Blog Archives - Jethro TOOLS

Renew

5/31/2020

Isaiah 40
Pancakes and maple syrup are one of my favorites for breakfast. Much of the maple syrup that we buy today is made from imitation flavorings. The real maple syrup is more expensive, but it has twice the flavor. Real maple syrup is made by collecting the sap from maple trees in the spring. As the sun begins to warm the tree tops and melt the snow the dormant tree is renewed. A hunger for growth causes the tree to absorb the melting snow and nutrients. The sap is collected and boiled down to make sweet syrup. The people were confronted with the darkness of their sin in the beginning chapters of Isaiah, but then in Isaiah 40 there is a change and God offers hope. In this chapter we see that hope for the future is based on what god provides. Hope operates with a correct belief about God and a current trust in God who provides the rest. Isaiah notes that rest is found when we trust God to renew us in life’s darkest moments.

For more see ISAIAH

Memorable Memorial

5/25/2020

1 Corinthians 11:23-31
A memorial is something done to remember and pay tribute to someone else for what they did or the sacrifices made. Graveyards are full of memorials as you read the tombstones. Historical markers along a highway or at places of important times in history memorialize the actions of valor, bravery, courage and sacrifice. As part of a healthy grieving process we have a memorial service where we remember the life and activities of a loved one. We even have holidays that are specifically designed to remember those who paid with their life for our freedom. These memorials urge those remaining and the following generations to remember the past and live in the present in light of the past. The problem is that memories are really good but often they are really short. I think that is exactly why Jesus gave his followers instructions to remember Him (Luke 22:17-20). Paul in His first letter to the Corinthian church calls the church to a look back and remember what Christ had done for them. His sacrifice on the cross paying for sin requires a look back to remember His grace shown toward us. But, like any good memorial the remembrance of of the past should affect the present and the future. If we truly value Christ and His sacrifice in the past for us we should then live in such a way as to honor the past and His work for us. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 he records Jesus saying “do this in remembrance of me.” The elements of the Lord’s Supper or Communion are to remind us spiritually of Christ’s sacrifice for our sin, but there is more. In taking these elements, in memorial, the believer affirms that this is what they believe that Christ died, was buried and was raised to life. By taking these we look back and reaffirm our belief and we look forward by proclaiming or telling of the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). Our past and is is not where God wants us to dwell. That has been forgiven through Christ and we now live a new life displaying and telling of the transformation that only Christ could accomplish. May we live as changed people that seek to serve and honor God with our lives because of what Jesus Christ has done for us. That is a memorable living memorial.

Path to Rest

5/24/2020

Jeremiah 6
All he wanted was rest, but if he stopped he would freeze to death. The old story talks about a cold dark night and a man who just wanted to get home. In the process of his travel he decided to take a shortcut. Soon he was in unknown territory. With a wet snow coming down he became disoriented but gained hope as he saw another man’s tracks and began to follow them. After a while he thought he recognized an old tree so he broke a branch to mark the spot. Several hours later he approached an old tree and noticed a broken branch. That is when he realized that he was lost, walking in circles following his own steps. He needed a new direction in order to get home. So he changed where he was looking from the ground to the sky. Using the moon as his reference point he plotted a new course and after another four hours of walking he saw the lights of home.

With all that has gone on in our world in the last few months people are tired of wandering and feeling lost and in need of rest. They are tired of staying home, tired of limitations… they are physically tired and emotionally tired. We want to get back to a normal life where we can find value, satisfaction, and rest from our daily activities. We desire, what we view as normal to refresh and renew us. However, is that all that we should be hoping for? The ongoing conditions in our world should give all of us a pause to examine our ways. In comparison to God’s way. In Jeremiah 6:16 the prophet presents God’s message and challenges the people to examine their ways and choose the wisest way for their life. God offers a rest for the soul that is refreshing and renewing. Like the people of Jeremiah’s day we need to examine our ways and choose God’s way to find complete rest for our soul. We need to make sure we are going in the right direction on the right path.

