Monday Thought – October 31, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:57-61)

Joseph risked a lot by becoming a follower of Jesus. He was a wealthy man and Mark calls him a “prominent member of the Council.” (Mark 15:23) His power, his position, his wealth, his respectability were all at risk by openly showing himself to be a follower of Christ. But Joseph was willing. He wouldn’t be a secret follower of Jesus.

Jesus said that the risk was worth it. Whatever we lose for the sake of the Gospel will be returned many times over. “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.” (Matthew 19:29)

And even more important, if we’re willing to take a public stand for Him, no matter what the risk, He promises to take a stand for us in the presence of the Father! “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)

There may be risks involved in being a public follower of Jesus, but He’ll see that the benefits always outweigh the risks!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – October 28, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ -- which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah.’ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’ When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:45-54)

Jesus lived uniquely: He spoke with authority. He accepted worship as God. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He exercised power over nature. In many ways, Jesus lived uniquely.

Jesus also died uniquely:

The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. It was a symbol to say that access to God had been opened to man. Man did not rip the curtain from bottom to top to force his way in, God ripped it from the top down to allow man into His presence.

An earthquake shook the world. This was the first death that caused an earthquake (and the last)! His death shook the very foundations of the world.

Tombs of some of the dead opened and they came out alive. The way to life, eternal life, had been opened by Jesus’ death. These were the first of many who would be raised to eternal life through His death -- including you and me.

Even the soldier at the cross knew there was something powerful about Jesus.

The most unique thing about His death was yet to come. In just a few days His death would be proven temporary!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 27, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’ In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’’ In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.” (Matthew 27:39-44)

The insults hurled at Jesus while He hung on the cross contained elements of truth. “He saved others, but he can’t save Himself.” He did save others and they knew it. But it wasn’t that He could not save Himself – it was that He would not save Himself! He knew why He was on the cross and despite the pain and torture of what He was going through He kept His resolve to accomplish it.

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” (2 Peter 2:9) God does know how to rescue those who are His from suffering. He has proven His strength to do it in many ways and at many times. But God does not always rescue His children from suffering, even as He did not rescue Jesus from His suffering. Sometimes what God desires to accomplish can only be accomplished through the suffering of His children.

Jesus willingly went through the suffering because of the “joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) The joy was found in what God would accomplish through His suffering.

I wonder if we are willing to accomplish God’s will if it means suffering in our own lives? That is the example Jesus set for us to follow.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 26, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.” (Matthew 27:32-38)

Simon, the soldiers, and the two robbers were just bit parts in the greatest drama of all time. They had no idea what was happening that day. They must each have been wrapped up in their own world and their own problems.

Simon was just an innocent bystander. Was he there as part of the crowd calling for Jesus’ death? Was he a curious onlooker wondering what all of the excitement was about? Was he just someone passing by who got caught at the wrong place at the wrong time? Who knows why he was there or whether he left the scene after he’d done his duty without ever realizing what he had been involved in. He probably grumbled the whole way about the interruption to his plans. He was next to the King, carrying His load for Him, and yet Simon may well have never known it.

The soldiers were just doing their jobs. It was a horrible job, executing criminals, but it was their assigned duty. Some of the difficulty was eased by the chance to gamble for the clothes of the executed. Mostly it was just a boring job, filled with cries of agony. Little did they realize that day that the cries they heard came from the Son of God.

Simon and the soldiers were so close to Deity, but they probably never knew it. I wonder how often we miss something God is doing around us because we are so wrapped in our in own world and our own problems?

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 25, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’ The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’ asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they answered. ‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’ ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate. They shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’” (Matthew 27:15-23)

It was the most horrible miscarriage of justice in the history of the world. An innocent man was to be executed. What made it even worse was that the judge knew the man was innocent and sent him to be executed anyway!

Pilate was a very weak man. He knew there was no evidence against Jesus. His wife had warned him about the innocent man. But Pilate was not willing to make the crowd angry. He relied too much on the support of the crowd in order to keep his position. If the crowd turned against him, Caesar might well remove him from his place, or worse. So, he gave in to what the crowd wanted.

He was on the judge’s seat. A judge who pronounced judgment based upon what the crowd wanted. That’s not the kind of judge I want!

Thank God that we have a Judge who will pay no attention to the crowd. The only voice He’ll listen to is the One who pleads on our behalf!

And remember, the crowd is often wrong. But there is One who will never lead you away from what is right!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 24, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:1-5)

As soon as Jesus was condemned to death, Judas realized what a horrible wrong he had committed, an innocent man was going to die. There is something bold and brave and positive about what Judas did then, he went to the leaders of the Jews, returned the coins, and confessed his wrong. Perhaps he was hoping they would realize they had been wrong to condemn Jesus. But the leaders weren’t interested in what was right or wrong, only in taking care of their problem, in getting rid of Jesus.

Failing to set right what he had done wrong, Judas gave up. He gave up trying to help Jesus. He gave up on life. What he had done was too horrible to even go on living!

