Wednesday Thought -- June 1, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.” (Luke 9:51-56)

This passage contains a phrase that I think is one of the most impressive descriptions of how Jesus acted during His time on earth. It says, “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

You have to remember that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him when He arrived in Jerusalem. Just a few verses earlier in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus had reminded the disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44)

Jesus was going to Jerusalem for the last time. His ministry on earth was nearly complete, lacking only its final and climactic act. Jesus was going to Jerusalem to die. He had told the disciples that was going to happen several times already.

The disciples didn’t believe what Jesus had told them, but Jesus knew it was true and He knew the kind of torture that it meant for Him. He was going to Jerusalem, not just to die, but to carry to the cross the sins of the world. He would be rejected by the Romans. He would be rejected by the Jews. He would be deserted by His followers, even those closest to Him. He would be betrayed by one of the apostles. He would be denied by another, one very close to Him. And most painfully of all, He would be abandoned by His Father.

Unimaginable pain awaited Jesus … and He knew it. Yet, He “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” There was no hesitation in Jesus. There was no dragging of His feet to delay the inevitable. Jesus with intentionality, Jesus headed toward the fate that had been planned for Him before the foundation of the world.

That is the extent of the willingness of Jesus to do what He and the Father had planned. That is the extent of His love for you and me.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 31, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.  Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.  Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  For he who is least among you all -- he is the greatest.’” (Luke 9:46-48)

Most of us work in a culture with clear lines of authority and rank.  Salaries go up as you rise to higher levels of rank.  Along with higher salaries come more and more perks.  The world seeks to identify how important people are and reward them on that basis.  That’s the way the American economy works.

It’s not the way the kingdom of God works.  Lines of authority and levels of rank are foreign to God’s kingdom.  There is only One authority, One head of the kingdom.  All others are servants, seeking to the do the will of the One we serve.

In fact, Jesus turns the normal structure upside down.  He declares that the greatest in the kingdom of God is the one who would be considered least in the schemes of the world -- the little child.  What is it about a little child that makes him great?  In a child you find the purest love and the most trusting faith.

It’s not about where you rank or how much authority you have or how important you are.  It’s about loving God and trusting Him.  Those are the things God seeks … those are the things God values.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 27, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what he was saying.)  While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.” (Luke 9:28-36)

Have you ever had a spiritual experience that you did not want to end? Youth sometimes have that kind of experience at church camp or on a mission trip. Adults sometimes have that kind of experience at a special worship service or at some other spiritually memorable point in their lives.

But spiritual experiences – even very rare and special ones – are not meant to be permanent. We aren’t meant to stay camped there. They are meant by God to equip us for the next phase of our journey with Him and service to Him. They are meant to encourage and embolden us for the work God is calling us to do.

Peter, James and John had that kind of experience on the mount of Transfiguration and Peter wanted to stay right there. He even offered to build a shelter for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. On a side note, you can see Peter’s humility in that offer – he didn’t say anything about building a shelter for himself or the other apostles. There was no way he would put them on a par with Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

This was a grand experience – one of the grandest ever and far grander than anything you or I have ever experienced. In fact, years later when Peter wrote his second letter he mentioned this event as an evidence of Jesus’ special glory and honor. “For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.” (2 Peter 1:17-18)

If God does ever provide a special spiritual experience for you – enjoy it, thank Him for it – and then allow God to use it for what He wants in your life – to equip, encourage and embolden you. Just don’t stay camped there.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 26, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:23-27)

Our natural instinct is to follow our own ideas and plans. We want to be in charge of ourselves and do what we want to do. Our instinct is to give in to our desires and to what we think will be best for us and make us happy. Our instinct is toward self-preservation. We are inclined to do whatever will protect ourselves and advance our lives and our will.

Jesus calls to that which is opposite from our natural instincts. He calls us to follow Him and His will, instead of our own. He calls us to seek His desires and what is best for Him and His Kingdom, denying our own desires and what is best for our personal interests. He calls us to put our lives on the line, to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for Him and for others, even to the extent of being willing to be executed for Him and His will.