The LORD Comforts

5/19/2020

Psalm 23:4
Watching the sun set on the mountains is a comforting sight to behold. The colors change from bright yellow to orange to reds and finally purple just before the sun disappears. The shadows on the mountains from a distance are beautiful, but up close the shadows on the mountains affect you personally and spell the beginning of a long dark night. Without the warmth and light of the sun the mountains can be cold, lonely and even a life threatening place where predators roam. David again recalls his time as a shepherd leading sheep through dark valleys that contained life threatening predators and situations. He mentally revisits how he personally walked with the sheep, protected them with his rod to fend off predators and guided them with his staff to keep them from scattering in fear. David sees that in his darkest times of greatest fear the LORD walks with him, protects him and guides him as His shepherd. The same can true for us. In the darkest of our times the LORD brings comfort with His presence, protection from the display of His power and guidance from His steady hand. Are you struggling through some dark valleys? If you know the LORD as your shepherd He is walking with you, protecting you, guiding you and comforting you. Remember that sheep have nothing to fear if they are in the presence of the shepherd. If you follow the LORD as your shepherd then you will find that fear is replaced with comfort.

For more see Psalm 23

Restoration for a Purpose

5/18/2020

2 Chronicles 7:14
Recently there has been an explosion of new TV shows dealing with home renovations. They may be from the simple one room job to the whole house. A time frame is given, the work begins and we watch the transformation take place before our eyes. The problem with a renovation is that the builder has to deal with the original building design. If any of that is changed … well the cost goes up. Upon examination of 2 Chronicles 7:14 we see that God is the one who acts to restore His people in response to their humility. The difficulty for us today is that we say we believe in the strength of God, but very often do not live as if God is strong enough to redeem and restore our lives for His purposes. God desires to return people to their original purpose as worshipers in relationship with Him. You may look around at your world right now and think it is a mess. God is in the business of redemption and restoration. By His strength He will do more than renovate. His work in our lives is always the very best.

For more see 2 Chronicles 7:14 Series

The LORD Restores

5/15/2020

Psalm 23:3
Old cars have been a favorite in my family. There are a number of family members who love to tinker with some old car and get it running or keep it going. Cars are expensive so I have settled on a cheaper version… restoring old machinery. The other year I tore apart an old saw, cleaned it, greased it and reassembled it. The problem this saw had was at the center of its operation. Two bearings the size of golf balls were worn out. Years of use and perhaps abuse had taken their toll. In verse 3 David continues to picture what God does as his shepherd in restoring him too full operational mode. Not only does God provide physically as noted in the previous verse, God also restores the internal emotions to a position of strength and courage to move in a right direction. God works for His sheep physically (vs 2) and emotionally (vs 3) to bring about what is right or beneficial for His sheep. A shepherd that does not lead sheep to places of growth and health is known as a poor shepherd who has a bad reputation of not caring for his sheep. The LORD cares and provides for His people because of His reputable name. Right now you may be in need of inner strength and future direction. Remember that The LORD restores and guides because of His reputation as the good shepherd (see John 10:10).

For more see Psalm 23

The LORD Satisfies

5/14/2020

Psalm 23:2
Years ago I went into a restaurant and ordered a breakfast pastry. The problem was that it was not heated all the way through. It was cold and really not very tasty. My meal was disappointing at best. I find it funny that years later I remember that instance and yet forget the great meals with family or eating at other restaurants. As we examine the second verse of Psalm 23 we see David continue his reference to being a shepherd. As a shepherd he knew what his sheep needed and took them to the places that would provide the food and rest that they needed. The shepherd would also lead his sheep to quiet waters to drink. Most likely this would be a well and the shepherd would draw water and provide water until each animal was completely satisfied. In the same way, David sees that God does this for him. God directs him and places him where he can be refreshed and rested all because the hand of God faithfully met his needs. The same can be true for us today. God is still actively leading us. Are we following the LORD who is our shepherd and are we finding His supply sufficient? When we follow the LORD we do not have to go far to find all that we need, because the best that can be had is always from the hand of our shepherd. We will never be disappointed with unappealing provisions.

