Daily Butter: Hocus Pocus Fickle Focus

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/29/12):

 

“What sign then are You going to do so we may see and believe You?” they asked. “What are You going to perform?...”

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.”

(John 6:30, 35 HCSB)

 

While just past the end of the “focus passage” for today’s ODB, these verses remind me that regardless of century or culture, people are fickle. While it is not a commonly used word anymore, it certainly is an appropriate description of the common attitude of “what have you done for me lately?” God knew that mankind was looking for this great, majestic, miraculous appearing of the Savior. In His divine wisdom, there was little majestic or great about His appearing. While certainly miraculous, the nature of His appearing was heralded to the common folk and the miracles performed in His ministry were to the humble. Always looking for Him to “magically” provide is not faith.

 

In one of the foundational reminders I continually get reminded of, the writer of Hebrews, after the list a faithful followers in Hebrew history, he encourages us to run well before such an audience and to be “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Heb 12:2a NIV). I like the use of the word word “fixing” because of the double meaning of “affixing” permanently with dogged focus as well as “repair” of something broken as if glued. (Since I moved south I found another meaning, but folks that are “fixin’ to” ain’t doin’ nuttin’ -- and there is no “to” in that verse. J) The New International Version from 1984 that I used a lot growing up started Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….” I like the reminder with the rephrased wording in the newer NIV that it is a continual process of fixing as the connection gets damaged and even broken through “normal wear and tear” without vigilant maintenance.

 

That being said, when my spirit is feeling hungry or parched, Christ’s promise still active, but I must quit “fixin’ to” and get active to come and believe.

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Home

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/28/12):

 

For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal;

His faithfulness endures through all generations

(Psalm 100:5 HCSB)

 

In today’s ODB, Dave Brannon wrote about memories of a colleague on this anniversary of his home-going. On this second anniversary of laying the body of my mother to rest, my memories have also been shifted heavenward. This verse from the end of the short psalm that was the focus passage today stuck out – primarily because of the end of each line: “eternal” reminds me that there is more than just this world in which we now walk while the reminder of the word “generations” reminds me that it is by design that I follow those who have walked the path ahead of me. The beauty of the consistency comes that He is good, He is faithful, and simply His is.

 

My mother always reminded me that my childhood home would be my home as long as she lived there. My father still dwells there, and it is the place where my life and faith grew roots. While I still think of it as my home, and the house where my family and I dwell with my family has become my home, I do have another home where Christ is preparing a place in my Father’s house (and my mother has gone on ahead to help). Whichever the view, I’m not home, yet.

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Confidence

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/26/12):

 

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 5:1 HCSB)

 

I chose to label today’s because the very word confidence (at least according to wiktionary.org) stems from the Latin con + fidere or “with” + “trust/reliance.”  Having been confronted the past couple days with my own missing the mark (such as the “Daily” in my title) and with God’s omnipresence, I needed this reminder as to why I should find comfort in the closeness of a holy God. I need not continue in worry that I missed the mark, but I can walk in peace because my righteousness is not dependant upon my perfection (PRAISE THE LORD!) but is a declaration of the Almighty God of the universe because of my faith in and the perfect work of Jesus Christ.

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Personal Protection

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/25/12):

The Lord protects you;

the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

(Psalm 121:5 HCSB)

Joe Stowell entitled his note in today’s ODB “Sleepless in Heaven,” apparently from the promise that ”your Protector will not slumber” (v3b). While the parallels he draws to the air-traffic-control tower are nice and appropriate, this promise in verse 5 is something that cries out for me to embrace. Not only does our Protector have the perspective to see the big picture and guide through the dangers, He’s walking the path with me – both a strong support and refuge within arms reach (“at your right hand” as the New King James Version translated it). It is a marvelous truth that He is not only watching over His own from Heaven, He’s walking beside us and filling us from within.

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(Ephesians 3:17b-19 HCSB)

- Andy Jentes

Daily Butter: Death Sentence

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/24/12):

 

Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

(Luke 9:23 HCSB)

 

While centuries later and from a different cultural context, I know the mandate to “take up his cross” has lost the bite. Since a “cross” has become a symbol of faith in our culture rather than the instrument of public torture and death, we tend to relate more with the “deny himself” command. Unfortunately, “the cross that I must bear” has come into the vernacular as just an unwelcome yet unavoidable burden, while the “dead man walking” image that it had in that day truly captured the ultimate extent of denying self that Christ not only taught but epitomized. This “death march” is, as Christ warned, needed daily as we are in the balance between the “I no longer live….” and “the life I now live…” (Gal 2:19-20). As I write this, I must echo Paul: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on” (Phil 3:12 NIV).

