Truth or Traditon?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:1-13
¹ The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and ² saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. ³ (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. ⁴ When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

⁵ So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

⁶ He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
⁷ They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

⁹ And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! ¹⁰ For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ ¹¹ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), ¹² then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. ¹³ Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

OBSERVATION: Jesus is rebuking the leaders of the Jewish religion and telling them that they are hypocrites who honor God with their lips but have hearts that are far from God. He also states that because their hearts are far from God they have perverted the commands of God and have substituted their own religious traditions for them. These are religious leaders Jesus is talking to! They are the ones who have studied the Old Testament since childhood. Pharisees had to memorize, word for word, the first five books of the Bible. How could these men who knew the scriptures so well turn them into religious traditions that actually changed the behavior of people into something that ended up being contrary to what the Lord commanded? Do we do the same thing in our churches today?

APPLICATION: I am afraid we also may engage in this. Have we turned salvation into a religious tradition? Is telling a person that if they raise their hand in church and pray to receive Jesus in their heart to forgive their sins such a tradition? Probably not always. But if it is accompanied by teaching that their behavior no longer matters because they are now guaranteed entry into heaven by having followed this pattern, I think maybe so. Salvation, as I read the Bible, necessarily involves transformation. We are changed from glory to glory as we learn about and obey God. Salvation begins by an act of repentance and accepting the gift of forgiveness from God but it does not end there. If our "tradition" of telling people how to get saved leads them to believe they can sin all they want and still come to church and praise God as if there is nothing wrong in their relationship with Him then we have led them into a life of hypocrisy. There may be other areas besides salvation that we need to examine to see if we have been guilty of having "let go of the commands of God" to hold on to the traditions of men.

PRAYER: Father, I look back at the way I have led some people and I feel I have misrepresented both you and your Word. I have not always understood your ways. I am still learning. Keep me from perverting your truth in any way, in my own life and in how I teach others. My heart has always been to try to be faithful in how I present your truth but I know there have been times I have failed. Forgive me for that, Lord, and help me to lead others on the narrow way instead of the wide path. May I be filled with your Spirit and function in the divine gifts you have given to us. Help me to discern any areas where I have put aside the commands of God in favor of religious rituals and traditions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Discounting Greatness

SCRIPTURE: Mark 5:1-6
¹ Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. ² When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! ³ Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

⁴ Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” ⁵ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. ⁶ And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

OBSERVATION: The people of Jesus' hometown were amazed at him, but not for the right reason. They were offended that he taught with wisdom and did miracles. What right did he have to speak with authority and do impossible miracles? After all, wasn't he just a carpenter's son? Wasn't he from a family that everyone knew to be from humble circumstances? And after all, wasn't there even some question about the legitimacy of his birth? How dare he presume to do or be anything great! How dare he be greater than those whose families were of a more noble and educated pedigree!

APPLICATION: It's easy to see the fault of the people in Jesus' hometown. But I think we need to ask ourselves if we do the same thing they did. Do we look down on others that don't have a particular amount of education? Would we be surprised if a plumber prayed for our healing and it actually happened? Would we give credence to a maid who spoke a deep spiritual truth to us or would we discount it because she had a low socio-economic position? Would we let a person who was a ranch hand come and speak in our church even if he had a track record of effectiveness in prayer? I'm not so sure. Maybe we better look into our hearts and let the Holy Spirit shine the light of truth to see if we need to repent of condescension toward others who have not achieved our level of "success".

PRAYER: Father, search me and try me and see if there be any wicked way in me. I do not want to consider myself better than anyone else due to education, economics, language skill or anything else by which we judge and separate ourselves from others. May I be open to all your servants no matter who they are or where they come from. I want to learn from anyone who has your wisdom to share with me. Keep us as a Body open to all the gifts you have placed among us. May we not be guilty of thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought and may we give others the honor they are due. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Sighted Blind

