Wednesday Thought – September 30, 2015

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 more fully in our lives.

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 – September 29, 2015

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. The goal is to treat the other person in the way you would like to be treated if the situation as reversed.

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 – September 28, 2015

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 – September 25, 2015

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. 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. 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 -- September 24, 2015

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. 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 isn’t 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 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 clearly be 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 – September 23, 2015

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. He gave his life 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 – September 22, 2015

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, took the consecrated bread and ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. 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 Jews, 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. 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.

We are at the other end of the pendulum on these issues. 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. A hundred other things that we want to do can take precedence, too.

"The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Would Jesus think He is Lord of our Sabbath? Does the way we treat the time set aside for worship and fellowship reflect that we are listening to Jesus and doing what pleases Him. 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

Monday Thought – September 21, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. 'Follow me,' Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, 'Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?' Jesus answered them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'" (Luke 5:27-32)

Levi left everything to follow Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James and John had done the same thing earlier in this chapter of Luke. All of these men, and others, saw in Jesus Someone worth following, Someone worth giving their lives to, Someone worth making great sacrifices for. They wanted to be with Jesus. They wanted to learn from Him. They wanted to serve Him and serve with Him. They left everything to follow Jesus!

Jesus allowed Levi to follow Him, even though Levi was not a perfect man. Levi's reputation among his own people was no good at all. He was a tax collector, a traitor to his people lumped in with others known as "sinners."

When Levi held a banquet to introduce Jesus to his friends, those who were gathered in his home were men like him -- tax collectors and sinners. That kind of crowd didn't bother Jesus. Those were the very kind of people Jesus came to call to Himself. It's not that Jesus won't accept "good" people, it's just that there are no "good" people. There are only two kinds of people: "sinners" who know they are sinners and "sinners" who are too proud or too blind to admit it. It's the first kind of "sinners" that are ready to hear the call of Jesus.

Jesus can only reach and only use the kind of people who know they need Him. "Sinners," like you and me.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 18, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. The power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" (Luke 5:17-20)

This is a quite a story of friendship and faith and power.

Friendship is seen so clearly in what the men were willing to do for the paralytic. They carried him from his home. They did their best to get him into the home where Jesus was teaching. They carried him onto the roof, dug a hole through the dirt roof and then lowered him to where Jesus was. These men really cared about the paralyzed man. They were true friends to him. I know I have friends who would go the extra mile for me -- some who have on occasion and others I know who would. I'm sure you have friends like that, too. The more important question -- are we friends like that to others?

Faith is seen in the men who were carrying the paralytic. They did what they did for their friend for two reasons: They cared about him and they believed that Jesus could help. That's what faith is -- to believe that Jesus can help. Do we have the kind of faith in Jesus that believes He can do what He promises?

Power is seen in Jesus. He would heal the paralytic and that was certainly a demonstration of power. But there is an even greater power than the healing -- He forgave the man’s sins! Doctors can sometimes heal sickness. Sometimes people simply get well on their own. NO ONE can forgive sins except God. Jesus was claiming the authority of God. He has that authority over our lives, too. He can and will forgive our sins, too.

Friendship -- Faith -- Power -- what a great story!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 17, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.' Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." (Luke 5:3-6)

What would you do -- just because Jesus said so?

Jesus wasn't the expert on fishing -- He was a rabbi, a teacher. In fact, the people He gave advice to were the experts. Simon was a commercial fisherman. If anyone knew where to throw a net to catch fish, Simon did. If anyone knew when it was a waste of time to try fishing, Simon did.

Simon and his partners had fished all night and had not caught any fish. It was morning, when a crowd gathered to hear Jesus teach. My understanding of fishing on the Sea of Galilee is that nighttime is the best time to catch fish. Daytime doesn't work nearly as well.

Commercial fishermen had fished during the prime catching time and caught nothing. Now a rabbi asks them to throw the net out during less than prime catching time. Would you have done what Jesus asked?

Simon and the other fishermen did, and Jesus was proven right -- really right. It was such a huge haul of fish the nets began to break. Jesus wasn't the expert, but He did know what He was talking about.

So, what areas of your life do you think you really have a handle on how to do things? In what areas are you the expect? In what areas do you not need anyone's advice, not even Jesus' advice?

Are you sure? Perhaps like Simon, you need to listen to whatever Jesus says -- even His advice in the area of your expertise.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 16, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"At daybreak Jesus went to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.' He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea." (Luke 4:42-44)

There are several key lessons about the work of God that we can learn from this story.

We need time for our own relationship with God. Not all of life is to be about ministering to others. Jesus made time to go to a solitary place. If Jesus needed personal time with the Father, then we certainly need it even more. Are you making time to be alone with God on a regular and consistent basis?

