Tag: questions
Day 2–“Who is my neighbor?”
Scripture reading for May 19: Luke 10:29-34, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So, likewise a Levite, when he come to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. . . .” vs 36 “ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor. . .?”
Jesus loved to ask questions and to tell stories that helped those asking questions to figure out the answer for themselves. In this story of the ‘Good Samaritan,’ Jesus was asked by a religious ‘lawyer’ a question concerning how to determine who was our neighbor. God’s law instructed His people to love their neighbors as themselves. But prejudice against the Samaritans ran deep in Jewish culture. The lawyer sought to trap Jesus but Jesus told him a story.
The story was that of a man who was robbed, beaten, and left to die by a road in Israel. Two respected Jews, a priest and a Levite, passed this helpless victim. They purposely moved to the opposite side of the road to avoid facing the need. The third traveler was a ‘Samaritan’ who had compassion and stopped to help, using his own supplies to bind up the wounds. He utilized his own animal to transport him and paid expenses for him at the inn. Jesus asked the lawyer: “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor?”
As first responders, we must take the stance of the third traveler. There is no room for prejudice against anyone of a different race or religion. We must not be in such a hurry that we avoid facing the needs presented or make excuses. All should be done with excellence and compassion, proving us good neighbors.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for asking questions and telling us stories we can identify with. Forgive me when I have made excuses not to help others or been in a hurry. Fill me with compassion. Amen.
Day 4–Jesus Respects Individuals
Scripture reading for January 15: Matthew 20:30-33 “And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them. telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us Son of David.” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”
Jesus dealt with each person specifically in the manner needed to bring faith to results. As a Jewish rabbi, He often used questions to provoke faith in those in need. These blind men were sitting by the roadside, probably begging to meet their needs. Their usual request was for alms or sustenance to meet physical needs. The idea that their eyes could be opened again by any man or even God was probably not at the forefront of their thinking. But word of Jesus’ miracles of healing had reached their ears sparking faith to cry out to Him for His attention. The crowd rebuked them to be silent, marginalizing these blind men as unimportant to the rabbi Jesus.
Jesus took time to personally minister to them, asking them directly, “What do you want Me to do for you?” This respected their integrity and choices and treated them with dignity. They addressed Jesus as “Lord” and “Son of David”, which were respectful and full of faith in Jesus’ divinity. Jesus listened to their response to His question and in turn touched their eyes with great compassion. Scripture records that immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him. (Matthew 21:34)
As responders, treating each person with dignity and respect is vitally important. As a responder and chaplain, I always ask questions to find the need in each situation. If as a believer in Jesus, I feel that prayer is required, I always ask if this would be acceptable to the person. I try to stay calm and act in kindness and gentleness, reflecting the heart of Jesus. My goal is to inspire faith and meet the real needs of each unique person.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the kindness and respect You show even to those that have disrespected You. Help me daily to learn to ask questions and respect the sovereignty of the individuals You allow me to touch for You. Amen.
Questions!
Scripture reading for August 19: Galatians 3
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? Does He Who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith–just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness?” Galatians 3:1-6
In typical rabbinic style, Paul the former Pharisee seeks to bring correction to the world views of those in the Galatian church who had succumbed to the Jewish false teachers that sought to persuade them to return to keeping the law along with faith. Paul asked them a series of questions designed to get them to open their minds and hearts to the truth. Questions help those who are teachable to do a self-examination without putting up a wall of defense. Questions help with honest exploration of possible answers. Questions are a gentler way of confronting those who are deceived to enable them to decide for themselves to admit or confess their deception and thus find deliverance.
Paul’s “O foolish Galatians!” was a life-giving rebuke to help them realize how serious their doctrinal shift was. They had been ‘bewitched’ by an evil spirit that was trying to take them back to religion and good works as a means of salvation. Human effort to be good and keep the law of God will never bring us to righteousness and justification before God. These believers had already gone through suffering for their initial stand of faith for Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah. Paul questioned if their suffering had been in vain or for nothing. Paul’s final question concerned living by faith through the Spirit or if doing the works of the law brought righteousness. The answers to all the questions should have been obvious.
Have you ever been faced with questions concerning your doctrines or core beliefs on salvation? Have you ever had to change your stand and take a new view of God’s plan of salvation? Do you personally find questions as a good way to help you examine your own beliefs?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for asking us questions to open our hearts to receive correction and instruction. Help me to respectfully use questions to help those who may be involved in deception or false teaching. Thank You for the Holy Spirit of Truth that gives me wisdom and discernment. Amen.
