September 5
Share and See
Read Mark 4 - 5
Mark 4:30-32 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
JESUS teaches how little things become huge. Nothing is smaller than a mustard seed. Yet it grows to care for many animals. In a like manner, Jesus love starts with a word, and nurtured in tenderness and care, it covers the world.
In all places we go each day and in many ways, Jesus Christ wants us to share his love with the world. Trust that when you share Jesus’ forgiving love, the seeds of your compassion will grow.
Yes, as you tell of Jesus, his wonderful love will grow in hearts to spread spiritual shelter and nourishment over those who are ill. His love you share will comfort pain and ease loneliness. His love you share will grow your own love bigger and bigger to spread his tenderness into new places. His love you share will enrich lives forever.
Be alert and prepared for the opportunities that God brings to you to let others know of Jesus’ love. Go ahead. Try it out. Tell someone today that Jesus loves them. Tell them from your heart, and they will feel their Lord’s heart. Oh, what a precious gift to give!
Pause and Consider: how you feel when you are certain someone loves you. Feel the certainty of that love from Jesus.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
September 4, 2011 Change the World
September 4
Change the World
Read Mark 1 - 3
Mark 1:19-20 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
I AM always amazed at this moment. When I see a portrait of Jesus calling these men who are standing at their boats, with nets around them, I think: What a profound crazy moment in their lives. Did they have any idea what they were getting into?
I’m sure they didn’t know what lay ahead of them. They had no idea this man beckoning them was the Son of God. They could not conceive he would die a horrible death. Even worse, they could not possibly see that they would die horrible deaths for this man saying, “Follow me.”
So without any concept of the radical change their lives were to undergo, they did something enormously radical. They dropped what they were doing. They left a good family business. They took an unbelievable economic risk to go with an unemployed, unsupported, wandering rabbi who said, “Follow me.”
The disciples had much to learn. But one thing they had at that moment was a quickening, an enlivening fire from the Holy Spirit. The Son of God beckoned. The Spirit of God enlivened. These young men took the first steps that would change the world.
Pause and Consider: You know a good deal more about Jesus than they did. Are you ready to trust him to take new steps to change the world with him?
Change the World
Read Mark 1 - 3
Mark 1:19-20 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
I AM always amazed at this moment. When I see a portrait of Jesus calling these men who are standing at their boats, with nets around them, I think: What a profound crazy moment in their lives. Did they have any idea what they were getting into?
I’m sure they didn’t know what lay ahead of them. They had no idea this man beckoning them was the Son of God. They could not conceive he would die a horrible death. Even worse, they could not possibly see that they would die horrible deaths for this man saying, “Follow me.”
So without any concept of the radical change their lives were to undergo, they did something enormously radical. They dropped what they were doing. They left a good family business. They took an unbelievable economic risk to go with an unemployed, unsupported, wandering rabbi who said, “Follow me.”
The disciples had much to learn. But one thing they had at that moment was a quickening, an enlivening fire from the Holy Spirit. The Son of God beckoned. The Spirit of God enlivened. These young men took the first steps that would change the world.
Pause and Consider: You know a good deal more about Jesus than they did. Are you ready to trust him to take new steps to change the world with him?
September 3, 2011 Broken and Bleeding Body
September 3
Broken and Bleeding Body
Read Matthew 26 - 28
Matt 26:27-28 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
HERE ARE the precious words of Jesus just before his own people crucified him. He knows he is about to go to an excruciating death. Yet, he gives us this profound communion with him—he gives himself.
“This is my body.” “This is my blood.” What more can our Savior give us to symbolize his complete devotion to the Father’s will to be our Savior? He gives us symbols that are before us each time we eat and drink. The bread at our table, the wine or juice or any other drink—these are constant reminders that Jesus died for us.
Jesus did give himself. He did give up his body and blood on the cross. And even more fully he has sent his Spirit to empower us with the truth of his saving sacrifice.
When you eat today, stop and give thanks to Jesus. Be in communion with him—be together with him. Remember that your food and drink are for your physical life, and these items symbolize your spiritual life in him.
You can trust your Lord who allowed his body to be broken and his blood to be shed for you.
Pause and Consider: how Jesus’ brokenness opens the way to your completeness.
Broken and Bleeding Body
Read Matthew 26 - 28
Matt 26:27-28 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
HERE ARE the precious words of Jesus just before his own people crucified him. He knows he is about to go to an excruciating death. Yet, he gives us this profound communion with him—he gives himself.
