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timewithgod.blog-city.com — February 2008
Matthew 13:24-58 When It Just Ain't Happenin'
Despite all of the parables, God seemed to point me toward verses 53-58, where Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth for the last time. Rather than being treated as a celebrity, Jesus was derided by those who had watched Him grow up. To
Despite all of the parables, God seemed to point me toward verses 53-58, where Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth for the last time. Rather than being treated as a celebrity, Jesus was derided by those who had watched Him grow up. To them, He'd grown up with the same religious training as their sons, and He shouldn't have that much knowledge. They did not view Him as being qualified to teach, because He hadn't "been to seminary".
Verse 58 says that He did not do many miracles, not that He could not. The lack of faith in their lives led Him not to do them. My commentary said, "It was not because He could not do the works; man's wickedness cannot restrain God's power. But He would have been blessing people where there was no DESIRE for blessing, filling needs where there was no CONSCIOUSNESS of need, healing people who would have RESENTED being told they were SICK."
How often we find ourselves butting heads with people who show up at youth but who clearly could care less about the message. Perhaps they have only come to socialize, and our sincere efforts to help them are met with scorn.
For them, Father, I ask that You make them conscious of their need for You. Help them to embrace the truth that they are spiritually sick, Father, and in need of healing, and give them a real desire to be blessed by You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 14 -- What Jesus Did On HIS Bad Day
Jesus had experienced what we would consider to be a horrible day. He'd learned that His friend and cousin had been beheaded, and it sounded likely that the governor might be considering Him as a threat. He just wanted to be by Himsel
Jesus had experienced what we would consider to be a horrible day. He'd learned that His friend and cousin had been beheaded, and it sounded likely that the governor might be considering Him as a threat. He just wanted to be by Himself for a short while.
That wasn't happening, though, because news of His arrival had once again brought the crowds. Rather than protesting His desire for rest or seclusion, He simply got busy healing.
Wanting to wind down the busy day, the disciples asked Jesus to break up the crowd about 3pm. After all, there were no stores or even homes around, and the crowd had no food with them. Jesus assured them that there was no need, then, as my commentary said, "He caught them off guard by saying, 'You give them something to eat.' They were staggered. 'Give them something to eat? We have nothing but 5 loaves and 2 fish.' They had forgotten that they also had JESUS. Patiently the Savior said, 'Bring them here to Me. That was their part....There was more left over when Jesus finished than when He began... When disciples are willing to give Him their little all, He multiplies it to feed thousands."
Now able to leave them physically satisfied, Jesus sent them home, sent the disciples across the lake in a boat, and went off by Himself finally into the hills to pray. (Wouldn't it have been great to have listened in on that!) But between 3am and 6am, the disciples were in trouble on the sea. Knowing their plight, Jesus walked right out to them on the water, reassuring them.
My commentary said, "Peter sensed that Jesus' commands are His ENABLEMENTS, that He gives strength for whatever He orders." So Jesus commanded and Peter walked. Distractions caused him to misstep, though. Yet Jesus was there to pick him up.
Like Peter, we too can experience a supernatural life when we keep our eyes on Him, I read in my commentary. "But when we become occupied with ourselves or our circumstances, we begin to sink."
Father, that was just the kind of day I seemed to be having yesterday, and today will probably be a continuation of it for awhile. As I cried out to You for help yesterday, I ask again today that You please remind me all day that You are with me. I want a supernatural day.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 15 -- Is MY Worship WORTHLESS At Times?
The religious leaders of that time were once again sniping at Jesus' heels. They didn't like it because Jesus' followers weren't following the elaborate Jewish washing rituals before eating. These rituals had not been hand
The religious leaders of that time were once again sniping at Jesus' heels. They didn't like it because Jesus' followers weren't following the elaborate Jewish washing rituals before eating. These rituals had not been handed down by God. Instead, they had been "amplified" by men over and beyond what God had ever intended. Though either following or breaking this rule did little harm, Jesus pointed out another instance where their "amplification" actually led to breaking God's law. By a devious pledge that their money was "devoted to God", they could free themselves (so they thought) from financial responsibility to their parents. Jesus pointed out that honoring one's father and mother included supporting them financially if necessary. They'd attempted to invent one supposedly divine (and unwritten) directive to override another, and that just can't happen.
Our church has been focusing on worship for several weeks, so what Jesus said next really caught my eye: "These people (the Pharisees, or the apparently "super religious") show honor to Me with words, but their hearts are FAR from Me. Their worship of Me is worthless..."
I thought about how what He said applies even today. We don't see Pharisees around, but I still hear a lot of "That's not how we do it!" And from where I play my keyboard on Sunday mornings, I can easily notice their aggravation, disgust, and disdain at what they are hearing, making me want to ask, "And just why ARE you here?? It's very apparent that you aren't here to worship."
