Wednesday Thought – August 31, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” (Matthew 16:21-23)

Sometimes the plan of God is painful on earth. It was for Jesus. The apostles had a hard time accepting that. How could God’s plan involve pain for a person fully committed to Him? We struggle with the same question in our own lives. I have had many people ask me that same basic question over the years: “Why pain?” I’ve struggled to understand it myself.

There aren’t any full answers to that question, except this one: sometimes God’s plan is painful on earth! We are called, not to a choose a life of ease and comfort here on earth, but a life of sacrifice and pain to follow God. We are called to a life of taking up the cross. The cross is an instrument of death and that’s what we are called to take up for Him. We are called to a life of focusing not on what’s good or pleasant for us, but to willingly sacrifice our lives for Him.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! We give what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose. In the end, and that’s not in this world, we’ll see we made the right choice!

Jesus knew He had made the right choice. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him. (Hebrews 12:2) He went through pain on earth because He knew it would be worth it in eternity! I’m living my life trusting that the same will be true for us.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – August 30, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” (Matthew 16:13-19)

Who do people say Jesus is today?

A great teacher.

A prophet of God.

One of many ways to God.

An example of a godly life worth imitating.

One god among many.

An ancient human being whose story grew to mythical proportions after his death.

But who do we say that He is?

The ONLY way to God.

In fact, He is God Himself!

What we believe about Jesus is not widely accepted by the world. In fact, to many it is repulsive because it is so exclusive. But it is that truth that is the foundation of the church. Without it, there could be no church, or if there was a church it would not be worth being a part of. The only reason to follow Jesus and be a part of His church is that He IS who He said He was! That is the Rock worth building your life upon. That is the bedrock truth upon which the church has been built.

Hang on to it, no matter what the world says, because it is the truth from God Himself.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – August 29, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, ‘When evening comes, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’ Jesus then left them and went away.” (Matthew 16:1-4)

Jesus performed many miracles as “signs” so that people would believe and follow Him. So, why wouldn’t He perform a miracle for the Pharisees and Sadducees so that they might believe and be saved?

When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), He said that if the people will not listen to Moses and the prophets they would not believe even if someone should come back from the dead. That proved true of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus did work miracles in their presence and they heard testimony of other miracles of His. But those miracles were not enough, none would be. Even clear evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead was not enough for them.

Jesus knew their hearts and that’s why He would not show them a sign. They were not sincerely seeking truth. They were out to test and trap Jesus. Any sign He would have performed they would have explained away, because their hearts were so hard toward Him that they would not believe no matter what He did.

Jesus did work many signs that helped people believe, but they were performed for seekers, people who were open to the Lord.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – August 26, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.’” (Matthew 15:11; 17-20)

What does your mouth reveal about your heart?

Jesus said that what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. So, you can tell what is in a man’s heart by what comes out of his mouth!

This teaching came out of the context of a rebuke to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were very concerned with outward religion. They were concerned because the disciples of Jesus were not careful to do the ceremonial cleansing that was required before eating. Jesus’ point is that it’s not the dirty hands that make a man unclean, but a dirty heart. And a dirty heart is revealed by the things that come out of a man’s mouth!

James taught a great deal about the tongue in his book. His teaching indicated that the tongue is the most difficult part of the body to control. That is consistent with this teaching of Jesus. The tongue can’t be controlled by focusing on trying to control it. Rather, the only way the tongue will be changed is when the heart is changed.

So, what does your mouth reveal about your heart? What kind of heart-change do you need?

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – August 25, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’” (Matthew 14:25-33)

Peter is a character of amazing complexity and paradox:

There is boldness in him to ask Jesus to tell him to come to Him on the water.

There is faith and courage in him to step out of the boat onto the water.

There is fear in him when, while walking on water, he sees the storm.

He demonstrates a great sense of clarity in the midst of crisis when he calls out to Jesus as he sinks in the water. He knows where to turn for help!

Peter’s example isn’t always one that we should to follow, but here I’d say he is.

Be bold in your requests to the Lord. You may never need to ask Jesus to help you walk on water, but whatever requests you would like to make, go ahead. Ask what is on your heart. Paul instructed us to “Present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Be full of faith and courageous in following God’s direction. No matter what He asks, be willing to take the step out of your comfort zone and into the place where He leads you.

