Finished Statement

FINISHED STATEMENT

John 1:14:  “‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

             Ellipses … allow statements to finish many different ways.  The Father began the statement, “I AM Who I AM” in Exodus 3:14-15.  I Am, “The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.”  Moses was told to say that to explain why he was chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

            Apostle John records Jesus’ finishing the Father’s ellipses I am statement many ways.

            At the Passover Feast in John 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.  He said, “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, and your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet.”

            “I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).  John 14:20 says, “On that day [Jesus’ ascension], you will realize that I am in the Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” 

            John 15 teaches productivity in verses 1-2, then 4-6 contrasts that to non-productive people:  “I am the vine, and My Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while very branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that is will be even more fruitful.”

            “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

             

            John 6:35 teaches sustenance.  “I am the bread of Life.  He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.  But many scoffed when He said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (Verse 38).

            Verse 51 got weird, and many left Jesus on the spot.  (Believers understand this to be Holy Communion truth): “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

           

Take Home Nugget

            So…Are you a Jacob, who operates on human strength…or are you a John, who rests in Jesus’ finished I AM statements?

Holy Father, make me a John!

This devotion is adapted from The Great I AM from 2015 Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Wilson (Cowlitz).  December 11, 2015. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Expectations

EXPECTATIONS

Luke 1:38:  “‘I am the Lord’s servant.’ Mary answered.  ‘May it be to me as you have said.’  Then the angel left her.”

             

              God’s angel Gabriel just blew Mary’s mind.  What he told her was simply too wondrous.  She never even heard of angel encounters before.  “Weird” is how she’d probably describe his first words:  “Greetings you, who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.”

             

            Why not, “Hi!” or ”Hello, Mary!”  For sure, this was going to be a weird conversation.  After Gabriel broke his news: 1) You’re going to be with child, 2) a son, 3) name Him Jesus, 4) he will be great, 5) son of the Most High, 6) given the throne of David, 7) reign over Jacob forever, 8) never-ending kingdom. … Mary’s only question was, “How can this be?”

           

            Well…let’s just go with Gabriel’s “Nothing is impossible with God.” 

            Mary’s simple reply, “May it be to me as you have said,” confounds us. 

            Humans are rarely that trusting.  We demand explanations.  Proof.  Maybe Mary was in shock.  Wouldn’t you be after angel visitation?  But no.  Mary calmly acknowledged her position (servant of the Lord), and that she’s okay with whatever God plans for her.   Anyone would have lots of expectations after hearing Gabriel’s news.

            Even we (whom angels don’t often visit), have lots of expectations.  God Himself says “I know the plans I have for you” in Jeremiah 29:11.  Matthew 1:23 says, “they shall call Him ‘Immanuel,’ that means ‘God with us.’"  Perhaps, although we cannot see our future in detail—like Mary—we can accept that sovereign Lord of the universe is in charge?  Maybe we can say, “May it be to me as You say, Lord!”

            We can empathize [EM-pa-thiz] meaning identify with Mary.  After getting a glowing appraisal from a parent, teacher or boss, we know what’s expected from us…and all that is possible stemming from such endorsement. 

            And we’re humbled.  So when we willingly agree to be God’s servant, it is simple to admit, “May it be to me as You say, Lord.”  Suddenly, all the pressure is off us.  Our heavenly Father accepts the responsibility to fulfill our expectations—in His time.     

            Mary’s pretty smart!  Check out the lesson linked below to see other expectations.

Take Home Nugget

            Jesus is with us (Immanuel) while we wait expectantly.  Mary didn’t need to know the details, and neither do we.  When did we become sassy kids who demand things done our way on our timetable?  Isn’t “God with us” the best guarantee? 

            When Gabriel said, “Nothing is impossible with God,” that was good enough for Mary.

            Is that good enough for you?

Let us speak trust in God believing in our hearts that He will do as He said.

This devotion is adapted from A Season of Expectations from 2015 Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Santos (Tohono O’odham).  December 12, 2015. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Where is He Who is Born as King?