“This is my body.” “This is my blood.” What more can our Savior give us to symbolize his complete devotion to the Father’s will to be our Savior? He gives us symbols that are before us each time we eat and drink. The bread at our table, the wine or juice or any other drink—these are constant reminders that Jesus died for us.
Jesus did give himself. He did give up his body and blood on the cross. And even more fully he has sent his Spirit to empower us with the truth of his saving sacrifice.
When you eat today, stop and give thanks to Jesus. Be in communion with him—be together with him. Remember that your food and drink are for your physical life, and these items symbolize your spiritual life in him.
You can trust your Lord who allowed his body to be broken and his blood to be shed for you.
Pause and Consider: how Jesus’ brokenness opens the way to your completeness.
September 2, 2011 Love and Faith
September 2
Love and Faith
Read Matthew 24 - 25
Matt 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
&
Matt 24:45-46 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
&
Mt 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
HOW DO we prepare for our meeting with the Lord Jesus? Whether we see him come in the air, or we die and meet him in heaven, we will meet him, and we must be prepared.
We are fully prepared when we express our faith in him. And this is more than words, saying a prayer, “Lord be my Savior.”
When you have “Jesus in your heart” your faith is a faith in action, obeying his words, showing his love to those around you. Scripture is clear your faith is to be a love response to your Lord’s saving love. Love Jesus and faithfully serve him as he leads you.
Pause and Consider: do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven?
Love and Faith
Read Matthew 24 - 25
Matt 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
&
Matt 24:45-46 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
&
Mt 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
HOW DO we prepare for our meeting with the Lord Jesus? Whether we see him come in the air, or we die and meet him in heaven, we will meet him, and we must be prepared.
We are fully prepared when we express our faith in him. And this is more than words, saying a prayer, “Lord be my Savior.”
When you have “Jesus in your heart” your faith is a faith in action, obeying his words, showing his love to those around you. Scripture is clear your faith is to be a love response to your Lord’s saving love. Love Jesus and faithfully serve him as he leads you.
Pause and Consider: do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven?
September 1, 2011 Is the Dorr Open?
September 1
Is the Door Open?
Matthew 22 - 23
Matthew 23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
JESUS lays it out very directly to the Pharisees. He doesn’t like the way they act. He doesn’t like what they say. They do not show God truly to the people they lead. They delight in their appearance and importance. They are men of “themselves”, not men of God. Their actions, in effect, shut the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
We easily condemn the Pharisees, too. But let’s consider, “How might I shut the Kingdom door?” Perhaps I don’t love people as God does. Or perhaps I’m too willing to let people stay in their sin. Or perhaps I flaunt my salvation, proudly saying, “I’m saved!” and do not offer the Gospel to people who haven’t heard it.
God will have his way, and he will bring into his kingdom whomever he chooses. Make no mistake.
But be joyful that your Lord Jesus invites you to join him in that work. It is a joy to work with God, to introduce people to his love, to see lives change, to open the Kingdom door and to watch people come through the Kingdom door.
What might you be doing to open the Kingdom door? Seek the Lord’s counsel in his Word. Listen to his teachings. Step forward in faith. Swing wide open the door of life!
Pause and Consider: how good it feels when someone opens a door for you.
Is the Door Open?
Matthew 22 - 23
Matthew 23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
JESUS lays it out very directly to the Pharisees. He doesn’t like the way they act. He doesn’t like what they say. They do not show God truly to the people they lead. They delight in their appearance and importance. They are men of “themselves”, not men of God. Their actions, in effect, shut the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
We easily condemn the Pharisees, too. But let’s consider, “How might I shut the Kingdom door?” Perhaps I don’t love people as God does. Or perhaps I’m too willing to let people stay in their sin. Or perhaps I flaunt my salvation, proudly saying, “I’m saved!” and do not offer the Gospel to people who haven’t heard it.
God will have his way, and he will bring into his kingdom whomever he chooses. Make no mistake.
But be joyful that your Lord Jesus invites you to join him in that work. It is a joy to work with God, to introduce people to his love, to see lives change, to open the Kingdom door and to watch people come through the Kingdom door.
What might you be doing to open the Kingdom door? Seek the Lord’s counsel in his Word. Listen to his teachings. Step forward in faith. Swing wide open the door of life!
