365 Days with God - Day 84: Understanding

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 84, March 14, 2014

Readings: Psalm 84, Exodus 29, Nehemiah 10, 1 Corinthians 2

For we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him"

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:7-10, 12-14)

One of my most common experiences with non-Christians is their disbelief, or lack of understanding, as to why Christians are so insistent on sharing the word of God. "Why does everything have to be about that?" Why can't Christians just do something good for the sake of doing good?"

I think, in many ways, this is the secret wisdom Paul speaks of. Now, certainly, there is a Holy Spirit-led way to share the gospel with people, and there is a bible-thumping, man-led way to share the gospel. They are not one and the same. All you have to do to know is look at the results. When we are led by the Spirit, people are saved through love, compassion and the work of God in their lives. When people are "saved" by human methods, they are coerced, scared and confused.

But we are called to be led by the Spirit, and to share the love of God through the Spirit. Can someone without the Spirit understand this? What's so important about the gospel, anyway? Why does it matter? Why does it have to be a part of everything we do?

I think these are beautiful questions that open the door to amazing possibilities. I believe the gospel is everything - what does it matter if we meet someone's every physical need but ignore the spiritual? At best, they will live 70+ years and then die - eternity lost. We are not fighting for the 70 years, but eternity. We are not only seeking their best on earth, but their best for eternity. That is why the gospel matters so much. That is why we bring the good news with everything we do.

How is the gospel part of your everyday life?

365 Days with God - Day 83: Gratefulness

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 83, March 13, 2014

Readings: Psalm 83, Exodus 27;20, Exodus 28:1-43, Nehemiah 9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Think about everything you own. All your possessions. Right down to your body, your mind. Did you do anything for them? Did you create the raw materials that your possessions are made out of? Did you educate the minds that invented them?

Of course not. You may have worked for things that you possess - but the possibility of possessing them, the knowledge to create, the body you are in, the mind that is yours - you did nothing for that. All of it was given to you.

And what have you done with what you've been given? Has the sum of your deeds added up to be worth the gifts you have? Could it ever be? Can we ever "earn" our mind? Our body? Our relationships?

Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear our and their feet did not swell. (Nehemiah 9:18-21)

And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great abundance. (Nehemiah 9:25)

Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. (Nehemiah 9:32-33)

How do you perceive all that you have? Is it yours? Or is it God's? Do you honor Him with what He's given you? Do you acknowledge His good things, His good works, His provision in your life? All too often I want to look at the things I have and claim them as mine. Things that I think I worked for, sacrificed for, paid for.

But God has worked more, paid more, sacrificed more than I can ever or even could possibly imagine. He is faithful, diligent and righteous. He has kept his promises. Every one. I can't make that claim. Everything I have isn't mine. But when I hoard my things, when I am ungrateful, when I don't honor God, I am being selfish with something that's not mine. I am claiming something that I don't have a right to claim.

365 Days with God - Day 82: Unity

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 82, March 12, 2014

Readings: Psalm 82, Exodus 27, Nehemiah 8, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

What ties you to other people? Is it family? Shared interests and hobbies? Geographic location? Sports teams? Church?

What if someone you never met called you "brother?" What would you think? How do you think you'd respond?

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1st Corinthians 1:10-13)

If you belong to the Church of Christ, you are family, brothers and sisters with all the other Christians around the world. What does that mean to you? How would you treat your family if they were hungry? Sick? Homeless? How would you resolve conflict between yourself and a loved one? Would you try to take advantage of them if the opportunity arose?

Not only that, but who do you really follow? Surely, we have dynamic leaders here on earth. Paul was one of them. He was, perhaps, the greatest evangelist that ever lived. But he was not building and promoting the Church of Paul. He was building and promoting the Church of Christ. We do not follow a person, or a doctrine, except for the person of Jesus and the Bible that He wrote.

What things in your life can you think of where you're following a person or an ideology more than God?

365 Days with God - Day 81: A Yearning God

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 81, March 11, 2014

Readings: Psalm 81, Exodus 26, Nehemiah 7, Romans 16

I never think of God as wanting something. I don't imagine him longing after anything in particular. He's God, right? He can have all he needs and wants, right?

I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.
But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. (Psalm 81:10-16)

God longs for our love and obedience. He doesn't need it, but he longs for it. Elsewhere it is said that He longs to gather Israel as a hen gathers her chicks under it's wings. God passionately desires our hearts. But this is not a selfish desire, no! God desires our affection and attention so that He can give us His best! Everything He has is at hand, to restore and renew His people.

Remember though, this is not a give love -> receive prosperity contract. God is not promising us what we want. He is promising to satisfy us. To love us. To save us from our enemies (which is sometimes ourselves and the things we want!) God is infinite, glorious. God yearns for you and I to turn and love Him. To seek Him.

Are you listening? Or are you deaf - stubborn and foolish, chasing after only your own desires? All too often I think I put God on my level - as if He can be bargained with. As if He is limited. He is unlimited. He is amazing. He desires only to love you wholly, and for you to love Him to the best of your abilities. He as already demonstrated His willingness to reach out to us with His best - His son. How will you respond?