WHERE IS HE WHO IS BORN KING?

Matthew 2:2:  “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? ...”

            So calm.  So matter-of-fact.  So, how come you don’t already know?  Wouldn’t you have loved being present when the Magi faced King Herod when announcing their mission coming to Jerusalem—and then watch him freak out?  Scholars often get caught up in their own world.  People in the “real world” aren’t even a blip on a scholar’s radar.    

            With their languages being light-years apart, it’s a wonder that these two worlds can even communicate.  But King Herod heard “king of the Jews” loudly and clearly.  He knew that they weren’t talking about him! 

            How come Herod’s scribes and chief priests, whose whole existence is Scripture-immersed, didn’t give Herod a “heads-up” warning?  Can you imagine Herod’s bulging neck veins when he confronted them and they admitted, “Yeah, Bethlehem, in Judah, what’s the big deal?”

            Maybe they read Micah 5:2 to Herod, “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be shepherd of My people Israel.” 

            The years preceding Jesus were a dark time for Israel.  And before God’s light would shine into their world, it would get even darker.  If Israel thought they suffered under Roman oppression, they hadn’t seen anything yet. 

            Herod’s fury would not quench until every child two years and under was killed.  He ordered hundreds killed just to blot out that one baby who is born to unseat him as king.  He groped around the darkness of his self-made prison, lashing out at every imagined threat. 

            How their question haunted Herod!  “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”

            Many people today exist this way.  Whatever or whomever is their god, shines no light into their dark world.  Where is He who is born King in their lives?  Who, and where is their Lord?  We might ask ourselves that same question when we’re down and out. 

            Who can predict where God’s Spirit leads?  Who understands the depth of love our Heavenly Father has for His children?  Have we yet reached the point that apostle Paul bewailed in Romans 7:24, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

Take Home Nugget

            Only Jesus can.  Only He got a new star as a heavenly birth announcement.  Only He got a chorus of angelic hosts worshipping His birth.  Only He humbled Himself to come as a man.  Only He suffered and died for human sin.  Only He is the One who was born to be King. 

             

Be King of my life, Jesus.  You were born to be my Lord, King Jesus!

This devotion is adapted from We Saw His Star from 2015 Advent Devotions. Lutheran Indian Ministries. Sternbeck.  December 24, 2015. Wisconsin. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Perfect Powerful Prayer Pattern

PERFECT POWERFUL PRAYER PATTERN

Sixth of six devotions in Let’s Talk series

Colossians 1:9-14

Colossians 1:9:  “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

            Let’s Chat series of devotions winds up with what I think is the most powerful prayer we can offer anyone who asks, “Will you please pray for me?” They don’t always say why they’re troubled; we don’t always ask for specifics.  Mostly, it’s just too hard to pry into another’s heartache.  We never want to be intrusive. 

            If someone should ask you, “How can I pray for you?” would you have an answer?  This series intended to from angles from which you seize control over prayer.  What’s left to learn about prayer?  Readers ought to have lifted up their own prayer asking our Father, “What prayer role would You have me fill?”

            Effective and powerful prayer is deliberate.  Good intentions can’t match knowing specific tools to use fulfilling God’s commands.  While the Bible includes several effective prayer patterns, Paul’s epistle to fellow believers in Colossae is my favorite.

 

            The opening Scripture sets the stage.  Day by day, God fills us with knowledge of His will as we grow spiritually wise.  We understand what pleases God and deliver fruit of good works.  “What God brings you to, He’ll bring you through” confirms strengthening us with His glorious might. 

            God’s power, not ours.

            We endure patiently and joyfully lift up thanks and praise to God throughout our day.  Why?  Because we qualify to share in the inheritance with other saints in the kingdom of light. 

             

            Apostle Paul was on a roll, and we can benefit from this advice.  This prayer pattern addresses every possible human condition.  Healing, provision, and peace is our inheritance.  God rescued us from kingdom of darkness (eternal death).  We are with Christ in the kingdom of light (eternal life). 