Pause and Consider: how good it feels when someone opens a door for you.
August 31, 2011 A Disciplined Life
August 31
A Disciplined Life
Read Matthew 20 – 21
Matthew 21:6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
THE TASK described here is a very simple one—Jesus had instructed his disciples to get a donkey to prepare for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The task is small, but it defines the life of a disciple: working with Jesus to bring glory to his name.
Can we be like the disciples—to do as Jesus instructs us? We can. But we must do something very dramatic. We must turn our lives over to Jesus’ discipline.
The 12 gave up their way of life, their past thoughts and past activities to come under their Master’s discipline.
Yes, they struggled and often missed what he wanted from them. They argued about what he was teaching. One betrayed him, one denied him, and others hid during Jesus’ trial. No one spoke for him to give evidence he is the Son of God.
It wasn’t until Jesus’ resurrection that they truly understood who he is. In this understanding they were truly ready to live as disciples, disciplined in the truth, the way and the life of the Master.
When you fully recognize the power of Jesus’ resurrection, understand that he lived, suffered and died and rose again for your own salvation and eternal life, you will be prepared to be his disciple. Live in joy, disciplined to the Master’s way.
Pause and Consider: how important discipline is to guide you on your walk with Jesus.
A Disciplined Life
Read Matthew 20 – 21
Matthew 21:6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.
THE TASK described here is a very simple one—Jesus had instructed his disciples to get a donkey to prepare for his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The task is small, but it defines the life of a disciple: working with Jesus to bring glory to his name.
Can we be like the disciples—to do as Jesus instructs us? We can. But we must do something very dramatic. We must turn our lives over to Jesus’ discipline.
The 12 gave up their way of life, their past thoughts and past activities to come under their Master’s discipline.
Yes, they struggled and often missed what he wanted from them. They argued about what he was teaching. One betrayed him, one denied him, and others hid during Jesus’ trial. No one spoke for him to give evidence he is the Son of God.
It wasn’t until Jesus’ resurrection that they truly understood who he is. In this understanding they were truly ready to live as disciples, disciplined in the truth, the way and the life of the Master.
When you fully recognize the power of Jesus’ resurrection, understand that he lived, suffered and died and rose again for your own salvation and eternal life, you will be prepared to be his disciple. Live in joy, disciplined to the Master’s way.
Pause and Consider: how important discipline is to guide you on your walk with Jesus.
August 30, 2011 God Bless Your Marriage
God Bless Your Marriage
Read Matthew 17 - 19
Matthew 19:4-6 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
MARRIAGE in our society is being assaulted from all directions. Couples move in and out of the marital relationship as if they are buying and trading cars. Same-sex “marriages” are being legalized or permitted. And many choose to “live together” preferring to keep their options open in the event troubles arise.
Here, Jesus quotes the very institution of marriage from Genesis when God joined Adam and Eve. Marriage is a sacred promise from God to join man and woman. Marriage is no trivial matter. There is honor and glory for God in a successful marriage relationship. Two becoming as one is a profound and spiritual event.
Jesus wants the best for us. God has given the human race a remarkable relationship—two becoming one through him. It is a relationship worth holding on to.
Do you want your marriage to be better? I pray you and your spouse work at getting closer to God.
Be in union with God. The closer each of you is to God, the closer you will unite with each other.
Pause and Consider: that praying for and with your spouse draws you closer to Jesus and closer to your spouse.
Read Matthew 17 - 19
Matthew 19:4-6 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
MARRIAGE in our society is being assaulted from all directions. Couples move in and out of the marital relationship as if they are buying and trading cars. Same-sex “marriages” are being legalized or permitted. And many choose to “live together” preferring to keep their options open in the event troubles arise.
Here, Jesus quotes the very institution of marriage from Genesis when God joined Adam and Eve. Marriage is a sacred promise from God to join man and woman. Marriage is no trivial matter. There is honor and glory for God in a successful marriage relationship. Two becoming as one is a profound and spiritual event.
Jesus wants the best for us. God has given the human race a remarkable relationship—two becoming one through him. It is a relationship worth holding on to.
Do you want your marriage to be better? I pray you and your spouse work at getting closer to God.
Be in union with God. The closer each of you is to God, the closer you will unite with each other.
Pause and Consider: that praying for and with your spouse draws you closer to Jesus and closer to your spouse.
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