SCRIPTURE: Mark 3:1-6
1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Some in the synagogue came to hear Jesus but not to understand what he was saying. They had already determined their purpose before he opened his mouth to speak. It was to catch Jesus breaking the Sabbath Law by doing the "work" of healing a man. They were self-righteous, very religious people who thought they were doing the right thing by trying to discredit this heretic, Jesus, who didn't value the Law like they did. They were completely blind to the fact that the miracles Jesus did testified to his connection to the Lord who they were all supposed to be worshiping! I heard a quote once from a pastor Steve Brown that was brilliant in its insight: "The degree of spiritual blindness in a person is directly proportional to an inordinate concern over trivial matters". The opponents of Jesus totally missed the significance of the miracle because their focus was on following the minutia of the law. We need to be careful we don't fall in the same trap. Churches have suffered splits because they couldn't agree on the color of paint to go into a new sanctuary or because the new pastor doesn't want a formal choir anymore! Such focuses miss the point of gathering together as a Body completely. Let us be about the business of seeking to understand our Lord better and better instead of focusing on forms of worship, style or traditions. May we not be the sighted who are really blind to spiritual truth.

PRAYER: Father, help all your people who name you as their Lord to walk in love and unity as you prayed they would. And help us all to seek you and your ways above all else. May we engage with you to accomplish your will on earth and to be about the business of bringing sight to those who are in darkness. Help me to see when I am getting off track and focusing on the wrong things. I want to see life through your eyes. I love you Lord. May all I do and say be pleasing in your sight, O Lord. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

A Good Question

SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:15
¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?'

OBSERVATION: Paul is retelling the story of how he was introduced to Jesus. He was on his way to persecute Christians for there faith and gets knocked off his horse by a bright light then hears a voice asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" The above quote is his response. I always chuckle when I get to this part of the story. Paul is persecuting Jesus-followers but he is so sure Jesus can't be the Christ that he still has to ask the question to be sure that this Voice from heaven is Jesus. He finds it is and so begins the conversion of the greatest church planter of all time.

APPLICATION: Today when I read this I didn't chuckle. The thought struck me that Paul's question is one we should be asking all the time. There is so much to know about the Lord, yet we often get so familiar with what we already know (or think we know) that we neglect to ask him to show us new aspects of himself that we are not yet familiar with. Couples that have been married many years have better marriages if they keep exploring their partner and asking questions. "Why do you feel that way?" "What formed your opinion on that subject?" "Who do you admire?" and other probing questions allow us to learn more about our mates. It works in our relationship to God as well. There are things I do not understand about God. I need to ask the same question Paul did much more often.

PRAYER: Who are you, Lord? Teach me your ways and show me your thoughts. I do want to know you more and more all the time. I desire to be intimately acquainted with you. I love you, Lord. Make me to understand and to be more like you. I ask this for the sake of your glory. Amen.

Protesting Properly

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:2-5
² At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “You dare to insult God’s high priest?”

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

OBSERVATION: Paul gets angry when he is slapped. He turns to the man who ordered the guard to slap him and gives him a fairly sharp rebuke. After he is made aware that it is the high priest who ordered his humiliation Paul apologizes and quotes a scripture that says, "Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people." What the high priest did was wrong, regardless of his position, but Paul, while not approving of what the high priest did, admits his wrong in denigrating the man because of the authority he bears.

APPLICATION: In this country we have the freedom to elect our officials and sometimes a candidate wins who is not to our liking. We are used to hearing derisive remarks and jokes about our leaders from comedians as well as bumper stickers decrying any politicians that we do not like. It is standard fare and something we actually take pride in as a country. We have freedom of speech to denounce anything and everything we want. While this is a precious right given to us in our constitution, I think we need to be careful about personal insults hurled at leaders that we do not agree with. We are told in the Bible to pray for those who have authority over us. I don't believe it is wrong to state why I disagree with policies of any particular leader, but I must resist insulting jokes and derogatory remarks of any leader (be it political, church or civil authority).

PRAYER: Father, I know I have engaged in making rude remarks about politicians and others in positions of authority before, but I want to follow your ways and to pray for them instead. I know you want me to speak up against wrong ideas, and I will continue to do so, but I do not want to be snide in speaking of those you have placed over me in every area of my life. Your word says that you can turn the heart of the king, and the most effective thing I can do is to pray that human authorities submit to you and seek wisdom from above. Help me to follow this always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

It's Who Knows You!

