December 1, 2012 Joy

Joy Luke 15:3-7 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. WHAT is joy? Sometimes joy is difficult to define because it has so many different forms. To one person joy could mean a gentle hug. To another joy is the grand celebration of a graduation. Joy is a mother’s response to holding her newborn baby. The Bible generally speaks of joy as an ecstatic response to a person or circumstances in one’s life. This passage from Luke 15 tells of how a good shepherd rejoices at finding one lost sheep. Read the entire chapter, and you’ll see joy also comes at the discovery of a lost coin and at the return of the prodigal son to his father. Jesus’ teachings on joy point to the discovery of a lost sheep, lost coin and a lost son. He designs his lessons to help you understand how profoundly God desires you go to him. Think of this: God is ecstatic when you come to him! He longs for your presence. He looks for your return as you are lost in a sinful land. He celebrates when you return. God expresses joy when you go home to him. It’s True! Your God is passionate for every person – you’re included.

November 30, 2012 Your First Love

Your First Love Luke 14:26-27 “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.” THIS IS a hard saying. It sounds so “anti-Jesus”. What is Jesus’ “anti-family” point? Today I hear many people who are called to minister in a certain place say, “I’ve decided to stay where I am because of my family.” They indicate the family is everything. But the truth is, they are saying to Jesus, “My family is more important than you.” Ouch. Yes, as difficult as it is, we are to give up everything, even our own family and put our Lord first in our heart. “Family first” means Jesus is less than first. Why does he require that much love from you? First of all, he loves you that much. Yes, Jesus submitted to God’s will, and he left his Father’s side in Heaven to come to earth and give his life to death on the cross for you. Second, that “Jesus first” love puts you into a deep, passionate place with him. When you love Jesus so much you sacrificially put him first, you will experience his wonder wherever you go. What’s more, you will be with your first love, Jesus Christ, and that’s the most wonderful place in life now and forever. Put Jesus first today. Proclaim your love for him and follow him wherever he invites you. Show the joy of his love to a love-lost world. It’s True! Jesus is must be your first love.  

November 29, 2012 BIG Kingdom View

Kingdom View—BIG View Luke 13:18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.” AS YOU read Jesus’ words here, do you think about doing BIG things with God? Sometimes in my sermons I refer to BIG things as Believing In God things. Kingdom living is living in expectation that God will do things in a manner and in a time only he can do. The parable of the mustard seed is a perfect example of a BIG thing. Mustard plants grow only 2-3 feet tall. To grow into a huge tree with nesting birds is a Kingdom of God event. The chapter speaks, too, of Jesus BIG healing of a woman crippled for 18 years. His Sabbath healing illustrates how God created the Sabbath for a time not only of rest but of restoration. Jesus talks also of the yeast that makes the dough grow to loaves of bread. And he makes it clear sin is intolerable in the Kingdom, urgently calling you to be ready for the Day of Judgment that you may eat of God’s great feast of eternal life. This is quite a BIG list isn’t it? The foundational truth of Kingdom of God living is faithfully Believing In God. You must in faith understand he is the God of the universe who can and who will do all things to form his righteous and holy plans to care for you right now and forever. It’s True! Kingdom of God living is believing in God’s power for your life.

November 28, 2012 Pray for Thousands

Pray for Thousands Luke 12:1 Meanwhile the crowds grew until thousands upon thousands were milling about and crushing each other. THE BIBLE records many, many miracles. But I think we miss this one. “Where’s the miracle?” you ask. Well, when was the last time you went to church and couldn’t find a parking space, couldn’t get in the door, couldn’t find a seat, couldn’t wait to get there, couldn’t wait to hear the Word preached or couldn’t wait to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit pour into your heart the truth of God’s spoken Word? Jesus spoke with no loudspeakers, no TV blitz, no radio campaign, internet or Facebook to announce his coming. But they came because nothing could stop them. Thousands came because they were hungry for the truth. Thousands came to witness signs and wonders. Thousands came to touch God. My friends, this can still happen today. In Jesus’ day he spoke and ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who preach God’s Word today must speak in the Power of the Spirit. Those who listen must listen in the Power of the Spirit. Pray for your own worship experience, that the Spirit will wrap your heart in love around God’s Word. Pray for your church, that thousands—yes thousands—will come. Pray for your minister that he or she will preach in the power of the Spirit. Watch the signs and wonders happen. It’s True! Praying for this week’s worship at church is what we all must do.  

