The Notes are Good

26 BSF Matthew Week 26, Day 5

My Daily Journal:

Jesus made the choice to be killed on the cross. It wasn’t forced on Him. It wasn’t a surprise. He made the choice to yield completely to His Father’s will. And the fulfillment of that will was for His death and resurrection.

But that did not mean Jesus ran blindly into the fray. He worked incredibly hard to ensure He stayed firmly in the will of Abba, Father. He prayed intensely. Not trying to change God. Not trying to make a deal or to get out of something. He prayed to completely and clearly understand God’s timing.

The scriptures imply that He prayed for approximately an hour at a time, with 3 trips. Each time He asked a question and He listened, intensely. I don’t have any issue asking God questions, but I struggle to listen. My mind wanders, my stomach grows, my knees ache, and I get distracted. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.

How can we follow Christ’s example? We can bring a friend for support. We can find a quiet place away from the normal situations of life. We can be focused and keep it simple. We can not negotiate but concentrate on being fully in God’s will.

There is peace in prayer, a peace that comes not from our own understanding, but comes from submission to God’s design.

My Answers:

11.
a.
joy, life, self-determination/will, justice, reputation, Enough!

b.
watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Still sleeping? The hour has com

c.
distress, despair, a branch bending completely to the will of the Father but not breaking

12.
Abba, everything is possible with you, “couldn’t you keep watch 1 hour?” withdrew about a stone’s throw, knelt down, angel appeared and strengthened Him, prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blood falling, exhausted from sorrow

13.
a.
Abba, everything is possible with you, “couldn’t you keep watch 1 hour?” withdrew about a stone’s throw, knelt down, angel appeared and strengthened Him, prayed more earnestly and his sweat was like drops of blood falling, exhausted from sorrow

26 BSF Matthew Week 26, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

I love Peter because I can see my own dimwitted self reflected in his approach to things. I have no doubt of his immense love and admiration for Jesus. I have no doubt that he recognized, through the power of the holy spirit, who Christ was, just as it is written in the scriptures. But he gets in his own way.

Basically he says, I know you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Creator of all, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Eternal, but, uh, you’re wrong. I know better than you do.

Jesus didn’t ask them, he told them what would happen. But instead of accepting this and using this knowledge as strength, Peter jumps into denial. In his journal down the river of denial he and the other apostles miss the promise of a risen Lord to meet with them in Galilee. They want to take up arms to prevent this from happening. While they think they will raise up arms to be standing for Jesus, they in fact are standing in direct opposition to the words and promise he has just made. This is not a surprise to Jesus. He is not a victim. He knows who, what, when, where, why and how. There is no mystery. There is simply a gift.

How often do I argue with God? Every time I insist on doing things my way first, I tell Him I know better. Every time I rely on myself more than on Him, I yield to temptation.

But, there is one other amazing part in these verses and that is Jesus prayer for Peter in Luke 22:32 – “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Temptation and testing is not something to just be endured and survived, it is something that strengthens us so that we can strengthen others. Like exercise, it may tear us down and wear us out temporarily, but when we heal, we heal stronger.

My Answers:

8.
a.
Contradicted Jesus – Convicting that I will never fall away while simultaneously doubting Jesus’ word

b.
33. Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will

c.
Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you (other disciples agreed)

9.
a.
i.
There are no surprises – Satan is only allowed to tempt/test God’s people as God allows

ii.
Self confidence will not prevail, only trust in the Lord

iii.
Prays for us and directs us to use strength given through trials

b.
Reluctance to be a cheerful giver has given me insight into understanding the traps of “wealth management”

10.
a.
you will all fall away on account of me

b.
After I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee

26 BSF Matthew Week 26, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

From the beginning of time God had designed the feast of passover to be a forebearing of the gift of salvation and life through His son. The chief priests and elders were plotting to murder Jesus, “but not during the festival.” However, there plans were no mystery to Christ and their timing was not how things were to be.

For them passover had become a meal and a time of reflection of looking back. We do this today with our own feasts and celebrations. We prepare for weeks for a big party or to host a big dinner and then we just want to crash, to take a nap.