Something Jesus said shortly after that really caught my eye, too: "Every plant (person) that My Father in heaven has not planted Himself will be pulled up by the roots." My commentary said, "They were tares rather than wheat. They and their teachings would eventually be rooted up; that is, destroyed."
This of course referred to Jesus' parable about the weeds that had been sown by the enemy into the wheat field. Jesus had said that the answer was to leave them where they were until the harvest, because the roots were so intertwined with those of the wheat that part of the harvestable crop would be lost were they to be removed.
The revealing question to ask of them would be, "Is your worship worthless this morning?? What are you thinking about as you sit through this service?"
Father, I know I've had days when I've become distracted by worldly things before entering the sanctuary, and those distractions have made it tough to experience true worship. I pray that what we do in worship will never be a distraction, but that each person there will be moved to draw nearer to You so that they may never hear You say, "Your worship of Me is worthless."
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 16 -- The Great Leap Of Faith
Peter and the other disciples reached that moment that reminds me of "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade", where Indy's father is dying of a gunshot wound, and Indy is likely to die working through the riddle to get the Holy Grail to sa
Peter and the other disciples reached that moment that reminds me of "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade", where Indy's father is dying of a gunshot wound, and Indy is likely to die working through the riddle to get the Holy Grail to save his father's life. The next-to-last challenge he faces is the leap of faith, where a wide chasm lies between him and his goal. All he can do is to step out in a leap of faith, not knowing how his fall to his death will be stopped. He steps out .... and finds firm ground.
In the same way, Peter faced a challenge of similar peril in the world's eyes. If he declared that Jesus was the Christ, and he was wrong, he would be facing not only the wrath of the Jewish leadership for blaspheming the name of God, but also he risked God Himself striking him down. Unless he landed dead-on, his life was forfeit.
He found himself standing at his on cliff when Jesus asked, "And who do you say that I am?" Despite his great potential for loss, he answered firmly, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
We have no way of understanding just how huge this answer was. He was in effect breaking with thousands of years of tradition, and forever numbering himself among those who truly believe.
That is also the question Jesus asks all of us to answer, and then to act upon. Once we decide for Him, life can never be the same again. Friends may desert us. In fact, we are called to deny self. My commentary says, "To deny self is not the same as self-denial; it means to yield to His control so completely that self has no rights whatsoever. And in deciding to give up everything, we find that we gain more than we could have ever asked or imagined!
Father, thank You for bringing me to that cliff. I will forever cherish the moment that I stepped out in faith and found firm ground. You have blessed me so much ever since. Please bring others I know and love to that point of choosing, and allow me to help them to decide for You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 17 -- His Disappointment Is Showing
Jesus had just taken Peter, James, and John with Him up onto a high mountain where His glory was unveiled for them to see. The other disciples had remained at the base of the mountain with the crowds. While Peter, James, and John were wit
Jesus had just taken Peter, James, and John with Him up onto a high mountain where His glory was unveiled for them to see. The other disciples had remained at the base of the mountain with the crowds. While Peter, James, and John were witnessing His amazing transfiguration, the other disciples had been busy healing those in the crowd who needed it -- all but one.
When they returned from the mountaintop, the father of this epileptic boy came straight to Jesus, saying that the [other] disciples hadn't been able to heal his son. Jesus' answer almost takes us aback: "You people have NO faith; and your lives are all wrong. How LONG must I put up with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you?"
It doesn't seem like He's talking to Peter, James, or John, since they'd been with Him on the mountaintop. Yet the remaining disciples had been healing those in the crowd while awaiting Jesus' return from the mountaintop, we can assume.
Jesus sounds almost exasperated here -- like He's losing patience with them. I think it was probably more like disappointment. And I think that' probably what He feels about us every time we sin. How His words must have embarrassed and stung those remaining disciples. And if they don't sting us and spur us on to better service, more faith, and living our lives for Him today, then I don't know what would. For there are times when our faith is small and when we fail. But we have a merciful Savior who is gracious despite our failings. He just wants us to grow in our relationship with His Father. He wants us to understand what He knows of His father, and He wants us to be His arms and hands and feet today.
Father, forgive me for the times when my faith will be lacking. Make the times few and far between when I disappoint You. Guide me daily to become more like Your Son.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 18 -- What He Demands of US Regarding Forgiveness
WOW! Lots about relationships between Christians today. About verse 6, my commentary says: "It is bad enough to sin against oneself, but the cause a believer to sin is to destroy his innocence, corrupt his mind, and stain his r
WOW! Lots about relationships between Christians today. About verse 6, my commentary says: "It is bad enough to sin against oneself, but the cause a believer to sin is to destroy his innocence, corrupt his mind, and stain his reputation. Better to die a violent death than to trifle with another's purity."
