Boldly Preach Jesus

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 9-10
NT: Acts 4
W&W: Proverbs 12

Today’s Reflection:
In Acts 4, we find Peter and John boldly preaching Jesus. They had been arrested and then called to give an account before the Jewish rulers “for an act of kindness shown to a cripple…” Without apology, without hesitation, without shame, they proclaimed, “Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” (Acts 4.10).

At the end of the proceedings, Peter and John were commanded “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” To which they replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (vv. 18-20).

When I read that, the Holy Spirit seemed to challenge me, saying, “Preach Jesus! Boldly preach Jesus!”

Following the lead of Peter and John, those who would preach Jesus, who would boldly witness to Jesus’ resurrection and power, must be:

1. Filled with the Spirit
2. Courageous
3. Plain and straightforward
4. Firm and unapologetic
5. Prayerful and dependent
6. Willing to face needs with grace (see blog from May 8)

Let’s get out there and preach Jesus! Boldly preach Jesus!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.4-5: We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Face With Grace!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 8
NT: Acts 3
W&W: Proverbs 11

Today’s Reflection:
When Peter and John were confronted by a crippled beggar on their way into the temple, the Bible says, “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us’” (Acts 3.4).

Usually, when we are admonished to look straight at the problem, we think about our own difficulties. But this scripture confronts us with the needs of those around us. I think it is significant that Peter and John looked straight at the man who needed grace because experience tells us that it is so easy to look away. The temptation is to not get involved, to think, “I can’t do anything about it.” But the truth of the matter is, God sends us out every day into a need-filled world, and he wants us to look straight at the needs!

As I read this scripture, it seemed as if God spoke to me: “Be courageous, Scott! Face those who need grace! My grace is sufficient! Do not shy away from needs. I will give you: power; the right words; an anointing of my Holy Spirit; the results I want (It’s my name that’s on the line!).
It’s in my hands, Scott, but I want you to look square on the need at hand!”

I challenge you to hear the same words today. Yes, you have to face your own problems, but also face the world with the grace it needs! God will use you!

Have a great Friday!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 6-7
NT: Acts 2
W&W: Proverbs 10

Today’s Reflection:
Today is my mother’s birthday. She would have turned 80 today, but instead, she is celebrating her birthday in heaven for the 4th time. Mom was an amazing lady. Life dealt her some impossible hands, but she always seemed to make something of them, and – using a euchre analogy – take quite a few “tricks” along the way.

As was the case with my brothers and sisters, all my friends loved Mom. They loved to be around her because she always was cheerful and picked up our spirits. And Mom loved to be with us and our friends, too. I remember how we would make go home from college and make Mom stay up late at night and play euchre. I remember one night my brother Al and I were playing against Mom and Kim, a college roommate. They were winning, so we wouldn’t let them go to bed. Neither Mom nor Kim could keep their eyes open, but they still kept on winning. Finally – about 4:00 a.m. – my dad yelled in something I can’t remember. I’m sure even if I did remember I’m sure I couldn’t repeat it!

Nothing seemed to get her down, but she always had something positive to share with those around her. She lived what she taught me when I was a young teen with a temper and a tendency to lash out at people: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” I never knew why anyone wanted to catch flies, but I know that Mom was always spreading honey! That’s why Mom had lots of friends. I remember how overwhelming it was on the day of her memorial service in Montpelier – how many people came. Even after being gone from her home town for 25 years, Mom still was drawing – not flies but friends! If Mom had any enemies in her life, I don’t know who they were.

I didn’t realize it so much at the time, but it was Mom who taught me to love life and love people. One of the things I do well is to be an “Includer.” That means I try to make sure everybody is included in the group – that no one is left out. As I look back on my Mom’s life I know where I learned that. Mom included everybody in her love. She made sure nobody was on the outside looking in but instead that everybody was on the inside. And because of that we are all better, “richer” people.

Happy birthday, Mom!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Don’t Try This at Home

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 5
NT: Acts 1
W&W: Proverbs 9

Today’s Reflection:
If you are following the scripture readings, you will read Acts 1 today. Acts reports the story of the early years of the Church’s life and mission. Chapter 1 opens with the following paragraph:

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

This opening statement provides a great paradigm for Christians who are workers in Kingdom. (And all Christians are workers in the Kingdom!) After his suffering and resurrection, Jesus:

1. Showed himself to the leaders he had chosen. Christian worker, seek to “see” Jesus! Invest in seeing Jesus before you attempt to represent him!
2. Gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. We have been given the awesome privilege of having Jesus live through us! Make sure your behavior and words and attitudes convince others of the life and love of Jesus!
3. Spoke about the Kingdom of God. This is a good one for me to be reminded of. I tend to speak of everything else. May our conversations always be full of grace!
4. Gave them this command: Wait for the gift of Holy Spirit baptism. This admonition extends beyond the Day of Pentecost which we read about in Acts 2. I will repeat to you the words that Paul asked the church in Ephesus years later: “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” (Acts 19.2) You’ve heard the disclaimer: “Don’t try this at home.” I would paraphrase that and say, “Don’t try to be a worker in the kingdom on your own. Be filled with the Spirit!”

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

And, It’s Morning!

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 3-4
NT: John 21
W&W: Proverbs 8

Today’s Reflection:
John 21 reports a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to some of his disciples at the Sea of Galilee. They – following the lead of Simon Peter – had gone there to fish. They had fished all night but had come up empty. Verse 4 says, “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.”

