Day 87: Promised Spirit

John 14:23-27

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Comments

Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey me.” He doesn’t say, “If you obey me, you will love me.” Unlike the chicken and the egg, this is a case where what comes first truly matters.

Loveless obedience is common in legalistic churches. Such an approach, unfortunately, leaves a trail of frustration and destruction wherever it goes.

The key to obeying in love is the Holy Spirit, whose presence in our lives reminds us of Jesus’ teachings. The fruit of the Spirit’s work in our life is peace and a noticeable lack of fear.

Reflection

Was there a time in your life when obedience came out of a sense of obligation rather than out of love? What was that like? What changed things for you?

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for promising us your Spirit and giving us your peace. In our hectic, harried world, these are priceless treasures.

 

Day 86: Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Comments

The crucifixion of Jesus was such a devastating turn of events that, even after the resurrection, some of the disciples still doubted. What Jesus said next, though, was addressed to all the disciples, even those who had doubts.

The Great Commission, to “go and make disciples of all nations,” focused on teaching new disciples to obey. Jesus emphasized orthopraxis (correct living) rather than orthodoxy (correct doctrine). The commands at the heart of correct living centered on love: love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy, do not love the world.

The disciples were not left on their own to fulfill the Great Commission; Jesus promised to be with them always.

Reflections

To what extent is the Great Commission central to your life and the life of your church?

Jesus told the disciples to go into the world, not to wait until the world came to them. How much of your time is given to “go and make disciples” versus “go to church?”

Prayer

Show me, Lord, what I can do to fulfill the Great Commission, and reassure me that you are with me every step of the way.

 

Day 85: Sabbath Reflections

 

I rarely have trouble falling asleep at night, but I often wake up early, sometimes in the middle of the night. A doctor treating me for an ulcer long ago told me not to worry about not sleeping because that would only make it worse. Now I see it more as an opportunity to spend quiet time with God.

This week I had one of these episodes and I began to reflect on my prayer life, which is certainly not one I would lift up as a model for others to follow. I struggle the most with intercessory prayers. When I pray for God to heal someone or fix some problem in a person’s life, I sometimes feel like I’m just complaining or demanding: “Come on, God. How could you let this happen? Get to work and make it right!”

When I get in this frame of mind, I realize I need an attitude adjustment and God helps me put things in fresh perspective. When I pray for God’s intervention, I realize that God knows what I want even before I ask, and the message I hear from God is often “In time” or simply “Trust me.”

What I was thinking about this week in the middle of the night were other prayers for which God’s answer is an immediate “Of course!” These prayers invite God to shape my life, making me into the person I was created to be, someone more like Jesus. Such prayers often begin with short phrases: “Humble me. Encourage me. Remind me. Lead me. Teach me. Use me. Stop me. Help me. Embolden me. Convict me. Forgive me. Empower me.”  

Almost always these prayers lead to another prayer that begins: “Thank You!”

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Day 84: Prayer Challenge #12

This is the final prayer challenge in the 90-Day “Love Your Neighbor” Adventure. If not the greatest challenge, it is perhaps the greatest opportunity because it is such a privilege to invite someone to follow Jesus.

I suppose it would be possible to become the follower of almost any well-known historical figure. For instance, you could become a follower of George Washington if you read what he wrote, learned as much about him as you could, and then tried to be like him.

Following Jesus is very different for one simple reason: God raised Jesus from the dead. You might emulate George Washington, but you can’t really have much of a relationship with him. With Jesus you can. Not only can you talk to Jesus, but he can talk to you and even fill you with power through the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.

This final challenge begins with this prayer: “Lord Jesus, lead me to someone who is already sensing your call. Through your Holy Spirit, give me the words to say to invite them to follow you.”

Here is one way you might go about this. Read Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan. Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus.” Then ask God to show you someone to whom you can give the book. After the person has read at least the prologue, just ask, “What do you think?” It should be the beginning of a wonderful conversation!

Day 83: Back to Work

John 21:3-6

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Comments

The weeks between the resurrection and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost had to be difficult ones for the disciples. For three years they had followed Jesus, but now he was no longer with them in the way he always had been.

Uncertain what to do next, Peter decided to go back to what he had been before: a fisherman. Fishing was a business for him, not a leisure activity. He may have followed Jesus for three years, but he had never gotten rid of his boat and nets.

Peter went back to what he knew well, but it didn’t exactly work out for him; he was now a fisherman who was catching no fish.

Reflections

Do you remember what your life was like before following Jesus? Could you go back to that life again? Would it work out better now than it did then?

Prayer

Help me realize, Lord, that even when I become discouraged following you, I can’t go back to what I was. Keep me moving forward, encouraged by your grace.

 

Day 82: God's Sheep

John 10:1-6

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

Comments

Still today, shepherds in the Holy Land are likely to have a sheepfold in which several herds are gathered for overnight protection and to give the shepherds a much needed break. When the new day dawns, each shepherd calls his sheep to follow and they do so.

Jesus used this imagery to explain the importance of disciples being able to recognize their master’s voice and follow wherever he leads.

God never intended any church to be rooted in place by its sacred traditions and survival instincts. Every church is to be on mission, recognizing God’s voice and following God’s call.

Reflections

How do you distinguish between God’s voice and your own thoughts and feelings or the influence of friends and family?

To what extent does God speak to you in prayer or when meditating on Scripture? Are there people who help you confirm what God is saying to you?

Prayer

Help me, Lord, to know your voice, follow your call, and trust in your goodness.

 

Day 81: Levi's Call

Luke 5:27-32

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Comments

Jesus wasn’t the only one to see the tax collector, but he was the only one to see him as a potential disciple.

When Jesus said, “Follow me,” he gave no indication who he was or where he was going, and yet Levi “got up, left everything and followed him.”

The Pharisees and religious experts were not upset that Jesus ate with sinners, but that he ate with unrepentant sinners. Jesus extended grace and expected repentance to follow; the Pharisees demanded proof of repentance before grace could even be considered.

Reflection

Levi’s response to Jesus’ invitation was immediate and total. Are there ways in which your own response to Jesus has been more hesitant and partial?

To what extent do you require people to act properly before you extend grace to them?

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for loving me beyond all reason and for challenging me to love others in the same, extravagant way.