My Daily Pause

Blog

  • No Longer Silent

    Calling of the Apostles - 1481 - Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449–1494)
    Calling of the Apostles – 1481 – Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449–1494)

    In Matthew 10, Christ gives a complete set of instructions to the newly empowered apostles to carry out their first and limited commission. They were to only go to the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6) and were sent despite the personal danger that they were about to walk into.

    I believe they concentrated on the Israelites as a way to counter the influence of the Sadducees and Pharisees, who were doing their best to discredit Jesus and lead the Jews away from notion that this was the Messiah. They could no longer remain silent against them.

    Even though this was a special instruction meant only for the twelve, there is still a lot of application for us. The world is certainly doing its part to discredit Jesus these days, and this is something we have been given to work against.

    In just a few verses, we can see what we should be doing:

    • Matthew 28:18-20 – The full commission to go into all the world, teaching and baptizing is given
    • 2 Timothy 2:2 – Follow the apostles example and teach others
    • Philippians 4:9 – Follow the example of Paul
    • Hebrews 2:1 – Don’t be neglectful of the word
    • 1 Peter 1:6-7 – Keep going even when it is challenging

    If we remain silent, the noise of the world obscures Christ from honest seekers. This sample of instructions gives us the same responsibility against the world as the twelve had against the Jews.

    I’m sure we all know someone that is receptive to the idea of Christ. What can we do to light their way to him?

  • A Broader Selection

    The Calling of Matthew - 1502 - Vittore Carpaccio (1466–1525)
    The Calling of Matthew – 1502 – Vittore Carpaccio (1466–1525)

    As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” – Matthew 9:9

    When Jesus looked at Matthew, he saw the man. He didn’t see the publican, the dregs of society, nor a soul that should be overlooked.

    As the beginning of Jesus’ ministry is recorded, we see him taking every opportunity to heal and teach. He doesn’t pick out just the more desirable people. He doesn’t even pick out those he knows would be appreciative or obedient to him afterward.

    I realize am making a simple observation based only on my small portion of the world, but Christians probably need to get better at looking beyond the exteriors and seeing the people within. If we are to follow Jesus perfect example, then we need to see every soul as one with the potential to be saved.

    There is plenty more that could be said, but I want to plant the idea like a seed to see where others would go with it. The challenge: How can we be better at introducing Christ?

  • The Influence of Godly People

    Godly People will find favor from God and man
    Godly People will find favor from God and man

    Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
    So you will find favor and good success
    in the sight of God and man. – Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV

    Godly people should be living with an attitude of mercy and truth (Proverbs 3:3 KJV). It’s not genuine until it is rooted deep in our heart and reflected the actions that others can see.

    Godly people not only try to love the sinner, they try to help them see the truth of their sinful ways

    Godly people not only try help the unfortunate ones with their physical needs, they try to help them with their spiritual needs.

    Godly people not only work quietly serving him, they make sure God’s light is very visible.

    Godly people not only want to please God, they try to influence others to please him.

    God need his children to do the work during this earthly lifetime. The “finding of favor in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:4) sounds a lot like Luke 2:52 where Jesus growth caused him to increase in statue in the eyes of God and men. We can see then, that not only is it Godly to be influential – it is Christlike.

    What are some ways you can become more Christlike in the eyes of your peers today?

     

     

  • How to Build a Rock Solid Foundation

    Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890) - The Sermon On the Mount
    Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834–1890) – The Sermon On the Mount

    Christ tells us in Matthew 7:21-23 that not everyone that says they are living as a follower of Jesus will make it into heaven.

    We have to be doing his will.

    The thought of that should scare more people. Really, the thought of that should concern everyone that believes God is righteous and just. Both the saved and the lost will have been held up to God’s standards, so it is important to make sure we know exactly what those standards are. To some of us he will have no choice but to say “…depart from me, I never knew you …” (Matthew 7:23)

    Thankfully, Jesus goes on to tell us how to avoid that – he says to “hear these words of mine and do them!” He likens that act to building a rock solid foundation that will support us throughout this earthly lifetime. (Matthew 7:24-27)

    Here are a few random ideas for building a rock solid godly lifestyle:

    • Avoid screen time (T.V./Computer/Smartphone) that feeds you with “off-color” suggestive programming – they dull your senses to offensive material
    • Spend more time with people also trying to get to heaven – It helps control temptation
    • Challenge or research teachings that are different from what you are used to hearing – You will either learn from or correct someone what the Bible says

    Obviously, I can’t leave off more Bible study. That alone should be the greatest portion of your foundation building activities. Knowing what the Bible actually says and not taking another’s word for it is critical to your salvation!

    What are some things you can change to build a better foundation for you and your family?

     

     

  • How God Answers Prayers

    God wants us to be in continuous contact!
    God wants us to be in continuous contact!

    One thing that God has made clear throughout the Bible is that he wants us to depend on him. If we look closely at Matthew 7:7-8 we have the essence of how Christ expects us to be able to live out his commandments.

    • We need to ask, and keep on asking –
    • We are to seek, and keep on seeking –
    • We should knock, and keep on knocking –

    The Sermon on the Mount is a challenging lifestyle change for many, especially those in his audience at the time. He wanted all to know that God is listening and is ready to help us.

    As a prayerful people, we will come to understand how God answers prayers. The first thing we might notice is that his response isn’t exactly a direct one. We should remember “No” is an answer too. Anything we pray for has the same possibilities as any other request. A prayer can be answered…

    • Gradually
    • Literally
    • Negatively
    • By giving us what we actually need
    • With delay

    With a quick look around the Bible, we can know the proper attitude we should have to approach God in prayer:

    • We should not be living in sin (Psalm 66:18)
    • We need to have faith in the prayer and that God is listening (James 1:6-8)
    • It needs to offered the way God said to offer it (1 John 5:14)
    • We should do it persistently (Luke 18:1-8)
    • We should do it sincerely (Hebrews 10:22)

    Today, take a close look at your prayer life. Is it one that let’s God know you need him and trust him?

  • How to Give Better

    Selfless giving is required by Christians
    Selfless giving is required of Christians

    When I compare fund raising spectacles or events against Matthew 6:1-4, I wonder how much value they have as far as God is concerned.

    On one hand, an event is paid for by someone with lots of money who intends to raise even more money for the cause the event is meant to support. On the surface it seems like a great way to make one’s money work even harder than it would if it had been given outright.

    One the other hand, Matthew 6:1-4 says not to let attention be drawn to our giving.

    Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

    Let me just throw out a few fast points about giving in no particular order:

    • We never see in the Bible where the source of giving or sacrificing came from anywhere other than personal possessions.
    • We do see where God has consistently expected people to be very generous.
    • The Bible teaches a balance of secrecy and letting our light shine.
    • Matthew 6:2 uses the word “when” not “if” regarding giving.

    From what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:1-4, the reward for those big showy charity events is self-contained. God doesn’t acknowledge them because of the pure self-serving nature of them.

    Selfless giving is a requirement of Christianity. Liberal giving builds up credit in ways we’ll never fully grasp during this lifetime.

    What can you do to improve your giving this year?