Friday Thought – September 30, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

The prince was getting married and all the best people of the kingdom were invited to the celebration. But they didn’t want to come! Apparently they had better things to do. They had other ideas of what was important. Then Matthew records,

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” (Matthew 22:8-10)

The king sent his servants to invite those who “did not deserve to come.” They invited “anyone” they could find. Of course, it’s a parable about God’s grace and His invitation to us to join His eternal party with the Prince as the guest of honor! All are invited. Anyone can come.

We sure don’t deserve to come, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) But we’ve all been invited, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

That’s grace, an undeserved and unearned invitation to God’s eternal celebration … Heaven! Everyone who has a relationship with God has received grace. It’s the ONLY reason we’ll be in heaven for eternity!

Isn’t that great! Thank God for it.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 29, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whom it falls will be crushed.’” (Matthew 21:42-44)

The decisive element in all of life is what a person does with Jesus.

The Jews of Jesus’ day rejected Him and in doing so they thought they were hurting Jesus. They were wrong. Although Jesus was pained by their decision, ultimately their decision to reject and kill him served to exalt Him to the place of preeminence. The true hurt they did was to themselves, for they rejected the most marvelous gift God has ever given to man!

People of our day do the same. In large measure, the world has rejected Jesus. Most Americans don’t outright reject Him, they just ignore Him or marginalize Him. They assign Him a tiny corner of their lives, if any at all. In doing so, the greatest hurt is to themselves.

Their rejection does not affect who Jesus is. It does not impact the ultimate outcome of creation. But it does affect them. One day they will discover that the One they turned away from was in truth the focus of all life.

For those who come to Jesus, He shows Himself the strong Rock that will never be shaken, the only right foundation for life.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 28, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? ‘The first,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.’” (Matthew 21:28-32)

Which of the two sons are you more like? Are you like the one who promised and did not fulfill his word? Or more like the one who didn’t promise, but fulfilled what the father wanted anyway?

There is an adage in the business world that is worth considering: “Under promise, over deliver.” Following that adage is a good way to build a long-term positive reputation in business. Its opposite may get a company a lot of first orders, but repeat business is hard to come by: “Over promise, under deliver.”

God is looking for those who will do more than mouth the right words. God is looking for those whose lives reflect what we say we believe. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 27, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’ they asked. Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.’” (Matthew 21:18-22)

God did amazing things through Jesus.

And Jesus said that God will do amazing things through our prayers, too. Paul declared that God was able to do, “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Jesus taught that we can tap into the power of God through our prayers. God responds to prayers spoken with faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) James said, “when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)

God is looking for men and women who will ask with a confidence born of their trust in Him and with hearts that have been purified of their selfish motives and seek only His will. When He hears those kinds of prayers, the answers He gives are amazing!

God does answer prayer.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 26, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant. ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?’” (Matthew 21:15-16)

Why would anyone criticize others, especially children, for praising God?

Jealousy perhaps. No one shouted praise to them like these children were doing to Jesus.

Fear that Jesus was going to take away their places of honor and power.

Fear of change. If Jesus was the Messiah, He might well point out some areas in their lives that were not pleasing to God and change would be required.

A protective spirit. They were comfortable with the status quo and anything that threatened to alter it would be viewed with great suspicion.

Indignation over what they thought was blasphemy. The priests and teachers were not convinced Jesus was the Messiah, yet the praise of the children attributed that title (“Son of David”) to Him. We, too, would be upset by what we considered blasphemy. On the other hand, the miracles and teachings of Jesus should have already convinced these leaders of God’s people that Jesus was the Messiah. They had been given ample opportunity to consider Him and more than sufficient evidence to be convincing.

Anytime something new comes along, criticism will always come along with it. Change is hard. But the question is not, “Do I like the change?” or any other question like that, but, “Is it from God?” If it is from God, nothing else matters.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 23, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’’” (Matthew 21:12-13)

God longed to see His temple used as a place of prayer and some did use it so. The early days of Jesus’ life includes a short story about a woman named Anna. Luke says, “There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36-38) Anna spent all of her time at the temple and was devoted to prayer. God rewarded Anna’s faithfulness by allowing her to see and know the Christ-child.

But God no longer has a house! Paul declared to the people of Athens, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” (Acts 17:24)

God dwells in a “house” made, not by human hands, but by Himself, for He dwells in the people who are His. We are His temple, His dwelling-place. (1 Corinthians 3:16)

God still longs for His temple to be a place of prayer! God longs for His children to be people of prayer.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 22, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest!’ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:6-11)

From our place in history, the acclaim of the crowd for Jesus that day doesn’t seem very impressive. It would take only a few days for the crowds to turn from highest praise to its call for His death. Jesus, too, knew what would happen in a few days. The praise wasn’t all that gratifying to Him.

