Lamentations_3

Scripture - What stood out?Lamentations 321 Yet this I call to mind    and therefore I have hope:22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,    for his compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;

   therefore I will wait for him.” Observation - What does it say?This chapter begins with a reminder that sometimes affliction is not from the enemy, sometimes it is from God. Lamentations 3:1 states “I am the man who has seen affliction, by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.” Understanding - What does it mean?I think upon this particular dichotomy a lot, potentially a tri-chotomy. If something negative or pain inducing happens, is it from the enemy, God, or...neither? Only three options but when I am not hearing clearly from the Lord picking apart which is which can make my head spin! I have had the opportunity to live a life which has been given room for introspection. That in itself is such a gift considering all the lives out there that struggle for food and shelter on an hourly basis.  Reading this chapter and this verse makes one point stand out for me. If the affliction is of the enemy...I serve a God that has conquered the enemy. If I truly accept that, then that pain is suddenly not as scary to deal with. My God conquered the source of that issue! If the affliction is from God however...the source of that pain is from the One whom I serve… I remember growing up I had a healthy fear of my father. And I LOVED my mom...Until it was time to get punished! For such a slender woman she generated great power when wielding a stick. Over time, the sting of the discipline would fade, my parents would shower me with love, and I couldn’t help but reciprocate.  Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today? I often feel like God is angry with me. And I feel like much of my adult life has been a series of discipling seasons filled with pain. But this is the hope I cling to, because of the Lord’s great love I am not consumed. Growing up I didn’t know who I was more afraid of, getting mugged and beaten by strangers or my parents. At the end of every disciplinary moment I received from my parents I learned something. They were always trying to teach me something.  In a society where pain is the antithesis of civilized living, it is not condoned in any way shape or form. I don’t want to give in to that way of thought Lord. If you are trying to teach me something through affliction I want to learn. Thank you for modeling that through my parents. Thank you Lord for being consumed by your love for me. -Ken Lee

John__10

Scripture

John 10: 14-15

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep.

 

Observation

As Jesus speaks to the Pharisees he uses a parable of sheep and a shepherd to further the assertion that He is the Son of God. Throughout this parable He repeats that He is a good shepherd, and that if anyone wishes to come through the gates (or gain eternal life) they must got through Him. Jesus also states that a good shepherd lays down their life for their flock, which is exactly what Jesus has come to do for the world at this time. As He continues, however, the Pharisees accuse Him of being demon-possessed. 

 

Understanding

When I was younger I always wondered how my parents knew that I was calling out for them. We would be at the park with lots of kids, yet every time I said “Mom!” Or “Dad!” they seemed to instinctively know my voice. In the same way I always knew my parents voice, granted I had it easier since they were using my name and not “daughter.” Hearing them say my name always brought ease and comfort (except when they used my first and middle name, then I knew I was in trouble). My main point here though is that I knew my parents’ voice and they knew mine (and still do).

I think this is the same concept that Jesus puts forward here. His sheep (us) know His voice like a parent knows their kid’s voice. We constantly call out to Him, so He has become trained to know what we sound like because He longs to respond. I don’t think that we quite know the gravity of this either. The Creator of the Universe doesn’t just know my name, but He also knows the sound of my voice, and He responds to it! Here’s the tough part: I don’t always train myself to know the sound of His voice. If I call myself one of His sheep, then I should therefore know Him. Part of knowing Him is knowing His voice, and hanging on every word that He speaks to me.

Lately, I haven’t been a good sheep to my shepherd. Sure, I know Him and I understand the nature of God, but I haven’t taken the time to listen. And He’s willing to lay down His life for me and His entire flock then the least I can do is listen to what He has to say. I want to instinctively know my Heavenly Father’s voice like I know my earthly father’s voice.

 

Life Application

So how exactly do we do that?

Some people hate this exercise, and although it is extremely uncomfortable it’s really successful. I find I listen the best when I am… wait for it… it’s really profound: NOT talking. So if we just sit in silence for like fifteen minutes we might be amazed at what we hear. I hope you join me in sitting in silence for fifteen minutes this week to tune into the voice of our Heavenly Father. He may say exactly what you needed hear, but were too busy to talking over Him to listen to.

-Allison Khan 

John_9

Scripture

John 9:41-Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."

Observation-What does it say?

Jesus healed a man who was born blind. Not only did He heal his physical blindness, but His spiritual blindness as well. The man was healed of his spiritual blindness because he recognized he was blind, he believed in Jesus as the "Son of Man" and worshipped Him. As Jesus was talking to the man, Jesus said that He came "so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." A Pharisee heard this and took offense to it. He asked Jesus if they were blind too. Jesus' response in verse 41 says it all.

Understanding-What does it mean?

The Pharisees did not acknowledge their blindness (sinful nature). Jesus cannot save those who think they are not guilty of sin. He came to save sinners like you and me. He didn't come to save those who do NOT think they are sinners, for they have no need of Jesus, and as a result "their guilt remains."

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 NIV

Life Application

Admit our need for Jesus, thank Him for His saving grace and pray for a heart to share with people who are spiritually blind, that their eyes (hearts) would be open to the Truth. 

I grew up in the church, which means that I went to church with my parents from the time I exited my mother's womb. (Actually, I started attending while still in the womb, according to my mom.) However, I was spiritually blind because I remember at 14 years old thinking to myself that I was NOT a sinner and I hadn't broken any of the 10 commandments, so why do I need Jesus? I just wanted to live my life and decided that I would not say the sinners' prayer yet, but wait until I got older. I was blind and did not recognize it at that time. Praise God that 2 years later, I opened my heart to His invitation for salvation, as I admitted my need for Him and recognized my sin and blindness.

There are so many in the world and even in churches today that are still spiritually blind. They are unable to recognize their need for Jesus because they don't think that they are sinners. Just like the Pharisees who pointed the finger at "those sinners,” I pray that we would not fall into that same trap, but rather pray for a heart for the lost and spiritually blind to come to know and receive His saving grace.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for saving a wretch like me.  Your grace is amazing.  Please forgive me for the many times I have acted like a Pharisee, because I had forgotten Your saving grace over my own life.  I pray for healing over people in our families, in our churches and in our community who are still spiritually blind.  May they recognize their need for You and use me as You will to reach out to sinners just like me.  "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now I'm found.  Was blind, but now I see."  Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi