Category: HEAR Journal

I’m Like the Soldiers, and That’s not Good

pastortravislv

H – Highlight

Mark 15:19-20 – 19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

E – Explain

This scene is familiar. Soldiers are brutalizing Jesus before he is led out for the crucifixion.

A – Apply

The reason this has my attention this morning is that I find myself asking the question, “Why?” Why would the soldiers do this? And the answer is plain but frightening. The soldiers did this because this is precisely what all of us, left to ourselves, would desire to do. Perhaps not all humanity wants to brutalize other people in general. But all of humanity, left to ourselves, would long to attack, mock, and destroy God. WE do not want to be under his authority in our natural state. We want to be our own masters. So, this passage shows us humanity at our roots. Without grace, we are God-haters who would kill the Lord if we had the chance.

R – Response

This teaches me to love the Lord more. I would have been one of these people did he not change me by his grace and for his glory. It reminds me that my ideas and designs are not those of the Lord. It reminds me that I all too easily turn against the Lord when I want to get my way. So, my proper response is love and obedience to the Lord, submission and worship of my Maker.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I see in this passage my very own sinful nature. I am humbled. I pray that you not let me lose sight of who I would be without you. I also pray that you will help me no longer to fight you but to always worship and obey you.

Remembering the Power of God – A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

H – Highlight

Psalm 114:7

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,

E – Explain

Psalm 114 is an 8-verse song of the glorious power of god. The poet cites the miracles of God as he led Israel up out of Egypt. We see in this song, in personification, the Red Sea and the Jordan drawing back and the mountains running and hiding.

In the verse I highlighted above, we see the point. The earth trembles at the presence of the Lord. God is so awesome that the earth, that all of creation, quakes in his presence.

A – Apply

I should be quick to celebrate the great miracles of God. He truly, physically parted the Red Sea, held back the waters of the Jordan, made the mountains smoke and quake, and brought water from the rocks in the desert. God is Almighty. In our modern age, we have a tendency not to think about the miracles of the Lord. We can, if we are not careful, relegate those accounts to the past and assume that the Lord is no longer involved in our affairs. But this is far from the truth.

R – Respond

Prayer: Lord, I remember your mighty acts in drawing Israel up out of Egypt, and I rejoice. I praise you for your glorious power. I remember that you move mountains, part waters, and do things that only you can do. And you are just as active in changing the world today as you were then. I pray that you will help me to truly, actively trust in your might and your world-changing power. Help me to remember that, even if I do not see you shake mountains as the people did in the exodus, you are still changing hearts, healing diseases, and shaping the world to accomplish your ultimate purposes.

Faith Alone – A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

Galatians 3:10-11 – 10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

E – Explain

Paul, in Galatians, is building a strong argument against those who would pervert the gospel by requiring obedience to Old Testament regulations for salvation. There were many who could not accept the notion of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. So Paul argues strongly to show that there is only one way of salvation.

The argument Paul builds here is interesting. If a person looks to law for salvation, in even the smallest part, that person is accountable to keep the entire law, perfectly, forever for salvation. This of course is beyond our abilities. Even were God willing to grant salvation to a person who fully obeyed the law, there is no such person who has ever lived other than Jesus who could keep such a holy requirement.

A – Application

This passage is not arguing for lawlessness. We can learn much about God’s standards for righteousness and God’s holy character in the law. What we must never do is think that any behavior of ours, any ceremony, any keeping of any ritual can add even an ounce of grace or righteousness to our lives. The just live by faith. Our righteousness comes through Christ alone, and we receive that righteousness from God as a gift through faith and faith alone.

R – Response

Worship is a right response here. Only God is so holy as to be able to stand in the face of his own law. It is a call to humility, as I know that I have often failed to keep the whole law. It is a call for faith in Christ, as I must understand that I cannot bring anything to my own salvation other than my sin. It calls me to be aware of the call to faith, and to even thank God for his grace. My choice to believe is not in itself a righteous act that earns me anything. My faith is a gift from God, a gracious saving move of the Creator. So I respond with gratitude, awe, thanksgiving. And I would hope that it leads me to hunger to honor the Lord who saves by grace alone.