November 27, 2012 Key to Knowledge

Use the Key of Knowledge Luke 11:52 “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” AS PEOPLE called to serve God, I pray we will never hinder anyone from entering the Kingdom. Hindering means we are too ready to condemn. Hindering is not listening to what people say. Hindering is moving forward with our own agenda, not God’s. Hindering is forcing people to look at God’s condemnation and not God’s grace. Hindering is removing hope from people’s lives. Hindering is not listening to God to do what he tells us to do. Yes, we must be prepared to always give the gospel of Jesus Christ. Give it then, in love, in your actions, in your response to people, in your help to those in need, in your voice of compassion and in your love for Jesus. Hold the Gospel, the key of knowledge, in your heart, mind and soul. Then be ready to give this knowledge to unhinder, to release and free people into the Gospel forever. It’s True! How freely you can give Jesus as he has given to you.

November 26, 2012 Are You Sure?

Are You Sure? Luke 10:3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. “OKAY! I’m ready to go. Send me, Jesus. I’ll go and do what you want when you want. I’m yours! “Oh, wait a minute, Jesus. You said I’d be as a sheep among wolves? That’s pretty unsafe, isn’t it, Jesus? That sounds pretty risky to me. Wolves eat sheep. Have them for lunch—and any other meal they desire. Are you sure, Jesus, you want me to go where people might hurt me, turn on me or even kill me? I’m not sure now, Jesus. Let me think it over.” It sounds prudent, doesn’t it, to think about, to carefully consider those places Jesus wants you to go? Satan’s ravenous wolves have devoured many of Jesus’ sheep through the centuries. The list of martyrs grows steadily. The list of discouraged Christian workers grows even more dramatically. And certainly the “death rate” of pastors is alarming. Why would Jesus send his faithful into such deadly danger? Think of this. How do you conquer an enemy? You must go where the enemy is fortified. You have to meet the enemy and do battle with him. He will not be defeated if you stay home and wait for him to surrender. The tragic truth is that Kingdom of God victory requires dedicated workers willing to give their lives. Sin’s opposition will destroy some of those workers. As in war when a soldier sacrifices his life so others will live, Christ followers must always sacrifice their way of life. And sometimes they must sacrifice their physical life for Jesus. Faithfully following Jesus sometimes requires physical death to point others to the Lord of Life. It’s True! Your life belongs to Jesus.

November 25, 2012 Your Daily Bread

Your Daily Bread Luke 9:1-6, 10-13 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere…10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” JESUS sent his disciples to do miraculous healing. When they returned he took them to an isolated area where the crowds came. The disciples watched as Jesus “healed those who needed healing”. The disciples acted in and watched God’s power. Then they wondered, “How can we feed so many?” That’s what we do. We watch and hear of God’s power, then when we need him, we look at ourselves. It’s True! Your “daily bread” is a miracle—seek God for each step of your life.

November 24, 2012 Purposefull Process

Purposeful Process Luke 8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. WHAT would you like to accomplish today, this coming week, month or year—even in your lifetime? What do you feel God might be pointing you to do or become in your life? If your answer is, “I just want to be happy.” Or “I just want to get through the day.” Then perhaps you might want to consider Jesus’ example of purposeful living. See how Jesus is in a process to “proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God”. Notice how purposeful he is to do so as he goes from town to town. See how he develops disciples to be the next kingdom messengers. Also, notice how the named women were “helping to support them out of their own means”. Jesus needed support material support of food and shelter to physically stay in his gospel process. Jesus’ preaching, the disciples and his supporters were the result of Jesus’ purposeful process to bring salvation to the world. What’s your life’s purpose? Don’t know? Then seek God’s leading. What is in your heart and your mind to do? Step into your desires and see where he directs you. When you do, you will enter into a process of purposeful living—just as Jesus did. It’s True! Purposeful living is a process with God.