Deny ourselves – take up our cross – follow Him. Those are the invitations of Jesus. They are the demands of Jesus for those who seek what He has to offer, who want to be His disciples and learn about life from Him.

Seems like the wrong path – a path away from what is best for us. But if we think that – we are wrong! The path Jesus sets before us is the path toward saving our lives and advancing our eternal advantage. In fact, if we chose to follow our natural instincts – although it seems like the path toward what is best for us – it turns out to be the path toward destruction.

Which path are you on?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 25, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’” (Luke 9:18-20)

Do you have friends, co-workers, neighbors and relatives who have different views about who Jesus is?

Those who embrace Islam believe that Jesus is one in a long line of prophets. Not the greatest prophet, that position is reserved for Mohammed, but still He is a prophet.

Those who embrace Mormonism believe that Jesus is a son of God. Not the only Son of God, just one of the sons of God.

Many in our world believe that Jesus is a great teacher. Some would even call Him the greatest teacher. They are impressed with His moral and ethical teachings.

There are other less positive opinions about Jesus, too. Some call Him an imposter. Some say He is a myth, at least in the way Christians believe in Him.

There are all sorts of opinions about Jesus.

But the opinions of the people around you are the most important opinion. The most important opinion is the true one: that Jesus is the Christ of God.

Which belief do you embrace? Does your life reflect that belief?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 24, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“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.’ 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.’ (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, ‘Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” (Luke 9:12-17)

This is a story of a great miracle that Jesus performed. He demonstrates His compassion for the simplest needs of the people around Him – they were hungry. He demonstrates His awesome power – He can multiply bread and fish. He also demonstrates His ability to great things with few resources – He fed thousands with just five small loaves and two fish.

That last point is a key one for us. It is a reminder that Jesus can do amazing things through the little that we have to offer Him. None of us has much – even the most talented among us doesn’t have much to offer the Almighty God. But God can take our little bits and use them to do mighty things that will accomplish His purposes.

But there is one strange question in this story that we often overlook. Before He worked the miracle, when the apostles first brought the need to Jesus, He responded with this question: “You give them something to eat.” It’s a strange question because the apostles didn’t have anything to give the crowd and surely Jesus knew that. It was a strange question because what was needed was Jesus’ touch and He proved in just a moment that He was willing to provide that.

I think Jesus wanted a couple of things from that question:

1.    He wanted the disciples to realize how little they had to offer – after His question they surveyed to see what was available and found only the small lunch.

2.    He wanted them to realize how much they need Him.

3.    He wanted them to know that He wanted to use them – He wasn’t willing to just do that miracle without their involvement and the offer of their little bit.

He wants us to see the same things as we look at the needs around us.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 23, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.’ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. … When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.” (Luke 9:1-6; 10)

I read last week that Christianity is the most rapidly growing religion in the world. The church in China is experiencing explosive growth and experts are predicting that there could eventually be 500 million Christians there. The church in Africa is also growing very rapidly. Already the center of Christianity has shifted to Asia and Africa.

Those statistics speak of the power of the Gospel. The Gospel has the same power that it had in the days of the apostles. They saw multitudes respond in faith to the simple of Jesus. That kind of response can still be seen today.

Jesus predicted that the apostles would also see places and times where there would be little response to the Gospel. The apostles found some places where the hearts of men were cluttered or hard and the response was minimal. Jesus’ instruction to the apostles was to put their effort into the places where the response was strong and leave those places where response was minimal alone until they were softer toward the Gospel.

