My Daily Pause

Blog

  • What Makes Christ Angry?

    Christ driving the Traders from the Temple - ~1600 - El Greco (1541–1614)
    Christ driving the Traders from the Temple – ~1600 – El Greco (1541–1614)

    Jesus was A.N.G.R.Y!

    And rightly so.

    Can you imagine how threatened the moneychangers must have felt when a young and buff man with a whip came tearing through the temple? (John 2:13-22) It certainly made a lasting impression, because the Sadducees were out to get him from then on.

    Jesus tends to get caricaturized as a soft and gentle man. That was not always true, as we see in this event. Our Lord was not afraid to be forceful in defending his father or his father’s house.

    Many that would criticize the Jews today for their treatment of the temple have little room to talk. Today we see church meeting houses mistreated both during services and other times.

    Depending on the denomination or liberality of the congregation we see:

    • Cake sales
    • Dances
    • Sports
    • Secular or para-Christian ceremonies
    • Amusement for children during worship
    • Theatrical productions

    …the list goes on.

    I don’t want to say that our modern meeting houses are in any way like the Jewish temples. We have no scriptural basis for our buildings to be considered holy. The building is just a house.

    But… would Jesus care about what was happening inside a house with his name on it? When the world looks in from the street, would they see only what Jesus would approve of?

    If we look at 2 John 1:8-11, we get the right answer:

    We do not allow the things that Jesus would not teach in our house. (2 John 1:10)

    Even greeting them that would bring it makes us participants! (2 John 1:11)

    Challenge: What is going on in your meeting house that would make Jesus angry?

  • 1 Simple Way to Glorify God

     

    Let your light so shine ...
    Let your light so shine …

    John 1:1-14 is one gorgeous passage.

    Go ahead and read it. I’ll wait.

    One awesome thing about being in Christ is that we also get be a light to others. Christ told us to use that light to glorify God and not hide it. (Matthew 5:14-16)

    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify the father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

    Think about that today as you go about your business. Whatever it is you do, do it to glorify God.

     

     

  • Our Cycle of Foolishness

    On the Road to Emmaus - ~1310 - Duccio (1260–1318)
    On the Road to Emmaus – ~1310 – Duccio (1260–1318)

    They were a little reluctant to believe.

    And why not? The prophesy of the Messiah rising from the dead was something they knew would happen, but were they supposed to believe it was happening right before them?

    Jesus called the two on the road to Emmaus foolish for doubting. (Luke 24:25) They had been taught this stuff all their life. They knew he was out there teaching and doing miracles. They knew this was all supposed to happen just like it did.

    Even for his disciples, it was a lot to take in.

    Sometimes we are reluctant like that. We read and study the Bible, learn what God can do for us, receive his blessings – and then doubt.

    • We are reluctant to pray for what we really need.
    • We are amazed when the prayers are answered.
    • We are reluctant to pray the next time we are in need.

    And so the cycle goes.

    A little faith goes a long way. (Luke 17:6) Take what you have by nurturing it through study (Romans 10:17) and use it to do great things for the Lord. (Hebrews 11:6)

     

  • Darkness Needs Darkness

    There is no goodness in the dark
    There is no goodness in the dark

    People who live good lives respect the Lord,
    but those who live evil lives don’t. – Proverbs 14:2 NCV

    Here, in one sentence, is the reason for the urgency to remove God from public view. With godly behavior being systematically removed from T.V., radio and other influences in our lives, the foul behavior seems less offensive and starts to seem normal.

    Take a look at what John says:

    …the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. – John 3:19-20

    According to the worldly people, their behavior and belief comes from education and enlightenment.

    According to the Scriptures, it comes from evil.

  • Why Jesus Prayed Anyway

    Christ in the Garden - Caravaggio (1571-1619)
    Christ in the Garden – ~1600 – Caravaggio (1571-1619)

    The first thing he thought to do was pray.

    Really hard.

    As the time approached for Jesus to be captured, he took time out to be with God. (Luke 22:39-46)

    And why would the Son of God need to pray?

    • It was comforting.
    • It let God know he comes first.
    • It let God know what Jesus thought he needed.

    Jesus knew he had to go through the crucifixion, but he asked God to reconsider anyway. He left us this excellent example to show us that even when God isn’t going to change the course of events, he still has much to offer.

    • He can offer us the strength to face challenges
    • He can offer us the wisdom to complete the task
    • He can offer us a peace only he can offer

    Make it a habit to talk to God often through reverent prayer. It might be beneficial to have been a regular customer on the judgment day!

  • The First Priority of Leaders

    Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles - ~1310 - Duccio (1260–1318)
    Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles – ~1310 – Duccio (1260–1318)

    Power and position.

    People have a natural disposition toward being the one in charge.

    The apostles were no different. While they still had a misunderstanding of what Christ’s kingdom was going to look like, they were jockeying for high office within it. (Luke 22:24-30)

    Christ doesn’t want leaders like that.

    Leaders serve.

    Leaders put themselves last.

    Leaders suffer difficulty.

    Leaders in the church have plenty of opportunity to fail. They are usually challenged every time they make a decision. Every decision makes someone angry.

    It is no wonder that Paul said they deserve a double portion of honor! (1 Timothy 5:17)

    Leadership done right in the Lord’s church is not about the position. It is about the souls they preside over. The Bible compares them to the shepherd protecting his flock.

    When we seek to be Christian leaders, let’s be those that seek to wield the power as servants. Leaders that influence others toward salvation…

    … Leaders that put the Lord and others first.