Friday Thought – October 30, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:9-13)

Jesus promises that God will not give His children something worthless or harmful when they ask for something good. God is like a good parent in that way. No parent, at least no loving parent, will deliberately disappoint or hurt his child.

But, what if a child asks for something worthless (a stone) or something harmful (a snake)? It's not beyond children to do that. Many a young boy has asked for a gun before he was ready to handle it. Many a child has asked for a car before they were mature enough to use it wisely. And the worthless gifts that children ask for are very common. So, how does a loving parent respond when a child asks for something harmful? He refuses to give it! And if it is something worthless, he'll often say "no" to that, too.

I think those principles give us great insight into why God says "no" to so many of our prayers. Like a small child, I often don't know that I'm asking for something harmful. But as a wise parent, God knows and refuses to give me what will hurt me. Like an unknowing child, I ask for many things that are worthless, and God often says "no" to those trinkets.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 29, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus and his disciples came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-41)

Are you more like Martha or like Mary?

Martha was the doer. She was concerned about taking care of everyone. She wanted the meal she fed Jesus to be just right. She was the kind of person who would have wanted the house spotless when guests arrived and everything picked up at the end of each day. She was always busy. She was busy with good things –but still, she was busy.

Mary found time for contemplation. She would have been fine with sandwiches her guests would have made for themselves from the fixing she quickly set on the table. She would have done some straightening before Jesus arrived, but would not have been concerned if the house wasn’t spotless. She wouldn’t have noticed about any clutter that accumulated while her guests were there and wouldn’t have done anything about it even if she had noticed. She was content to sit and listen to Jesus.

Being a Martha isn’t wrong – as long as the busyness doesn’t keeps you from focusing on the Lord and listening to Him.

Being a Mary isn’t wrong, either – as long as your contemplation doesn’t cause you to ignore things that really do need to be done – that God wants you to do.

There is a time to be a doer and a time to be listener. The hard part is in knowing which takes priority at any given time.

That’s what Martha missed. When Jesus was in her home it was time to simplify the doing and focus on the listening. She missed that and tried to get Jesus to make Mary miss it, too.

When Jesus wants you to be listening, are you? Or are you too busy doing?

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 28, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

A religious lawyer came to Jesus with a question: "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 10:25)

It is a very good question. What do you think the lawyer expected Jesus to say? Jesus didn’t answer directly, but instead He turned the question back to the lawyer and asked him what he thought the Law said was necessary for eternal life.

The lawyer gave the right answer and it was summed up two fundamental laws:

Love God completely -- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.”

Love your neighbor wholeheartedly -- “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Of course, Jesus didn’t allow the lawyer to get all smug because he had answered correctly and He didn’t allow the lawyer to think that he could actually keep those laws well enough to satisfy God. Jesus followed up with one of the most famous of His stories … the Good Samaritan.

The bottom-line of what Jesus was trying to teach the lawyer is the same lesson that He has tried over and over to teach to every audience who heard Him. The lesson is – none of us can keep the law well enough to gain eternal life by it.

We aren’t capable of loving God completely. There is always some aspect of our heart, mind or life that we hold back from God. We may not want to hold back – but we all do. Our self-centeredness gets in the way.

We aren’t capable of loving our neighbors as ourselves. Our love of self is inborn and try as hard as we can, we can’t stop loving ourselves. Love for others is not inborn and every bit of loving others requires intentionality and self-discipline. We all can manage that for a time – in spurts – but not all the time. That’s just beyond our capability.

Where does that leave us? Exactly where Jesus wants us to be – pleading with God for His grace and mercy. Grace and mercy – those are the only real path to eternal life.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought -- October 27, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’” (Luke 10:23-24)

I was thinking about the kings that Jesus mentions in these verses. Their lives were not as luxurious as the lives of kings today, but they were as luxurious when compared to the lives of their subjects as kings’ lives are today when compared to their subjects now. That brings a perspective to what Jesus is saying here.

Many of us have watched a part of the royal wedding in England or in some other place. The weddings of Charles and Diana of a generation ago or the wedding of William and Kate in this generation were more luxurious than any weddings we’ve ever attended. They are the things of dreams. Little girls will put weddings like those in their minds as the ultimate in wedding fantasies. Kings can do that; they can afford weddings that are luxurious beyond measure.

Kings can stay in the finest hotels. Eat in the most expensive restaurants. Play the most exclusive of golf courses. Live in palaces. Vacation in the most beautiful places. They can do the most amazing things.