Jesus knew what the ministry was that the Father wanted Him to do. His ministry was to preach the good news. There were many other things He could have done. But Jesus wasn't about doing all of the good things that He could have done. Jesus was about doing the things that the Father wanted Him to do. Do you know what God wants you to be doing? Are you engaged in that and saying "no" to the things that God doesn't want you to be doing?

In order to do what God wanted Him to do, Jesus had to disappoint some people. He could not please everyone ... there wasn't enough time. He disappointed some people in order to please the Father. Are you trying to please all the people or are you trying to please God?

Jesus persevered in the work God called Him to do. He "kept on preaching." I'm sure there were times when Jesus wanted to give up, but He didn't. He kept doing what God wanted Him to be doing, even when it was hard. Are you persevering in the work God has called you to do ... even when you are tempted to throw in the towel?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 15, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?' 'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said, 'What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!' The news about him spread throughout the area. Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." (Luke 4:21-39)

Jesus taught with authority and exercised authority over demons and over illness. Authority was the hallmark of Jesus' ministry. He declared Himself to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Those are titles of authority.

Jesus' acts of ministry were constant demonstrations of authority. The way He taught – like One who spoke from what He knew. He stilled storms and walked on water -- He had authority over natural laws and forces. He healed sickness, cured blindness, caused the deaf to hear again -- He had authority over the human body. He raised the dead -- He had authority over life and death. He ruled demonic powers -- they always obeyed His commands.

There was nothing on earth over which Jesus did not have authority. Authority was the centerpiece of who He was.

Authority still is the hallmark of who Jesus is and what He does. He sits at the right hand of the Father. All authority has been given to Him. His name is above every name. All things are being put under His feet.

He claims authority over our lives, too. He asks for our submission to His Word, His will and His way.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 14, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Jesus said to them, 'Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself!  Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'' 'I tell you the truth,' he continued, 'no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed -- only Naaman the Syrian.'" (Luke 4:23-27)

When Jesus came to His hometown of Nazareth, the response of the people was not as good as the response He had received elsewhere. The people of Nazareth had greater opportunity to be taught by Jesus than any other people. Jesus lived there for 30 years, and even from His childhood He could amaze the scholars with His knowledge of God's Word. Yet, the people of Nazareth took Him for granted and did not pay attention to Him.

Jesus says that is a typical response among people who have become familiar with someone. That's why consultants and experts are so popular and so well paid. The one who is brought in from the outside is usually listened to and followed more easily than the one who is right in your midst. There is a tendency to ignore the people you are most familiar with, and ignore the gifts God has given them.

The people of Nazareth had the Son of God living within their midst for years and they missed Him. When He came back to share the good news with them, they did not respond to Him, they even tried to kill Him, but God intervened to protect Jesus.

Don't be blind to the people around you. Don't ignore how God might want to use even the people most familiar to you.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 11, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

Jesus stood up and read from the scroll of Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Then Jesus said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

Isaiah wrote those words hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. He was describing the work of the coming Messiah.

The Messiah would have a good message to proclaim to the spiritually poor. It would be a message that would break the chains of their poverty and flood them with spiritual riches. Those overwhelmed in the misery of their sin would be washed in the mercy of God.

The Messiah would free those who were prisoners of their sin. Those feeling the full weight of their guilt and experiencing the just punishment for it. The Messiah would bring freedom for them. Freedom from sin's guilt. Freedom from the just punishment for sin.

The Messiah would restore sight to the blind, those who could not see what God was doing in the world. God's will and God's work would be evident to them. God would show Himself real through the Messiah.

The Messiah would release those oppressed by legalism and its ungodly demands. They would be released to love God and know that God loves them.

The Messiah would proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. He would speak of the day when God would bless His people.

Then Jesus said -- today is that day. He was declaring Himself to be the Messiah. He was offering spiritual wealth to the spiritually poor. He was offering freedom from sin and guilt. He was offering the vision of God to those who could not see. He was offering release to those oppressed by a religious system that ignored the true character of God. He was declaring that the time of God's blessing had come.

He proclaims those same things today to you and me.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 10, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2)

Jesus had just been baptized and experienced the miracles that accompanied it -- the Spirit coming from heaven and the voice of God. Immediately after that spiritual high, Jesus went into one of the most intensive periods of temptation that He had. Spiritual highs do not protect us from temptation. What Jesus experienced is a frequent pattern in our lives, too. Spiritual highs are often followed by intense seasons of temptation. It is like the devil plays hardball with us whenever God has moved powerfully in our lives.

When Jesus was led into the desert He was "full of the Holy Spirit." That is a mark of being close to God and sensitive to His work. That was always true of Jesus. It's not always true for us, but there are occasions when we would say it was true -- times when we feel close to the Lord and sensitive to what His work. Being full of the Holy Spirit did not exempt Jesus from temptation. It doesn't exempt us, either.