It was understandable that the disciples did not recognize Jesus. After all, it was early in the morning, and the day was not yet clear and bright. Also, they were about 100 yards from the shore. Having worked all night without results, they were tired, discouraged and distracted. It was difficult to focus. Jesus did not come to them in the “usual” way, the way that he had in the past on the Sea of Galilee – walking on the water. They were distracted by their labors and not ready to see Jesus. As we consider all this, we understand why they did not realize it was Jesus on the shore.

I remember an occasion when my dear friend Aaron tried to give me a Christmas gift in the midst of a time like this. Lana and I were trying to get the family ready to be out of town for a few days. I had worked long, hard hours at the church the several days before we were to leave. On the day we were leaving town, I had gone by the office for just a brief moment to take care of things and it had – as always! – taken longer than I wanted it to. I was frustrated and distracted. As I hurried out of the office into the parking lot, Aaron tried to give me a wonderfully thoughtful gift. As I remember the incident, I remember how unappreciative I was. (I hope Aaron doesn’t remember!) I was not ready to receive my friend, much less the gift he was giving me.

So, I understand the disciples unawareness of who it was on the shore. They weren’t ready for their friend. Jesus came, none-the-less. And may I personally testify that he has come to me as well? With the events of the past year and a half, the night has seemed long. Although the sun is rising, the day is not yet clear; I am still a good distance from “shore”; it’s never been like this before; and I’m distracted.

But here he is! And it’s morning! Hallelujah!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Revival Report

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 1-2
NT: John 20
W&W: Proverbs 7

Today’s Reflection:
We started revival services yesterday at the Lynn Church of the Nazarene. It was great to be back in the pulpit, preaching the Word of God. I am so grateful to Pastor Tom and the people of the church for this opportunity. I also appreciate the fact that Lana is helping Darlene with the music. The ladies and the praise team are doing a wonderful job!

The New Testament reading for today is perfect for me as I begin a revival. In John 20.21-22, we find the following words of Jesus: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you… Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” As I read that, I realized anew that Jesus is sending me! I have a tendency to struggle with confidence, and it has been even harder in recent months. These words of Jesus, however, renew my assurance and my excitement about preaching the gospel. Jesus has commissioned me! I go in his power and authority!

Yesterday morning I preached about being Red Hot for Jesus. How is your spiritual temperature? I shared a quote from an old hymn during the message: “Lord it is my chief complaint that my love is weak and faint. Yet I love you and adore. Oh for grace to love you more!” Are you on fire for Jesus? Remember, “You have not because you ask not.” God’s grace will give you that love if you ask for it. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire…” Ask the Holy Spirit to ignite a flaming love in your heart for Christ!

Last night we examined the condition of our hearts. I told the congregation of a man (let’s call him Joe) who inherited ten million dollars. The problem was he had a heart condition that was so bad that his family thought he might have a heart attack and die when he got the good news. They asked his pastor if he could help them. The pastor agreed to do so and went to Joe’s house. He came up with a method to break it to him gently. In the course of the conversation, he nonchalantly said, “Joe, what would you do if you inherited ten million dollars?” Joe said, “Pastor, I think I would give half of it to the church.” At that the pastor promptly had a heart attack and died!

We all have a heart condition of some sort. From the story of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem found in 2 Samuel 6. I asked the people to consider three heart conditions: a careless heart (Uzzah), a callused heart (Michal), and a constant heart (David). Once again, we arrived at the conclusion that we need God’s grace to give us a constant heart. God, in his sanctifying grace, will give us a constant heart that will help us even in our failures and mistakes.

Dear friend, as the following verse says, I urge you to join me in finding help and assurance in the Word of God.

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.3: We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Weather the Storm

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 42
NT: John 19
W&W: Proverbs 6

Today’s Reflection:
Lana and I have done a lot of traveling in the last month, but have enjoyed it. Today we are taking off toward the North. There is a line of storms between us and Cincinnati where we are headed. We will not like traveling through the storms, but we will come out of them and arrive at our destination.

Yesterday we read how “The Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.” Throughout the book that bears his name, we hear Job speaking out of his storm as well. At the end he confesses that he spoke of things he did not understand, things too wonderful for him to know (Job 42.3).

Yet in it all, he never surrendered his claim on integrity nor did he question God’s righteousness and wisdom. What he had said about God he said rightly (42.7, 8). In the storm, however, Job spoke of things he did not understand about his own life. He spoke of sorrow and regret and anguish and even at times of despair. He could not see beyond his storm. But God could! And after the storm, the end of Job’s life was more blessed than the beginning.

Lana and I have recently come through a couple storms of a different kind than the one we are traveling through today. In those storms, we have admittedly spoken of things we did not understand. When you are in the midst of the storm it is hard to understand and speak correctly, isn’t it? For us it is… but not for God! Through the times of our daughter’s divorce and my change in ministry, God has blessed us more than at the beginning.

Yes, this life has storms, but after our storms we enter into a whole new world. It is different from what we could ever understand in the midst of the storm. It is more wonderful than we can imagine. The New Testament assures us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2.9).

Weather the storm, traveler! Hold on to your integrity and trust in God’s goodness. Remember, your word in the storm is not final. Let God speak things too wonderful for you to know!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.2: The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.