I am deeply concerned about the United States right now because I see such minimal response to the Gospel here. It’s not that there is no response; it’s just that the response isn’t very large. I wonder when God will choose to pull His resources out of the US and put them in places where the response is more powerful.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 20, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside.  The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission.  When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.  When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.  When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus' feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.  Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.  So he got into the boat and left."  (Luke 8:32-37)

Jesus worked a marvelous miracle in the midst of the people of this story.  A man's life was totally changed.  He was demon-possessed and lived a crazed life in the wilderness and Jesus healed him.  The demons were gone, the man returned to his right mind.  The man got his life back!  And how did the people respond when they saw what Jesus had done?  They were afraid.  They were so filled with fear that they asked Jesus to leave their region and go somewhere else!

The people couldn't understand what Jesus had done and so they didn't want anything to do with Him.  They weren't willing to grapple with what the miracle meant.  They didn't want to face what this meant about who Jesus was.  They just wanted to return to their lives undisturbed.

There are many people like that in our world.  They've seen things about Jesus.  They've heard things about Him.  But they are afraid.  They don't want their lives disturbed.  They want to ignore Jesus, because to explore Him would mean change in their lives.  They like their lives as they are and turn away from Jesus.

And what do they miss when they turn away from Jesus!  Change -- yes.  Being disturbed -- yes.  Being challenged -- yes.  Jesus does all of those things.  Loving, saving, healing, and so much more, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 19, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.’ He replied, ‘My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice.’” (Luke 8:19-21)

Here’s an interesting and compelling question that comes out of Jesus’ statement about His mother and brothers: Are you related to Jesus?

Those who are truly related to Jesus are not related by blood. No one enters into a relationship with God based upon his or her blood lines and ancestry. The Jews thought that was true. They claimed a special relationship with God because they were descendants of Abraham. It was their ancestry that determined what God thought of them. But they were wrong – it was Abraham’s faith that connected him to God and only those who shared Abraham’s faith shared his relationship with God. It was faith that made the difference.

Jesus says that those who are His mother and brothers are not those with whom He shares a blood relationship, bur those who hear God’s word and put it into practice. Those who follow Jesus are related to Him – not those who are related by birth. That was true for Mary, Jesus’ mother, and it was true for James, Joseph, Simon and Jude, Jesus’ brothers. But it wasn’t just true for them – it’s true for us, too. Our relationship with Jesus is not determined by who our parents are or what they believed, but by our faith – our trusting in Jesus, our listening to His word, our following what He teaches.

Are you related to Jesus?

You’ll know by checking what you trust – are you trusting Jesus? You’ll know by checking what you listen to – are you listening to Jesus? You’ll know by what you do – are you following the teachings of Jesus?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 18, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” (Luke 8:16-18)

There is a sentence in this passage that is frightening for many people. Jesus teaches that the things we try to hide will be brought out into the open. The private thoughts that we have will be made known to everyone. The secret words that we speak will be broadcast for all to hear. The actions that we want to keep hidden will be shown so that all can see them.

I know there are thoughts that I’ve had that I am embarrassed by and ashamed of. I would prefer that no one else find out about those thoughts. There are words that I’ve spoken that I don’t want anyone else to hear. There are things that I’ve done that I know were wrong and I’d like them to be covered over and never revealed.

Why would God want all those sinful things brought into the open?

I can only think of one reason – they bring Him glory. They do that by demonstrating His grace and mercy. My sins – though I’m ashamed of them – are an evidence of how great God’s love and grace is towards me. God is not ashamed of anything I’ve done. He is not embarrassed by any of my thoughts or actions. All of them have been brought under the cleansing blood of Jesus. I’ve been forgiven for them all.

They no longer stand as evidences of my wretchedness. Instead, they stand as evidence of God’s grace.

Isn’t that worth revealing?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 17, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’ When he said this, he called out, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’" (Luke 8:4-8)

Jesus said that there are four kinds of soil and each of them represents a kind of heart.

One heart is represented by the hard soil of the path. The path cannot be penetrated by the seed and so the seed just lies on top of the path and is easily available for the birds to come and eat. The seed that is sown on the path never takes root and never sprouts any kind of response to the sowing. There are hard hearts like that. The Gospel is presented, but it doesn’t penetrate the heart in any way and so there is no response.