Jesus was "led by the Spirit." Jesus was not in a place where God did not want Him to be. That was not the reason He faced such powerful temptations. Jesus was not doing anything that God did not want Him to be doing. He was following the lead of the Spirit and going to place the Spirit wanted Him. Temptation can strike us anywhere -- even in those places that God wants us. Temptation can strike any time -- even when we are fully engaged in what God wants us to do.

There is never time when we can let down our guard against temptation. There is never a place where we can feel that Satan cannot attack us. There is never a protection that we can feel will keep us from feeling tempted to sin.

Jesus was vigilant while He walked in the desert and He overcame each temptation. Victory over temptation requires vigilance of us, too.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 9, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them, 'I baptize you with water. One more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' With many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news." (Luke 3:15-18)

It wasn't about John at all. It was all about God's will. It was all about Jesus.

Think of the temptation that existed for John. Multitudes came to hear him preach in the wilderness. Think about the increase in the crowd if he had made it more convenient for them. If he had moved his ministry to Jerusalem it could have reached so many more people, been so much more influential and brought John so much more attention.

When the crowds wondered if John might be the Messiah he could have said he was. He could have been less deceitful and just not denied it. He could have allowed the people to continue to wonder without dashing their hopes.

For John, it wasn't about the number of people who came to hear him. It wasn't about the attention he received. It was about God's message. It was about God's will. It was about Jesus.

When the people asked if John was the Messiah, he immediately said that he wasn't. He immediately pointed them to the One who was coming. He pointed them to the One greater than he was, to the One John would submit, worship and follow.

For John, it wasn't about him. It was about God's will. It was about Jesus.

Temptations come our way at times. There are temptations to call attention to ourselves. Temptations to make life about us. Perhaps our temptations aren't as grand as the ones John faced, but they are just as real for us.

Remember John and follow his example. It's not about us. It's about God's will. It's about Jesus.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 8, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"'Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.' 'What should we do then?' the crowd asked. John answered, 'The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.' Tax collectors also came to be baptized. 'Teacher,' they asked, 'what should we do?' 'Don't collect any more than you are required to,' he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, 'What should we do?' He replied, 'Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely -- be content with your pay.'" (Luke 3:8-14)

John preached boldly to the people who came to hear him. He didn't hold anything back. He was willing to face the tough issues and confront people with their problems.

Some came to hear John who thought they were okay with God because of their ancestry. There still people who think they are Christians because they were raised in the church. But a relationship with God does not come automatically. You can't grow into it. A relationship with God comes through a personal decision and is always followed by personal life change.

Some came to hear John who were selfishly holding on to what they had even when they were aware of people around them who were in need. These folks were challenged to be generous. There was an element of rebuke in John's preaching.

Some came to hear John who were not treating people fairly in their work. The tax collectors and soldiers were told in no uncertain terms that God is not just concerned about your "religious" life. God cares about how you handle your business. How you are at work should reflect your faith just as much as how you are in church.

A relationship with God should change the way we live.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 7, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation." (Luke 3:4-6)

This prophetic word from Isaiah that Luke is fulfilled in John the Baptist. Isaiah described what John would do -- make a smooth path for the Messiah to come. There are some amazing ways God used him to do that.

John preached a message of repentance, calling those who came to hear him to a renewed relationship with the Lord. Multitudes came to hear John. There was something about John that attracted people to him and his message. It was not John's charisma -- it was the authenticity of his faith and message. Jesus drew His first disciples from those whose hearts were touched by John's message. John prepared the way for Jesus.

John baptized Jesus and confirmed His identity by testifying to the miracles that surrounded His baptism. Jesus' baptism was the first act of His public ministry and His introduction to many who would become His followers. The dove alighting on Jesus and the voice of God were the signs that John saw and heard. They confirmed in John's heart that Jesus was the Messiah ... a confirmation he would pass on to others.

Shortly after His baptism, Jesus walked toward John again and John pointed to Jesus and marked Him as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." (John 1:29) John's disciples standing near heard John and they began to follow Jesus. John prepared the way for Jesus by delivering some of his disciples to Jesus.

John was an odd man ... with an obscure role ... a temporary assignment ... and he willingly accepted what God called him to do and was used in mighty ways. Your assignment may be less significant than John's. It may be more obscure. It may be more out of the limelight than John's. Let John's faithfulness to his assignment be a challenge to be faithful to yours.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 4, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.'  'Why were you searching for me?' he asked. 'Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?'" (Luke 2:41-50)

Have you ever wondered why God allowed this incident to happen in the life of young Jesus? I've thought some about that and I don't know what was in the mind of God, but I do have some ideas.

do you think came into the temple and amazed them with understanding and knowledge? This was a lesson for them in the unique nature of this young boy. I wonder why there is no record of the teachers following up on Jesus and monitoring His life in the years that followed. They missed the point then -- they would miss Him later, too.