November 23, 2012 Celebrate

Celebrate! It’s Forever Luke 7:14-15 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. WHAT DO you think the mother felt? Oh my, what would she feel but great release from grief! She would feel exalting joy and incredible wonder. She would be even more amazed than the day her son was first born. Now, he was born again! He was alive! He was made new! He was transformed from death! Let’s rejoice and have a party. Call the family. Call the friends. Call the town. Let everyone come who can! Now, what do you say when someone says, “I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” Most of what I hear is “Great!” or “That’s good.” Or some mundane congratulations. When someone does confess Jesus as Lord it is better than this new life in this young man. It is eternal life! There should be shouting, singing, rejoicing, celebration, and wonder expressed throughout the community. Who do you know who is born again? Celebrate! It’s forever! It’s True! Being born again is an eternal joy!

november 22, 2012 Be Thankful, Cause Change

Be Thankful, Cause Change Luke 6:22 What happiness it is when others hate you and exclude you and insult you and smear your name because you are mine! HERE LUKE records some of the “Sermon on the Mount”, more commonly referred to in Matthew 5-7. This is one of Jesus’ “be happy” sayings or Beatitudes. It doesn’t fit our thinking of popularity does it? Have you ever felt left out or even abused because you talked about Jesus and stood for what was right? Then be happy about it! Yes, that is what Jesus is teaching. And it is a wonderful lesson to learn. One of the most difficult places to come to in our lives is the place of “eternal view”. In other words, when we decide what to do or say, we need to understand how our words and actions will affect our eternal view or someone else’s eternal life. For example, if you are ostracized because you take a stand for Jesus and are sad about it, no one will care. If you have a smile on your face and show joy amid trouble, someone will say, “What makes you so happy?” And you can say, “Jesus makes me happy, and here’s why.” In your response you have the opportunity to affect someone’s eternal life. You show them in your attitude that you really believe Jesus’ words. Yes, be happy in Jesus. Be thankful on this day that you have Jesus to trust and guide your life. Be thankful you have Jesus to assure you of all you need. Be thankful in your heart and mind toward the One who has saved your soul, and you will affect eternal change in people’s lives. It’s True! A happy, thankful attitude can change someone’s life—perhaps your own.

November 21, 2012 Mission Power

Mission Power Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” JESUS has been baptized by the Father through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sent him to the desert to deal with Satan. Now Jesus begins his ministry to preach the God’s favor to all mankind in the Holy Spirit’s power. Why would the Holy Spirit need to empower the Son of God? After all, Jesus says at the close of his ministry in John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. Isn’t Jesus powerful enough to do his ministry on his own? No, he isn’t. He’s the Son of God come to earth to be fully man. He lives in the limitations of a human body. The Spirit of God must empower him to do the work of God for the purpose of God. Jesus, just as you and I do, needed the Spirit of God to empower him to minister. In the Spirit’s anointing he would do the good work of telling and showing to the world God’s favor of salvation. Does this stir you to hope? After all, the Spirit of God is available to work in you the same way he worked in Jesus. Jesus lived, preached, taught and healed in the Spirit’s power. You can, too. In faith seek God’s Spirit, and he will anoint you to speak the Lord’s favor to all you know. It’s True! The Spirit will empower you to speak and do God’s kingdom purpose.

November 20, 3012 God The Weaver

God the Weaver Luke 3:1-6 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar — when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God's salvation.’” LUKE is known as an historian, a man of education, and you can see how he frames John the Baptist’s preaching in the context of historical events in Judah and Israel. He wants his reader, Theophilus (see chapter 1), to know the events he describes are real. Knowing how John’s ministry corresponded to Roman rule, Luke’s friend and many, many gospel readers since then have been able to believe that Luke was, indeed, (Luke 1:3) “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” and he has written an orderly account of what had happened. And what happened? God’s salvation promise to the world takes a giant step forward as John declares the kingdom come. He preaches God is moving mountains of despair to make the way smooth to life. He is straightening the highways for clear paths to salvation. Luke carefully records the Kingdom is about to come. It’s True! God weaves his salvation into history and into your life.