The lives of kings are the lives of dreams and fantasies. They are successful on an earthly level beyond what most of us can even imagine. That’s true today and that was true in Jesus’ day, too.

So listen to Jesus with that in mind: “For I tell you that many kings wanted to see what you see and did not, and to hear what you hear but did not.”

Jesus is talking about what the apostles saw and heard – and about what you and I have witnessed as followers of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we have what kings dream of!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 26, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” (Luke 10:17-20)

Miraculous power is impressive. When the people of Jesus’ day saw the miracles He could do – healings, casting out demons, multiplying food, and raising the dead – they were VERY impressed. They flocked to Jesus to see more miracles. They flocked to Jesus so that He could meet their needs.

When Jesus sent out the 72, they were also impressed with the miraculous power that accompanied them. They even saw demonic powers submit to their commands. They enjoyed the power they had been given. They enjoyed the impact those powers could have on others. They probably enjoyed the notice those powers brought to them, too. We all like it when others think that what we can do is impressive.

When the 72 returned, they were excited to tell Jesus about what they had been able to do. And Jesus could tell them about even greater works of power. In what seemed like the ultimate work of power, Jesus told them of seeing Satan fall from heaven. The most powerful demonic force was subject to the power of God.

But Jesus went on to tell the 72 that there was something even more impressive than seeing Satan cast out of heaven. There was something more impressive than seeing spirits submit to the power that has been given you. The something more impressive is the eternal place that God has given to us through Jesus.

What is the source of your joy? Is it in what you can do for God? Is it in what God can do through you? Are you impressed with your gifts and your powers? Or are you impressed just that you’re saved?

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – October 23, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Woe to you, Korazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (Luke 10:13-15)

The principle Jesus teaches in this passage is that people will be judged, at least in part, according to the opportunities they received during their lives. Korazin and Bethsaida received many opportunities, but they did not respond to them very well. They will be judged more harshly because of that. Places like Tyre and Sidon which did not receive as many opportunities will be judged less harshly.

It seems, then, that America will be judged very harshly because the opportunities we have received are more than any other nation in the world, at least in this era. There are more churches and more ministries here, per capita, than in any other place in the world. More money is available for preaching the Gospel here than can be imagined in other places. The Gospel has been broadcast many times on television and radio, preached in huge stadiums and other large venues, books have been distributed, videos given away. Americans who have not responded to the Gospel have no excuse, they've had plenty of opportunities.

It is discouraging that so many Americans have heard the Gospel but have not responded to it by receiving Christ. Even as we have shared our own faith with those around us we've seen that happen, people don't always respond to what we share. Judgment awaits them -- harsh judgment. That's a powerful motivation for us to keep sharing. It is also powerful motivation to be sure that we take advantage of the opportunities the Lord gives to us.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 22, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” (Luke 10:1-4)

I’ve been appointed to things before – committees, boards, jobs, etc. With each appointment came responsibility. Each appointment also came with trust. The very decision to appoint me to something was a statement of trust. Someone was trusting me to do what needed to be done. That’s what Jesus was saying about the seventy-two He appointed to bear His message. He was trusting them with an important responsibility. He believed they could do what needed to be done. When He appoints you to some task – bearing His message, doing His work – He is saying the same about you – He trusts you. The Lord of Lords trusts you!

This passage also says that Jesus sent them out “ahead of Him.” They weren’t responsible for the whole thing. All of the work of God was not tied to what they were going to do. They were responsible for only a piece – the Lord would bring the work to its completion. That’s still true about the work we do for Him. We do what He assigns, but all the work is not tied to what we do. There is a piece – the biggest piece – that is God’s to do. He’ll bring the work to completion.

There were many ready to respond in Jesus’ day. There are still many ready to respond in our day. There are places around the world where the response to the message of Jesus is huge. Even here, where the impact of the Gospel seems limited, there are still people who are responding and lives being changed. What was lacking then – and what is lacking now – are those willing to bear the message.

One final point: remember whose harvest it is. The Lord sends workers. The Lord answers prayers. He is the Lord of the harvest. It is His harvest field.

The Lord is looking for workers for His harvest. Will you bear His message?

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 21, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“A man said to him, ‘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.’ He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ The man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:57-62)

Jesus presents hard situations in this story. They strike at some of the most basic questions that are involved in following Him.