            Believers are loved, redeemed and forgiven.  And now, we can copy a perfect, powerful prayer pattern to use for anyone in any situation.  God’s Spirit empowers us to pray powerfully. 

Take Home Nugget

            Believers can pray Colossians 1:9-14 for ourselves, too.  When the life of a believer looks impossible, chaotic or disastrous from the outside, people are attracted to our inner peace.  Because we trust the Lord is working in and through our lives, we display His peace and holiness on the world’s stage. 

“Will you pray for me?”

Is what Believers often hear,

“Of course” is what we say

To those who are so dear.

We need not be dismayed

Should some ask for prayer.

“I got this!” Everything’s okay.

God Spirit is who we share.

This devotion is adapted from A Pattern of Powerful Prayer from In Touch magazine.  Dr. Charles Stanley.  May 7, 2014. Georgia. 

       

J.D. Griffith

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Soul Food (Corrected from original)

SOUL FOOD

Fifth of six devotions in Let’s Talk series

Genesis 28:11:  “When he [Jacob] reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set.  Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.”

            Like food feeds the body, prayer feeds the soul.  People are accustomed to eating three meals of food a day; perhaps we can squeeze in three meals of prayer a day?  It’s simple to remember: Grace before food, “Grace” is prayer-food time. 

            Shacharit for morning, mincha for afternoon prayer, and ma’ariv for evening are Jewish names for daytime prayers.  Jewish teaching shows that each one of the Christian patriarchs inspire a specific time of day for prayer. 

            Abraham’s prayer wakes up the morning in Genesis 19:27.  “Early the next morning Abraham got up and went to the place where he stood before the Lord.”  Morning times are bright and sunny (shining).  We thank our Father for the hope He provides with this new day.  We can agree to rejoice and be glad in this new day (when everything is good; and especially when things are bad). 

            Abraham brings shacharit breakfast hope and joy.

           

            Isaac inspires afternoon prayer.  “He [Isaac] went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.” Genesis 24:63.  Afternoons are busiest.  However, Isaac offers inner strength to our days.  He purposely disconnects from busy and spends private time with the Father.  He reminds us that we’re never too busy to NOT spend time before our Lord in prayer.

            Isaac delivers our bagged mincha “lunchtime to go” of breakaway time with the Father.       

            The opening Scripture passage shows Jacob’s accidental-on-purpose   divinely-inspired place to sleep.  He “just happened” to stop at the holy site of Mount Mariah as darkness fell.  A hidden meaning suggests that Jacob endured the most hardship, gravity and uncertainty in life.  After bribing twin brother Esau out of his birthright for food, Jacob later tricked his father into giving him Esau’s blessing.  Sow-Reap: Jacob hadn’t heard from a prophet of God because his life was spent grieving after being deceived of the death of his favorite son Joseph. (Genesis 37:3-35).

            Jacob teaches us to pray during the darkest time of the day.  But dinner time is also restful time that is labelled ma’ariv.  We praise the Father for seeing us safely through our day.           

Take Home Nugget

            Certainly, God wants to hear from His kids anytime.  It is people who carve out the tiniest sliver of time dedicated only for Him.  Altogether, our Judeo-Christian faith was shaped by these patriarchs.  Perhaps they could inspire us to pray more often?

Patriarchs teach prayer time throughout each day.

This devotion is adapted from Food for the Soul from “Holy Land Moments Daily”  Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  November 19, 2015.

J.D. Griffith

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R U In?

R U IN?

Fourth of six devotions in Let’s Talk series

1 Timothy 2:5,6, and 8:  “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given at the proper time. …I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”

           

            Interceding Believers devotion showed Jesus’ job in Heaven is to intercede for Believers.  Of ALL the things to do in the universe, interceding for Believers is Jesus’ prayer assignment.  Aren’t you relieved that Jesus is devoted to that job on your behalf?

            He is looking for boy and girl partners to intercede on behalf of family and friends in prayer.    

            R U In?

            This partnership offer ought to thrill Believers to the max.  If not, consider the following: Cassie and Jeremy are twelve years old now, promoted to middle school. 

