Friday Thought -- March 30, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Many followed Jesus, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was.  This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.  In his name the nations will put their hope.’” (Matthew 12:15-21, quoting Isaiah 42:1-4)

Let me pick out two phrases from the prophetic passage that Jesus quoted and comment on them:  “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”

What does God do when someone is struggling, barely hanging on?  I believe what Isaiah was saying and what Jesus was emphasizing was that God doesn’t kick a person when he’s down.  He doesn’t step on the fingers of the person hanging on to the edge of the ledge.  He doesn’t move the ladder when the person is stretched from the highest rung.

Paul encouraged the Galatians, “if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” (Galatians 6:1)  When someone is hurting, don’t turn away from him, instead, run to him with help.  It is not condemnation that the sinner needs, but gentle restoration.

Paul challenged the Thessalonians, “We urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

To follow the advice of Paul to the Galatians and the Thessalonians is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  His goal was to help the individual.  Everything Jesus did was done out of love for the weak and the sinful.   Even those times when He directly confronted and rebuked sin, it was for the good of the sinner.

He loved even those who were hurting and gently guided those who were far from God back to Him.  Oh, that we would walk in the steps of Jesus!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- March 29, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath.  His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.  When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look!  Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’ … If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:1-2, 7-8)

People are more important to God than ritual.  That’s the point Jesus was making in this part of Matthew 12.  The disciples of Jesus were hungry and as they walked through a field on the Sabbath they took some grain and ate it.  That was an unlawful act, it constituted work on the Sabbath, preparing a meal.  But there was no other choice for the disciples.  They had no way to prepare a meal for the Sabbath before it started like the normal Jewish family did.  They were traveling.

The Pharisees were more concerned with ritual than with people.  It didn’t matter to them that the disciples were truly hungry, they broke the Law and that was the issue.  There were no exceptions for the Pharisees, no extenuating circumstances that would allow them to overlook the breaking of the Law in favor of meeting the needs of people.

It’s not that the Law was unimportant, but that there was a principle more important than the Law -- the needs of people.

Are you more like Jesus, or more like the Pharisees?  Which is more important -- people or ritual?  Compassion or rule-keeping?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- March 28, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

For those who think they have no needs, Jesus doesn’t offer much.  It’s not that He’s not willing to help, but that the first step to receiving His help is to recognize that you need it.  To those who know they have deep needs, Jesus comes to their aid.

The Jews carried a heavy burden, trying to keep a Law that could not be kept.  There were those who thought they were doing a good job of keeping it.  They were deluded, of course, and blind to their need.  Those who knew they were not being successful in keeping the Law were ripe for Jesus’ help.  He offered, and still offers, rest for the weary, the release from the burden of law-keeping.  He’s already fulfilled the Law for us.

When you think you are doing O.K., that’s the very time at which you are furthest from God.  When you recognize the depth of your own need, that’s the time you are nearest to Him.

The hymn-writer declared, “I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee.”  I do!  So do you!  Realize it and reach out to Him and you’ll find Him right there for you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- March 27, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’  Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.’” (Matthew 11:2-6)

How can you know that Jesus really is who He said He was?  That was John’s question and it is a question that people still ask today, perhaps you have asked it, or still are asking it.

Jesus didn’t get angry at John’s question, He just answered it.  He said, “Look at what I’m doing and you’ll know who I am!”  Nicodemus was convinced by the same thing that Jesus said would convince John.  Nicodemus said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God.  For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” (John 3:2)

No one could do what Jesus did unless He was from God.  And if He was from God, all that He said was true!  All that He said about Himself was true.  All that He said about eternal life was true!

Look at what Jesus has done:  the miracles He did 2,000 years ago, the lives He changed then, the lives He’s changed in the years since, the lives He is still changing today.  And the ultimate proof that He is who He said He was is that empty tomb!

He really is who He said He was.  He really is God Himself in the flesh.

Worship Him.  Serve Him.  Trust Him.  Love Him.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- March 26, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

Jesus sent out His disciples to share His message with others.  Before He sent them out, He gave them encouragement, instruction, and warning.  Here are just a few of His words to them, and they are valuable for us, too!

“Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)  Don’t withhold the Gospel, sharing it only sparingly.  Give it away freely to all who will listen.