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:13-16
¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The seven sons of Sceva are doing (or trying to do) good work. They are going around casting out demons "in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches". They were obviously intrigued by Paul's teaching and with the spiritual power he exuded but for some reason had failed to become disciples who had their own relationship with God. Even so, apparently they had some success with doing this until they came to a man who had several demons in him. The demons declare that they know Jesus and they know Paul, but they don't know these seven sons and they refuse to obey their command to leave. Instead, they wallop these men so severely that they run off bleeding and naked. This is a great example of how we cannot have a vicarious relationship with God. We cannot live and grow spiritually off of another person's God-connection. We must engage with him ourselves. There is an old proverb that says, "It's not what you know, it's who you know". While there is some truth to that statement when it comes to conducting business or getting a foot in the door for opportunities, it does not apply in spiritual matters. When it comes to God, it's not who we know, it's who knows us! Even Jesus said it was possible for people to know who he was and to even do miracles in his name but who will not have a relationship with him. When they stand before him in heaven, he will say to them, "Depart from me; I never knew you" (Matt. 7:21-23). These words should give us pause and cause us to engage in sober thinking. I believe that it is vital that I know God, but it is even more vital that God knows me. I want to know him so well that I become known even to demons as a mighty servant of God. Do demons know your name because of Who knows you?

PRAYER: Father, I long to know you more and more. But I also want you to know me more and more. May demons tremble because I know the One who can make them submit to His will! May the Church be full of believers whose identity is established in you, Lord! This I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Suffering for Jesus

SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:40-42

⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. ⁴² Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

OBSERVATION: The apostles have been called before the Sanhedrin and are ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus. When they refused to comply they were flogged and then released. They leave rejoicing that they have considered worthy to suffer for the Lord! Far from deterring the disciples, the threats against them spurred them on to continue proclaiming the gospel.

APPLICATION: I do not like pain. I really don't know anyone who does. I will do almost anything to avoid it. Yet these disciples were rejoicing after being placed in prison for a night and then flogged the next morning. They have received a public rebuke by the leaders of the Jewish community and they find joy in their humiliation. I have been ridiculed at times for being a Christian, but rarely. And I have never been threatened with bodily harm for my faith. I have, at times, been a complainer and have questioned God with "why me" type questions. When I read this passage I wondered if I would have responded in the same way as these disciples. I certainly hope so. But it does put my little problems into perspective. I have suffered nothing compared to these men. I need to grow in my thankfulness to God for all he has done for me. The joy of the Lord is my strength!

PRAYER: Father, may I have the same spirit in me that was in these first Christians. You have done so much for me in this life that I should be forever grateful without any complaint. Forgive me for the times I have complained and build in me the attitude of these dear brothers, who considered it a privilege to suffer disgrace and pain for speaking in your Name. I love you.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Finding Balance

SCRIPTURE: Malachi 2:17
¹⁷ You have wearied the LORD with your words.

“How have we wearied him?” you ask.

By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

OBSERVATION: There are two distinct things that the Israelites are saying that weary God. First, they are communicating to each other that it doesn't really matter if you live a holy life because God is pleased with you no matter what you do. This is blatantly false. Second, some are questioning the justice of God. It reminds me of questions I hear today from some who query, "If God is love then how could he let these earthquakes and tsunamis happen?" or, "If God is real how could he let this guy come into a business and mow down people with a gun?". Apparently, God is none too pleased with anyone questioning his justice. I think in most cases that people with such questions are not asking them sincerely. Most of the time these type of questions are posed by non-believers to justify their unbelief to themselves. I have always found God to be very open to genuine questioning that springs from a desire to increase one's understanding.

APPLICATION: I am most concerned with the first statement that God says wearies him. When I read it this morning it immediately arrested my attention because I believe it is a statement of sentiment that is taught from many pulpits today. I don't think any pastor that I know would say that he is telling people who do evil that they are good in the eyes of the Lord? But isn't that the effect of telling people that it doesn't matter how much they sin because God's love and mercy always extend to them automatically? We seem to be reticent to preach anymore about holiness because we are under the New Covenant of grace. As an example, why do "Christian" singles move in with someone they are dating and still attend church as if God is ok with their decision? And how can their pastors not confront this? I have seen that situation a lot. Pastors seem to be more afraid of losing congregants for telling the truth than they are of displeasing the Lord. I believe this is one of the reasons our society is failing morally and why the Church in America is spiritually anemic. How do we balance the truth of God's marvelous grace and forgiveness with the truth that he gives us grace to be holy? Romans 6-8 deals with this question in depth. Paul makes it clear that God gives us power to be holy. I believe we need to re-examine our message to each other. There is a balance of truth that is not always easy to find, especially since our sin nature is prone to extremes. Our sin nature actually works against us finding balance in spiritual truth. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory!