But that wasn’t what passover was supposed to be about. Yes, it was a time of remembrance, but they were to remember the entire thing. Look at Exodus 12:11 – This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover. The passover meal wasn’t the ending. The day of passover wasn’t the goal. It was the doorway that was to be passed through to enter freedom and salvation, to live as a people set apart for God. It is a time of looking forward to the promise.

That is also the message of the cross. Jesus’ death at passover wasn’t an ending, it was an opening of a doorway. We can get so busy and focuses on the event and the meal that we, too, can forget, when the sun rises we are to be ready to go out into the world and proclaim the good news of freedom.

My Answers:

6.
a.
Passover

b.
Final Egypt plague, death of first born, the angel of death passed over the household’s marked with lamb’s blood

c.
perfect lamb, without blemish, family/community, killed at twilight (not sunset), hyssop branches used to paint blood over door (same branches used to give vinegar to Jesus), that night judgment brought upon all false gods, households saved by the blood of the lamb

7.
a.
Luke: He took, gave thanks, broke it, gave it, “body given for you, remember, cup new cov. blood, for U.
John: I am living bread, eat and live forever, unless you remember you have no life, but do and live
1Pete1: precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect
1Pete2: He himself bore our sins, might die to sin, live in righteousness, by his wounds have been healed
1John: walk in light, fellowship with one another, purified of sin by blood of Jesus

b.
It is a new covenant and when you eat and drink, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again

c.
Focus is not just on my sin and forgiveness, but a joy of salvation, His return and eternity through this promise

26 BSF Matthew Week 26, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

In the first verses of Matthew 26 we see the parables of Matthew 25 lived out. The wise virgins and the foolish virgins. The servants with the talents. The wicked and lazy servant and the good and faithful servant. Nowhere is this contrast as evident as in the lives and love of Mary and Judas.

Mary performs the ultimate Gatorade moment for Jesus. When she breaks open the bottle of perfume and pours it over our savior’s head, it reminded me of joyful football players dousing their coach in the fourth quarter of a championship football game. What joy and dedication.

I thought it was also interesting that Judas did not have an issue with Mary giving away the perfume. He was fine with it being a donation to the poor. He and the disciples evidently felt the poor were more deserving than Jesus.

My Answers:

3.
She had a heart filled with love for Jesus and followed her heart. She didn’t follow the direction of His apostles or the teachers. She didn’t hold back because of cost. She simply poured herself out to Him.

4.
a.
1. resentment can be masked in “good works”, 2. what we value reflects our values

b.
It was the price of restitution for a life of a slave, the amount Zechariah threw to the potter

5.
a.
It was an anointing of Jesus. What is its value outside of this world? It was a demonstration of unrestrained love.

b.
A balance of time with family, work pressures, other volunteer. When you commit to BSF, then every obstacle is thrown in your way – but turning those over to God resolves them

25 BSF Matthew Week 25, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

There will be no extension. There are no excuses. The end time will not come until “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations” (Matt 24:14). But when it comes, the time has ended. For some, the time to repent and accept the gift of salvation may have come only moments before. For some, especially those already in the grave on that day, their opportunity will have passed with their last breath. But there is a door and it will close.

To some that may seem cruel. But I am taken by how honoring it really is. Jesus is honoring the choice we make. We are given every opportunity to choose wisely. The bar is so low it is almost ridiculous – accept my gift and love me. That’s it. But we have been given free will to choose. For Jesus to honor that choice is an act of honor and respect. For those who have made the choice to reject God, their choice is honored for all eternity. Can you imagine the pain they would feel otherwise, to stand unworthy and unforgiven for all eternity in the presence of the Creator who gave everything out of love? Or to be forced to accept a gift they chose to reject? Hell was not created for people – it was created for satan and his angels – but still some choose it over the gift of a loving God.