November 18, 2012 Prepared

Prepared Luke 1:16-17 Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ON THE first day my twin granddaughters walked into school, they were in new surroundings and had a new “authority” person in their life. Their teacher began to guide them through lessons and habits to help them engage with her, with learning and with their classmates. It was a big change for them, or was it? Really, it wasn’t. Essentially for the prior 6 years of their lives, their mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, Sunday school teachers and pre-school teachers had prepared them for that day. They had learned about authority and learned it really is fun to learn! They had been prepared. And as they entered school, they found learning to be a joyful experience under the authority of their teacher. God wants you to joyfully learn about him and from him. He prepared his people for his Messiah through centuries of prophecies and his authority in the Law. Then God sent John the Baptist to make final preparations for Jesus. Those who believed God, the prophets and John expected the Messiah. As a result, they were ready for Jesus’ authority to teach, to heal, and to transform lives into salvation. And those who accepted his authority experienced salvation’s joy. They found learning of Jesus’ love and forgiveness to be a joyful experience under the authority of their Master. Are you prepared to follow Jesus? I hope so. He is Lord, and his authority is to save you into an incredibly joyful life. It’s True! A heart prepared for Jesus will live in faith in Jesus.

November 17, 2012 A Savior

A Savior Esther 10: 1 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews. COULD you call the book of Esther, the book Mordecai? His influence is felt throughout as he watches over Esther, and urges her on to speak to Xerxes to save her people. Mordecai is the man who saves Xerxes’ life as he unveils a plot to kill Xerxes. Also, Mordecai issues orders to the Jews to protect themselves, and you see he is raised to the second highest post in Xerxes’ kingdom. His kingdom stature and reputation among the Jews is similar to that of Joseph, who saved his people in another way in ancient Egypt. God raises men and women to save his people at various points in history. He acts mightily to position faithful people in strategic positions to turn evil rulers from their desire to destroy the Jews. Gideon and David are two examples. How about you? Could we write a book one day with your name as the title? Would the story be one of how God used you to turn evil from a friend’s or loved one’s life, perhaps from many lives, to save them from death into life? It’s True! If you call Jesus, “Savior”, he’s calling you to act as a Savior.

November 16, 2012 Remember & Celebrate

Remember & Celebrate Esther 9:24-29 For Haman had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king's attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur (meaning lot). Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants. WHEN Haman planned to kill the Jews, he cast a lot, determined by random choice a date for his murderous desires. The word for “lot” is “pur”. As God turned this day of evil into a day of salvation for the Jews, the Jews proclaimed a new holiday they call Purim to remember their deliverance. God’s Word often calls you to remember how he turns evil, intended to destroy God’s purposes, into good that advances God’s kingdom purposes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 and when Jesus had given thanks, he broke the bread and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” It’s True! The bread and the wine symbolize Jesus’ broken body and shed blood to deliver you from evil. Remember and celebrate this each time you eat.

November 15, 2012 Celebrate!

Joy of Deliverance Esther 8:16-17 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them. DELIVERANCE has come to the Jews in King Xerxes’ kingdom. God has used Esther and Mordecai to rescue his people from the evil plot of Haman to destroy them. The Jews can fight back to defend themselves, and they do so. The Jews living in exile defeat the enemy around them, and they joyfully celebrate God delivering them from death. In many ways, the book of Esther can be compared with the plight of mankind. Humans live in a foreign nation, the world. They are threatened with death from an evil person, Satan. They need a Savior, Jesus. Jesus gives them the authority to fight back in his power, and Satan is destroyed. In response, Jesus’ kingdom citizens rejoice in their deliverance from evil. Can you imagine how the Jews felt as they experienced the release from certain death at Haman’s hand? Death’s unbearable burden was gone, and the joy of life surrounded them. Do you think they made new commitments to their loved ones to live well? Do you think they focused on celebrating the opportunities now available to them in their freedom from the evil around them? Do you think they rejoiced in their newly secured lives? This is what your faith in Christ should feel like. You have been released from death’s burden to live the full life God has created for you. You are free from death’s fearsome bondage. You can live confidently that the Lord of life has you in his care without end. It’s True! You can celebrate your salvation.

November 14, 2012 Are You Ready?

Moment of Truth Esther 5:1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. THIS seems so simple. Esther approaches the king, her husband, and he welcomes her. But this is, in fact, life-threatening. Esther approached the king without his request for her to come. By law, he could have condemned her to death, but by his grace, he allowed Esther to live. One day you will enter Christ the King’s throne room of heaven. See in Daniel 7:9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. 13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” By God’s law you are condemned. By God’s grace, Jesus’ blood saves you as you confess him your Lord and Savior. Are you prepared to enter into the King’s throne room? It’s True!