Another heart is represented by the rocky soil. In Israel there is much soil that is very thin and just a few inches below the soil is a layer of rock. When seed is sown on that kind of soil it germinates quickly because the shallow soil heats up more quickly than deep soil and when it rains, the water stays in that shallow layer of soil because it cannot penetrate the rock. But when the rain stops and the sun comes up, the shallow soil dries out quickly and the new plant quickly dies. There are hearts like that. They hear the Gospel and respond quickly, but the heart is shallow and the response is short-lived. The Gospel never really takes root and there is not fruit produced from it.

A third heart is represented by soil that is infested with many weed seeds. When seed is sown in soil like that it may germinate and come up quickly, but so do the weeds. And the weeds tend to be stronger and take the water and nutrients needed by the good seed. Soon the weeds are so big they choke out the good plants and the good plants die, never having produced any crop. There are hearts like that. They hear the Gospel and respond, but they are also surrounded by powerful temptations and those cares and priorities choke out the good seed of the Gospel and their response to God dies quickly, never having produced any fruit.

The final heart is represented by the good soil. When seed is sown on good soil it germinates, takes root, grows throughout the growing season and produces a great crop at harvest. There are hearts like that. They hear the Gospel, respond and then grow and produce fruit for the Lord.

What kind of soil is your heart?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 16, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman?  I came into your house.  You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven -- for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little.'  Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'  The other guests began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?'  Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'"  (Luke 7:44-50)

There were two things that Jesus saw in this woman that caused Him to respond to her:  love for Him and faith.  Those are the two things God looks for in every person.

This woman loved Jesus so much that she was willing to humiliate herself by kneeling at His feet, weeping on them, wiping them with her hair, and kissing them.  The other guests at the dinner table that evening must have been talking about this woman, ridiculing the way she was acting.  It wasn't very sophisticated.  It wasn't socially correct.  But it was love!  She loved Jesus and she wasn't concerned about what anyone around her said or thought of her.  She was only concerned about showing Jesus that she loved Him.

Jesus saw faith in this woman, too.  He says it was her faith that saved her.  Faith knew where to turn for help.  There were others around the table, including some powerful men, like the host, Simon the Pharisee.  But the woman did not turn to them.  She turned only to Jesus.  It was Jesus that she expected to be able to help her deal with her sin.  That is faith -- turning to Jesus for help, expecting Him to be able to do something about our sin.

Jesus saw love and faith in this woman -- does He see the same in your life?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 13, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"The centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’ Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."”

What is faith?

Faith is not just about what a person believes, although real faith rests upon a right set of beliefs and without those beliefs faith can't be real and solid. But faith is more than believing the right things.

Faith is about responding to the right set of beliefs in ways demonstrate you truly believe what you say you believe.

The centurion believed that Jesus could heal his servant. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant just by speaking the word. It wasn't about the medical treatment Jesus would offer. It wasn't about creating the right psychological environment to which the servant would respond. It was simply that Jesus had the authority to heal and that His word would accomplish that.

The centurion's response to what he believed about Jesus demonstrated that he truly did believe it. He not only said that Jesus could heal with just a word, but acted like Jesus could heal with just a word.

That is faith. To believe something and then to act on it in a way that shows you really do believe it.

You know the right things to believe about Jesus: He is God's Son, He forgives sins, He offers heaven, He is the Lord. You say you believe those things and that is good. But saying you believe isn;t the total of what faith means. The question is, do you act like you believe them. Jesus forgives, do you act like you are forgiven. Jesus offers heaven, do you act like heaven awaits when you die. Jesus is Lord, do you act like He is in charge of your life.

What would Jesus say about your faith?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 12, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." (Luke 6:46-49)

Storms strike every life. There is no way to avoid them. A life of faith in Jesus is not a life that does not experience problems. A life of rejecting Jesus experiences problems, too.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33) Trouble is a part of life. We may not fully understand why that is true, why that is the nature of the life God planned for every human being, but we accept the fact that it is the way God designed the world.

