Day 9 – Forty Days in the Word

Mark 3:1-6

“And He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there with a withered hand.” (verse 1)

I am picturing a synagogue – the gathering place of faithful Jews who are apart from the temple in Jerusalem. It is a local expression of the Hebrew faith, with readings from the Torah, Sabbath worship, teaching and social interaction. The local church in the New Testament era resembled the synagogue in many ways. So Jesus enters again – returns to this weekly gathering. A man is present with a disability. He has a hand that is “withered.”

“And they were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, in order that they might accuse Him.”  (Verse 2) Jesus is clearly facing a crowd of people in which several are hostile to him, just waiting to accuse him. What a difficult place to be, where those gathered are not seeking a closer walk with God, nor listening for a word of hope, but are ready to pounce on the one who brings (and is) the Word of God.

“And He said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Rise and come forward!’” (Verse 3) Jesus calls upon the man with the disability. Did he like being singled out? Jesus is clearly heading down a path that will lead to conflict. Whether he does or does not heal this man, he has proceeded right to the center of the issue at hand.

“And He said to them, ‘Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?”  (Verse 4) Jesus always asked good questions. As a disciple of His, I need to be framing good questions to ask the community, including those are hostile, those who are neutral, and those who are supportive. When facing hostility, the normal reaction is to build one’s own case, and to become defensive. Jesus provides an example here of being confident in who He is and what he does. This question is the turning point.

“And after looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” (Verse 5) I am picturing what it would have been like to be present and to witness Jesus expressing anger in the way he looked at people. He is typically not portrayed with anger in His eyes. I can just imagine what this was like!

“And the Pharisees went out and immediately began taking counsel with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.” This points to the beginning of the religious leaders’ intentional plot to eliminate Jesus. They were stuck in the past, upholding the law. They could not see what God was doing in the present.

May I always be open to what God is doing now, and carefully guard against any internal resistance to what God is beginning to do through someone else, even if they do not have the proper credentials!!!!

Guide me today, most holy Lord in all I say, do, think, plan and with all the people with whom I come into contact.

Day 8 - Forty days in the Word

Mark 1, especially verses 40-45

Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, and a voice “came out of the heavens: ‘you are my beloved Son, in you I am well-pleased.” The Spirit then impelled Him to go out into the wilderness, where he was tempted for 40 days. John was arrested, and Jesus “came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

The rest of the first chapter of Mark describes the ministry of Jesus, including His calling the first disciples, casting out demons, healing Peter’s mother-in-law. Verses 40 – 45 describe His healing of a leper. Using the “picture it” method of devotional Bible Study I will put myself into this story.

“A leper came to Him”   This man who had been certified with a contagious and often fatal skin disease had heard about the healing power of Jesus, and took initiative to come to Jesus. As a leper, he was unclean, and anyone who touched him would become unclean. He took a huge risk, of being rejected, sent away, etc. We do not know how long he had been a leper, but he started out healthy like most people. I have come down with a cold these last few days, and I know I am contagious, and my sneezing and runny nose are a nuisance. Having a cold is nothing compared to leprosy. If there were a remedy for the common cold, I would go there.

The leper fell down before Jesus – he recognized the power and the authority in the person of Jesus

“If You are willing, You can make me clean.” The leper believed in what Jesus could do, and appealed to his generosity.

“And moved with compassion” Jesus was motivated, moved, with compassion – the sense of feeling another’s pain and struggle that motivates a desire to help. I am picturing the compassion of Jesus, not only toward this leper, but toward all people, even toward me, with this cold. I desire to grow in my own capacity to be moved with compassion (and always to avoid compassion fatigue.)

“I am willing, be cleansed.” Jesus states His willingness to heal, and then speaks the healing. This is a clear picture of the ministry of the savior, face to face with suffering, filled with compassion, speaking the words “be cleansed”.

There is more to this story, and I can picture it but have come to the end of my time for journaling. It is now on to the office for a day of pastoral servant leadership and ministry. Guide me holy Lord today as I follow you, filled with compassion. 

Day 7 – Forty Days in the Word

Philippians 4:14-23, especially the verse for this day:

“My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

The apostle Paul has affirmed in verse 13 that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him, and then he continues: “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” The participation of the Philippian believers in supporting the apostle was God’s way of supplying his needs. Paul observes that in supporting the work of Christ, the church and the individuals benefit through what is given. Paul describes this benefit in verse 17 “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”

I will apply the “Pronounce it” method of devotional Bible Study to verse 19:

My God – Paul personalizes his relationship with God. He does not say “the God of my fathers”, or “the higher power”, or the “god of the universe” but he claims his position in Christ and with Christ affirms his personal relationship to God.