November 13, 2012 Go With God

Go With God Esther 4:13-14 “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” LET’S BE CLEAR about something: When God calls, you need to say, “Here am I.” Oops, didn’t’ mean to scare you. I know. It can be scary making that kind of commitment. You can take this scripture and applaud Esther because she would respond to God’s call for “such a time as this”. But she first had to really come to trust God. The previous verses record how she made an excuse to stay away from Xerxes. Her unwanted presence could cause the king to kill her. But even a death threat is no excuse when God calls. When God calls you to speak words of salvation, you need to go. God wants that person saved, and he wants you to be his partner in that salvation. If you say “No, I don’t want to go.” He will respond, “Okay, I’ll send someone else. But you will lose the blessing I had planned for you.” What is that blessing? It is a joy that comes when you join God as he calls you. Working with God is challenging, it can be scary, and it is often difficult. But in those things you see God strengthen you. Your faith grows, and most of all, your love for your Lord grows. The God who saved you from death commands you to speak his truth and offer eternal life to others. Trust God’s “Go!” call to you, even if you’re scared to death. It’s True! Overcoming great fear leads to great faith.

November 12, 2012 Big Issues

Big Issues Esther 1:1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. I AM thinking about issues we face in our lives. Some are little and some are huge. Some come and go, and some stay around for a long time. How do you deal with them? To answer that question, you can look at a simple little girl whom God used in a most remarkable way. Esther was an orphan. Raised by her uncle Mordecai, a learned man, she seems to have had a strong sense of who she was. She was a Jew. She was one of God’s chosen people. She was special. And when God moved events to put her into Xerxes’ court, to become his Queen, she had a huge issue to face. Her people—all the Jews—were to be killed. And to stop this, she had to face the most powerful man in the world. This young girl from a simple background would have to enter the king’s throne room to plead for her people without invitation. Even though the king was her husband, doing such a thing could cause Esther’s death. So, you think you have big issues? Here’s death staring Esther in the face. What should she do? She wavered. But she stared back. She knew who to ultimately trust. She trusted her God. She fasted and prayed to prepare for her task. She had others fast and pray for her. She turned to God, and he used her for victory. Esther didn’t win the battle. God did. God then blessed Esther because she trusted him. Esther trusted and obeyed God, even with the big things in her life. That’s what Esther did with her big issue. What do you do? It’s True! God calls us to trust him with really big things sometimes.

November 11, 2012 What Do You Hear?

What Do You Hear? 1 Kings 22:7-8 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?" 8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." HAVE you ever asked someone, “Tell me the truth, what do you think of me?” And you didn’t like what you heard? Your nature is to seek words that only affirm you, isn’t it? 1 Kings 22 is an account of a desperate King Ahab of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) seeking only good words from God. He has many “prophets” around him telling him what he wants to hear, but no prophet has told him the truth until King Jehoshaphat of Judah urges Ahab to seek a prophet of God. There’s a good idea—seek a truthful man who knows God’s truth. But Ahab doesn’t like the idea because that truthful man is Micalah, who always tells Ahab things he doesn’t what to hear. Odd, isn’t it, that Ahab would not listen to a prophet of God who proclaims the truth? Why would that be? Would Ahab be as one who goes to church to hear God’s Word but doesn’t like what he hears? Too often, you consider the Good News of God’s Word to be Bad News for your life, don’t you? You don’t like it when God calls you to change a harmful habit or repent of a sin. It’s bad news, isn’t it to be confronted with things you don’t want to hear? King Ahab rejected God’s truth and died. What will you do with God’s truth? It’s True! God’s Word is good news for your eternal soul.

November 10, 2012 God Wins

God Wins 1 Kings 21:17-19 & 25 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood — yes, yours!'“ …25 There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. 26 He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel. IN 1 Kings 21, you read the story of how Jezebel, wife of King Ahab of Israel, plotted against Naboth. Naboth owned a vineyard Ahab desired, and Naboth refused to sell it to him. In response, Jezebel hired two men to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy and lying, and Naboth was stoned to death. Ahab then possessed Naboth’s vineyard. As verse 25 says, “he sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord”. In response, God brings Elijah back into Ahab’s life to pronounce God’s judgment over Ahab. Although Ahab at times seems to seek the Lord in his life, he does so at his own gain. And he often turns from the Lord for his own desires. Our lesson here is to understand as Jesus says in Luke 16:13-14 “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.” As God commanded Ahab to follow in God’s way, Ahab followed his own way. Ahab’s sin brought God’s judgment on Ahab’s family. Ahab’s gain was his family’s fatal loss. It’s True! You cannot oppose God.