The question then, is not how can we avoid all problems. Rather, the question is how can we prepare our lives to handle the problems we will face.

Jesus says that the only way to handle problems well is by building our life on Him. He is the rock that provides a solid foundation. If our lives are built on Jesus, then when the storms hit our lives will not be destroyed. The storms still won’t be pleasant, they still will hurt, but they won’t destroy us.

No other foundation that a person builds a life on offers that same kind of strength. Only Jesus is the sure foundation.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 11, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:43-45)

What kind of fruit do you see in your own life? Jesus says that a heart truly aligned with His heart will produce good fruit and a heart that is not aligned with His heart will produce bad fruit. So if you don’t see any good fruit in your life, then what does that say about the true state of your heart?

What is good fruit? Paul identified some of the characteristics of good fruit when he wrote his letter to the Galatians: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

How many of those characteristics do you see in your own life?

Perhaps the best way to judge the fruit of your life is to think about whether you are seeing more of that kind of fruit now than you did in the past … or less. In which direction is your life headed. A life aligned with Jesus isn’t perfect, but His work in our hearts does help us to move in the right direction as we get to know Him better and allow Him to work.

Do an honest review of your words … your thoughts … the way you treat your family and friends … how you respond to others. Do you see good fruit or bad fruit?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 10, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."” (Luke 6:41-42)

We are often quick to see the problems in the lives of others and slower to see the issues in our own lives.

Jesus offers an instruction about how to avoid that. When you see a problem in someone else’s life … take a good look in the mirror first. That look in the mirror may accomplish several things:

It may help you choose not to mention the other person’s problem at all, overlooking their problem because of the number of problems you have.

It may help you see a problem in your own life that needs to be dealt with before you start criticizing anyone else.

You may still decide the other person’s problem needs to be addressed, but the look in the mirror may soften your approach to the other person.

The truth is, all of us have problems. So we need to treat each other with grace and kindness, not with harshness and criticism. The goal is to treat the other person in loving ways. There are times when love does involve the confrontation of their problems, but love dictates a different approach than what often comes naturally.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 9, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

There is a principle at work in our world … the principle of reciprocation. It is not a universal principle and you will find some times when it is not the way things work, but it is the common way that the world works. The principle can be stated in this way: you get back what you give.

Paul stated the principle this way: "A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7)

Solomon phrased it this way: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (Ecclesiastes 11:1)

Jesus put it this way: "Give, and it will be given to you." (Luke 6:38)

When you treat people kindly, they generally treat you kindly in response. When you treat people harshly, they generally respond similarly. When you are generous, you receive back generously. When you are selfish, there is very rarely a generous response in return.

If you act in righteous ways, there will generally be positive results in your life. When you act in unrighteous ways, there will generally be negative results in your life.

When you give generously to God's work, you will generally find blessings that come in return. When you withhold your finances from God, you will generally find problems ensue.

So, the question is: What do you want to get in return? From God? From your spouse? From your family? From your friends? From your boss and co-workers?

What you want in return … take the initiative to give first.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 6, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Do to others as you would have them do to you.  'If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even 'sinners' love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?  Even 'sinners' do that.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?  Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.  But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'" (Luke 6:31-36)

How do you treat the people you love?  How do you treat the people who agree with you?  How do you treat the people who treat you well?  Those are not the tests of a heart that is modeled after the heart of God.  The test comes in how you treat the people you do not like, how you treat the people who disagree with you, and how you treat the people who treat you poorly.  If you respond to them in ways that mirror the ways they have treated you, then you are acting like the world.  But if you respond to them in ways that demonstrate love and mercy, then you are acting with the heart of God.