For more see Psalm 23

The LORD is My Shepherd

5/13/2020

Psalm 23:1
Today, many of us may not understand the life of a shepherd, but we find great comfort in the simplicity of Psalm 23. David wrote this Psalm and he understood the importance of a shepherd to sheep. As you read the first verse you can see David reflecting on his sheep herding experience. He credits God as his shepherd who provides all that he needs. David never lacks anything because God knows exactly what he needs, just as he knew exactly what the sheep under his care needed. God in His faithfulness and care provides what is needed to the people under His care. David pictures himself as a sheep looking to God as his shepherd for his needs to be met and listening to God for directions in life. This Psalm is more than just a few words on a page. This is a song of praise to God that expresses a deep confident reliance on God as the shepherd who cares for His sheep. This is also a Psalm that was to be learned by others and sung in praise to God. Are you finding all your needs being met in the LORD as your shepherd? Are you confidently communicating praise of the LORD, your shepherd, to others?

For more see Psalm 23

Keys to Belonging

5/12/2020

2 Chronicles 7:14
What does it take to own a car? Keys allow me to start the car. A drivers license allows me to take the care on a trip to town. Insurance is important because it allows me to fix the car if I have an accident. The big thing that a car needs is money. It takes money to buy the car, money to pay for gas and money to buy insurance. Cars are expensive. All of these things are important to operating a car, but they do not make me the owner of the car. I can do all of these things and still not own the car. The owner is the person whose name is on the title. The title is the legal document that makes it crystal clear who the car belongs to. If my name is not on the title then I am not the owner.

As we look at 2 Chronicles 7:14 we see that God has ownership on His people. Right in the beginning of the verse we see God speaking and referring to the people as His. God owns His people and His people belong to Him. That ownership and belonging is a relationship where the people are confident in their position belonging to God who faithfully cares for them. Others recognize those who belong to God because of their connection and confident trust in God who owns them. Like a car there are two possibilities to God’s ownership. The first response is acceptance, belonging and allowing God’s control. The second is simply rejection. There is no middle ground. Ownership is based on God grace not on our actions (Ephesians 2:8-9). Who holds the keys and the title that belong to your life?

For more see 2 Chronicles 7:14 Series

The King Rules

5/12/2020

2 Chronicles 7:14
Let’s play a game. How about checkers or chess? These board games have multiple pieces and if you follow the rules, each of the player pieces is limited in what direction they can move. However, there is one player piece in checkers and chess that can move in multiple directions. That player is the king. The ability to move in any direction makes the king valuable for the game but also strategically powerful. The game of chess or checkers is won when the king wins. In the game of life there is one king, and that king is God. Kings are powerful and control all that goes on in their kingdom. Earthly kings have a limited kingdom with borders, but God rules over all creation. Kings want their people to listen to them and God as the king of creation desires that we as people listen to Him. The problem for us as people is that sometimes we don’t like to listen to others much less God. It takes a person who is humble to put their desires aside to listen to the king for His plan for His kingdom. The problem is that we often want God as the king to make the kingdom acceptable to us. God’s desire is that we listen to Him and humbly submit to His leadership in our lives. Our humble submission to God allows others to see that God is in sovereign control of our life and His kingdom.

For more see 2 Chronicles 7:14 Series

My Strength and My Song

5/6/2020

Exodus 15:1-7
I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Horatio. He was a businessman in the Chicago area in the late 1800’s. However, there are three great tragedies that entered his life. The death of his young son, the Chicago fire of 1871 which destroyed his business and financial investments, and finally the death of his four young daughters. Several years after the fire he decided to go to Europe with his family but at the last minute he changed his mind and sent the family on ahead by boat while he dealt with some business affairs. During the ocean crossing there was a collision with another ship and for Horatio only his wife survived. In full disclosure, I have not actually met him but I appreciate the depth of his life that he has communicated. You see several weeks later as he traveled on the same ocean route and neared the spot where his four daughters died he wrote the words to a song that you should know. His name is Horatio Spafford and the title of the song is “It is Well With My Soul.” I would encourage you to find the song and review the words in light of Horatio’s story. He was a man of faith who had lost much in this life yet he confidently stated that all was well with his soul. He could agree with Moses and the people in Exodus 15:2 that the LORD is my strength and song and the LORD has become my salvation. Try finding a verse of scripture or good song like this one and let it continually roll through your mind today. Allow God to use the words to draw your thoughts to Him as the source of our salvation, hope and joy.