But it wasn’t! No sin is too great to exceed God’s capacity to forgive. Judas turned to the leaders of the Jews, but they couldn’t help Judas’s problem. Judas wouldn’t turn to the One who could help. If he had, he would have found forgiveness and compassion, not condemnation.

God would have forgiven Judas. No matter what our sin, God will forgive us, too. Don’t despair and run from the only One who can really help. Don’t run from Him, run to Him!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – October 21, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Peter was sitting in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said. He denied it before them all. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ He went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, ‘This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ He denied it again, with an oath: ‘I don’t know the man!’ After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ‘Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.’ He began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’ Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ He went outside and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter was a brave man. He proved that in the garden when he drew his sword and struck one of those who had come to arrest Jesus. He was willing to fight and die to protect Jesus. He proved it again by following Jesus to the house of the high priest and entering the courtyard to be near Jesus and to see if there was some way he could help.

Why was Peter there? Was he there just to see what would happen to Jesus? Was he there in case there was an opportunity to free Jesus by force? I don’t know, but I do know that he was brave enough to be there, when most of the other apostles were not.

So why did he deny Jesus? His courage failed him when he was actually confronted. Or perhaps he was trying to hide his identity in order to be able to stay near Jesus in case he could be of some help.

Whatever the reasoning behind the denials, they were wrong and when the rooster’s reminder came, Peter knew he had done wrong. It’s never right to deny Jesus. Peter was wrong, even if he was trying to do something right. God won’t have us accomplish something right by doing something wrong!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 20, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ... The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.’ ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ ‘He is worthy of death,’ they answered.” (Matthew 26:59, 62-66)

The answer Jesus gave to the high priest is the declaration that separates.

The leaders of the Jews heard that statement, convicted Jesus of blasphemy and put Him to death. They could not accept the truth of what He said, they were not willing to even consider it. He did not look like or act like the Messiah they were looking for and they were unwilling to consider that they might be wrong.

For us, the same statement inspires faith, confidence and hope. What Jesus did -- His miracles, His death, His resurrection. What Jesus taught -- His authority and teaching. How Jesus lived -- His sinlessness and compassion. All of these things combine to say that what He said to the high priest is not blasphemy, but TRUTH. He declared it clearly and openly and some accepted what He said and responded in faith and others rejected what He said and responded in horror.

Jesus -- who He was and what He did is a “stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)

It is amazing that people can look at Jesus and come away with such opposite answers about Him. He is the dividing point of history, the separation point between men. Stand firmly on His side!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 19, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’ At that time Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:51-56)

You don’t have to defend God. I don’t mean that we shouldn’t be willing to stand up for Him. I mean that He doesn’t need us to defend Him. God can take care of Himself. It actually seems kind of strange to me that the apostles who saw Jesus heal the sick, walk on water, raise the dead, and feed the thousands, thought He needed their sword to take care of Himself. Oh well, I’m not always rational in a crisis either!

Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested. He allowed Himself to be tried. He allowed Himself to be killed. Jesus said, “No one takes it (life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18)

No one took His life from Him. Jesus willingly and intentionally gave it up. And He did it for you and me! “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 18, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. The betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’ The men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:47-50)

Jesus was betrayed by a friend. Judas had lived with Jesus for three years. He had heard Jesus teach and seen Him work miracles. He had looked into Jesus’ heart. He’d felt the pain of Jesus when people turned away from Him. He’d shared the joy of Jesus when people responded to Him. How could he betray Him?

Things weren’t going the way Judas had hoped or planned. Was he in it all along because he thought he had hitched his wagon to a star? Was he following Jesus only for what he thought he could get out of it on earth? That’s certainly possible. Most Jews thought the Messiah would put Rome in its place and return Israel to prominence. Judas may have followed Jesus because he wanted to be somebody in the new kingdom.

Some think that the betrayal was Judas’ misguided attempt to force the hand of Jesus. Some think that Judas expected that the soldiers would force Jesus to exercise His power and take the throne.

Or perhaps his heart had changed along the way. Seeing Jesus rejected by the crowds. Watching the leaders of Israel and their opposition to Jesus. Perhaps these things were too much for Judas. Or was it the offer of money? Was the 30 pieces of silver just too much of a temptation?

Whatever was going through Judas’ mind -- the betrayal must have hurt Jesus deeply. Of course, He knew Judas would betray Him, you can see that at the Last Supper. But that didn’t minimize the hurt. He was betrayed by a friend!

That was just the beginning of the deep agony He would go through on your behalf -- and mine.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 17, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus went with his disciples to Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ He returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’”  (Matthew 26:36-41)

There are things we can learn from the prayer life of Jesus:

Jesus honestly expressed what He was feeling. He was troubled and told that to the Father. Jesus’ prayer life teaches us that there is no need to hold back so as not to shock or offend the Father. God already knows what we are feeling, to be honest about it with Him is a positive thing.

Jesus asked for what He desired. He asked that the agony of the cross that lay ahead, be taken away. This was a matter of honesty. Jesus knew what He was asking for was not possible, if He was going to accomplish what both He and the Father wanted, yet He honestly expressed His desire to the Father. He teaches us to be honest with the Father about our desires -- even if we know they are wrong desires we should own those desires before God and allow Him to do His work on them.

