Archives: January 2008

Everyone knows that dead men can’t be trusted for anything!
Reading:

Luke 24:13-32

Sometimes my trust (or hope or vision or expectation) collapses or dies.

However, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced it to this extent:

“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done” (Luke 24:21).

Trusted — past tense. Because they trusted no more. Because Jesus had been killed. And everyone knows that dead men can’t be trusted for anything.

But He was dead no more!

He was back after three days…just as He had told them ahead of time.

I’m glad again this morning for the privilege of putting my trust in Jesus, He who is alive forever more.

Even when my other hopes and visions and trusts and expectations collapse and die, my trust in Him is sure.

(And I’m so grateful to have Him near and with me when those other things collapse and die.)

[Jesus himself drew near, and went with them (Luke 24:15)]
from Luke 24:15

A little bit more from Luke 24: It Was Part of Being Christ

Reading:
Ephesians 4:17-32

This is a morning for Spanish devotions and blogging. But I also must comment a bit in English this time because verse 29 grabbed my thoughts.

“No corrupt word should come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the necessary edification, to the end of giving grace to the hearers” (that’s my translation of the Reina-Valera 1960 Bible).

No corrupt word. Not a single one. None. That excludes lies, gossip, and railing. It also eliminates swearing and cussing — strong or mild or camo. It kills all manner of gutter talk and suggestive speech.

When I see an eyelash in my food, I don’t leave it there. Even if it’s so little. Even if it’s surrounded by a lot of good food. Because in my food, it’s an impurity. Similarly, if a word fails the test, I should pull it out of my speech. No matter how little it is or how little I use it.

If it doesn’t build up the hearer (and that includes the speaker, right?!), out!

If it works against God’s grace in the hearer, out!

Christian, that verse is directed at you!

Mark, it’s for you!

[No corrupt communication (Ephesians 4:29)]

from Ephesians 4:29

A little bit more from Ephesians 4: Who Have You Learned?