Today Hannah had her very first swim lesson. It was so fun to watch! She had a blast.
Monday 4/5
Gruntled
2 days ago
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Day 689
A LOCKED ROOM AND NEW LIGHT
Curtis Jones
1 Peter 1:3-4, John 20:19, 24-25
IN WORD
The disciples awoke to a new reality with the Saturday sun. Their dreams crushed by the hammers and nails of Roman soldiers. Jesus was gone. Now, those murderers aimed their fury at this followers. So, they locked themselves in a tiny room and guarded the door.
As menacing as the storm of politics, jealousy, and religious fervor threatening their lives appeared to be, it was nothing compared to what was stirring inside their minds and hearts. Was it all a mistake? Should James and John have stayed in the boat with their father (Matt 2:21-22)? Was Nathaniel right, could anything good really come out of Nazareth (John 1:46)? Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders were potentially threatening their lives, doubt was threatening their faith. Was the sacrifice all a waste?
We all take our turn with a Saturday morning. The external heat is turned up and internal doubt begins to simmer. Why would God let this happen? If he could have stopped it, why didn't he? Why does he expect so much from me? Does he really have a my best in mind? Does he even remember that I am here? Am I wasting my life with this stuff?
But Sunday morning will chase off Saturday morning. The tomb will be empty. Jesus will bypass the locked door and appear to his doubting disciples. And it will change everything. They will see in a new light. A new depth will be added to the last three years. The miracles and the teaching mean more now.
And even Saturday will be redeemed. The doubts will still be real and the pain will not be erased, but we will se them in the new light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our seasons of doubt and pain have what the disciples didn't that Saturday: hope.
IN DEED
Let hope bypass your locked door. See your doubts, failures, and suffering in the new light of the resurrection of the Son of God. It offers you what nothing else on earth can offer you.
Let it change everything.
Day 688
THE SKULL
Stephen Smith, Worship Pastor at Houston's First Baptist Church
John 19:16-42
Psalm 22
IN WORD
All four Gospels record the location of the crucifixion as Golgotha, which means The Place of a Skill. It was here, just outside the Jerusalem walls where the curtain would close on the drama of the ages. At about the ninth hour, God in flesh would breath his last.
If there was ever a day in our year for us to pause as a church family and consider the horror of the cross, it would be this day. For a few moments on this Friday, let your minds eye drift from face to face of the witnesses in that bloody scene. Look on the face of the Roman Guards as they carry out their duties. See the faces of the thieves on Jesus right and left. Look deeply at the few disciples gathered there as they see their teacher. Lord, and friend enduring such pain. See the torment in a mother's eyes as Mary looks upon her son with the same eyes she first looked on him in that stable three decades earlier.
After as afternoon of suffering, Jesus spoke his last with the words: "It is finished."
After reading both the Luke passage and chapter in from the Psalms, we are able to see what Jesus meant by his final statement. David's psalm foreshadows the suffering of the Christ hundreds of years before the events that we now call Resurrection Week, Easter, The Passion, or Holy Week. At the Place of a Skull that Friday, Jesus claims victory. The work he was sent for had been done. He sacrificed his life for your sin and mine.
IN DEED
--Take some extended time of reflection in this moment. Continue to let the weight, the sorrow, and the pain of the events on Golgotha rest on your heart. Mourn with those around the cross that day. Weep today for the one who "for the joy set before Him, endured the cross." Fix your eyes on him today.
--Use the back of this page of booklet to write a prayer of thanks to Christ. Use the details of the Golgotha account to color your prayer in such a way that seems personal to you.
--Choose one thing in your routine that you might fast from today. Change it up! Instead of "Dancing with the Stars," take those moments spent in that way, and choose to dwell on Christ.
--Finally, as you reflect today and tomorrow, keep the brightness of Resurrection Sunday in the back of your mind. The story doesn't end at the cross! Praise the Lord!
Day 687
REMEMBER ME
William Taylor, Missions Pastor at Houston's First Baptist Church
1 Corinthians 11:17-28
IN WORD
Whose side of the Gospel are you on?
The bread and cup do recognize our Lord's death 2,000 years ago, but more importantly, they recognize our waywardness (1 Timothy 1:19, 6:10 &21). Dennis Jernigan sings an amazing song titled, "If I Could Just Sit With Your Awhile." When we partake of the Lord's Supper, it's a time for us to examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:17-28). It's a time to sit with Jesus awhile.
The Lord Jesus instituted the ordinances for several reasons, the least being to memorialize Himself. When the call to baptism is observed the identifiable teaching is obedience: the way you begin the Christian life. For the Lord's Supper, the identifiable teaching is examination: the way you finish the Christian life. Both ordinances identify with our Lord in His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism speaks to an outward identity while the Lord's Supper speaks to an inward identity.
