankfully crave when I awake) but then I go through the day mindful of MY activities and focused on MY desired accomplishments. This opening verse reminds me that I still need further spiritual maturity in order to live and breathe in the Spirit with a stream of consciousness that is soaked in the awareness of the presence of God. Read more
Caught in the Act, part 2
If you only read two of my posts this year, read yesterdays and today.
Caught in the Act, part 2
John 8:3-11
“Straightening up, Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’ She said, ‘no one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.’”
“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Now, this statement alone would strike the conscience of many of us who are sensitive to our own sins and would quickly remind us that we all are sinners. But the consciences of the Pharisees were hardened and they thought they were righteous and worthy to condemn. So, I have to believe that what Jesus wrote on the ground somehow made public the personal sins of the accusers. But we don’t know for sure.
Here’s the lesson He was teaching: No one was worthy to judge and condemn this woman, except Jesus Himself. Read more
Caught in the Act
Caught in the Act
John 8:3-11
The scribes and the Pharisees bought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at here.”
This entire situation reeks of treachery among the scribes and the Pharisees. There was no man. According the Law of Moses, the man was to be executed as well. Most likely, the man was in on it and the Pharisees set up the whole scenario in order to catch the woman and use her to stump Jesus.
“...the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death,” Leviticus 10:10
“If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman; thus, you shall purge the evil from Israel,” Deuteronomy 22:22.
I just thought I’d drop some inspiring and devotional gems on you this morning from our favorite devotional Bible books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Non-inspiring to be sure but they are truly part of the law of Moses and were to be followed. Read more
Now and Then
I'm at a Press Conference in Houston. The Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner, is to my immediate left, then Insperity CEO, Paul Sarvadi and my dear friend, JR Reale.
Now and Then
John 8:1,2
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them.
In the style of a rabbi, Jesus sat down to teach. The focus of the second half of His public ministry was to teach. He strategically performed certain miracles and made some appearances early in His ministry in order to establish His Deity; that He is God. But now He teaches.
There were many that received him with anticipation and interest. But that is different than believing Him with saving faith. Blessed are those who "hear and believe”.
What an absolutely unique time in the history of the world.
Jesus’ ministry was a brief 3 years in all of history. A time when the God of the universe, in the flesh, opened His mouth and taught. The listeners had no idea. I wish I could've been there (and known what I know now). Read more
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
John 7
But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. So, the Jews were seeking him at the feast and were saying, ‘where is He?’ There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, ‘He is a good man’; others were saying, ‘No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray.’ Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
Chapter 6 revealed some hard-hitting teaching from Jesus to His followers about the high calling of discipleship. Jesus got their attention with miracles and when they wanted more, He instead taught them hard truths. Jesus’ challenging words caused the following response:
Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this said, ‘This is a difficult statement, who can listen to it?’ Read more