Latest Posts

A Small Word For Life

August 8, 2022 0 Comments

Read John 14:15-24

“Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:19b-20

Jesus anticipates a revolution of the spiritual life. The disciples will know that He is “in” the Father. The disciples will know that they are “in” Him. The disciples will know that Jesus is “in” them.

My awareness of the location of my life IN Christ sometimes dims. Daily renewal is necessary. I yield, I surrender my life to God and rejoice in the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into which I have so graciously and lovingly been welcomed. And yet sometimes I live unconscious of this incredible treasure. In those long moments I may act as if I am not loved and known by the Creator of heaven and earth. Nonetheless this is now the true reality of my life, my life is in Him.

Which “day” is Jesus referring to? The disciples came to know that “he lives” on Resurrection Sunday (John 20). But the knowledge of His continued living came experientially by the promised Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). In this Way (John 14:6) we are ushered into relationship with the originator of love and life. 

Heavenly Father, I praise you. This is the day you have made. I cannot fathom the depths of your love for us. Though the people gathered in Christ Jesus do not see you yet, we live in the love of relationship with you because Jesus Christ lives too. Thank you for this gift in which I live. Thank you for this generous love freeing me from confusion, deceit and death. Oh Jesus you are truly the way, the truth and the life! I set my mind on You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Jesus Be The Centre

Daily Readings, Jesus

DR: Beyond the Applause

August 5, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 4:14-30

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus’ reputation in ministry had preceded him. So when he went home to Nazareth all the good feels likely awaited him. But controversy was just below the surface. Jesus was aware. At home in the providence of His Heavenly Father he was handed the scroll of Isaiah. He read a passage and then declared “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Temptation abounds. Who’s “servant” would Jesus be? A servant of his hometown, moved by their applause and needs? Or would Jesus be the Servant of the Lord who ushers in a new era of life, faith and obedience. Jesus takes up the testimony of the Servant of the Lord and declares that “this” is who he is.

Applause as an external compass is fickle and can lead us places bound up in foolishness. We each need an internal compass formed in the reality of who we are in Christ and formed by reflection on what matters to us until we search out the values and principles that form who we are and guide our decisions. That’s a solitary work. Jesus likely did that over the years of labourer work in Joseph’s care. Jesus likely did that again in the 40 days of wilderness prayer.

Heavenly Father, May I move in the power of your Spirit who knows your heart and knows me. May the transforming work of Jesus be in me. Come Lord Jesus. Set me free. Help me see. And let my life be governed by love. Form within me such delight in you that I know what pleases you and willingly move accordingly. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Daily Readings, Discipleship

DR: Facing Temptations

August 4, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 4:1-13

“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”

After a high and holy moment Jesus was moved by the Spirit into the wilderness, into a solitary place and the devil came to tempt him. This too is a holy season as Jesus persists in setting Himself into the Presence and purposes of God.

It’s Jesus’ commitment to the Father and his commitment to the way of the Father that is being tested. The devil need not come himself to tempt us. He has his agents but there is more. The Apostle James says that “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (James 1:14). And then there are the systems of this world that are opposed to the knowledge and way of God. We are tempted by their promises all the time to act and live independent of God as He is revealed in His Word and by the Spirit.

Jesus shows us the way forward when tempted as he constantly returns to His life with the Father and the realities of His Word. He resists the devil. 

Heavenly Father, whether I find myself in the solitary places or in the wildness of the crowds I know I am tempted to wander from You and Your ways. Seek me and set me in the delight of your love. May no willful sin dominate me. Protect me from the evil one and the lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Change, Daily Readings, Discipleship

DR: Vital Connection and Vital Knowledge

August 3, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 3:21-37

“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Jesus comes from the crowd that had gathered with John the Baptist in the wilderness and is baptized with them. Luke’s record does not include the conversation Jesus had with John.


Instead, Luke emphasizes the vital relationships of Jesus to the Spirit and the Heavenly Father.
Jesus is connected to the crowd. Jesus is connected to a long line of ancestors. But, his vital connection in God is also emphasized. Notice:

Jesus is praying.
The heavens open.
The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus.
A voice from heaven says, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Vital connections are required for purposeful ministry. “Now Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.” Most essential from the Heavenly Father’s view seems to be the affirmation of Jesus’ belovedness. Perhaps this is vital knowledge for us too! Belovedness is not drawn from what we do, but from the heart of the Beholder.

Heavenly Father, As a child adopted into your family through Christ Jesus, I ask that you to send your Spirit to me again that I may know my belovedness before your eyes. I cry out to you and commit myself to the way of Jesus. Neither the crowd or my ancestors are adequately  sufficient for the task of filling my soul with purpose, love, and sustaining power for life. Come Lord, Come. In Jesus name, Amen.

Daily Readings, Discipleship

,

DR: A Prepared Person

August 2, 2022 0 Comments

Read Luke 3:7-20

Preparation: Doing what is needed to get ready for something or someone.

In Vancouver we are regularly reminded by geologists and officials to prepare for “The Big One.” Most of us are not prepared. John the Baptist is preparing people for the coming of Jesus. It’s possible to listen to God’s Word without doing anything. This is a terrible spiritual deceit.

John faced a crowd that heard the good news of the Messiah but perhaps were inclined to do nothing. He addresses their spiritual inertia and calls them to action by warning them.

Notice that when they asked John “what shall we do,” John’s focus for repentance deals with their attitudes and actions about the stuff of earth and the ways they relate to people: to a neighbour with less, or to the person on the other side of a business transaction, or to the persons who come under their authority. John insists that in respect to the coming Messiah, they had to deal with greed by sharing, restraining themselves from taking more than required, and by being content with what they have.

In John’s understanding these dynamics of greed, deception, and power could profoundly affect one’s receptively to the Messiah who was coming with the fire of the Spirit. All kinds of terrible things have been done to people because of greed in our hearts.

In respect to Jesus a prepared person is a receptive person. A prepared person is ready to hear and respond to the Presence and Word of Jesus for He will have lordship over all our relationships.

Heavenly Father, send your Spirit and grant me a generous love for you; warm my heart and mind so that I respond to you. I repent of greed, of entitlement, and of contempt whereby I may miss the company of Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Daily Readings, Discipleship