365 Days with God - Day 80: Full Restoration

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 80, March 10, 2014

Readings: Psalm 80, Exodus 25, Nehemiah 6, Romans 15:14-33

Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved! (Psalm 80:19)

How often have you cried out to God, asking Him to restore you?

How often has that really been a cry that sounds more like: "God, please fix this situation so I can go back to what I wanted to do!"

Because that's usually what I do. I don't want God to fix all of me, just whatever is preventing me from getting what I want. I want God to fix the attitude problem, or the money problem, or the forgiveness problem that I have.

But when I look at the bigger picture, I need so much more. I need a full restoration.  When car buffs talk about fixing up a classic car, there's varying degrees of, you guessed it, restoration. Everything from nothing to everything. Some just want a car that's drivable. Some just want something that looks good, that could make it to a few car shows.

Some want it all. The car is torn to pieces, every part examined, every rusty spot fixed, each chrome piece re-chromed, every square inch painted and buffed to perfection. Often an entirely new engine is put in place.

This is not a short process. It can take years. It costs a lot. But the end result is stunning. And this is what God wants to do in our lives - a full restoration. Not just a new set of rims, or a decent looking paint job, no, God wants it all. He wants to change every piece about us - how we think, act and believe.

And it's not a short process either. It's not easy. It takes years, as every wrinkle is ironed out, every rusty part of us that's stuck is cleaned and replaced, until we shine. Until we are completely changed.

Are you up for it? Do you want to see the truth of who God made you to be? Or are you content to be a daily driver - something that merely makes it from A to B? God desires to make you whole, new and completely restored.

365 Days with God - Day 79: Two People, Two Truths, One Need

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 79, March 9, 2014

Readings: Psalm 79, Exodus 24, Nehemiah 5, Romans 15:1-13

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

"Therefore I will praise your name among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."
And again it is said,
"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
And again,
"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him."
And again Isaiah says,
"The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope." (Romans 15:8-12)

Jesus came for us. The Jews. The Gentiles. The Jews were supposed to be God's shining light to the world, a people to whom other nations could look for guidance, asking, "Who is this God you serve?" But they failed to be different. They followed the ways of other nations, seeking after false gods. Jesus was their promise of deliverance. He came to fulfill God's truth.

Being a "Gentile" myself (I am not Jewish, to my knowledge) I am very aware, and grateful, for the mercy that God has shown me. I am not of the people of Israel. But in order that the world might be saved, Jesus came for me. Not just for His chosen people, but for all people. He is my hope.

Jesus came bringing truth and grace. Truth to fulfill God's promises. To make things right. To restore all things to Him. Grace to renew brokenness, to revive those removed from the lineage of Abraham. We are all His creation, and Jesus came for all of us.

And Jesus' message while He was here was just the same - a mix of grace and truth. God loves us and is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us - but He is God. We don't get to pick and choose His attributes. We don't get to decide what's right and wrong. His grace redeems us, His truth brings restoration.

And we all have one need. To know God. To wonder at His mercy, and to embody His truth. To embrace all that He is. He doesn't want our blind obedience, a dog begging at His master's table. he also doesn't want our carelessness, reckless disrespect of the love He has shown. We can love God, because He first loved us.

How will you respond to His grace? His truth?

365 Days with God - Day 78: Not My Job

I'm giving myself a challenge. Read the Bible each day for a whole year, following the ESV Study Guide 1-year plan. Each day, I will post whatever God has revealed to me in His Word, and how it is changing me. A friend of mine once said that nothing has changed her life as much as reading the bible each day - and I'm excited for how this will change me. Join me on an adventure into the heart of God - and day by day, we can learn more about who He is and what that means to us!

- Andy Catts

Day 78, March 8, 2014

Readings: Psalm 78, Exodus 23:10-33, Nehemiah 4, Romans 14

 Why do you pass judgement on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God; for it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12)

Comparisons. Judgment. I do it every day. Trying to feel better about myself by looking at others, feeling like I'm "farther along" or that I've got more figured out. But if I'm honest?

I don't.

I'm just as confused and messed up as everyone else. I have issues. I have things that I don't understand, things that frustrate me, things that plague me. Many of these are my own poor attitudes or actions. And yet, I still try to validate myself as if I'm on some cosmic scale, and only the "good" will get through. As if my actions add up to "good."

They don't.

There is no amount of good that I, or anyone, can do. We can't compare ourselves against another, because in the grand, eternal scheme of things, we will all end up at the same place. Kneeling before God. Giving an account of who we are and what we did. But the beauty of it all is that only one thing matters:

Do you know Jesus? Do you put your trust in Him? Is He your Lord? That's the only important decision. It's not a merit-based system. It's not scales. It's Jesus. That's it. We're all equal in the eyes of God, but Jesus fills the gap. He will be our witness - not of the good things we did, but of the ultimate thing he did. He set the standard so high that all we can do is bow before Him and seek His mercy. And He gives it, freely. Are we not to give mercy freely to others because of the great mercy we have been shown?