PRAYER: Father, help me to wrestle with questions of faith and holiness so that I may be a workman approved by how I handle the Word. Give me insight and wisdom and balance in all areas of my understanding. And I also pray for the Church for whom you died and rose victorious. Keep us on the right path. Help us to commit ourselves to holy living. Let us not compromise any truth but to contend for transformation from glory to glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Various and Sundry Thoughts

SCRIPTURE: Ps. 1:1,2; Acts 3:19-21
¹ Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

OBSERVATION: The first two verses in Ps. 1 are all about fellowship. If one associates himself with the ungodly he will not be blessed. As I read this again I thought about the "keeping" power of fellowship. I know the Word contains many scriptures about the fellowship of the saints. For example, in yesterday's reading (Acts 2) the breaking of bread together with other believers was stress as one of the main pursuits of the newly formed church. But I never really pondered deeply about the connection between community and holiness. If I want to grow and become more godly, I must spend significant time with others who have the same goal.
My second observation is from Acts 3. Peter is speaking to non-believers about how they crucified the Christ (my husband commented that he did so in a very non "seeker-sensitive" manner as we read together). He then goes on to tell them that they need to repent. As many times as I have read this I never really noticed that Peter connects repentance to "times of refreshing" and the second coming of Jesus. Could it be that the Church engaging in the regular act of repentance could speed the return of Jesus to earth? It would seem so from this passage. I have always focused on the world becoming more engulfed in sin and the apostasy of many in the Church as the primary events that would bring about the second coming. But these are not mutually exclusive. There can be a part of the Church that becomes apostate and some that seek God in prayer and repentance for themselves and the societies in which they live. I really think that repentance may be one of the ways that the Church becomes that Bride that is without spot or wrinkle that is spoken of in the Bible.

APPLICATION: The relevance of these two passages to my life is obvious. First, I must treasure and make a priority of spending time with fellow believers who desire to have a closer walk with the Lord. It will help keep me on the narrow way that leads to life. Second, I have a responsibility to regular come before the Lord and repent for my own sins and the sins of my nation so that the Church may be refreshed and that the Lord may come all the sooner.

PRAYER: Father, right now I repent. I have sinned many times in my life and I know I still sin from time to time. I know you cover my sins. Thank you for doing so. I also repent for the sins of my society. We have become a people that looks to ourselves instead of to you for the solutions of our social ills. And we who are in the Church have not been quick to speak up against evils such as abortion, greed and materialism, injustice, disrespect of authority, etc. Please cleanse us! Help me, and my fellow believers, to shine your light in this dark world and bring many to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Bring times of refreshing to your Bride. Make us pure and holy. And come quickly, Lord. We desire to be with you and to have all things restored. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah

SCRIPTURE: Neh. 5:6,7; 14-16; Neh. 6:12-16
⁶ When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. ⁷ I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them.

¹⁴ Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. ¹⁵ But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. ¹⁶ Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

¹² I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³ He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

¹⁴ Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

¹⁵ So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. ¹⁶ When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

OBSERVATION: There are several important leadership qualities displayed by Nehemiah in these verses. 1) He was willing to stand up for the people who had no power and confront the other leaders who were oppressing them. This isn't easy to do, but Nehemiah was willing to take a stand based on principles in spite of what it might cost him. 2) He did not enrich himself at the cost of others. As a leader, he was entitled to have more than he took. No one would have blinked an eye if he had used what was allotted to him as governor, but because the people were hard pressed, he voluntarily limited his financial support. The welfare of the people was more important to him than his own welfare. 3) He worked alongside the people and did not have an attitude of superiority over those he led. 4) He recognized attacks from others, even when they were coming from within the community of the Jews. He refused to be stopped by these attacks. 5) He motivated the people to keep going until the task was finished.

APPLICATION: I need to make sure I continue to develop these qualities in my life. The humility demonstrated by Nehemiah was exemplary. He was obviously a man of prayer, which allowed him to recognize when the enemy was trying to intimidate him, even through people who he should have been able to trust. Paul warned in Acts that there would be people who would arise from church leadership that would behave as "wolves" to devour the sheep. It is so important for leaders to have discernment from God in these matters. My weakest area is the area of motivation. I need to work on developing that skill to a much greater degree.