Prayer: Lord, I am grateful to you, grateful beyond my ability to express, for salvation by grace alone through faith alone. I acknowledge here and now that I know that I could never add anything to my righteousness to earn salvation, regardless of how strongly I were to try to keep your law. Your law is perfect. Your ways are holy. I am a sinner. My only hope is the kindness you have shown in Jesus. Jesus fulfilled all righteousness. Jesus died and rose again. Jesus is my only salvation. My trust is in Christ and Christ alone.

Worship in Pain – A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

2 Samuel 12:19-20 – 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

E – Explain

In 2 Samuel 12, David had been praying and fasting, begging the Lord to spare the life of the son born to Bathsheba and him. Sadly, the child died. The Bible records for us that David, after the child’s death, returned to life. He washed, anointed himself, and put on different clothing. David went into the house of God and worshipped. Later, he would eat, breaking his fast.

A – Apply

In verse 20, the phrase that got my attention is, “And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.” David, in the middle of his return to life, took time to go before the Lord in worship. This tells me that worship is about something that is not commonly understood in our culture. Worship is not about a rich feeling of joy or bubbly happiness. Worship has to be about something else, or David would not have been able to worship in this setting. Yes, often worship is accompanied by feeling of great joy and soul satisfaction. But happiness is not at the core of what worship is. Emotional movement is not the point of worship.

What is worship about? Worship is about humility and truth. Worship is about subject of God bowing before their Sovereign as King. Worship is about us confessing the glorious attributes of God as truth. It is about us making sure that we see our place as servants of the Lord.

I am sure God comforted David. And I am sure that David felt joy at some point in his worship of God. But it is vital that we understand that worship is first and foremost about
God, about truth, and about our submission to his lordship. I cannot imagine a clearer passage to help us to see that. If worship were about stirring up an emotion as is commonly the strategy of modern worship leaders, then David could not have worshipped in his grief. But if worship is about truth and God’s glory, then David most certainly could do so.

R – Response

God wants us to know from this passage that worship is about something far greater than emotion. A right response includes changing my thinking about worship. It includes me remembering that biblical worship is about my humbling myself before the Lord.

A right response is also to worship, declaring God to be King and me to be his subject, regardless of how I feel on a given day.

Prayer: Lord, I worship you. You, O Lord, are my King and Master. I bow before you in submission. God, the universe and all it contains belongs to you. My life fully belongs to you. I declare that I have nothing that is mine. All that I have is yours, and I am but the steward of your possessions. I pray that you will help me to truly honor you as King.

Grace and Mission – A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

Galatians 1 :1516 – 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

E – Explain

Paul is in the midst of explaining his conversion to the Galatians. His purpose is so that they will see that is message, though perfectly in line with the teaching of the apostles in Jerusalem, did not come to him from them. Rather, Paul’s gospel message came directly from Christ.

In these two verses, I see 3 things that Paul says about the Lord and himself related to his conversion. First, God set Paul aside for salvation before he was born. This is a clear claim of predestination. Before Paul had ever been born, Paul’s final destination was set by the Lord.

Second, Paul says that the Lord called him by his grace. It is a kind thing that the Lord would call any person to himself. God set Paul aside before his birth, then, at the proper time, by his grace, God called Paul to himself and then into ministry.

Finally, Paul says that God did these things, revealing Jesus to him, in order that Paul might preach Christ among the gentiles. Paul has a mission, a purpose to carry out. And this is what he is doing even in the letter to the Galatians.

A – Apply

What is true of Paul in the three things is true of me, though not to an apostolic degree. My salvation is something God planned before time and predestined. My calling to Christ is a thing of grace. And my life is to be on mission for the Lord. I cannot say that I am called, like Paul, to travel as a missionary taking the gospel to new people groups in the same way that Paul did. But I must know that God intends me to proclaim Christ with a purpose.

R – Response

With predestination, I respond with gratitude and confidence. God did the work and graciously brought me to himself. And God graciously gives me a mission that he will see fulfilled. If God saved me by his grace and for his glory, I need not fear that he will fail in the mission he uses me to accomplish. These things must give me hope as I press on.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for Jesus. I thank you for setting me aside before my birth, for writing my name in the book of life before the foundation of the world. I thank you that my salvation is not a thing of my own making, but is wholly your doing from start to finish. I thank you for grace, for the favor that I could never deserve. And I thank you for my own mission. I know that you want me to proclaim your word to people who need to hear it for salvation and for growth. I pray that you will help me to better trust in you that you will accomplish your mission in all around me just as you were faithful to accomplish your perfect plan in me, a sinner. If you can save me, you can surely save others. If you can use me, then your grace is great indeed. And I pray that you will take my life and use it to your glory.