”I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)  Share the message with all of the intelligence you have and with deliberate planning.  Guard the purity of your heart and life, no matter how well you share the message, people will not listen if what they see in you contradicts it.

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)  It would be great if everyone would love you because of the message you are sharing, but it won’t be that way.  In fact, many will turn against you because you follow Him.

“It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” (Matthew 10:25)  In all you do, strive to be like Jesus, follow His example.

“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:30-33)  Although it will not be easy to share the message, God will take care of you.  He sees what is happening in your life, and He loves you.  Don’t be afraid to stand with Him, for He is standing firm with you!

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)  There are many things a person can give his or her life to.  None of them compare in value to Him!

God is sending us into the world, even as Jesus sent His disciples.  We have a message worth sharing.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- March 23, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (Matthew 9:35-38)

When Jesus saw the crowds that surrounded Him wherever He went, He did not get disgusted at their sins, problems, or demands.  Instead, He was moved with compassion for them.  He saw their deep needs and longed to be able to meet those needs.  Jesus had what it took to meet the needs of the people.  He healed their diseases, He provided wisdom for life, He cleansed their sin, and He offered abundant life and eternal life.

Two things kept Jesus from meeting the needs of the great crowds and the multitudes beyond them:

There were not enough workers to take His compassionate message and power to them.  There were many then who would have responded to Him, the harvest was plentiful.  The workers, however, were few.  That’s still true today.  To be sure, there are many who will not respond to His message no matter how many times and how persuasively it is presented to them.  But there are multitudes who know their deep need and would respond if the message was brought to them.  The great need is for workers in the harvest field, all over the world.  We can’t force people to take the message to others, we can’t even force ourselves.  The most powerful thing we can do is to pray, ask God to send more workers into the field.  Ask Him to move by His Holy Spirit in our hearts and in the hearts of others of His children to open our eyes to see the need, the harvest field, and to motivate us to respond.

Many were unwilling to turn to Him, even when they had the chance.  Jesus looked out over the city of Jerusalem and cried, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)  How it hurt Jesus when people did not respond to Him.  He was not angry, but sad because they were left hurting when they could have been helped.

Pray for workers.  Respond when called.  Weep for the lost.  People need the Lord!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- March 22, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

A desperately hurting father came to Jesus.  His daughter had just died.  He said to Jesus, “Come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” (Matthew 9:18)  Jesus came and she did come alive again!  Such faith is seen in the father.  Such power and compassion is seen in Jesus!

A woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came up behind Jesus and said to herself, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.” (Matthew 9:21)  She did touch His hem and she was healed!  Such faith is seen in the woman.  Such power that flowed through Jesus!

Two blind men followed Jesus and begged Him, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.”  They were asking to be healed and when Jesus asked if they believed He could do it, they responded, “Yes, Lord.” (Matthew 9:27-28)  Jesus touched them and they could see again!  Such faith is seen in the blind men.  Such power and compassion is seen in Jesus!

Then a demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus.  He could not talk.  Jesus drove out the demon and the man began to talk again! (Matthew 9:32-33)  Those who brought the man to Jesus showed such faith, Jesus showed such power and compassion!

Death is powerless in His presence.

Sickness and infirmity cannot defeat His power.

Demonic forces must submit to His commands.

Such power!  And such compassion that Jesus would use that power for people, like us!

Do you believe He still has that power?  Do you believe He still has that compassion?  He does!  Have faith in Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- March 21, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’  Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?  The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.  No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.  Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins.  If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.  No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.’” (Matthew 9:14-17)

Jesus came challenging deeply held beliefs and traditions.  What He was offering could not be accepted and just become a part of the old system, the old way of approaching God.  It was something totally new and required a radical shift in thinking and in life.

The Jews struggled with that because their roots in the old system were so deep.  They couldn’t envision approaching God any way but the way of their fathers, the way they had been used to for generations.  Because they couldn’t, or wouldn’t, let go of the past, many of them missed what Jesus was offering, the peace, the joy, the freedom, the eternity of a fresh relationship with the Heavenly Father.