When the end time comes, when judgment day arrives, it no longer is a choice to recognize and accept Jesus for who He truly is and so it can no longer be free will or love. When something is so obvious that there is no other possible choice – it is no longer a choice. When Jesus arrives and is seated on His glorious throne over all the nations – there just aren’t going to be any other viable options other than to recognize Him for who He is. At that point, it is too late to choose.

But, today, Jesus has already made it so plain and so simple – accept the gift and love me. Judgment, eternal life, preparation, stewardship, sheep and goats… It is all about Love. Love is not forced or manipulated. Love must be freely offered or it is not love, it is just obligation. Love the Lord your God. Love your neighbor. Jesus is that neighbor – when you love your neighbor in Jesus’ name you are loving Jesus. One of the few places in the bible that we are given a clear definition of WHY God does what He does is in John 3:16: For God so loved the world…

And the response is so simple. Any amount of oil would have been honored. Any return on investment would have been cherished. Any act of kindness done in His name. Any lamb DNA at all would have been recognized as a child of the lamb.

None of this is a question of “if”. The only thing we don’t know is when. To not take action is utter foolishness, it is living a life of delusion and denial.

My Answers:

13.
a.
they are truly eternal – for ever

b.
10 – bridegroom will arrive and door will shut
21,23 – share in master’s happiness – rewards for faithfulness, put in charge of much
34 – blessed by God, take your inheritance – the kingdom prepared since creation

c.
12 – separation from God – “I don’t know you”30 – thrown outside into the darkness – weeping and gnashing of teeth
41 – depart from me – cursed, eternal fire prepared for devil and his angels

14
a.
There is a time, but it has a fixed ending at which point you are either welcomed or shut out – there are no extensions! No oil, no ROI, not sheep

b.
His true justice. His willingness to honor mans’ choices even through the pain it causes Him

25 BSF Matthew Week 25, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

A call to action. It is used in advertising and sales. It is used in motivation and investing. It is a big part of being a responsible, successful result. If you want something, if you believe something, then take action – do something. An idea is nothing. An idea put into action can change the world.

Faith is no different. If your faith is alive it is on fire in you. It cannot be contained or constrained. It is producing heat and steam and it needs to vent out in service to others and praise to God. But these works are not done as a tally or score. They don’t earn points. They aren’t done out of guilt or obligation. Truly glorious, honorable works are done out of love for God.

And Christ’s expectation of us is so reasonable. Note what he says of the goats. They did NONE of these things. It isn’t a list of all the things they needed to do. They did nothing. They sought only themselves. They knew of the gift of Jesus, laying down His life, but couldn’t be bothered to offer a drink to someone they considered below themselves.

Might they have fed and given drinks to others? It is possible, but for what purpose? Was it to win favor with a higher up, a potential client? Was it to be seen as a “good person”? Did they need the tax deduction? Then they had already received their reward. But the acts done for the love of Christ, those are the acts of one who follows the lamb.

My Answers:

10.
a.
On His glorious throne above all nations

b.
All nations, all people of all time – everyone

11.
a.
gave food when hungry, drink when thirsty, invited in stranger, clothed, cared for when sick, visited in prison

b.
Did no do any of these things

12.
a.
When did we see you…?

b.
Romans: seek glory, honor and immortality (seek God) and will have eternal life – do good
James: faith by itself, not accompanied by action, is dead – don’t earn salvation but true faith demands actions
1John: Jesus laid down life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for others – not love with words but with action

25 BSF Matthew Week 25, Day 3

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

What do your actions say about what you truly believe? I found it interesting the steward who had been given one talent very interesting. He said he believed one thing, but the returning master looked not only at his statement but at his actions.

This steward had a very negative view of the master. He paid no attention to the master’s investment, his work, his land, his seed, his housing room and board, his servants, his provision. He couldn’t see beyond the reach of his own hands. ‘You are not out in the fields sowing or scattering the seed, yet you expect part of the harvest.’ To this steward, his self dialogue was that the master was a “hard man”, someone to fear. But the master called him on that. If that is what he truly believed, then he would have at least taken steps to put the money in the bank. This steward’s statement of belief was a lie. It had nothing to do with the master and everything to do with his self justification. The man was simply wicked and lazy. But it is easier and more satisfying to blame the master than to take ownership of his own character.