However, His disciples didn’t have the advantage of knowing the hearts of men or of knowing the future as Jesus did. They must have been terribly excited by what was happening among the crowds. For them, it must have seemed like vindication. Though it didn’t always seem like it, they had made the right choice in following Jesus.

For Jesus, the last week of His life was not a roller-coaster of emotions going from the high of the Triumphal Entry to the despair of the cross. But for His followers it was. In reality, the highs weren’t really as high as they seemed and lows weren’t really as low as they seemed, either. Their thoughts and emotions were so clouded by the temporary and by their lack of understanding.

Often mine are too! What seem to be terrific highs often aren’t really as exciting as they seem. What seem to be terrible lows often aren’t as devastating as they seem, either.

It’s just that I don’t see so clearly. A good reason to trust and follow Someone who does!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought -- September 21, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.” (Matthew 21:1-6)

This passage is the beginning of the Triumphal Entry. Before we move on to the actual ride into the city of Jerusalem there is an interesting point that comes out of the preparations. When Jesus told the disciples to go to Bethphage and get the donkey and colt, He said to tell the owner, “The Lord needs them.” Jesus knew that would be enough for the owner to release the animals without hesitation.

I wonder if I would have been so willing to release my animals to the Lord, or any other possession He asked for? The Lord knew the heart of this owner and he knows my heart, too.

“The Lord needs them.” Would that be enough for you to release possessions or money to Him?

“The Lord needs your time.” Would that be enough to get you to volunteer?

“The Lord needs your talent.” Would that be enough for you to take on a task?

When He asks, are we so willing to respond?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought -- September 20, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. ‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20:29-34)

I’ve learned a lesson about prayer over the years of my relationship with the Lord. When I pray very specifically that God would move in certain ways, the answers are often remarkable. I can name numerous very specific, very unexpected answers to the requests I’ve made of the Lord when I’ve prayed seriously and specifically.

Jesus asked the two blind men, “What do you want me to do for you?” He wanted them to specifically ask Him to restore their sight. When they asked, Jesus answered with compassion and power.

James wrote, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) Are there answers to prayer God is waiting to provide that we do not receive simply because we do not ask? There were in the lives of those to whom James wrote.

Paul told the Philippians, “present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Let God know what you want Him to do!

Let’s ask God to purify our heart so that our motives are His motives, our desires are His desires, and then let’s ask, seriously and specifically and see how God answers with compassion and power! He did for the blind men and neither His compassion nor His power has changed since then!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 19, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28)

The rule of the Kingdom is service to others and an unselfish heart. That spirit was perfectly modeled in Jesus. If anyone had right to demand that others serve Him, Jesus did.  He was Lord of Creation, yet willingly became a servant to those He created. Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus -- being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:6-7)

He made Himself a servant to others. He washed their feet. He met their needs. He served them even when He was hungry and tired. The defining characteristic of His life was giving, He gave of Himself to those around Him.

Those who follow Jesus are called to the same lifestyle that He modeled. We are called to a life of service to others, a life characterized by giving of ourselves to those around us.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 16, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.’” (Matthew 20:20-23)

The Psalmist promised, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) That sounds like the key to getting everything out of life that I want. My wish list is a long one: wealth, prestige, power, etc. I have to admit that I would like it all.

Not all that I desire is something God will give me. After all, my heart is “deceitful above all things.” (Jeremiah 17:9)

The request from the mother of James and John is an example of heart desires that God does not grant. The request was wrong. It was requested with a wrong spirit and wrong motivation. It was not motivated by God and it did not come from a heart that delighted in the Lord. The request came from the selfishness of the heart of the mother -- or perhaps of her sons -- and God said “no.”

Thank God that we don’t always get everything we want. The world would be in even worse shape if all of us got what we wanted. However, the more we focus on the Lord and delight in Him, the more heart surgery He will be able to do on us. As our heart reflects His heart more and more fully, the things we desire will be granted.