November 9, 2012 Ready to Quit?

Ready to Quit? 1 Kings 19:1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” ELIJAH has been living under the complete care of God. For 3 ½ years God had demonstrated his power to Elijah in many ways. Why now is Elijah so fearful of Jezebel, so depressed and ready to die? Depression can do that to you—make you feel useless and worthless. You get depressed when you’re too tired, too discouraged, too weak to go on by yourself. You get depressed when you go off to be by yourself and focus too much on life’s hard obstacles instead of God’s great grace. Elijah had gone to the desert to escape Jezebel. But he came face-to-face with his own limitations as a man. He needed God to come to him to restore his strength and vitality. That’s exactly what God did. Elijah would rise up again to be an instrument for God in the power of God. It’s True! Psalms 40:17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.

November 8, 2012 Decide

Decide 1 Kings 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. “HOW long will you waver between two opinions?” Elijah asks. That’s the question that has sounded through the ages. That was the problem in the Garden of Eden. That was the problem between Cain and Abel. That was the problem that caused the Great Flood. That was the problem that caused God to exile his people to Babylon. God called his creation to choose him, but mankind has not made up its collective mind to choose its creator. Hearing God’s commands, his love and his call to dwell in his blessing, humanity has listened for a time, but then we have looked for something “better”. But it’s never better is it? The devil led Eve to sin. Cain decided to kill his brother. Noah was the only righteous person on earth. Daniel, Jeremiah and a few others stayed loyal to God amid the exile. Some did make up their minds. They chose God’s ways, and God used them for extraordinary kingdom work we talk of today. Who do you choose? Joshua said (Joshua 24:15) But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” From Eden to today, God has given mankind a choice. Elijah called God’s people to the right choice. Some said, “No.” and they died. Some said, “Yes.” and they lived. What is your choice—death or life? It’s True! There is only one choice to life.

November 7, 2012 Powerful Prophet

Prophet Power 1 Kings 17: 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” ELIJAH is one of scripture’s most remarkable prophets. His life would make a compelling movie, and reality TV would have a popular show displaying the 3 years of Elijah’s’ life described in 1 Kings 17 – 18. In today’s passage, Elijah speaks to Ahab of a severe drought to come on Israel, the Northern Kingdom. Ahab and his wife Jezebel are evil people, murderous of anyone of God, living only in the grasp of evil. They have controlled Israel with evil hearts, so God uses Elijah to bring their lives to an end. He begins with a drought. Notice no rain, no dew and no moisture of any kind on the land for the “next few years”. Elijah speaks God’s severe judgment. And notice Elijah says the drought will not end “except at my word”. Remarkably, God has given to Elijah the prerogative to call upon God for rain when he feels it is the right time to do so. (Read 1 Kings 18, and you’ll see how that happens.) Immediately Elijah becomes an enemy of the state. Ahab is enraged at Elijah’s’ curse on the land, and Elijah becomes a fugitive. The remainder of chapter 17 records how God cares for Elijah with birds and nature’s elements. Then he sends Elijah to a widow’s home to miraculously provide a constantly filled flask of flour. God uses Elijah in remarkable ways, including the resurrection of the widow’s son. In the end, Elijah will resurrect the worship of God in Israel because he faithfully, powerfully followed God. It’s True! Elijah’s story tells you God is in control.