What Jesus offers continues to challenge deeply held beliefs and traditions.  Men continue to fall back into old belief systems.  Men want to approach God in the way that seems right to them -- by something they offer Him.  But nothing that we can ever offer God will put us into right relationship with Him.  That is available in only one way, through the new thing Jesus offered then, and still offers today, a relationship with God through what He’s done.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- March 20, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.  ‘Follow me,’  he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.  While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples.  When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?’  On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means:  “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” (Matthew 9:9-13)

Tax collectors weren’t very highly thought of in Israel in Jesus’ day.  They were considered traitors to their own people.  They were servants of Rome, participating in the unreasonable taxation of Israel, sending the money back to the Roman Empire.  The Jews hated that.  They wanted no part of Rome.  They longed for independence but were not strong enough to secure it.  And more than just participating in Roman taxation, most of the tax collectors were lining their own pockets, too, charging more for taxes than even Rome required.  The tax collectors were hated by the Jews, considered the lowest among people and the farthest from God.

So, why would Jesus pick such a one to be among His closest followers?  Because Jesus knew Matthew’s heart and it was a heart ready to respond to Him.  And because Jesus loved, and still loves, sinners.  In fact, He loves only sinners!  His strongest condemnation was reserved for the righteous and His most gracious invitations were extended to sinners.

Of course, there really aren’t any righteous people.  “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23)  There are people, like the Pharisees, who think they are righteous, but they are deluded.  Jesus invites those who know they are sinners to follow Him.

Isn’t that great!  That means His invitation doesn’t leave you and me out!  We’re sinners.  I know I am and I hope you know you are, too.  He has invited us sinners to follow Him.  Praise God!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- March 19, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him.  They were so violent that no one could pass that way.  ‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted.  ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’  Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.  The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’  He said to them, ‘Go!’  So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.  Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.  Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus.  And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” (Matthew 8:28-34)

This is a strange encounter between Jesus and the demon-possessed men.  Two things come to my mind from it.

There are forces at work in our world that we cannot see.  We are so unfamiliar with the work of demons.  On the one hand, it would be wrong for us to see a demon behind every bad thing that happens around us and in every person who has some kind of problem.  On the other hand, it would be wrong for us to believe that the work of demons is no longer influencing people’s lives and our world in any way.  There is great comfort in knowing that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)  We need not fear the power of demons in our own lives because of the superior power and authority of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

There were some people who were not comfortable having Jesus around.  The people of the town near the place where He cast out the demons pleaded with Jesus to leave their region.  Can you imagine that?  They didn’t want Jesus anywhere near them.  Although it is hard to understand that is still true today.  There are people who are not comfortable having Jesus around.  There are people who are not comfortable when Jesus is a topic of conversation.  There are people who do not want His Word to be read or preached or followed.  There are many people who do not want their lives changed by the presence of God.  Sometimes His work in our lives is painful and uncomfortable, but don’t run from Him, everything He does is for our good and out of His love.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- March 16, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us!  We’re going to drown!’  He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:23-27)

By this time in His ministry Jesus had already demonstrated His power to the disciples.  He’d turned water into wine and He had healed many, some with just a word from a distance.  There should have been no doubt among the disciples about Jesus’ ability and willingness to help in time of need.  Yet, here they are in the middle of a storm, with Jesus in the boat with them, and they are afraid to the point of despair.

Our opinion of the disciples would be greatly lowered if we didn’t know that we suffer from the same problem!  We’ve seen Jesus come to our own aid.  We’ve been the recipients of His care and His power.  Yet, who among us doesn’t still experience fear in times of distress?

Lord, we know our faith is small.  Increase our faith.  Teach us to trust You more.

Peter invited us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)  We can lay fear aside and trust Him.  If we will!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- March 15, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.  Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’  Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’  Another disciple said to him, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’  But Jesus told him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” (Matthew 8:18-22)

Following Jesus will not always be convenient or comfortable.

Jesus Himself did not always live a comfortable life.  There were often times that He didn’t even have a place to sleep.  Those who are His servants cannot expect to be above our Master (Matthew 10:24).  While God does bless us tremendously, sometimes hardships also come our way.

The statement of Jesus to the man who wanted to bury his father before following Jesus seems without compassion.  Yet it is likely that the man’s father wasn’t even dead yet.  What he requested was not the opportunity to deal with a family crisis, but a way to delay his decision to follow the Lord.  Jesus doesn’t call us to follow Him just when it is easy for us.  He doesn’t say “when you are ready, follow Me.”  He calls us to make a deliberate choice, even at great cost to us, to follow Him.