Broken Made New

5/5/2020

Romans 10:9-10
What did you do when something breaks? The other day I had a piece of plastic break on the bottom of my car. I had to pull off the road and use a small piece of rope to tie up the broken part and keep it from banging around as I drove down the road. Right now you could look under my car and see the rope and know that I am telling the truth. You have heard my confession of what I have had to do and you believe that what I said is true. You can affirm the truth and agree with my story because of what you see. As Paul writes this passage he uses the this same idea in relation to salvation. To confess with our mouth simply means that we affirm or agree with something by what we say. What are we to say? Paul says that in order to be saved we need to confess or say that Jesus is Lord. This word Lord simply means master or the one in control. Salvation comes by confessing that Jesus is now the one that is in control of our life and by believing that His is raised from the dead. He died on the cross to pay for sin and He rose from the grave to show His power over sin and death. Without the resurrection the death of Jesus has no power because everyone dies. However, Christ is alive and that is what the believer in Jesus Christ holds on to. So to review, salvation has two parts a confession that Jesus is now the one in control of my life and a belief that is from the heart that God raised Him from the dead. Paul states that when you do that you will be saved. Have you done that? Who else do you know that needs this simple message of hope to fix what is broken and experience new life?

My Child

5/4/2020

John 13:33-35
To be called childish is a negative remark that describes immaturity. To be called “My Child” is a completely different term that speaks of endearment, care and affection. There is a relationship that is described as personal, being my child. There is also a relationship that is described as belonging, that the child knows they belong to the one calling them. In addition, others in the community will know that certain children are connected to certain parents. Children are the possession of parents, children belong to parents and children are connected to parents. The same is true for a spiritual relationship. God as a spiritual Father has His children as His possession. On the other side of the relationship we as children find security in the relationship knowing that we belong to the Father. Others see the connection of the relationship because the children look and act more and more like their Father.

Before examining more of our spiritual relationship and imitation we need to pause and ask a question. What is a Christian? How would you answer that question? Often in today’s culture people will claim that they are a Christian if they see that it can be a benefit to them. Perhaps the better way to determine what a Christian is would be to examine the life of the individual. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40 that we are to love God and love people. We see John record that love is required for those who claim to be followers of Christ (John 13:34-35). Love is the foundation for the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. God loves us unconditionally and His desire is that we imitate Him. If we believe that Jesus is the example we should follow, we will imitate Him. Our imitation provides proof to everyone else that we are children of our heavenly Father. What we believe will affect the way we live.

Persistence in Wisdom

5/1/2020

Proverbs 4:20-27
There they sat, three enormous stones that weighed more than I did and they needed to be moved. The problem was that they were so big that I could not move them by my self. After much pondering and the use of levers and poles I was able to move them by myself almost as easily as a shopping kart in a parking lot. Persistence is often a quality that we value. Yet persistence for a long time in the wrong direction will always lead to the wrong location. In Proverbs 4 we see the father, Solomon, exhorting his son to persist in being wise. The father as the passionate teacher, challenges his son to listen to his words and discern God’s values for life. However, he moves beyond the mind and the intellect in the hope that the son will be diligent, implementing Godly practices that will impact his life. The wise teacher realizes that he can’t correct and guide every aspect of his son’s life so he closes the chapter by advising his son to seek God’s direction for all of life and evaluate his life by God’s standard. Like the son, we need to persist in listening to God, continually live for God and make sure we line up with God. Accepting and following God’s wisdom is not only valuable it is essential because life for all eternity depends on it. Accepting and following God's direction in life takes faith. Persistence in God's direction is the life of the truly wise.