How many do the same today? I can’t believe in a God who… If that is what God is then… But this truly has nothing to do with God, no more than the third steward’s statement had to do with the master. It is simply a way of shifting responsibility, avoiding accountability. It didn’t work then and I have a feeling it isn’t going to work any better when we face Jesus.

Turning to the other stewards (5 and 2), I found their lack of negotiation and commission very telling of their view of the master. Both had earned a 100% ROI. Although the master was away for a long time, that is still a huge profit margin. But when the master returned, every penny was turned over to the master. No negotiation, no reimbursement of fees and expenses.

This tells me of their complete faith and trust in the provision of the master. The best thing they could do was hand it all back to the master. They didn’t try for “what is fair”, they trusted that the joy and blessing of the master would far outweigh “fair”. And, at the end of each tale, that is exactly what we see. Both receive promotions. Both are invited to share fully in the master’s happiness. This happiness was far greater than the sums of money, it was in the value of finding a faithful servant. Anyone who has worked in management knows the value of a faithful employee is far greater than the return on any one investment they may have managed. I think the trust of these servants speaks volumes to the true nature and character of the master!

My Answers:

6.
a.
Prov 3: wisdom to gain understanding, nothing physical is more preciousMatt 13: teacher of law who is a disciple brings out treasure both new and old
Matt 28: go make disciples, baptizing, teaching
John 1: Himself, His son, His light, to receive Him and become children of God
John 13: an example – do as He has done for me
John 21: Love Him and work to do; care for and feed His sheep
2 Tim Scripture: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

b.
Gift of BSF, bible, church, story telling, children to lead and teach and a blog with a readership that compares to some of the largest churches

7.
5 Talent: According to his ability – went at once and put money to work, gained 5 more, brought all 10 to master, received praise and shared in joy

2 Talent: Same as 5 – faithful with few, put in charge of many, come and share in master’s happiness

1 Talent: Resentment of master, reap where don’t sow, “afraid”, the 1 take from him, sent out, gnashing of teeth

8.
a.
wicked heart – resentful

b.
repaid for times of hardship with plenty

c.
My past few years in BSF and church – the joy of seeing the bounty in our children

9.
Whoever has will be given more – whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken. If you value you, you must invest it.

25 BSF Matthew Week 25, Day 2

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

The greek word used for lamp in this parable is lampas. That is important because it isn’t lychnos. The distinction is that lampas is more of a torch than a candle or desk lamp. This is the same word used when the soldiers came to the garden to arrest Jesus carrying torches. It is like the difference between hi-beam headlights and a penlight. The word that is translated as trimmed their lamps is Kosmeo which means to assemble.

I bring this up because when we think of the virgins with lamps we think of them holding small lamps about the size of their palms, not torches. We can easily think about someone not having enough oil.

But that is not what the scriptures explain. Matthew 25 says they brought NO oil. This would be like someone bringing a lightbulb, a spotlight case, but no battery. When it came time to assemble the parts, they were blatantly unprepared.

We needn’t worry if we have enough oil. We don’t need to be concerned if our faith is sufficient or we have enough indwelling of the spirit. The quantity is not the point. The fact that we have any is sufficient. The fact that we cared enough to bring some oil shows our preparation. Once the torches were prepared, the groom arrived and they were escorted in.

But we need our own oil. We will not receive salvation and forgiveness because we have christian friends or belong to a christian organization. We don’t get a pass because our parents or spouse was a believer. When the our comes, we will have either cared enough to prepare ourselves or we will have missed the time. After that it will be too late.