            Twelve year old girls and boys are no longer equal in physical strength and endurance.  But having been friends since—forever—they cling to those friendships growing up.  Instead of playing together at recess, their interaction is limited to classrooms and passing each other in the halls.

            Cassie and Jeremy share biology class.  Meeting in a laboratory, the kids don safety goggles and get busy.  Today, bugs are studied through a microscope. 

            Ms. Lester advised, “Cassie, keep both eyes open and look through the eye piece.  Study the cricket through the magnifying glass. You may use the forceps for closer inspection.  Count and identify body parts.”  Cassie stared through the eye piece hearing, “Memorize what you see, then draw what you remember on the paper at your desks.  I’ll be right back, class.  No horsing around!”

            Hearing the door close, Scotty shoved Cassie away.  “My turn!” 

            Lasiandra asked Jeremy, lining up behind him to view a beetle at a

second station, “Are you and Cassie ‘an item?’”

Take Home Nugget

            Every day, believers are left “in the Earth” trying to avoid becoming “of the Earth.”  Clearly Cassie was bulled out of the way.  Obviously, Lasiandra wants Jeremy to like her.

            Everyone encounters similar events in our daily lives.  They barely register to us that they’re potential intercessory prayer opportunities.  Can you see how broken this Earth has become with sin’s influence seeping into everyone and everything? 

            Can you agree to partner with Jesus interceding for others to the Father?

            Complete the lesson below for an important warning on intercessory prayer, and why this ministry is vital for people’s’ welfare.

Because You take Intercessory prayer this seriously, Lord, I AM IN after learning that You “want all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

This devotion is adapted from “We Must Intercede for Others” from

Word of the Week.  Rev. Toni Randolph. November 7, 2015.       

             

J.D. Griffith

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Interceding Believers

INTECEDING BELIEVERS

Third of six devotions in Let’s Talk series

1 Timothy 2:1-2:  “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

           

            Enteuxus is a Greek noun that means intercession [in-ter-SESH-on].  That Greek word for Intercession means “meeting with.”  Intercession is simply praying on behalf of others. 

            Personally, Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede in every prayer you lift up to God.  Believers are on the receiving end of God who is meeting with Himself on our behalf.  Three persons of God are one.

            The triune God meets with us—our hearts—pleading for our good.  Using appropriate worship (Jesus), groaning what words cannot utter (Holy Spirit), reverent believers’ prayers have the Father’s full attention. 

            Prayer is a very big deal!  We should pray more often.

            God created us in his own image for this very purpose.  (Genesis 1:26-27).  He doesn’t enjoy being ignored.  Prayer is such a big deal because it’s how we sit on God’s lap and chat.  We all know that people love to talk to one another.  Let’s not exclude our loving Father in heaven from our conversations, our very lives.

            And now, we learn that we can give back the help we automatically get from God whenever we pray.  Instead of remaining on the receiving end of God’s meeting with us for our benefit, we’re asked to perform that same service to others.  

            Isn’t interceding for others in prayer an awesome privilege?  Can you see how the Father enjoys sharing kingdom privileges with His kids?  Earthly dad’s love to shower privileges upon his kids.  Dad learned that from our heavenly Father.

            Jesus is the best intercessor.  Isaiah 53:12 predicts, “There I will give Him a portion of the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered among the transgressors.  For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

            Hanging between two thieves on the cross in Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  Soldiers mocked him, and were at the feet of the cross gambling for his robe.  Jesus offers us forgiveness of sins when we believe in Him as Lord. 

            Check out the lesson linked below as proof of Jesus’ intercessory job. 

           

Take Home Nugget

            Matching the colors above, you see how Jesus certainly fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.  Jesus’ intercedes for us every time we pray.  Don’t we feel obligated to help others like this?

Our job is to intercede for others, because the Godhead meets to intercede for us!

           

This devotion is adapted from “We Must Intercede for Others” from

Word of the Week.  Rev. Toni Randolph. November 7, 2015.       

J.D. Griffith

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