Like a Child. Matthew 18:1-6

I love the way Jesus responds to his disciples questions. They're asking who is the greatest thinking that it must be one of them. Jesus takes the opportunity to expose an essential element of Christianity - humility. He says if you want to be considered great you have to be like a child.

It's important to recognize what quality Jesus wants them to take on in reference to being like a child. He's not saying they have to be innocent like a child. He's saying they have to be humble like a child. A child in the ancient world had no more rights than a slave. They were low class citizens. They didn't know much, they could do much and they certainly weren't entitled to anything. Jesus calls for this type of attitude about oneself in order to follow him.

Matthew 18:1-6
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Questions
1. Why do you think there is such a stern warning about leading children astray?
2. Is there an area in your life you're prideful about?
3. What will stick with you about this passage?

Keep On. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Today is the final day of our church's forty day emphasis on prayer. As this emphasis draws to a close, it's important that we don't bring to a close our prayer as well. If anything this should spur us on to pray even more. We should recognize the complete dependency we have on God to accomplish anything great with our lives. Prayer is a sign that the follower of Christ understands his humble position before the Lord. Prayer says, "I can't do it, but I know one who can."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16Be joyful always; 17pray without ceasing; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify (purify/set apart) you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Questions
1. What have you learned about or by prayer in the last forty days?
2. What's the most encouraging part of this passage?
3. Which of these challenges do you find most difficult?

Wasted Days. 2 Peter 1:1-9

Have you ever wasted a whole day? It's a pretty lousy feeling to approach the end of a day and think, "I didn't accomplish anything today. I wasted the whole twenty four hours." As followers of Christ this is even more frustrating because we know what we've been called to do. Rest assured Jesus doesn't waste time. He isn't lazy, so if we find ourselves in a state of nonproductivity we may find that we're not actively following Jesus. When we find ourselves in this state, the answer isn't to run out and do something. The answer is to pick your cross back up and follow him. He will lead us into areas of productivity and effectiveness.

2 Peter 1:1-9
1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Questions
1. Why do you think "hard work" isn't on the list of things that will keep us from being ineffective?
2. How is it that we're able to "participate in the divine nature?"
3. What things can keep you from being effective and productive?

Standards. Matthew 5:1-11

This is a verse that would benefit everyone to have stored up in his/her heart. Jesus teaches us here that a godly standard of success looks a lot different than a worldly standard. He takes the worldly view and turns it on its head - flips it upside down. Christianity is no different today. If your standard of what it means to be a successful person doesn't include an element of what Jesus teaches below, it's time to reevaluate. Let us all take care to not ascribe to the world's standard. Instead, may we always pursue Jesus, even if it means mockery, discomfort, pain or even persecution.

Matthew 5:1-11
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Questions
1. Do you think most Christians have a Christlike standard of success?
2. How does our culture's view of success differ from Jesus'?
3. What will stick with you from this passage?

Restoration. Psalm 23

Welcome back to the blog. We read this at home last night and it was such an encouragement to me I wanted to send it out for all of you. I pray your soul finds its needed rest in this passage. Sometimes weariness overtakes us little by little until we finally just accept it as a way of life. We come to believe, that's just the way it is. Here the promise is restoration to the weary or burdened soul even in the tough times. Grace and peace.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Questions
1. How does restoration of the soul draw us closer to God?
2. ...to others?
3. What has God used in your life to comfort you?

A Baby Break

Unfortunately "Not by Bread Alone" will be taking a short break due to a brand new addition to our family. Our baby boy, Deacon Matthew, was born at 7:45pm Thursday, March 15th. He's beautiful. He and Morgan are both doing very well.

The regular posts should resume next week. Thanks, and have a great week.

Does It Speak Today? 1 Thess. 5:12-18

I think I enjoy the letters in the New Testament so much because one can easily read it like it's written to him/her. In a sense it is. This letter may have initially been written to the Thessalonians in the first century, but it is still very much alive and applicable to your life. God knew we would be reading these letters some 2000 years later. He knew that the message would be a message for us as well, so it persevered. We also are to work hard, avoid evil, pray continually, etc. I pray you would allow this letter speak to you today; that you would read it like it was written directly to you. Grace and peace be with you all.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Questions
1. How do you feel about this long list of things to do or not do?
2. Are there any that seem more difficult that others?
3. What part of this passage will stick with you today?

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