My Answers:

3.
a.
All remained virgins, all invited, all showed up, all brought torches and wicks

b.
people who call themselves christians, wise were filled with spirit and the word, foolish were “in name only”

4.
a.
Matt 7: avoid broad gate, enter the narrow gate to life even though only few will find it
Matt 7: build on solid foundation
Matt 24: don’t be deceived by false messiahs, keep watch, be ready
John 1: Receive Him and become children of God
1 Thes: Live in light, don’t be afraid
1 Thes, May god sanctify you – be kept blameless

b.
John 3: cannot enter heaven unless born of water and spirit, flesh to flesh but spirit to spirit
Rom 8: If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ
Eph 1: Marked with a seal, the promise of the H/S, deposit guaranteeing inheritance

5.
The spirit testifies for us, Christ knows His sheep and they know Him – have no concern of being “shut out” – I know His voice and follow

24 BSF Matthew Week 24, Day 5

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

To know with certainty that something is going to happen and to then live and act as if it is not going to happen is, by definition, foolishness.

In the short term, we are all going to die. In the long term, we will all face judgment. Even those who would deny God, know they will some day die and inherently believe in justice. A belief in justice demands judgment. If it did not, then why would they abide by laws or have any moral code?

We don’t like talking about it or thinking about it, but that does not change the reality. So what does a wise person do? Prepare in a way that lasts and keep watch. In the parable of the servants, Jesus makes clear this isn’t simply the act of posting a look-out, someone to sound the alarm when the time is near. Instead, this is a joyful anticipation. This is a family waiting for a loved one to return from doing a tour of duty in another land. This is a celebration of a life event such as graduation or wedding. It is an event that calls forth longing and desire for the day to come.

The gospel will be preached to the whole world as testimony. The end will come. And although both heaven and earth will pass away, the Word, Jesus Christ, will never pass away.

My Answers:

10.
a.
Marrying, eating, drinking, i.e., living everyday life

b.
Earth corrupt and full of violence, thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time, the people had corrupted their ways. But, the faithful “did everything just as Go commanded him”

11.
a.
The servant waited anxiously for the return of the master with joy

b.
The servant was trusted and put in charge during the master’s absence, but the servant was wicked and bet the other servants and abused the master’s possessions, when the master unexpectedly returns the servant will be cut to pieces and there will be gnashing of teeth

c.
You have been entrusted as a faithful servant, but stay true to the Master – He will return and just rewards will follow

d.
Bring forth God’s treasure to others, stay connected to Christ through communion with Him and His church, care for and feed “his sheep”

12.
a.
Matt 22:42 – Keep watch, watch with joyful anticipation for the return of the loved and honored Master

b.
flee, do not go out, do not be deceived, do not go back or turn, expect great distress, false prophets and false messiahs, vultures, wars, earthquakes, signs of heaven

c.
14. This gospel will be preached in the whole world as testimony, then the end will come. 35. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away

24 BSF Matthew Week 24, Day 4

Today’s Scriptures

My Daily Journal:

What does it mean to mourn? Why will all peoples of the earth mourn? Won’t this be a joyful time of Christ’s second return?

English is such a limited language that we sometime can’t see the way words were used. In Greek, the word used for mourn in this passage and in Revelation 1:7 is kopto (Strong’s G2875). It does translate to mourn or lament. It, like the Hebrew word used in Zechariah 12:10, caphad (Strong’s H5594) does mean to weep, wail, lament, and the beating of the chest in grief.

But here is what is interesting. This is the same word used in Mark 11:8, “Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.” Did you catch it? It is that last part, “which they had cut.”

When Jesus returns it will be a parallel to his arrival into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But this time, instead of palm branches, it will be all people of the world themselves who, every one of them, fall down at His feet on His triumphant entry back into the world.

My Answers:

8.
a.
False prophets appear and perform great signs to deceive, sun will darken, moon not give light, stars will fall, heavenly bodies shaken, sign of the Son of Man appear in heaven, all people of earth will mourn.

b.
Zech: pour out spirit of grace and supplication, look and mourn the one they pierced
Matt: sign will appear and all the people of earth will mourn when they see Him coming on cloud
Rev: Look – every eye will see Him, all peoples will mourn because of Him

c.
No one knows, not even the angels nor the Son – only the Father

9.
The signs are visible, evident and known, not deeply clouded in mystery to make them invisible in the present. When you see the signs of spring, you know summer will follow. (Rom 1:19-20)