November 6, 2012 Be An Asa

Be An Asa 1 Kings 15:9-11 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah, 10 and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother's name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. YOU might get confused. Israel, once the name of the country where all 12 tribes of Israel lived is now the northern kingdom consisting of 10 of the 12 tribes of the people known as Israel. Judah is made of 2 tribes, Benjamin and Judah, the tribe of David, the tribe from which Jesus is born. The capital of Judah is Jerusalem. Jerusalem no longer is in Israel. The list of Judah’s and Israel’s kings in 1 & 2 Kings tells you that most of Judah’s and Israel’s leaders turned from God. There were often wars between the two nations, and God’s once unified nation became like all the pagan nations around them. It is difficult in these conflicts to see God at work to continue his plan of salvation to the world. Unfortunately this could describe Jesus’ church today. We fight among ourselves over issues of music, preaching style, purpose, ministries, theology, building, tithing, evangelism and so much more. We get complacent about our faith. We act as the world acts, unforgiving, jealous and self-centered. We show to the unchurched we look just like them. It’s difficult sometimes to see Jesus’ hand on his church. Let’s consider being as Asa. He stands out in the litany of apostasy to be a man who faithfully followed God. He stood against the norm and did what was right in God’s sight. That’s the only way a church should be. It’s True! Jesus’ church must focus on Jesus.

November 5, 2012 Deadly Wealth

Deadly Wealth 1 Kings 14:25-26 In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. 26 He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. THE FIRST half of 1 Kings is about God’s great blessings over Solomon in the form of a vast kingdom with great wealth. The second half of 1 Kings is how God takes the wealth away because first Solomon, then his son Rehoboam amid their vast wealth turns their hearts from God. It’s easy to get comfortable in your wealth, isn’t it? Oh, I’m not talking about a vast fortune. I’m talking about Middle Class, average American wealth. Enjoying the benefits of a nice home, a decent car, clothes to wear and food regularly on the table can cause you to get comfortable in your life. Yes, you likely have to work hard for what you have and what you want. But isn’t that too often the problem? You focus on those things. You forget that God has delivered these things of comfort to you. You start to spend too much time accumulating more things or working too hard to keep what you have. You don’t think about it, but slowly and steadily you begin to put those things above your God. Or perhaps God was never actually your greatest priority. Perhaps your main life’s goal has been to accumulate wealth, to gather in things you want because it’s these things the culture defines as marks of success. Who brings to you your wealth? Of course, it is the Lord God, who brings all things to you. Do you put your wealth above God? Do you let it turn your mind from God? That is a dangerous road that will lead to your soul’s destruction. It’s True! Wealth is too often an idol. Worship only the Lord God.

November 4, 2012 Obey God or Die

Obey God or Die 1 Kings 13:7 The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and have something to eat, and I will give you a gift.” 8 But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. 9 For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’” 10 So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel. I KNOW. The title of this meditation is dramatic, and it might cause you to say, “Really?” My answer is, “Yes, really.” Read 1 Kings 12 & 13. You will see how God judges two very different men turn from absolute obedience to God. The first is King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Although God raises him up to be king of Israel, Rehoboam chooses to leave God behind. Everything he does as king opposes God’s will for his people. As a result, God divides the Kingdom of Israel into Israel and Judah. A nation died because one man disobeyed God. In 1 Kings 13, you see a prophet, a Man of God, powerfully prophesy for the Lord. As in the scripture above, he is inclined to obey God. But then he believes a man’s word over God’s word. God judges him with death from a lion along a road. A man of God must never turn from his sovereign Lord. In God’s New Testament of grace under Jesus, it is difficult to understand God’s harsh judgment. But you must know that turning from God will destroy your life. You may not die in your disobedience, but you will lose the blessings God desires to offer you. If your disobedience persists, God will judge you eternally. After all, he is Lord. It’s True! God will not tolerate disobedience.

November 3, 2012 It's Not About You

It’s Not All About You 1 Kings 11:1-6 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter — Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. YOU read here one of the most tragic paragraphs in the Bible. 1 Kings is primarily the story of how God blesses this man with extraordinary wisdom that leads to incredible wealth for himself and his nation. Under Solomon’s reign, Israel experiences peace, bounty and respect among the earth’s nations. Solomon’s reign is a picture of the fullness of God’s promise to bless his people. But then you read this. Solomon’s wisdom left him when it came to women. He thought he could disobey God and still receive God’s blessings. He thought he could worship God while worshiping horrible idols. He thought he could have life both ways, the ways he wanted it. “Wise” Solomon thought wrong. As a result of Solomon’s sin, God would remove his blessing from Solomon’s family. Solomon’s sin raged through the generations. People suffered and died, and a Kingdom was divided because one man let go of God’s wisdom. It’s True! Your sin is never only about you.