Will – future tense helping verb

Meet – supply, match, provide

All – not just some, not most, but all

Your needs – not your wants, not your excesses, but your needs, what you truly require. I have discovered that people who find themselves in tight places realize that their needs are so different that what they thought they were when everything was plenteous and there was abundance.

According to – based upon, in direct relationship with

His glorious riches – the resources of God are available for God to use in meeting my needs. The Almighty owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). God is not limited by lack of resources.

In Christ Jesus – God is one, and the Son of God rules heaven and earth! The riches of God in Christ Jesus are abundant, tangible and real.

This verse reminds me that as I pursue the will of God, from the riches in Christ Jesus all of my needs will be provided. This gives me hope, guards me from worry, positions me with joy, and confirms that as I step forward in faith, God will provide what is needed.

Thank you most holy Lord for this promise, for this reality, for this insight from the life of your servant Paul. Thank you for your servant George Mueller who trusted you completely in his care for orphans in England. May it be borne out in the life of your servant Bruce Baxter today and everyday.

Day 6 - Forty Days in the Word

I am up early (3:30 am) on the first day of March. There is a lot to think about with the winter storm approaching and its impact on Sunday worship and also the Board of Ordained Ministry interviews in Columbia on Monday and Tuesday. For my devotions this morning I will continue to follow Rick Warren's suggestions in his workbook for Forty Days in the Word. Today is day 6.

 

Philippians 4:8-13

Things to think about: whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, anything excellent and anything worthy of praise (verse 8). This is a great verse, with exceptional power to impact the thought-life of the Christ-follower.

Especially verse 13 “I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.

Using the “pronounce it” method of Bible meditation:

I – Bruce Baxter

Can – it is possible

Do – action, not spectator, not watch, but do!

All – inclusive, total, lacking nothing

Things – everything, not imaginary but real

Through – not on my own

Him (Christ) – the key, the Way, the Truth, the Life

Who – not me

Strengthens – makes stronger, provides muscle, insures energy, fortitude, gumption

Me – Bruce Baxter

Given all that lies ahead, I need to be strengthened through Christ as I am in Christ seeking to do the will of God, build the kingdom of God, serve the purposes of God, plant the seeds of God, reap the harvest of God, prepare for eternity with God.

Today, Saturday March 1 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

 

Psalm 44:1-26 (One Year Bible for March 1)

This Psalm is attributed to “the sons of Korah”. It reflects upon the work God did in the “days of old” driving out the nations. “For by their own sword  they did not possess the land; and their own arm did not save them; but Thy right hand, and Thine arm, and the light of Thy presence, for Thou didst favor them.” (Psalm 44:3 NASB)

This understanding of God’s role in the time of Joshua and the conquest of the promised land fits well with the verse from Philippians “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  The Psalmist continues “You are my King, O God; … for I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. But You have saved us from our adversaries, … in God we have boasted all day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever.”   Yes!!!! It is in the strength of God, in the power of God flowing through obedient servants that great things are done. Sometimes this is the occupying of the Promised Land, sometimes this is standing up to evil even to the death (like Bonhoeffer). I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and though some trust in chariots, and some in horses, I will remember the name of the Lord my God!!!

Guide me today, most Holy One who strengthens me. In every conversation, every decision, every initiative, I am yours. It is not through my sword, or my computer or my phone, but your power that will accomplish your purposes through my life today. Bless the conversation over coffee this morning, and all that flows through this first day of March, in the face of a strong winter storm approaching tomorrow in the Ozarks.

 

 

Day 5 - Forty Days in the Word

Philippians 3:17- 4:7 including the verse for the day:
 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Paul reiterates in Chapter 4 his encouragement to “stand firm in the Lord…rejoice in the Lord always…let your forbearing spirit be known to all men…

Using the “pronounce it” technique of Rick Warren’s devotional Bible study method, I will take verse 6 bit by bit:

Do not be anxious  I just took my blood pressure, (a somewhat regular practice recommended by my doctor) and it is in the acceptable range. As I prepare to push the start button on the device, I take 10 slow, deep breaths so that I am “not anxious” as the cuff tightens around my arm and measures my blood pressure. It is a discipline for me to “not be anxious” and I will practice it today in every situation.