How does God respond to those who treat Him poorly?  How does God respond to those who disagree with Him and disobey Him?  How does God respond to people who ignore Him and do not love Him?  You can answer that by thinking about how God has responded to you, because you fit all of those descriptions, or did at one time.  To such people God demonstrates patience, waiting for them to turn to Him.  He demonstrates compassion, continuing to provide for them.  He demonstrates mercy, always offering forgiveness and restored relationship with Him.

The question is – are you responding to others like God has responded to you?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 5, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." (Luke 6:21-23)

The story is not over yet. That's the truth that seems so clear to me from the blessings Jesus pronounces. There is a future tense in the blessings Jesus promises.

Many of Jesus' followers are financially poor now. But the story isn't over yet. The kingdom of God belongs to the followers of Jesus. It is an invisible kingdom now that exists in the hearts and souls of men. But a day is coming in the future when the kingdom will be obvious. It will belong to the followers of Jesus. The blessings may not happen here -- but they are on the way -- promised in the future.

Many of Jesus' followers are hungry now. But the story isnt' over yet. The followers of Jesus are promised satisfaction. The desires of our hearts will be fulfilled in the future. The blessings we will know then will make the deprivations of today seem minimal. Satisfaction may not happen here -- but it is on its way -- promised in the future.

Many of Jesus' followers are hated, excluded, insulted and rejected because of our connection to Jesus. But the story isn't over yet. There will be rejoicing and leaping and great reward in heaven for all who follow Jesus. Here and now it may seem like we have chosen the wrong side, but a day is coming when our choice will be clearly the right one. The reward may not happen here -- but it is on its way -- promised in the future.

The story isn't over. The best is yet to come. The reward is in the future. Heaven awaits.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 4, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (Luke 6:12-16)

Peter became the most dominant leader of the early church after Jesus went back to heaven. He was a powerful and persuasive preacher.

James became an early martyr of the church. He gave his life for what he believed in -- for Jesus.

John lived the longest of the apostles. He died a very old man. Before he died he became the one through whom Jesus would send His message about the end times -- the Revelation. He also became a biographer of Jesus, writing one of the accounts of Jesus' life.

Matthew also became a writer. He also wrote an account of Jesus' life.

The Bible tells us little about the other apostles, but church history tells us that all but one of the rest became preachers of the Gospel, carrying God's message around the world. All except John died an early death and a violent death because of their faith in Jesus.

That brings us to the last of the twelve apostles and Luke's Gospel gives just one word to describe him: "Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." There was a traitor among the earliest followers of Jesus. One of the twelve would sell Jesus for a few coins.

All twelve had the same opportunities. All twelve heard the same messages. All twelve saw the same miracles. Eleven became leaders of Jesus' movement -- one became a traitor.

You have opportunities. You hear messages. You see God at work. What will you become?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 3, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

"One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, 'Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?' Jesus answered them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.' Then Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.'" (Luke 6:1-5)

For the Jews, any kind of working on the Sabbath was an affront to God. The Sabbath was to be set aside for Him. Even what the apostles did, just grabbing some grain in the field and eating it, was considered work. There were extremely strict rules for Sabbath-keeping.

American Christians don't struggle with that end of the pendulum at all. Almost no one is concerned about doing something productive on the day we set aside for worship. We don't mind cooking, doing a little cleaning, shopping, or pursuing other activities that require exertion.

In fact, I'd say we are at the other end of the pendulum on the issues addressed in this text. We are sometimes too cavalier about what we allow to take our focus off of the Lord on the day we set aside for worship. If it's a warm and sunny day, then a trip to the beach takes precedence over worship and fellowship with the church. If there is something that needs done around the

house or yard, that takes precedence over worship and fellowship. And a hundred other things that we want to do can take precedence, too.

Jesus declared, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." I wonder if Jesus would think He is Lord of our Sabbath? I wonder if the way we treat the time set aside for worship and fellowship reflects that we are listening to Jesus and doing what pleases Him. Or are we too cavalier about it and allow too many things to take priority over the time devoted to Him.

Is Jesus Lord of your Sabbath?

His, by Grace,

Steve