It’s not always convenient or comfortable for us to follow Jesus, but it is always right!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- March 14, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.’  Jesus said to him, ‘I will go and heal him.’  The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  But just 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 astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’” (Matthew 8:5-10)

The centurion in this account impresses me!  There are three things about him that I think are especially notable:

His compassion.  The Romans were not well known for their compassion toward their servants.  In fact, the common attitude among slave owners in that society was to treat their slaves as human machinery!  Here was a master so concerned about his servant that he sought out Jesus when no one else could help.

His humility.  The centurion told Jesus “I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.”  That demonstrates how much respect he had for Jesus and the humble attitude with which he considered himself.  A centurion was a powerful and influential Roman soldier, but this man had not let his position go to his head.

His faith.  Jesus was astonished by his faith.  He had not found anyone in Israel with faith like this man.  He saw in Jesus One with authority.  He trusted Jesus’ word.  The result was a marvelous miracle happened that day as the servant was healed the very hour when Jesus spoke the word.

Compassion:  love others.  Humility:  honor Jesus.  Faith:  trust His word.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- March 13, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:28-29)

It wasn’t just what Jesus said that amazed the people who heard Him.  What He said was truly amazing, but how He said it was equally amazing.  He spoke as One with authority.  There was no doubt in His voice, no questioning whether or not what He said was right.  He spoke as though He knew what He was talking about, because He did!

There are many in our world today who give honor to Jesus as the greatest teacher who ever lived.  He was a great teacher, but the honor due Him does not come from the content of His teaching.  The honor due Him comes from the underlying authority by which He spoke.  Who is this One who could speak with such authority about such heavenly things?

At the conclusion of the transfiguration, while Jesus was speaking to the three apostles He had taken on the mount with Him something unique and awesome happened.  “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:5)

A voice from heaven -- the command of the Father Himself -- listen to what my Son is saying.  Heaven is where Jesus’ authority came from!  To listen is the proper response to what He says.  The proper response is not to debate how wonderful His teaching is.  It is not to decide whether or not to follow what He says.  It is not to marvel at the teaching techniques He used.  It is simply to hear what He says, and follow!

We live in a world without absolutes; at least that’s what many people say.  Those of us who follow Jesus know differently!  We follow the One with authority.  Listen to Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- March 12, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.’  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:24-29)

A life built upon Jesus Christ is the only life that has a firm foundation.  All other philosophies of life are shaky and subject to collapse at the worst possible moment.  There is, however, nothing that can shake a life that is built upon Jesus:  not sin, not sickness, not disaster, not death, not abandonment, not abuse, nothing.

It is because He is always there, “the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)  And because nothing can separate us from His love, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

He is always there, because He knows what He is talking about.  When all others guess, or hope, Jesus speaks with authority.  He surprised those who heard Him speak, and continues to surprise people today.  He speaks with the authority of Someone who knows.  He speaks with the authority of Someone who can be trusted.

He is THE firm foundation for life.  Thank God for the sure foundation He has provided for your life.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- March 9, 2012

Good Morning Friends

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Good preachers tell great stories. They know how to keep people on the edge of their seats as they weave a tale.

Good preachers can bring a crowd to laughter and to tears. They know how to pull on the strings of a person’s heart and have them in the palm of his hand.

Good preachers keep their message well organized. They move cleanly from point to point – great introduction, moving conclusion, well thought out main points and smooth transitions between each one.

But Jesus doesn’t say that any of those characteristics of popular speakers is the key to discerning if they are worth listening to. Jesus says that the primary key is not in the speaking at all, but in the lifestyle of the one speaking. It’s not about the quality of the speaker’s skill – it’s about the quality of the speaker’s heart.

Truth is that nothing we offer to God or to other people is about the quality of our skill or training. The real effectiveness of what we offer God and other people is the sincerity of our heart.

So, check out the fruit of the life of those to whom you listen. Check out the sincerity of your own heart, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- March 8, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

It is easy to go to hell.  The road to hell is the path of least resistance.  You don’t have to do anything to go to hell.  It is the most natural thing in the world.