Look to the Lord in your times of fear. There is no better place look when you are afraid than right at Jesus!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – August 24, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ ‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered. ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said. He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” (Matthew 14:13-21)

Jesus had compassion on the crowds who followed Him to the solitary place. His needed to be alone, but His compassion compelled Him to help those who needed help. He gave of Himself even when he did not feel like it. When those He loves are in need, Jesus doesn’t leave them alone -- He is there to help.

He had compassion on the crowd when they grew hungry. He could have easily and justifiably sent them away to find food for themselves, but He did not. He saw their need and responded with a miracle.

The compassion of Jesus saw the need of the people around Him and moved to help. In doing so, He provides an example for us to follow. We are called to see the need of the people around us, and to do what we can to help, that’s compassion.

These stories of His compassion also affirm that He has compassion for us and, seeing our need, He moves to our help, too!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – August 23, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Coming to his hometown, Jesus began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?’ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” (Matthew 13:53-58)

Sometimes it is hardest to listen to those who are most familiar to you. Even Jesus encountered this phenomenon when He visited Nazareth, His hometown. The people there had known Jesus growing up and they knew His family. How could He teach them anything? What made Him so special? And so they ignored Him, to their own disadvantage! They missed out on what Jesus could do for them and what He could teach them because of their prejudices against Him.

Have you ever encountered that kind of prejudice against you? Sometimes it comes through our own fault. Sometimes our lives don’t bear the scrutiny of familiarity! Those who know us best listen to us least because they know what we’re really like, even when we let our guard down. The challenge is to reflect the life of Christ at all times, even when we are tired or hurting, even when we are at home. Not even that will always cause others listen to us, but it helps!

Then there is the other side of the issue, too. Do you ignore what is said by those most familiar to you? Is there a messenger in your own household that you don’t realize has something to teach you? Your wife, husband, or even your own child! God doesn’t always choose an outside “expert” to bring His message to us. Sometimes it comes from where you least expect it, from someone most familiar to you. Listen to them. Listen to Him!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – August 22, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44-46)

What would you give to become part of the kingdom of heaven? What would you sacrifice to know God? How much is it worth to you to be saved?

The point of these parables is not what we have to sacrifice in order to get into the kingdom of heaven, but the awesome value of what God has so freely offered to us. It is worth anything and everything, but God has already paid the price for it!

It is easy to forget the value of what we’ve received from God. It’s easy to take it for granted after having been in His kingdom for years.

Remember the joy when you first found God and knew forgiveness. Remember the value of knowing God.

It’s worth everything! Thank God for it!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – August 19, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.’ He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’” (Matthew 13:31-33)

Jesus came preaching the Kingdom and while on earth He gathered only a few followers. After His resurrection, He appeared to as many as 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6). The movement of Jesus began with a small handful and in three years grew to around 500 and now it numbers over two billion!

The Kingdom began in one small area of the world. Jesus Himself traveled but a few hundred miles during His lifetime. He never preached in Europe. He left Africa untouched. He certainly didn’t travel to North or South America. There were vast stretches of land and many people Jesus never came near. But the Gospel has reached them all in the past 2,000 years. In fact, in just 30 or so years following the death of Christ, people would be saying, “they have turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

Zechariah 4:10 speaks of the folly of despising the “day of small things.” Don’t think God must have a great deal to work with in order to accomplish a great deal. He could take a small boy’s lunch and feed a huge crowd with it. He could take a small handful of people and change the world with them! Today, the impact of the Gospel that began among a handful in a small part of the world, now touches the whole world and changes millions of lives every year!

Expect God to keep doing great things with small resources:  like me and you!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – August 18, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus told a parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, the weeds also appeared. The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’’” (Matthew 13:24-30)

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say they would never be involved in a church because there are too many hypocrites. You know what? THEY ARE RIGHT! Jesus acknowledges the truth that not everyone in the church is right with God. Of course, we also know that even when a person is right with God not everything about his or her life is the way it should be. Not even Paul had “made it” yet, he was still pressing toward the goal.

Have you ever wondered why God allows the church to have hypocrites in it? He could do something about that! Jesus said that God allows it because He cares too much about the wheat to do anything about the weeds right now. He knows that if He dealt with the hypocrites it would hurt some of His real children, too. He won’t do that!

The answer is to let the hypocrites stay in the church. After all, perhaps eventually something will happen in their lives that will open their hearts to the Lord. If not, God will deal with them at the end.

Are there hypocrites in the church? YES. What do you do about them? Leave them to God, and do what you can to touch their lives with His love and grace!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – August 17, 2016

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, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop -- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:3-8)

What kind of soil are you for the things of God?