If we truly and fully delight in the Lord -- then, He will give us the desires of our hearts!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 15, 2106

Good Morning Friends,

“Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’”  (Matthew 19:27-30)

Sometimes it costs to follow Jesus. It cost Jesus’ first followers. Peter was married, but left his wife and home for long periods of time to be with Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. They left their boats and nets, their businesses to follow Jesus. It could not have been a good economic decision. The same is true with Matthew. The tax-collector’s booth was profitable, but Matthew walked away from it for Jesus. Paul is still another example. Advancing quickly beyond those his own age, Paul was destined for leadership and power and prestige among the people of Israel. He laid it aside to follow Jesus and go from a persecutor to one being persecuted.

Is it worth it? That seems to be Peter’s question. Will there be some reward for what we give up? It’s not a particularly good motivation for following God. We are to follow Him not because of what we’ll get out of it, but because it’s right and because of how much He loves us. Yet, rewards will come. There will be eternal rewards, glorious rewards.

Whatever it costs you to follow Jesus will be worth it in the long run, the eternal run. A hundred times as much awaits us!

It’s worth it to follow Jesus, no matter what it costs!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 14, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:23-26)

Why is it hard for the rich man to be saved? Because the rich man is usually able to handle everything for himself. He can take care of all his own needs and doesn’t need help from anyone else. But salvation requires the help of Another! Until a person realizes he is helpless, he is without hope for salvation.

In America, we are taught to be self-reliant. We are taught independence and the value of learning to take care of ourselves. Those qualities make good Americans, but they are a barrier to salvation! Salvation cannot come to the independent, to those who think they can take care of themselves.

Salvation can only come to those who throw themselves upon the mercy of God realizing that without Him they are completely and eternally lost.

The first step to salvation is recognizing our desperate need for Him! We all have that need, none of us can truly take care of ourselves. Some of us just think we can!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 13, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” (Matthew 19:13-15)

Jesus was a great man, and great men don’t have time for those who are not worthy to be in their presence. Check out who gets the opportunity to have an audience with the President. The powerful, the famous, the rich, the beautiful, these will be allowed to see him. But the helpless, the unknown, the poor, the ugly, the common people, it’s extremely rare for such to have any chance to see him at all, unless there is some political advantage for the President.

The disciples must have been guarding Jesus’ time like the President’s men guard his. They didn’t want Jesus’ time to be wasted on those who were not important. Of course, their view of importance was different from the view of the President’s men, but some still didn’t measure up, as here the children did not.

Jesus taught His followers an important lesson here -- that no one is too unimportant for Him. He has time for the lowliest, the least important persons in the world (and they are only unimportant in the eyes of the world, not in the eyes of the Lord)!

He has time for the children. He has time for you. He has time for me. He has time for anyone who will come to Him!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 12, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. A man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. When that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ He refused. Instead, he had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. The master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ His master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35)

Our forgiveness of others should flow out of the realization of how much God has forgiven us. But grudge-holding has grown to epidemic proportions, even among those who have been forgiven by God.

We seem to enjoy holding on to hurts. Perhaps it assuages our own guilt. To continue to hold someone responsible for his sins may make our own sins seem less horrible. I don’t know all the reasons we hold on to grudges, but I know it’s true of me and true of many others with whom I have contact.

Consider how great your debt of sin was toward God. Consider how great His forgiveness has been. Turn to those around you, and forgive them!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 9, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

Does God seem to be far away from you? He isn’t, and it doesn’t have to seem that way, either. In promise after promise from the Bible, God offers to be near to us.

Paul made the following declaration when he preached to the people of Athens, “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27) God is not far away from any of us, not even from those who do not yet know Him! In fact, He is standing at the door knocking. (Revelation 3:20)

The promise of God is that if we will take a very small step toward Him, He’ll be there for us! “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (James 4:8) He will not come uninvited, but He is waiting patiently and longingly for the invitation!

And then there is the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18. There is a special presence of God when two or more of His followers are together, in agreement, gathered in the name of Jesus. I know I’ve found that true in my own walk with God. The times I’ve sensed His presence most clearly have been times when I have been with other believers, worshiping with them in one heart and mind.

None of us have to feel far away from God. He’s right there, reach out to Him.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 8, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. If he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:15-18)

The primary focus of this passage is the importance of relationships and a commitment to help other people -- even when you have to do hard things in order to help them.

Jesus is challenging us not to let problems between fellow Christians go on, but to do all that can be done to repair the relationship. The first step is a loving and gentle confrontation. If that doesn’t resolve the relational problem, then bring in a couple of mature Christians to help. The next step is to involve the church -- probably referring to its leadership. Those serious steps show how important relationships between people are to the Lord.