PRAYER: Father, I am humbled that you have chosen me to lead others in the family of God. I know I fall short of my calling very often. I need your help so much! Give me a humble and discerning heart that is always looking out for the welfare of others above my own. And help me to do a much better job of being a person who motivates others to "finish the race" well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Time To Be Silent

SCRIPTURE: Neh. 2:11-18
¹¹ I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days ¹² I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

¹³ By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. ¹⁴ Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; ¹⁵ so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. ¹⁶ The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me.

OBSERVATION: Nehemiah had received letters from the king authorizing him to rebuild Jerusalem and even to be given the supplies to do the job. But he does not ride into town and immediately tell everyone what he is there to do. He examines what needs to be done in secret. It is not until he personally has a firm grasp of the situation that he goes to his people and explains his task and informs the people that he has secured the king's blessing as well. Immediately he faces opposition from the enemies of God's people.

APPLICATION: There is a time to talk and a time to keep silent. I often do not get this right. I need to learn from this passage to pray about timing. Even when God speaks something to me, or gives me instruction for a task, I need to wait before blurting it out to others. Timing is important. Just like Nehemiah, I think I have sometimes let myself in for trouble by speaking up too soon. I can remember times of sharing a vision I know the Lord gave me and having others mock it because I had not waited and prayed that God would prepare them to hear it, or I had not waited for God to reveal the plan of how and when to carry it out. Jesus was also sometimes completely silent, especially in the presence of his enemies. It's a good lesson to keep in mind.

PRAYER: Father, teach me to be patient and wise. I want to learn from my errors and not repeat them. Teach me when to keep my mouth shut and wait upon you and when to speak. There is a time for both. Help me to get it right. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

How Shall We Then Live?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 21:25-28; 34-36
²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶ Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷ At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

OBSERVATION: Certainly I see more of the signs of Jesus' return in the last decade than in the previous decades of my remembrance. I think of the earthquakes around the world that seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity and the tsunamis that have devastated and killed people in the Indian Ocean and Japan. Even the increase in terror attacks are, in my opinion, related to the end times. And what does Jesus say should be our response to seeing these things? He starts with a warning. Be careful! Do not let yourself be weighed down with either dissipation (the pleasures of life) or anxieties (the worries of this life) or the day of his return will close on you like a trap. Then he goes on to say we should watch (keep alert) and pray for two specific things. We should pray that we escape the great trouble that will come at the end of the world and that we will be able to stand before Jesus in his role as Ruler and Judge.

APPLICATION: I think we Christians take our salvation much too glibly. I am so grateful that Jesus paid the penalty for my sin so that I could spend eternity with him, but that does not mean I can take his grace for granted. We focus so much on grace and forgiveness in the Church that I think we forget that we are supposed to be continually growing in holiness and purity. If Jesus, who is the one who sacrificed his life to buy my forgiveness, tells me I need to pray that I will be able to stand before him at the end of the age, then I had better not just assume that it is a "given" that I will be able to do so. I must be intentional in my pursuit of becoming like him and not be distracted by the temptations of this life. He does promise that "all these things" will be added to me if I seek first the kingdom of God. But if I choose to pursue them on my own, I am in trouble.

PRAYER: Father, I do want to seek first the kingdom of God. Help me to maintain my focus on the right things and not to worry about this life so much. My hope and my trust is in you. May I grasp the full measure of your grace to be an overcomer, and may I lead others in doing the same. Thank you, thank you, for your enduring grace that enables me to do your will. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later

SCRIPTURE: Luke 20:18
¹⁸ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

OBSERVATION: In context, the stone referred to in this scripture is Jesus. This is not one of those "feel good" verses from the Bible. However, I am glad Jesus spoke the truth and didn't sugar-coat what it would be like to be his follower. The truth from this scripture is that everyone will at some point have to deal with Jesus. There are two groups of people; those who choose to voluntarily come to him and "fall on the stone" and those who do not want to have anything to do with the stone, but it will fall on them anyway. The first group is broken to pieces. And a true follower does have his sinful nature broken to pieces. It is a painful process. But those who do not choose to go through this process will have the stone fall on them and crush them. Broken bones can heal; crushed ones cannot. There will be pain in this life. There is no getting out of that. But we get to choose if it will be productive pain by falling on the stone ourselves or if it will be unproductive and fatal pain by ignoring the stone and having it fall on us.