That’s not a question about how much of God’s Word you know. It’s not a question of how religious you are. It’s a question about whether or not you are allowing God’s work in your life to produce the fruit He desires.

The work of God is about life change and about God being able to touch the lives of others through us.

The marvelous thing is that it is not something that we do, but a work that God does in us and through us. Paul declared, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

We have the capacity to keep God from being able to do what He desires through us. A hard heart, a life focused on trouble and problems, a life focused on the cares of this world can hinder what God desires to do in us and through us.

The work of God is a powerful seed that can accomplish a great deal in our lives and through us, in the lives of others. What kind of soil are you for His seed?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – August 16, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)

The principle Jesus taught here is that when you lay aside something evil and negative it must be replaced by something righteous and positive. If not, the void that is created will allow the evil and negative to return, and when it returns it will be worse than ever.

Take your thought life as an example. Paul’s admonition is to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) But taking every thought captive is not just a matter of getting rid of the unrighteous thoughts. Rather, it is shifting from unrighteous thoughts to the righteous: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Someone made the same general point when they coined the phrase, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

Don’t just strive to rid your life of that which is evil and negative, for that is only half the task and it cannot be done alone. Rather, replace that which is evil and negative with that which is righteous and positive.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – August 15, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37)

How important are the words that we speak? Jesus said that it is by our words that we will be acquitted or condemned!

Jesus said, “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 10:32-33)

Paul taught, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:10)

But can you control what you speak? James said, “no man can tame the tongue.” (James 3:8)

You can’t control your tongue, not on your own. The only way to control the tongue is to change the heart, for what comes out of the mouth is determined by what is in the heart.

If you aren’t satisfied with what is coming out of your mouth, then ask God to search your heart and make the changes that need to be made there! As God changes your heart, your mouth will follow.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – August 12, 2016

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)

Let me pick out one message from the passage that Jesus quoted and comment on it: “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 – August 11, 2016

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. There were 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 to Jesus, 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 – August 10, 2016

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. The person who is the furthest away from Jesus and from receiving what He has to offer is the person who doesn’t realize he needs Jesus.

To those who know they have deep needs, Jesus comes to their aid.

The Jews carried a heavy burden. They were 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 failure and 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, a 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! I need Jesus. 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 – August 9, 2016

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 – August 8, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Jesus sent His disciples to share His message with others. Before He sent them out, He gave them encouragement, instruction, and warning.

“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 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) Not everyone will love you because of the message you are sharing. Many will turn against you because you follow Jesus.

“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.

“Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 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. Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:30-33) It will not be easy to share the message. But God 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 Jesus!

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 – August 5, 2016

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. 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, He did not get disgusted at their sins, problems, or demands. Instead, He was moved with compassion. He saw their deep needs and longed to be able to help them. He healed their diseases, provided wisdom, cleansed their sin, and offered abundant and eternal life.

Two things kept Jesus from meeting the needs of the multitudes:

There were not enough workers to take His message and power to them. The harvest was plentiful but the workers were few. That’s still true today. There are many who will not respond to His message no matter how many times it is presented to them. But there are multitudes who know their deep need and would respond if they heard the message. The great need is for workers. 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 to open our eyes to see the need and to motivate us to respond.

Many were unwilling to turn to Him, even when they had the chance. Jesus looked over Jerusalem and cried, “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 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 – August 4, 2016

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 manage to touch His hem despite the crowd 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 for their sight to be restored 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 – August 3, 2016

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 unfamiliar 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 and women continue to fall back into old belief systems. People 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 – August 2, 2016

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 traitors to their own people. They were servants of Rome, participating in the unreasonable taxation of Israel for 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. More than just participating in Roman taxation, most 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 people and the farthest from God.

Why would Jesus pick such a man to be among His closest followers? Because Jesus knew Matthew’s heart and it was a heart ready to respond to Him. 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 – August 1, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“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!’ 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. When they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” (Matthew 8:28-34)

There are forces at work in our world we cannot see. We are unfamiliar with the work of demons. On the one hand, it would be wrong to see a demon behind every bad thing that happens and in every person who has some kind of problem. On the other hand, it would be wrong 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 lives because of the superior power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

There were some people who were not comfortable having Jesus around. The people pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. Can you imagine that? They didn’t want Jesus anywhere near them. There are still people who are not comfortable having Jesus around, having Him talked about or having His Word preached. There are many people who do not want their lives changed by 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