It also mentioned in verse 7: "It is inevitable that offenses should arise. The world, the flesh, and the devil are leagued to seduce and pervert. But if a person becomes an agent for the forces of evil, his guilt will be great. So the Savior warned men to take drastic action in disciplining themselves (second time this is mentioned) rather than to tempt a child of God."
It also mentioned that verse 15 deals with the need for exercising unlimited forgiveness and concerning that, verses 21-35 talk about just how often we should forgive a fellow believer who sins against us. It says, "He [Peter] probably thought he was showing unusual grace by suggesting 7 as an outside limit." Jesus instead implied that we should keep on forgiving indefinitely.
It spoke about stages of the administration of forgiveness:
"1) when a brother wrongs me or sins against me, I should forgive him immediately in my heart. That frees me from a bitter, unforgiving spirit and leaves the matter on his shoulders.
2) While I have forgiven him in my heart, I do not yet tell him that he is forgiven. It would not be righteous to administer forgiveness publicly until he has repented. So I am obligated to go to him and rebuke him in love, hoping to lead him to confession.
3) As soon as he apologizes and confesses his sin, I tell him that he is forgiven."
Finally, in verse 23-35, Jesus warns against the consequences of an unforgiving spirit. "When an offended believer refuses to forgive, he will be chastened in this life and will suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ."
Father, I know that I can ascribe wrong motives to people who offend or sin against me. First, help me not to do that. Next, help me to correctly follow these stages of the administration of forgiveness, whether to my boys or others. Help me not to harbor a grudge and remind me often of just how much You've forgiven me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 19 -- Being Enabled To Be Humble
I really liked what my commentary had to say about the way Jesus dealt with the rich young man. When he asked the "Good Teacher" his question, it says that he showed his ignorance of the true identity of Jesus, putting Him on the same
I really liked what my commentary had to say about the way Jesus dealt with the rich young man. When he asked the "Good Teacher" his question, it says that he showed his ignorance of the true identity of Jesus, putting Him on the same level as other men, and that he thought of gaining eternal life as a debt rather than as a gift.
It continued that the reason Jesus said, "There is no one good but One, that is, God," He was providing the man with an opportunity to say, "That's why I called You good -- You are God!"
Telling him to keep the commandments was Jesus' way of using the law to produce conviction of sin in the man's heart. But, "Blind to his own selfishness, the man boasted that he had always kept these commandments". When Jesus then told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, it wasn't that act that would save him. "But in order to be saved, a man must acknowledge that he has sinned and fallen short of God's holy requirements. The rich man's unwillingness to share his possessions showed that he did not love his neighbors as himself. He should have said, "Lord, if that's what is required, then I am a sinner. I cannot save myself by my own efforts. Therefore, I ask You to save me by Your grace." "If he had responded to the Savior's instruction, he would have been given the way of salvation," we're told.
My sidebar added,"The Spirit does not make us humble; He enables us to humble ourselves... Dependence upon the grace of God ... makes it possible for those who are not naturally servants to practice humility. His grace is sufficient for all of our needs. We can, by His ennoblement, learn to serve."
Father, thank You for giving me opportunities over the last several weeks to practice my humility by helping humbly in the lives of others. Please continue to enable me. I need regular practice to be reminded that I can never do enough to earn my salvation or to thank You enough for saving me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 20 -- The Five O'Clock Worker
The world sees this parable through the eyes of the "union" and ends up entangled in what the master does. After all, the first workers bargained for their wages and agreed to them. The others left their pay up to their boss.Sho
The world sees this parable through the eyes of the "union" and ends up entangled in what the master does. After all, the first workers bargained for their wages and agreed to them. The others left their pay up to their boss.
Short-cutting to the end, all were paid the same daily wage regardless of hours worked, and there was "full employment". But the bargainers felt cheated. It would most likely be easy to find most people thinking the later-hired workers were "unjustly enriched". Ironically, they'd even have trouble with the fact that the later-hired workers didn't get what they deserved -- a smaller paycheck. Otherwise, it would be unfair to those guys who'd worked all day.
Instead of dwelling on those first workers, Max Lucado, in And The Angels Were Silent, looked at those hired at 5:00pm.
"Tell me. What is a worker still doing in the yard at 5:00pm? The best ..... the mediocre ... and the last string went [to work already]... What kind of worker is left at 5:00pm? All day they get passed by. They are unskilled. Untrained. Uneducated.... They are absolutely dependent upon a merciful boss giving them a chance THEY DON'T DESERVE. So, by the way, were we.... Look at what we were when God called us.... Do you remember how you felt? Do you remember the perspiration on your forehead and the crack in your soul? Do you remember how you tried to hide the loneliness until it got bigger than you, and then you just tried to survive? Hold that picture for a moment. Now answer this. Why did He choose you? Why did He choose me? What do we have that He needs? Intellect? Willpower? Money?.... Get the point? We were chosen for the same reason those 5:00pm workers were. You and me? We are those five o'clock workers! ... Why did He pick you? He wanted to. After all, you are His. He made you. He brought you HOME. He owns you. And once upon a time, He tapped you on the shoulder and reminded you of that fact. No matter how long you'd waited, or how much time you'd wasted, you are His and He has a place for you."