The Scriptures teach us the death of Christ is an event in the time and history to remember.
"And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; eat in remembrance of me.'" In the same way, He took the cup saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; drink it to remember me: (1 Corinthians 11:23, 24).
This remembrance has its affect on us. "Remember me." Jesus is saying, "Remember, you can always come back to me." We begin the Christian life with a commitment. It's a privilege. It's hard. It's worth it. We all start out with a vision but winds are blowing against us. However, the winds blow both ways: winds against us which lead us astray and winds for us which bring us back to Jesus if we rightly respond. If not, we go the way of Jannes and Jambres: "...these men oppose the truth - who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected." (II Timothy 3:8).
IN DEED
Whose side of the Gospel are you on? I recommend sitting with Jesus a while and finding out.
Day 686
THE SEPARATION
Gregg Matte, Pastor at Houston's first Baptist Church
1 Corinthians 15:17-19
IN WORD
In 2007, I went on a mission trip to India with our church. What an amazing place! I hope to go back someday. While I was in New Delhi, I had the opportunity to put my tourist hat on and strap a camera around my neck for a day. Recently reading a book about Gandhi, I was interested to see the place where he lived and was also killed. The morning was misty and cool and the Birla House was free of lines so we could really take it in. Close to the place where Gandhi was shot was a large painting that was a little hard to understand. As I looked closer and read the title it became clear. It was a painting of Buddha, Gandhi and Jesus entitled "Three Great Men." As we walked away, I said to the fellow members of our church, "But, only one of those men is still alive."
The resurrection is a point of separation. The grave from life, Jesus from any other human in history, the way of all man from the journey of the God man, and Christianity from any other religion. Jesus is alive. No other religion has an Easter!
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Cor 15:17-19
Pitied and pointless in faith are we if the tomb is not empty. By contrast, if the tomb is empty and Christ is alive then everything changes. The separation of Jesus' death and new life can separate me from my sin. Truth can replace lie as life replaces death. There are and will be many great men in the world's eyes, but only those who have trusted in Christ will rise again to heaven. He is alive and if you know Him, you are too.
IN DEED
--Notice today places of separation (e.g., divided highways, land from sky, etc.) and let it illustrate for you the separation of your old life from your new life.
--How would your life be pointless if Christ died and never rose?
--Now think, how does His resurrection give you purpose?
--What is one thing you can do today to live with greater purpose because of Easter?
Day 685
BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD
Jerrel Altic, Minister of Connection & Community at Houston's First Baptist Church
John 1:1-29
IN WORD
The Prayer, Missions & Connection Center At Houston's First Baptist Church was relocated and expanded in 2005. During the dedication service of the Center, we hung a piece of art directly inside the offices that states: Jehovah Jireh--God will provide (Genesis 22:8). This has been a constant reminder as hundreds of people have raised millions of dollars to go around the world on missionary endeavors. If God calls, then He will always provide. As we pause on this Holy Week looking back through the last week of Jesus' earthy ministry, let us be reminded today: He will provide.
John the Baptist might have said, "Behold your King," "Behold the Promised Messiah," "Behold the Son of God," or "Behold the Prophet--no we shall be taught the way of God, the perfect law of the Kingdom." But this would not have expressed the true genius of the Scriptures. The Spirit of God could not put on the lips of this last prophet any other words than this: "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin on the world." (John 1:29).
It was for this that the only begotten of the Father had come. He had come to redeem. In the opening of our Lord's matchless ministry so benevolent for the broken hearts and diseased leprous bodies, so blessed for the oppressed groaning under Satan's heel, so wonderful for the poor, the blind, the lame, Jesus' great forerunner John the Baptist could not have heralded the appearing of the world's only Hope in any other terms save those of redemption--Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.
John the Baptist, standing at the close of the Old Testament dispensation and at the same time ushering in the New, speaks the Bible's most significant word, the word in which the Book find its unity, and the world its hope of redemption. It comes at last as an answer to Isaac's anxious query (Genesis 22), "Gather, the fire and wood are here but where it the lamb for the burnt offering?" Jesus said that Abraham saw His day and rejoiced. This is the Day to which he referred when seeing the Messianic Hope in the light of the Holy Spirit's inspiration, he confidently replied, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering."
In our best of days and darkest of days let's remember that He will provide. Not according to our will but His will...
IN DEED
--What/who are you putting your hope for provision in outside of God?
--Where does it appear in your life that provision is running short?
--What is God saying to you and what are you going to do about it?
Day 684
JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE
Jason Swiggart, Ministries Pastor at Houston's First Baptist Church
IN WORD
Last Fall, I had the incredible privilege of traveling with a group from HFBC to the Holy Land-to walk where Jesus walked. It was truly amazing to see the places where our Savior lived, ministered, was crucified and resurrected! The Bible truly came alive!
