Daily Butter 9/10: Remember

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/10/11):

Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily. (Hebrews 13:3 HCSB)

“But by the grace of God, there go I.” I’ve heard that quoted so many times by brothers and sisters in faith that I have no idea where it originated, but I can tell you it has endured for the simple reason that it is a valuable reminder of the truth from this scripture. Compassion is feeling on behalf of another, so this reminder to try shifting our perspective to what theirs might be.

As we approach tomorrow’s “National Day of Service & Remembrance” that commemorates that life-changing day a decade ago, remember those who gave, served, suffered and those who continue to give, serve and suffer.

Andy Jentes

Daily Butter 9/9: The little things

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/9/11):

 

It's like a mustard seed that, when sown in the soil, is smaller than all the seeds on the ground. (Mark 4:31 HCSB)

 

I loved David Roper’s tale from today’s Our Daily Bread. If you haven’t read that this question might seem very bizarre, but how important has that moose tale been to him over the past three or four decades? A little tidbit of a routine from back in his schooling (when the C in the YMCA was still as recognized as the Y) was likely a distant memory for David, but it grew in the heart of Henry into something life-transforming. What a wonderful glimpse that letter of reminder gave David of the fruitfulness of his seed from decades earlier. We don’t all get this glimpse, but we all leave small seeds – good or bad behind us that sprout and grow. We are still human and weeds are inevitable, so while I’m not trying to be legalistic, I know I need to be more intentional about opportunities I might have for leaving good little seeds.

 

- Andy Jentes

Daily Butter 9/6: Do your part

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/6/11):

 

But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head — Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.

(Ephesians 4:15-16 HCSB)

 

God is the one who designed the body. As part of the body of Christ, He placed me where I am to use the gifts and abilities He bestowed to grow and strengthen the body. I have a colleague who regularly uses the reminder “everything is as it should be” to find some calm and refocus. I’ve found myself adopting this at stressful times as a reminder that whether I know it, see it, or understand it, He knows where I am and why I am here. Having been placed by His hand, it is my part to “walk worthy of the calling” (v1), to let my light shine, and do my part keeping the Body of Christ functioning and growing. I may not see the benefit that my faithfulness has, but He holds the measuring stick.

 

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 HCSB)

- Andy Jentes

 

Daily Butter 9/5: Incomplete Picture

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/5):

 

    So God created man in His own image;

    He created him in the image of God;

    He created them male and female.

    (Genesis 1:27 HCSB)

 

Randy Kilgore pointed out in today’s ODB that many often miss the true picture of creation that includes work in the garden not just after the fall. I think we sometimes miss the true picture of this verse also. Mankind was created in the image of God. While Scripture refers to God using masculine terms, no one gender could contain the image of God and both genders contain facets of His image. Even then, it is impossible to have a “complete” picture of an infinite God in any number of finite beings. Just as a painter could paint multiple self-portraits each depicting different traits s/he has, God has left us pictures of who He is. A study of all the works may help one know many things about the artist, but God wants us to know Him. It takes more than an intellectual exercise; it takes repeated personal effort of making oneself vulnerable and truly communicating with the God of the Universe. That is exactly what He wants.

Who am I that You are mindful of me?

That You hear me when I call

Is it true that You are thinking of me?

How you love me - it’s amazing

(Israel Houghton “I Am a Friend of God”)

- Andy

Daily Butter 9/4: Together (again)

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/4/11):

Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. …

At my first defense, no one came to my assistance, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them.

(2 Timothy 4:11, 16 HCSB)

The lesson for my adult Bible Study class this morning is about the importance of the community of believers and it starts with this great quote: “Your faith is personal. It was never meant to be private.” In lessons last month, we remembered how John (aka Mark) choosing not to continue with Paul and Barnabas on their journey (Acts 13:13) caused a division in the mission team when Paul thought he should not be invited on a later journey (Acts15:37-40). Now nearing the end of his days and feeling “deserted” again, Paul asks Timothy to hurry and to be sure to bring Mark. In light of Joe Stowell’s comments in today’s ODB, it is amazing how for even the “great men of faith,” some of the things that we thought monumentally important that caused rifts in our relationships in the past look like anthills in hindsight. Oh for the wisdom to see more of the sand piles for what they are from the beginning.

- Andy

Daily Butter 9/3: Roller Coaster Life

My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/3/11):

He answered, "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!"
As He approached and saw the city, He wept over it,

(Luke 9:40-41 HCSB)

From the heights of a praising crowd to the gut-wrenching realization that the entire city just won’t see.  Jesus understands that sometimes the let downs are at rock bottom immediately after the heights.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15 HCSB)

- Andy

Daily Butter 9/2: The I

 My little addition to Our Daily Bread (9/2/11):

    even there Your hand will lead me;
    Your right hand will hold on to me.

    (Psalm 139:10 HCSB)

This passage always reminds me of the “I” of the “TULIP” acronym for the five points of Calvinism I learned in church history in college. For true adherents, it stands for “irresistible grace,” but since I don’t completely hold that perspective, I prefer to think of it as “inescapable grace.” I look back on my spiritual journey and, while there were times that I stubbornly chose my own path, I can still see His hand through it all. Though not always noticeable at the time, the 20/20 view of hindsight reveals that He was there all along; sometimes answering my parents’ prayers by protecting me in spite of my poor choices and other times answering my prayers by directing me into correct choices. I have no doubt that He has brought me to the place I am supposed and the lessons from all the past adventures have shaped me into the man I need to be for the adventures that lie ahead.

I am who I am because He is who He is. He remains the indestructible, indescribable, inexhaustible I AM; so there is very little me in the “I.”

- Andy