“Who are You, Lord?”
Scripture reading for June 4: Acts 22
“”As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, Whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the One Who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.” Acts 22:6-10
Have you ever noticed how many questions there are in Scriptures? By one estimate, there are 183 questions in the Gospels alone. This is because God wants us to think and evaluate the answers so that we might chose to change our minds willingly. In this testimony of Paul, he again recounts his earlier life as a devout Jew who persecuted Christ’s followers. He was on his way to Damascus with arrest warrants for believers there when Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, then called Saul. A light shone around him and a voice asked him a penetrating question. He was addressed by name, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Paul (Saul) responded with another question: “Who are You, Lord?” Although Paul knew about Jesus Christ, he did not know Jesus Christ. Jesus wanted personal relationship. This conversation, although heard clearly by Paul, was not understood by those with him. As Paul processed this information, he must have come quickly to the conclusion that his world view of Jesus Christ was in error. His persecution of Christ’s followers was actually a persecution and rejection of Jesus! “What shall I do, Lord?” was the humble request of a heart changed! The result of this bright revelation of Jesus was blindness in Paul, needing to be led by the hand. He obediently followed to Damascus, awaiting instructions.
Have you ever been convinced something was true and found out that it definitely was not? Has a question ever caused you to think more deeply and reflect on your direction? What question would you have for Jesus if He appeared to you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for desiring personal relationships with each of Your children. It is comforting to know that You ask us questions to help us find truth. Help me, as a teacher of Your Word to ask questions that probe the heart and draw people to Your Word and Jesus. Amen.
What’s in it for me?
Scripture reading for January 27: Matthew 19
“Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 19:27-30
The rich young ruler had just left with sadness when Jesus had advised him to sell all he had and follow Him. The disciples had listened and observed his sad departure. They began to examine their own sacrifice to follow Jesus. Was it going to be worth it? What would they really have when all was said and done?
As we go through life as believers and followers of Jesus, we all have a tendency to ask the same question as Jesus’ disciples: “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” The world mocks our decision. Many in our world seem to be enjoying riches, fame, and pleasure who have not given up anything to follow Jesus. But looks can be deceptive. Jesus promised an amazing reward for those who by faith would leave behind the riches of this world and even have broken family ties because of allegiance to Him. There would be a great reversal. Those now considered ‘first’ would then be ‘last’, and those now considered ‘last’ or ‘losers’ would be first!
What impact on your world view does this simple teaching of Jesus have on how you are viewing life in our culture? What is the focus of your life at present? Who, in your view, is now considered ‘first’ in our land? Is there anything that you need to change in your own life and priorities?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that You have revealed to me that the pursuit of riches is not the way to life eternal. As I grow older and approach life on earth’s end, use me to share Your promises of eternal life and eternal rewards with those who are caught up in trying to be ‘first’. You, Alone, are my reward! Amen.
Questions for the next generation
Scripture Reading for February 21: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in seventeen of the twenty seven New Testament books and alluded to nearly eighty more times. This book is a record of the last four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel. It records lessons he learned and that God wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.
Moses had led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling, complaining, doubt and unbelief. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, did not get to enter the promised land due to his dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) In explaining the forty years of wandering, Moses appeared to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37) But God holds leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him.
Moses also preached to this next generation to inspire faith in God. His questions to them are typical of the rabbinical style of teaching. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!” They were a special people marked by their Holy God traveling with them. They must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!
What lessons do you find helpful for you today from these ancient sermons of Moses? Is history helpful to us today? Choose a family member from the ‘next’ generation to pray for and possibly share your faith or life lessons with in this coming week. Consider some questions you might ask them.
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Pattern for prayer!
Scripture reading for January 8th: Genesis 18-21, Matthew 6
Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and for give us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.””
Jesus, in teaching His disciples how to pray, gave simple instructions. He laid out a pattern for them. God was addressed as ‘Our Father in heaven’, implying family relationship. Really, the term ‘Father’ is more like ‘Daddy’! The priority was to His will being done, not ours! We were to acknowledge our dependence on Him for everything: provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil and the evil one.
Genesis 18:23-25 “Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked. Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?””
Prayer: Father, thank you for Your simple instructions and the ability of Your people to come before you and ask questions and declare our needs! In Your Holy Name, Amen.