About anything This covers everything! I will not be anxious about my health, my job, my marriage, my adult children, the weather, my neighbors, the future, my cars, my finances, my next meal, …anything.

 

But in everything  See above list.

By prayer and petition Talking to God, making my requests known, spelling out everything that has the possibility of making me anxious.

With thanksgiving  The antidote to anxiety seems to be thanksgiving. Don’t worry, be thankful.

Present your requests This describes a formal presentation, an action with intentionality involving my personal requests.

To God Sitting here in my family room in the quiet of this Friday morning, it is important for me to remember and acknowledge that my prayer is a presentation to the creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of the Universe, the eternal all powerful, all knowing, ever present God. Wow!!!

Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. I will endeavor to be anxious for nothing but in everything give thanks to You and present my requests before your throne. Today I rejoice and forbear.

Day 4 - Forty Days in the Word

Last night our Wednesday night Life Group Experience met in the gym. We had 35 adults seated around 5 tables, plus about 8 tables of youth who viewed the Rick Warren video together. During these 40 days, he is teaching 6 aspects of the “devotional” Bible study method. He is teaching and encouraging a personal devotional time. My day is shaped around my morning hour of scripture, prayer, reflection and application of God’s word.

Philippians 3:1-16

Paul has written this letter to the church at Philippi, and sent it to them with one of their members who has been travelling with him, Epaphroditus (2:25). He begins chapter 3 with “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” He reviews how it is that he puts no trust in the flesh (unlike the false teachers, the judiazers who insist that Christians must follow all Jewish teachings in order to please God.) He reminds the Philippians that if anyone could put trust in the flesh, he could do so, born a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day, a Pharisee, zealously persecuting the church…

 

Paul summarizes that he “count(s) all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” He want s to “know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” He affirms that he has not already obtained this or become perfect – which leads to the verse for today:

“I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”

 

I, Bruce Baxter, also press on – day by day moving forward. I am not going to coast, I am not preparing for a life of ease in retirement, I am pressing on – pushing forward against the pressures of the day, against the enemy of God who tries to hold me back. I press on, fighting undertows that would suck me down. I press on against the storms of life that are raging, against unexpected waves that  almost knock me down. I press on, into an uncertain future within the certainty of God’s redeeming love. I press on, even as the light of God’s word illumines only the next step. I press on, leading the way for others who are pressing on. I strive forward, keeping my eyes on Christ, who for the glory set before Him endured the Cross, despising its shame and is seated at the right hand of God. I press on, as the arrows of the enemy wound and the wounds from friends slow me down. I press on to the glorious salvation in Jesus Christ!!!

 

Guide me today, most holy Lord as one who is pressing on!!!!

 

Day 3 - Forty Days in the Word

On this cold February morning I turn to Day Three in the “40 Days in the Word” workbook for the scripture that will be my meditation throughout the day. The instructions are to read the book of Philippians this week, without a suggested reading guide, other than the single verses for each day. So I choose to read chapter 2, verses 1-18 as I focus on verse 13.

Philippians 2:1-18, especially 2:13 “for God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

For God  - I must consciously remember everyday that the unseen God is a reality.

Is working in you  - In the unseen reality, there is the power and presence of God working in me, Bruce Baxter to accomplish His purposes in this brief, earthly life. God is working in me – wow!

Giving you the desire – God is giving to me the desire – the longing – the orientation. As one surrendered to Christ the desires that emerge within me are from God. David stated in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” God will create in the heart of those who delight themselves in God the actual desires. As a Christ-follower, I pay attention to the inner leanings, recognizing that they very likely come from God, and discerning which inner desires come from the flesh, the “old man” the evil one.

And the power – God gives the power, the ability, the natural and supernatural force to accomplish the holy desires. David against Goliath, Moses at the parting of the sea, Jesus on the cross, Peter on Pentecost, and Bruce Baxter in 2014.

To do what pleases Him – The ultimate goal in my life – to do what pleases God. With every breath I take, every plan I make, every person I speak with, every sermon I preach, every activity – my desire is to please God.

 

It is so refreshing this morning to remember that God is working in me, giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases God! It is important for me to remember that God is the source of my desire to please Him, and the source of my power. On this 26^th day of February, 2014 work in me, Holy One, giving me the desire and the power to do what pleases You as I pastor the Wesley United Methodist Church in Springfield Missouri.