How many gifts God has given us that we've missed? How many clear hints about His direction for our lives that have fallen on deaf ears? How many opportunities to be used by God have we walked away from? How many glimpses of God have gone unnoticed because of our preoccupation with the routine?

The teachers in the missed something marvelous and I'm not sure they were aware of what they missed. They are a reminder to keep our eyes and our ears open for glimpses of God and His work. Sometimes they come in unexpected packages -- even disguised as a twelve year old boy

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 3, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

Simeon was an old man who was anxiously waiting for the Messiah. He had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Here’s what Luke says Simeon was waiting for: “He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.” (Luke 2:25)

He was waiting for comfort. That’s what the word “consolation” means. In fact, one of the more common titles given to the Messiah by the Jews of Simeon’s day was Comforter.

When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus into the Temple at just eight days old, Simeon immediately knew who He was. Simeon took Jesus into his arms and praised God because what he had been waiting on had finally come. In Jesus, Simeon found real and lasting comfort.

2,000 years later, Jesus is still bringing comfort to those who recognize Him and embrace Him. He’s brought God’s comfort to you and me. It’s one of the most significant gifts of God and it’s found only in Jesus!

Anna was an old woman who was also anxiously waiting for the Messiah. She was waiting for something different from Simeon. When she saw Jesus, she immediately recognized Him, too. She “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38)

Anna was one of the few in Jerusalem who were looking forward to redemption and waiting for the Messiah to bring it. “Redemption” is a word that means release and Anna was waiting for the release from sin that the Messiah would bring her. She was waiting for forgiveness.

When Anna saw the baby Jesus, she knew that He was the One bringing what she had been waiting so long to receive. In Jesus, Anna saw the forgiveness she longed for.

2,000 years later, Jesus is still bringing forgiveness to those who recognize Him and receive Him. He’s brought God’s forgiveness to you and me. It’s one of the most significant gifts of God and it’s found only in Jesus!

Thank God for the gifts you’ve received from Him through Jesus – for His comfort, His forgiveness, and all the other gifts He has provided for you through Jesus.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 2, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

Jesus was born. It's a familiar story that Luke records in Luke 2. We've all read it before: the census, the trip to Bethlehem, the cloths He was wrapped in, the manger.

Shortly after Jesus was born, the shepherds got news of His birth from angels and they hurried in to Bethlehem to check out the story for themselves. They were amazed at what they saw and spread the word about it.

When the shepherds left, then Luke adds this comment: "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Later in the same chapter Luke recounts the story of Jesus' trip to Jerusalem at the age of 12. They celebrated the Passover, Jesus amazed the teachers in the temple with His wisdom, and He stayed behind when Mary and Joseph left for home. When they found Jesus at the temple He told them they should have expected to find Him there, "in His Father's house."

And as they returned to Nazareth Luke adds another comment about Mary: "But

his mother treasured all these things in her heart." (Luke 2:51)

These stories from the life of Jesus are unique. We've never experienced anything quite like them. But we have all experienced significant moments in our lives when we've seen God at work. We've seen Him answer our prayers. We've seen Him teach us truths at just the right time when we needed it. We've seen Him work to draw us to Himself. We've seen Him at work in our lives and in the lives of the people around us.

Those things are easy to forget -- but important to remember and to be able to recall in those dry times when it doesn't seem like God is there. Follow Mary's example -- treasure those things in your heart. Remember them!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 1, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. It took a miracle for that to happen because both Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were well past the normal age for child-bearing. God gave John to them as a gift and a blessing.

After John was born, Zechariah praised the Lord in a song that included these words, "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." (Luke 1:76-77)

Zechariah had clearly heard from the Lord about how John would be used to accomplish great things. John was the forerunner of Jesus. John is the one that Jesus said was greatest among all those born of woman. That's very high praise for John. He was a very great man.

How exciting it would be to know that your child would have such a profound ministry. How thrilling to know that God was going to use your child to do something so unique and marvelous. I'm sure there are few parents who would say "no" to such a grand design for their child's life.

John's call from God also had some disadvantages. John would live all alone in the wilderness. Not a comfortable life, but one of deprivation. John would have no wife and no children. There would no grandchildren for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Then there is the way John's life would end -- beheading at an early age by a wicked king. John was in his early 30s when he was killed.

God chooses to use some people in amazing ways and that is a huge privilege and blessing. But with the blessing of being used to accomplish God's plan also comes the need to say "yes" to whatever is included in that plan -- even the downside.

Are you willing to say "yes" to God to the ways He wants to use you? For the grand purpose He has ... and for the deprivation and sacrifice it requires?

His, by Grace, Steve