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Nothing New

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/22/12):

 

He came as a witness

to testify about the light,

so that all might believe through him.

(John 1:7 HCSB)

 

The centuries have passed and we are on the other side of the globe. Yet I can see the task of myself (and every believer) is the same as that of John. I am to point to Him. While I may not be called to do that by baptizing many, we are each called to live out the light that He has implanted in each of His own. May I let “this little light of mine” shine brightly as I also point to the One “whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie” (John 1:27)

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Manditory

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/17/12):

 

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

            (Matthew 5:14-15 HCSB)

 

This is not a parable, suggestion, or even a command to be “the light of the world.” This is a declaration by the Lord that defines His followers as “the light of the world.” The parable begins with the parallels to the city and the lamp. Shining is not optional, but a byproduct of our new nature. How bright we shine (we learn from Christ’s parable) is dependant on our position – standing out for all to see or cowering in hiding. The “city on the hill” was in my imagination is a reference to the crowd there on the mountainside where He was speaking (Matt 5:1) that has shone throughout the generations. I see the lamp referring to each individual and the translucence of his/her lampshade.

 

…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life

            (Philippians 2:15-16a NIV1984)

 

A sunbeam, a sunbeam – Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam – I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

            (Classic Sunday School Chorus)

- Andy Jentes

Daily Butter: Do your part

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/16/12):

 

but those who trust in the Lord

will renew their strength;

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:31 HCSB)

 

Isaiah paints such a beautiful picture of God’s strength using the apparently effortless soaring of the eagles. Throughout the generations, Christians have been inspired by this verse when placed with painting, sculpture, photography, and other of visual arts. Sometimes, I fear, we forget the prerequisite for the promise. Trust is the key that unlocks the promise. Just as unseen wind currents keep the wings of eagles aloft, confident trust in the reality of the unseen Spirit is the key to His uplifting strength. Both a person who fails to trust fully and an eagle that fails to spread its wings have as much likelihood of soaring as a rock.

 

“The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8 HCSB)

 

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter: Self-Sacrifice

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/15/2012):

 

“And now I [Paul] am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:16b, 22b-24 HCSB)

 

Paul used the word “bound” to describe his reason for heading to Jerusalem (the “not optional” tone consistent across all English translations I’ve seen). He felt he must not be delayed by a stop in Ephesus, but sent that the leaders of the church should meet him at his stop over in Miletus so that he could impart this prayer request. This Apostle who urged believers “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) did not do so out of a hypocrisy, but walked the walk that proved his belief that the importance of his deeds far outweighed any pain or suffering his body may receive. Though not embracing the thought of impending pain and suffering with broad-grinned joy, Paul clearly did not back down from the pull of the Spirit. He thought nothing of the personal cost having already committed his life to follow the call. When the sacrifice is made in advance, the cost is of little consequence.

 

- Andy Jentes

Daily Butter: The Folly of Faith

I know it's been a while, but it's become clear to me that I need something (if even the structure of this little exercise) to keep me grounded, so without any further delay...

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (8/14/12):

By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, ... considered that the One who had promised was faithful.
    (Hebrews 11:11 HCSB)

C. P. Hia words in today's ODB about the difficulties on the journey being greatly overshadowed by the destination and this verse from the focus passage teamed up with some words that my pastor said on Sunday. Pastor Larry reminded us all that skepticism is welcome in His presence. Sarah here is remembered for her faith, but the thought of God's promise made her laugh (Genesis 18:10-15) and even the name of the son became a reminder of the incredible promise fulfilled (Genesis 21:1-7). It amazes me that the scripture repeatedly calls Him "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." That the God of the Universe would choose to allow himself to be known through the generations as the the God of "He laughs" reminds me of one amazing truth: God desires that we be drawn near to him, and He can take those who approach only to laugh in His face to have their eyes opened and transform them when He proves Himself faithful.

Is this on?

I know I've been silent and distracted recently. But in my Sunday School class, we talked about hope and it reminded me of this classic hymn that I wanted to share (that and "Blogger" has been updated since my last post and I wanted to at least make a simple post to try it out)

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.