I’ve had to learn to handle confrontation over the years. But I still know that I’m more likely to just let things go and do nothing than I am to confront. If something goes wrong in a relationship it’s hard to take the initiative to do something to try to repair it. But, it’s worth it! The way we relate with other people is one of only two things on earth that will last into eternity (the other is our relationship with God and His Word).

Jesus challenges us to take our relationships with others seriously and do all that we can to keep them right. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – September 7, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” (Matthew 18:10-14)

Jesus looked out over the city of Jerusalem and cried out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34)

But when Jesus looked at Jerusalem, He did not see a crowd of nameless, faceless people. He saw the city as individuals, loved one by one.

That is the picture that Jesus drew in the passage from Matthew above. It is a picture of God who looks at the world and does not see the crowds as a great mass, but as individual people, each of whom He loves deeply and longs to see in His kingdom.

Peter declared that God does not want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) The key words are “anyone” and “everyone.” They refer to individuals, whom God knows by name and loves each one.

When we look at our cities with their masses of people, many of whom are not saved, remember that they are not just nameless, faceless people. Instead, they are each known and each loved and each valued and each sought after by God, just like we are!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – September 6, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.’” (Matthew 18:1-6)

The key to greatness is not in seeking after it, in seeking to gain acclaim for ourselves. The key to true greatness is in laying aside any claim to personal acclaim and seeking instead to give our lives for God and for others.

The world honors those who take care of themselves. It honors those who make sure what they do is noticed and reported. But God does not honor such tactics. Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) If we seek acclaim for ourselves we will never receive it from God. If we lay aside any desire for personal acclaim to serve God and others, that God will honor.

God is looking for men and women who have a heart to serve Him and to serve others. God is looking for men and women whose aim is not for personal comfort, personal honor, personal achievement, or personal happiness. God is looking for men and women who will put aside themselves and their desires and long for Him and long to help His world.

Will we be such men and women?

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – September 5, 2016

Good Morning Friend,

“A man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ‘Lord, have mercy on my son,’ he said. ‘He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.’ ‘O unbelieving and perverse generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.’ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:14-20)

One of the things that God desires most from us is faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Faith is simple trust that God cares and that He can and will move in our behalf and at our request.

The disciples did not believe God would heal the boy. They went through the motions to drive the demon out, but their hearts didn’t believe it would really happen.

How many times have we been guilty of the same thing? How many blessings from God have we missed because we did not really believe He could or would move in our behalf?

Those through whom God has worked the most, even in our own day, are those who believe He can and step forward as a result of that belief. They are the ones who have faith and who exercise it!

I am not there a lot of times, but that is where I want to be. In a parallel passage in Luke, the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5) Will you pray that prayer with me? “Lord, increase my faith.”

God loves you and He can and will do amazing things in response to your faith.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – September 2, 2016

Good Morning Friends!

“After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?’ ‘Yes, he does,’ he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak.  ‘What do you think, Simon?’ he asked. ‘From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes -- from their own sons or from others?’ ‘From others,’ Peter answered. ‘Then the sons are exempt,’ Jesus said to him. ‘But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.’” (Matthew 17:24-27)

There are times to take a stand even if it means offending people. Jesus did when He went into the Temple and drove the money changers from it.

There are also times to give up your own rights in order to keep from offending people. That’s what Jesus did in the passage above. He had a right to claim exemption from the temple tax, but to keep from offending those responsible for it, He paid it anyway.

I know I have a hard time deciding when it is time to stand and when it is time to give in. I do think there is a clue in the life of Jesus. Jesus gave in when it was His own rights that He had to set aside to keep from offending. Jesus stood firm when it was the rights of others or the principles of God that were being challenged.

But for me, my rights are usually the hardest to give up! Lord, help me to overcome my own selfishness in order to think more highly of others than myself. Help me not to cling to my rights no matter what, but to willingly lay them aside for the sake of others, especially those who do not understand!

Remember, He gave up His rights for you!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – September 1, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters -- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:1-5)

Never before, and not since, has the world seen anyone like Jesus! Moses and Elijah had been dead for thousands of years, yet here was One who could talk even with them. This is a miracle that confirms the certainty of life beyond death and confirms the authority and position of Jesus.

But the miracle did not stop with the appearance of Moses and Elijah. The voice of the Father Himself spoke from heaven on behalf of Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” It was a powerful affirmation of who Jesus is and the simplest warning and instruction from God: listen to Him.

Many in the world, even many in the church, need to hear that simple instruction anew! They affirm the truth of who Jesus is, but do not listen to Him. Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) The words Jesus speaks are life to us!

Listen to Him!

His, by Grace, Steve