March 25- A Know it All

1 Corinthians 8:2-3

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NIV)

I have to admit, these two verses have me stumped. Everything I read about them only confuses and muddies the water. The best I have been able to discern is that knowledge without love is meaningless. Much like everything, if love isn't at the center, what good is it. Knowledge that is used to make one look important, or worse yet, to point to another's insignificance, is useless at best.

Just because a person presumes to have some bit of knowledge, that person doesn’t necessarily have the right kind of knowledge. But if someone loves God, it is certain that God has already known that one. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (Voice)

Some of us view our education as a mark of excellence, a tool which makes us worth more than someone with lesser formal instruction. Schooling is often looked upon as a thing that makes us worth more than another. Truth is, success or failure does not rest on how much we have learned in classrooms,.but how much we have learned in relationship with Jesus and have treasured in our hearts. It is a long way from the mind to the heart. (See Romans 11:33-36)

We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions—but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (MSG)

For the longest time I used to equate success and happiness with how much money I could earn. It was important to excel in the area of business. Then, when business failed, my life seemed empty if not meaningless. At some point Jesus entered the picture and my self-worth was redefined. Love is the proof of knowing God; the one knowledge that counts in life.

Talk about how your education impacts your worldview and your impressions of others with much less formal training.

March 23 - Power Struggle

John 5:16-30

So many of the stories we read in scripture lately, tell us how the Pharisees and religious leaders are always just around the corner, watching. They could be the stars of a murder mystery. In fact that is just what they are. Their plotting and devious presence is for the purpose of stopping this man, Jesus, at any cost.

They are threatened by Him. Jesus has become popular and His eloquent teaching and magnetism scares them. They have seen the miracles he has performed, and they have heard Him proclaim His relationship to God the Father. So, they charge Him with blasphemy and do all they can to rile up the crowds. They are attempting to stir up the people so that Jesus isn't an issue anymore.

Little do they know; Jesus will always be an issue. He is touching the hearts of fishermen, and farmers. He is capturing the attention of those who are poor, weak, sick and dying. He is curing them, gathering with them, and loving them. Tax collectors are His friends. But He doesn't play favorites. He was there for everyone then, just as He is here for everyone now.

The religious leaders of Jesus' day were allowing Satan to use them to stop the spread of Jesus' Words. Did they recognized His holiness, and did they fear the competition? I think so. They were well versed in scripture and knew of the coming Messiah. I dare say, some probably recognized Jesus as the One. So, a power struggle ensued; except, it was not struggle for Jesus. He was and is the One who has all the power.

Discuss these verses and tell how they have impacted you, your life, and your faith. What do you think of the character of the Pharisees? Do you think any of them eventually repented and claimed Jesus?

March 18 - Persistence Pays

Luke 18:1-8

I remember as a kid, when I wanted something really bad, I would keep hounding my mother until she gave in. It was a lot of work, pleading and promising to do things for her, but in the long run I got what I wanted. Now, often the thing I was begging for wasn't that important (except to me), but in the moment it was all I could see. Mom knew there was no reasoning with me and so she relented. If it was something big and she told me to ask my father, that usually ended the conversation. I did not want anything bad enough to go that route.

In our reading today, there is a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him, seeking justice. (Luke 18:2-3) This judge kept refusing, but finally she wore him down. He got tired of dealing with her and so he made sure she got justice.

 My mother loved me, and eventually she granted my wishes. This just didn't care for the widow, but he tired of her whining and pleading so he too granted the widow's wishes. This scripture is teaching us that God, who love us so much more than anyone else, wants us to come to Him. He wants us to bother Him and persistently ask Him for what we want.

God will honor patient, persistent, persevering prayer. God will see that we get what we need and often what we want. "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

Is there something you are praying for now, something you desperately need answers to? Keep praying and don't give up. God is listening and will hear and respond.

Topsy Turvey Love

Matthew 21:14-17

The palm branches which were strewn on the path when He entered the city, remain as a reminder of the wondrous event that just took place. They lay broken and trampled, only a memory. The donkey His disciples appropriated, had been returned to its home. Following Jesus' entrance to Jerusalem, it was business as usual for most.

Then, Jesus, unlike earthly kings, went directly to the temple. The temple, the place where one would expect to encounter God. But, before He entered, He had to clear the temple for a second time. The first was at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-22), and this time nearing the end. Then...The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 

Sweeping thru the temple, cleaning out the money changers, turning over tables and pushing the deceit and dishonesty out of the temple, He restored the temple to a house of prayer, as the Father intended. Then, drama over, Jesus goes back to his real business, He heals the sick and broken. Little children are circling Jesus. Starving for love they reach out, and reach up, to Jesus. And He embraces them.

The children were young, but they knew goodness when they encountered it. Jesus wanted all people--the sick and injured and the little ones, to praise Him. And all the while, the Pharisees are watching and waiting for a moment to pounce. They made it their business to stop Jesus from loving His people. All the people who they feel unworthy of their time and attention, Jesus enfolds in His loving arms.  

When the Pharisees objected to the company He kept, He silenced them with, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?’” (Psalm 8:2)

Jesus is setting an example here, of how we should behave, of how we should love at all times. Thinking of your own situation, who could you love more? How can you show someone how very much Jesus loves them and wants to have relationship with them?