Father, I write this with tears. I would have been a 6:00pm worker if there had been any. Why You picked me, I'll never know. But thank You anyway. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. I can't imagine where I'd be, or what I'd have done, if You hadn't stepped into my life. You've made all the difference!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 21:1-27 "I Don't Know" is NOT an acceptable answer
My youngest son is more "Russian" than my oldest son. That's because he was born and raised very near the Russian border, in an area populated by ethic Russians who were "imported" to Ukraine under Soviet policies years
My youngest son is more "Russian" than my oldest son. That's because he was born and raised very near the Russian border, in an area populated by ethic Russians who were "imported" to Ukraine under Soviet policies years before. While thee, he evidently watched and quickly learned what seems to become an inbred Soviet trait -- when asked anything by a person in authority, the safest answer is always "I don't know". That way, they don't have to admit anything that could be "used against them in a court of law."
As an example, he might be the only one at home all day, and yet when asked who left the candy wrappers littering his floor, without giving it a second thought, his answer would be, "I don't know." My response has come to be: "Joseph, 'I don't know' is not an acceptable answer in this house." Someone should have called the chief priests and elders to task for giving that same answer in verses 23-27.
Jesus was teaching in the Temple courtyard following His royal entrance into Jerusalem. The chief priests and elders were feeling like things were getting out of hand, so they devised a question with which to trick Jesus and level charges against Him (so they thought). They asked who gave Him authority to teach, to perform miracles, and to cleanse the Temple.
Of course, as the omniscient Son of God, He knew their thoughts and knew what they were up to. He turned their question back upon them, asking in effect, "Who authorized John to carry on his ministry? Was his ordination human or divine? What credentials did he hold from Israel's leaders?"
Now they were trapped by their own evil logic, for if they admitted that John was sent by God, then they should have listened to his message about the Messiah. So why hadn't they repented and believed in Christ? [from my commentary]
If they answered that John's authority was not commissioned by God, the people would have ridiculed them, for they agreed that he was a prophet.
My commentary said, "If they had correctly answered that John was divinely sent, they would have had an answer to their own question: Jesus was the Messiah. But they refused to face the facts, so they pleaded ignorance."
Jesus then told them that since they had refused to answer, then He would do likewise. My commentary continued, "Why should He tell them what they already knew but were unwilling to admit?"
Father, I've found that to be the case with sin in my own life at times. I know Your answer before the question is even asked. I am usually just unwilling to admit it, so I find myself in denial about my sin. Help me to do what those religious leaders could never do -- help me to never try to hide my sin or justify it. Instead, help me to admit it and quit it.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
Matthew 21:28-46 The Two Sons May Be Within US
As I read the parable of the two sons, a song by DC Talk or Toby Mac kept rattling through my head: "In The Light" I'd heard it last night on Josh's radio before putting him to bed, and I'd told him that had to be on
As I read the parable of the two sons, a song by DC Talk or Toby Mac kept rattling through my head: "In The Light" I'd heard it last night on Josh's radio before putting him to bed, and I'd told him that had to be one of my all-time favorites. It speaks of that inner struggle to obey God -- "To bring this sickness under control..." And it asks the question: "What's going on inside of me?? I despise my own behavior!"
Those two sons in the parable seemed to resemble that struggle within -- the one who professed to obey and then didn't, and the other who didn't WANT to obey but did.
I noticed that there wasn't a son mentioned who said he'd obey, and then did obey willingly. None of us really have that within us. The "sin cancer" mentioned in the song seems to keep us from being able to do that.
We know we can't obey apart from the help of the Holy Spirit, and what a tragedy that it took the death of God's Son to give us the only way that we can obey!
The words of another song have been stuck in my mind lately, too. Casting Crowns sings, "Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in Your sea of forgetfulness. The chains of yesterday surround me. I yearn for peace and rest."
I wondered how someone could be drowning in that sea? After all, God is forgetting those sins. But maybe it's those chains of our own making that must be weighing us down -- anchoring the guilt of those sins of yesterday to us, and keeping us from floating by His grace.
Father, I want so much not to struggle with sin, but like Paul, I acknowledge that so long as I inhabit this sin-infected body, that won't be possible. So grant me every day the "want to" so that I can obey You. Keep me away from the slippery slopes of sin. Let my walk match my talk. I can't do it without You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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