APPLICATION: I don't like being broken. I don't like pain. It seems I have no choice in the matter. So I choose to fall on the rock of Jesus and be broken. He is the Healer, and I will live on after I experience the "breaking" to be a better, more godly person.

PRAYER: Father in heaven, holy is your Name. Bring about your kingdom in my life, the lives of my family members and friends, and in my world. I choose to fall on the Stone. Break away my sin nature and heal and restore me to be like you. May I submit to the process even when it is painful, knowing that when I am in your hands I am in the most loving place I can be. Teach me to choose rightly so that I avoid what pain I can. I do not want to be crushed by the weight of sin. Thank you for taking that from me, Lord. Help me to help others to choose wisely as well. Blessed be your Name! It is in your Name I pray, Amen.

What You See is What You Get

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:11-27
¹¹ While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. ¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’

²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

OBSERVATION: I have always thought this is an interesting parable. I have heard it taught may times, always as a lesson on stewardship, which it is. But it is also about how a person views God and what they get from the relationship as a result. There is no negative view of God expressed by the first two servants who were entrusted with the master's money. Only the last servant saw his master as a "hard man" who took things that didn't belong to him. As a result, he got from his master exactly what he thought he would get; nothing.

APPLICATION: I read an article by an atheist once which called Jesus a horse-thief and a dictatorial megalomaniac who thought he could just take what ever he wanted from people. It was reading the story of the triumphal entry that gave him these ideas. He said he had read through the gospel accounts and that is the picture of Jesus that he came up with. In my view, that is about the most twisted way of interpreting those stories you could possibly have. What about all the miracles of healing, setting people free from demonic possession, raising people from the dead, etc.? I have a view of Jesus as a benevolent, loving man who would not abide lies, deception or oppression by authorities who did not have the interest of the people they ruled at heart. As a result, I expect, and get, good things from God. When bad things do happen to me, I don't blame God, I examine myself to see where I might have been at fault. If I can't see anything I did wrong, I just take it as a lesson in trusting God even when I don't understand all the "whys" of a situation. But others, like the atheist whose article I read, have a negative paradigm of God. They will get nothing from God, and in fact, will face judgment at the end time. These are the type of people who have a rebellious heart, think they are "owed" by God, and tend to have either a totally defiant attitude toward all authority or they have a perpetual "victim" mentality. Sometimes they have both. The point is, our view of God has everything to do with what we get from him in our relationship with him.

PRAYER: Father, continue to teach me your ways and to show me more about yourself. I want to have a correct paradigm through which I interpret your Word and your character. And help me to be a discerning person when it comes to sharing you with others. Help me to see from their viewpoint and to have wisdom in navigating around any idealogical roadblocks they may have so they may see your beauty and your truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

What Has Died?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 17: 26-37 (emphasis added)
²⁶ “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. ²⁷ People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

³⁰ “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. ³² Remember Lot’s wife! ³³ Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

³⁷ “Where, Lord?” they asked.

He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

OBSERVATION: The Lord is speaking of his second coming to earth and what things will be like when that happens. He talks of how some will be taken to heaven and others left here on earth. All this will happen in the twinkling of an eye. Then the disciples ask an odd question. They ask where this will happen, not when. I would think that when would be the more obvious question. Jesus' response is just as strange. I have never really understood it. He says that where there is a dead body, vultures will gather. What? In all the westerns I have ever watched, vultures in the sky mean something has died, but what is he saying has died?

APPLICATION: I'm not really sure. I have no definite answer that God gave me as I pondered and asked him about this. There are a couple of possibilities that came to me. One is that the Church has died. Not that there are no Christians on earth when this happens; if that were true no one would be taken while others are left, as Jesus clearly says will happen. But maybe the organized Church is gone from the scene and those that are taken are those that have come to faith after what many call the rapture has taken place. Or, it could mean that when society has rejected God to the point that Christians go into hiding and the values that have always made society a civil place to live are "dead", that will be the time when God calls an end to the madness and takes those that still trust him out of this mess so that evil will face the final judgment of God before the Kingdom of God is established forever. In any case, it means I have a responsibility to try to persuade as many as possible to receive the love of Jesus before the vultures gather and time is up. I also have a responsibility to live a holy life before others. My life is short. Jesus may come before I die or he may not. But the most I have is a few more decades, and they go by fast. Is there any issue that surpasses this in importance? I think not.