The road to heaven, on the other hand, requires a deliberate and difficult choice.  The road to heaven starts with repentance, a change of direction that must be made intentionally.  I believe it was C.S. Lewis who says of repentance, “It is not to be viewed as a hurdle that God requires a person to jump over in order to be acceptable to Him.  Rather, it is simply a description of the way back to God.”  It is an about-face, a turn-around, from walking selfishly as our own heart dictates, to loving God and walking under His control.

A person can’t just stumble into heaven.  Somewhere along the line a decision point is required.  It is so radical that Jesus could accurately refer to it as a new birth.  It is so complete that Paul called those who come through that point a new creation.

The majority of Americans are convinced they are Christians, bound for heaven -- aren’t all Americans.  It is probably the greatest deception the devil has ever conceived.  If you have never come to that point of crisis where you said “yes” to the urging of Jesus to follow Him, drop me a note, I’d love to share more with you.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- March 7, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)

If you ask God for something good, will He trick you and give you something bad?  No.  That would be out of character for God, and God never acts out of character.  God’s character is dominated by love and every action of His fits within that character.  You can trust God.

How about the opposite -- if you ask for something harmful to you, will God give it to you?  No.  That would be out of character for God, too.  You can trust God.  When you ask for something harmful He will not give it.

There is insight in this passage into why many of our prayers go unanswered.  We are so blinded by sin and selfishness that much of what we ask for is stone and snake.  Stone is something useless that will not meet our needs.  Snake is something harmful.  God doesn’t give useless or harmful gifts.  When we ask for those kinds of things, He turns us down.

There is confidence in prayer.  As Paul instructed, we can bring every request to God.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)  You can trust that God will always answer right, even when the request is wrong.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- March 6, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  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, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)

A few verses after this passage comes the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12).  In the Golden Rule Jesus encourages us to act toward others as we would like others to act toward us.  He starts that thought in today’s passage.  He encourages us to judge others as we would want them to judge us.  So the question is, how do you want others to judge you?

I want others to give me the benefit of the doubt.

I want others to assume my motives are as they appear and not make the assumption that my motives are selfish.

I want others to be compassionate, even toward my weaknesses and my areas of blindness and my unconquered sins.

But I also want others to will help me -- kindly and lovingly -- to face the problems they see in me.  I don’t want brothers and sisters who just overlook my problems, but who care enough to help me see them and overcome them.  Not with constant criticism and a judgmental spirit, but with patience and compassion.

And I want those who help me to be aware of their own weakness and sins, and know they too have areas of blindness.  I’m not looking for people who will stand in condemnation of me as if they are on a higher level, but those who recognize we are all sinners helping each other to be conformed step by step to the image of the One we serve.

I’m thankful that I have brothers and sisters like that.  I hope I can be that kind of brother to others.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- March 5, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)

Worry is to dwell on the “what ifs.”  What if the economy turns down and my investment portfolio collapses?  What if my company doesn’t do well next month and I lose my job?  What if I get cancer?  What if my kids start doing drugs?  What if _______, you fill in the blank with the area(s) of life over which you are most prone to worry.

I don’t know for sure if worry is a universal problem, but my guess is that it is.  We may worry about different things in different parts of the world, or even from individual to individual, but most of the folks I’ve talked to struggle with worry just like I do.

Jesus addressed it in Matthew 6 as though it was a very common problem.  And it was a problem for which He knew the solution:  replace worry with trust.  And the One to trust is your Heavenly Father.  Jesus urged us to give up worry for two reasons:

It doesn’t help.  Worry can’t even add an hour to your life.

You don’t need it.  God will take care of you.  That’s a promise from the lips of Jesus Himself.

Peter said it, too, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

God loves you.  God will take care of you.  He’s made a promise that He will keep!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- March 2, 2012

Good Morning Friends,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

There are many things worth treasuring in life:  your spouse, your children, your parents, your family, your friends, your church, the opportunities you have to serve God.

There are many things worth treasuring in life:  but money is not one of them!  Money is not worth treasuring, but it is worth using.  The best way to use money is to put it toward things that are worth treasuring.  Use it for people, use it for the church, use it for the kingdom.  Use it, don’t hoard it!

Someone has said that many people can be described by the following phrase:  “love money, use people.”  Jesus offers a better philosophy toward money:  “love people, use money.”

His, by Grace,

Steve