One of the most impactful experiences was standing on the southern steps of Temple Mount-the steps that Jesus would have walked up and down as He entered and exited the Temple. At the top of these steps, just inside the Temple Mount is the setting for today's scripture.
The Temple Mount was made up of several "courts" that made it "sacredly graduated," with each area becoming increasingly sacred. The first court was the Court of the Gentiles. Anyone could enter this court-Jew or Gentile, man or woman. Next was the Court of Women, the Court of Israelites, and finally the Court of the Priests. The Court that Jesus cleaned in today's passage is the Court of the Gentiles. Why is it significant that this was the Court that Jesus cleansed?
The Court of the Gentiles was the only part of the temple in which the Gentiles could worship God and gather for prayer. The pilgrims coming to worship were being exploited by the vendors and moneychangers as they purchased animals for sacrifices and exchanged currency for the annual temple tax.
The Jewish leaders had turned the Court of the Gentiles from being a place of worship, into a smelly, dirty marketplace. The pilgrim, seeking the diving presence, finds himself in the middle of a noisy uproar, where the goal of the sellers is to get as high a price possible and instigate conflict and chaos among those coming to worship. The Gentiles were the ones most open to Jesus as the Messiah, yet the most exploited, distracted and disdained.
This is what moved Jesus to such a drastic action. The Jewish leaders were robbing the people financially, but also robbing the temple of its sanctity, and God of His worship.
IN DEED
--As you go through your day today, are your actions or attitudes keeping those most open to Jesus from knowing him and worshipping Him?
--Are you confusing religion-doing all the "right" things and looking the "right" way-with a true relationship with Jesus?
--Just as the Jewish leaders brought desecration to God's Holy place, have you lost the sense of God's presence and holiness in your life?
Day 683
A CROWN OR A CROSS?
David Self, Executive Pastor Houston's First Baptist Church
IN WORD
Messianic fever ran hight in the first century Palestine. The burden of an occupying army was heavy and the desire to live free was rampant. When news spread that the Rabbi from Galilee was actually going to enter Jerusalem during the Passover season, many Jews thought that the time to overthrow Rome had arrived! Jesus of Nazareth had demonstrated his ability to feed an army, heal its wounded and even raise the dead back to life-what a general he would be! The Jewish army would be unstoppable.
However, the palm-waving crowd shouting "Hosanna" is a classic example of trying to accept Jesus on our terms rather than His. Hadn't He declared that followship required a cross, not a crown? Didn't he enter Jerusalem on a peaceful donkey rather than a war horse? Wasn't He called the Prince of Peace? Yet, His terms were largely ignored by the crowd who wanted to mold Jesus into their image rather than being conformed to His. During a festival in which as many as a quarter of a million lambs were to be sacrificed in the Jewish temple, Jesus was offering Himself as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29)not as a conquering general.
So, why did Jesus enter Jerusalem in such a grand way? Why didn't He just covertly slip into the city at night?
1) His entrance was the fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The time for stealth was past. He wanted everyone to know that He was the promised Messiah.
2) His transportation was miraculous. Try riding on a colt upon which no one has ever riden (Mark 11:2). Just as Jesus brought peace to storms and demoniacs, He demonstrated power over this untrained donkey.
3) His timing was intentional. Once census recorded over two and a half million pilgrims in Jerusalem at Passover. His sacrifice was not to be hidden on a dark page of history.
4) His courage was unquestioned. By far, the majority of Jesus' life was spent in Galilee. However, even there, enemies from the religious center of Jerusalem plotted to kill him, but reframed due to the overwhelming support of the people around Him. Now however, He entered the very heart of the opposition.
5) His power was evident. Jesus was no unwitting victim of circumstances. He wan in command of His disciples (v. 2), the colt (v. 7) and ultimately the crowd (v. 11). No revolt broke out that day. No blood was shed by Roman swords. Though the crowd tried to use Jesus for its own purpose, He stayed on the straight path of His Divinely ordained mission.
IN DEED
How are we guilty of trying to use Jesus for our purposes? Do we sometimes commit rash acts and expect Him to bail us out? Are we guilty of living according to our desires six days, and then figuratively waving palm branches on Sunday? Do we proclaim Him Lord and then five days later say "Crucify Him"?
Purpose now in your heart to allow Easter to unfold according to His design/ pray that God will steer your heart toward deep spiritual truth this week. Rather than clothes shopping and Sunday lunch plans, focus on the cross and the empty tomb.
Palm Sunday 3/28
Day 682
Today (3/27) we went to a memorial for a family member. The kids favorite play with them cousin was there. This is Bobby with Caleb. The kids tortured poor Bobby for about an hour.
Sat 3/27
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