PRAYER: Father, sometimes I feel so impotent in living my life in a way that will make ay difference in anyone's life. I have this physical weakness and pain that limits me (I continue to pray for your healing) and I am not around as many unbelievers as I used to be. I pray you will give me effectiveness in reaching others while there is still time. Make my life count for you. That is all I really have when all this life is over. I love you with all my heart. May I help others to do the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do I Value the Things God Values?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:1-15
¹ Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ² So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
³ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴ I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
⁵ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
⁶ “‘Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’
⁷ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
⁸ “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. ¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? ¹³ “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

OBSERVATION: This parable has always been perplexing to me. Why would the owner of the property commend the dishonest steward for giving away some of what was owed to him? Jesus is certainly not suggesting that we be shrewd in the same way the steward was. In fact, he draws a contrast between the people of this world and the people of God. I think that the answer to my query is that the people of this world have a certain admiration for others who use the system to their own advantage, even if it hurts them. Jesus goes on to say that we need to use our money in ways that line up with kingdom purposes. He also makes the point that how we handle money says a lot about how we will handle "true riches", which is spiritual insight and knowledge. If we can't be trusted to use money in ways which honor God, how can we be trusted with spiritual riches? The Pharisees reacted to this because they loved money yet considered themselves to be spiritually superior to most people. There are still those in the church today who are like these Pharisees. They act spiritual but are trying to serve two masters. It's why many people don't tithe. It's also why some pastors don't cut their salaries even when the church is going through a rough time financially. The last statement of Jesus sums up the matter, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." God's values are not the same as those of men. When my husband and I were discussing this passage he said, "Isn't it interesting that we take surveys of people to find out what we can do that would make them want to come into our churches more when what we really should be asking is, 'God, what things do we need to do here that would lift up and reflect what you value?'. It's a great question.

APPLICATION: I need to examine my heart and make sure I am serving only one Master. I want to know what is detestable to God and what is highly valued by him and be in alignment with the latter. It is easy to get off track, even slightly, and miss doing the will of God because of the constant pull of the world system on us and our ability to find ways to justify ourselves that sound spiritual. I need the Holy Spirit to reveal to me anything that is amiss in my motivations.

PRAYER: Father, teach me your ways, your values and what I ought to do. I am so capable of justifying what I want to believe and do and make it seem like a spiritual endeavor. Search my heart and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Hard Saying

SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:25-27
²⁵ Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

OBSERVATION: This is one of the most difficult sayings of Jesus. There is not one important relationship left out; parents, spouses, siblings, and children, even our own lives are all included. We cannot truly be a disciple of Jesus unless the Lord means more to us than all of these. Our allegiance to God must be greater than to our own self-interest. Our love for family must be subservient to our love for him.

APPLICATION: There is a high cost for being a disciple of Jesus. Following God sometimes entails some difficult choices. I am reminded of some scenes from "Fiddler on the Roof". When the oldest daughter does not want to let her parents choose her husband and use the services of a matchmaker, as is the custom, the father struggles with the idea, but is brought around to accept it. His second daughter, likewise, makes some choices that challenge their cultural tradition. Again, he is brought around to acceptance. But when the third daughter makes the choice of marrying a man outside their faith, the father cannot accept it. This does not just challenge a cultural tradition but a tenet of his faith. Likewise, I must obey God rather than compromise any of his principles to keep peace with my family. I have had to make that choice and it is more painful than I could possibly have imagined. But I have this hope; that God loves my children (and others in my family) even more than I do and that through prayer, I can work with him to bring them back to God. I trust him in and through all things. He comforts my heart as I commit myself to him and pray for those I love who do not have God as first place in their lives. When I read the words of Jesus in this passage, I know I have made the right choice. My obedience is what gives me boldness to approach his throne and ask for the return of the prodigal.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for working in the lives of those I love. Bring them back to you. Convict them of their sin and bring them to repentance and restore them completely. Give back the years the locust has eaten. I mourn for them and long for our relationship to be restored. I look for them to come down the road, just as the father of the prodigal did. Do whatever is necessary to bring them back. In the meantime, I praise you and lean on you for comfort. I take joy in your presence and will enjoy the fruitfulness you give me. There is nothing, and no one I desire more than you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.