Will you follow Jesus even if it is not comfortable? Jesus did not offer a comfortable place to stay or an easy path when He invited people to follow Him. Jesus’ own life was not comfortable and His own path was not easy. Why should we expect what He calls us to will be different from what He experienced? Jesus’ path led Him to a cross. Will you follow Jesus even if the path He calls you to leads to a cross, too?

Will you follow Jesus even if it is not convenient? The second man seemed to have a legitimate excuse for delaying a decision to follow Jesus – he wanted to bury his father. Most scholars believe the man’s father wasn’t even dead. The man was just asking Jesus for a more convenient time to follow Him. There are many things that seem so important to us – too important to interrupt – school, family, career, pleasures, etc. But should anything be more important to us than following Jesus?

Will you continue to follow Jesus no matter what, or will you turn aside for some reason? The decision to follow Jesus is a lifetime decision. It’s not a decision to be picked up and set aside whenever we want to. Make the decision and it should dominate the rest of your life. Does your decision to follow Jesus still dominate your life?

The basic question Jesus was asking in this story is … Are you serious about following Jesus … or are you just playing at it?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 20, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 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 includes a phrase that is one of the most impressive descriptions of how Jesus acted on earth … “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

Remember that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to Him when He arrived in Jerusalem. Just a few verses earlier Jesus had reminded the disciples, “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 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. He was going to Jerusalem, not just to die, but to carry the sins of the world to the cross. He would be rejected by the Romans and by the Jews. He would be deserted by His followers. He would be betrayed by one of the apostles and denied by another. 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. There was no dragging His feet to delay the inevitable. Jesus moved with intentionality. He 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

Monday Thought – October 19, 2015

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 – October 16, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus 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. Moses and Elijah appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. ... 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.’” (Luke 9:28-35)

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

Spiritual experiences – even 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. 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 there. He even offered to build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

This was a grand experience. In fact, years later Peter 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 – October 15, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 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 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. Our instinct is to give in to our desires and 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 us and advance our lives and will.

Jesus calls to live 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 us. He calls us to put our lives on the line, to be willing to sacrifice for Him and for others, even to the extent of being willing to be executed for Him.

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 offers, 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. 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.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 14, 2015

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. Jesus is not the greatest prophet and He is not the last prophet. The last and greatest prophet, according to Islam, is Mohammed, but still Jesus is seen as a prophet.

Those who embrace Mormonism believe that Jesus is a son of God. They do not believe that Jesus is 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 who has ever lived. 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 not the most important opinion. The most important opinion is the true one: that Jesus is the Christ of God.

Which belief do you embrace? How does your life show what you believe about Jesus?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 13, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“The Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages 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.) He said to his disciples, ‘Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ 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 that were left over.” (Luke 9:12-17)

This is a story of a great miracle of Jesus. He demonstrated His compassion for the simplest needs of the people – they were hungry. He demonstrated His awesome power – He can multiply bread and fish. He demonstrated His ability to do great things with few resources – He fed thousands with very little.

That last point 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. God can take our little bits and use them to do mighty things that will accomplish His purposes.

There is one strange question in this story that we often overlook. 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:

He wanted the disciples to realize how little they had to offer.

He wanted them to realize how much they needed Him.

He wanted them to know that He wanted to use them.

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

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 12, 2015

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)

Christianity is rapidly growing 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 message 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 – October 9, 2015

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 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! How did the people respond to what Jesus had done? They were afraid. They were so filled with fear that they asked Jesus to leave their region!

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 or who Jesus was. They just wanted to return to their lives undisturbed.

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

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 – October 8, 2015

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, but 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 – October 7, 2015

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 – October 6, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus 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.’" (Luke 8:5-8)

The hard soil of 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. That seed 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.

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 that 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 no fruit produced from it.

When seed is sown in soil infested with many weed seeds it may germinate and come up quickly, but so do the weeds. 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 that 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.

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 that 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 – October 5, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Jesus 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. 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 – October 2, 2015

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.” (Luke 7:6-10)

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 that demonstrate you truly believe what you say you believe.

The centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant. He believed Jesus could heal his servant just by speaking the word. It wasn’t about the medical treatment Jesus would offer or about creating the right psychological environment to which the servant would respond. It was simply that the word of Jesus would accomplish it.

The centurion not only said that Jesus could heal with just a word, but he acted like Jesus could heal with just a word.

That’s faith. To believe something and 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 and your Lord. You say you believe those things. 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 – October 1, 2015

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