Humility Over Self-Confidence — A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

Mark 14:29-32 – 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

E – Explain

In the upper room at the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples that they would all fall away from him. Peter, with too much confidence in himself, declares that, no matter what, he will never fail Jesus in that way. The other disciples agree. And they are all wrong.

A – Application

It is easy to boast of a spiritual commitment in a time of seeming safety and ease. It is hard to imagine one’s self failing utterly. But Peter, a bold man, failed to stand for the Lord when the time came. So too did the disciples.

These truths should make me be humbler and more gracious. I should never assume spiritual safety in myself. If I am to be safe, it is only in the Lord. Neither should I be cruel or harsh with those who fail, as it is only by the grace of the Lord that I have not failed in the same way. And, in point of fact, it is probably good for me to remember that, at many a time, I have probably already failed in worse ways.

R – Response

Prayer: Lord, I come to you this morning seeking to be humble. As Peter spoke with confidence and then denied Jesus, I know that I cannot be better on my own. It is easy for me to feel confident in a time of security. I pray that you will grant to me the ability to remember that I am weak, needful of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will grant me your Spirit to empower me to follow you faithfully and to keep me from sin. I pray that you will help me to be kind to others when they struggle, remembering that I am subject to the same or worse failures in myself. I declare with absolute certainty that my salvation is only in Christ and my keeping is only in Christ.

Lavish Worship – A HEAR Journal Entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to continue to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

Mark 14:3-9 – 3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Mark 14:4-5 – 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

Mark 14:6c – She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Mark 14:9 – And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

E – Explain

The story is familiar. Judas and others are greedy, believing the act of worship the woman performed in pouring out her oil was wasteful. Jesus calls it beautiful and promises it will be remembered forever.

A – Application

No act of true worship of the Lord is wasteful. I must not think of my worship or my life from a this-worldly perspective. Instead, I must remember that my entire life is to be poured out. Jesus, in his grace, can make this offering a beautiful thing. I have confidence that Jesus will not forget all that is sacrificed for his glory.

Worship with all I have. Trust that Jesus will receive my entire life and keep it forever.

R – Response

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my unworthy life and making it yours through your death and resurrection. I pray that you will empower me to give you my all, and not to consider any part of my life too much to offer to you. I thank you that you do not forget acts of true worship.

Strength in Weakness — A HEAR Journal entry

pastortravislv

Today, I want to experiment with a form of journaling that I learned a few years ago and was recently reminded of.

H – Highlight

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 – 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

E – Explain

After talking about some of his most wonderful spiritual experiences, the apostle Paul also tells the Corinthian church about a weakness in his life, a thorn in the flesh. Though we do not know what that thorn is, we know that it was troubling to Paul, a difficult weakness. Paul begged the Lord to remove it, but God knew that it was better for Paul to live with his hardship. That hardship would prevent Paul from falling into the sin of conceit or arrogance. In the end, the Lord tells Paul that his grace is sufficient for Paul. The apostle needs God’s loving grace far more than he needs success, even in his battle against this thorn in the flesh.

A – Apply

Gods’ grace is what I need. There are many things I’d like to change. My tendency is to complain about them. I think I often forget that God is graciously working his will in me in and through the parts of my life that I want changed. His glory is demonstrated in my weakness. His grace is magnified even when I really wish he would just let things go well for me.

R – Respond

What should I do with this? First, I need to remember this truth the next time I’m tempted to grumble or complain. God’s strength is perfect and his grace is sufficient. God is more concerned about his glory in my life than he is about my success. I should be too.

Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge that your strength is perfect and your grace is sufficient. I confess that it is far too easy for me to let myself be discouraged or to complain about hardships. This does not honor you, and so I repent. I pray that you will remind me that your sufficient grace and eternal glory is good, far better than any success or freedom I want would grant me. Help me to glorify you, honoring you through the weaknesses and hardships I face.