Jesus was willing to accept whatever the Father wanted. Jesus’ own desires did not take precedence, the Father’s did. “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” This is the bottom-line in prayer. To ultimately and sincerely want what God wants, not what is best for us.

Look closely at Jesus’ prayer life and imitate it!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – October 14, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’” (Matthew 26:6-13)

What the woman in this story did for Jesus was extravagant. The perfume could have been sold for a year’s wages (John 12:5). Now that’s expensive perfume! Like the disciples, I, too would struggle with the waste of pouring out perfume that expensive all at once. Actually, I would struggle to ever buy such perfume for any reason, as I think most of us would.

But I wonder, do I ever do anything extravagant for Jesus? Do I ever do anything to express my love for Him that costs so much it seems unreasonable. Maybe it costs me so much money -- maybe so much effort --maybe so much time -- or so much of anything. If I never do anything that shows extravagance in the way I express my love for Jesus, is it because I really don’t think He is worth it? Or am I just cheap?

Mary did something extravagant for Jesus and it touched His heart deeply. He told His disciples that what she did would be preached all over the world. And it has been! It was included in Mathew’s Gospel and John’s too. Jesus was touched by her extravagance.

I just wonder why I hold back! How about you?

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 13, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:31-40)

Talk about challenging! There aren’t very many more challenging passages in the Bible than this one. I know how I’d treat Jesus if I saw Him, but I know, too, that I don’t always treat those in need with the same concern and compassion that I would if it were Jesus.

If the person in front of you was Jesus, how would you treat Him? That is a good challenge and test to apply to our lives. Jesus says that’s the way our efforts will be judged!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 12, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Before leaving for a journey, a wealthy man entrusted his wealth to three of his servants. To one he gave 5 talents, to one 2 talents and to the third one talent. When he returned after a long time, the first servant had put the money to work and gained 5 more talents, the second had done the same and also doubled the wealth with which he had been entrusted. To each of them the master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)

The third servant was afraid he would lose what the master had entrusted to him and hid his talent in the ground. When the master returned the servant gave the talent he had received back to the master. The master said, “You should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” (Matthew 25:27)

Jesus was not providing investment counsel with this parable, although it is good advice for that area of life. He is talking about that with which He has entrusted His servants when He went on His long journey to heaven. In the time between Jesus’ return to heaven after the resurrection and His second coming, He has entrusted to us the responsibility of taking care of His kingdom. What will we do with it? Will we bury what we have received to protect it so that no one can take it from us? That is a fortress mentality that would argue for Christians to get out of the world and live in isolation to keep from being affected by the world. But to have that attitude would be to greatly disappoint the Master!

Jesus doesn’t want us to be isolated to protect what we have, but to be bold in using it to affect the lives of others. We are to invest what He has entrusted to us so that it will produce a great return.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 11, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ The virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ While they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. The door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir!  Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ He replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13)

This story is told by Jesus to encourage His followers not to grow lax as we await His return. It’s been 2,000 years! It’s hard to keep thinking that He really is coming back when life has gone on as normal for so long.

The promise of the Lord will prove true and He will return. He delays only because of His patience with people, His desire to see as many saved as possible. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” (2 Peter 3:9-10)

Stay alert and ready. Watch for His coming and be prepared at any time. Every morning, awake with this thought: It could be today!

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 10, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)

Jesus predicted a time when fierce persecution would overtake the church and many would desert the faith they said they had embraced. Has that time come? I don’t know if the particular time Jesus was speaking of has come or not, but many times like that have come in the 2,000 year history of the church and we are in a time like that today. Worldwide the church is experiencing as much persecution as it ever has. More Christians died for the faith last century than in any other century in history.

Two important lessons strike me from Jesus’ words:

We have to hang on to Him. Whether life is comfortable or we are threatened with torture and death, we need to cling tightly to Jesus. There isn’t any magic formula or any hidden secrets that can be shared about how to do that. It’s a matter of staying in the Word, maintaining a life of prayer, being in fellowship with other believers, and walking in obedience to the Lord. These have always been the keys to a strong and growing relationship with Jesus and they always will be.

Even in the midst of the persecution, the importance of spreading the gospel remains. Before the end Jesus promises that the Gospel will be preached in the whole world. Persecution can never halt the spread of the Gospel and we must never allow it to.

The Second Coming may well be around the corner or it may be another thousand years away. Whichever, the truths remain the same: hang on no matter how tough it is and keep being involved in spreading the Gospel.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – October 7, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Jesus said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices -- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:23-28)

It’s easy to get caught up in external things and ignore internal things. The Pharisees did that. They got caught up in visible law-keeping: tithing, public praying, religious meetings, and other “religious duties.” They ignored things of the heart: justice, mercy, honesty. Jesus compared them to people who worry over the smallest defilement, but give in to major problems: straining the gnat while eating the camel!

Jesus knew that what is inside is far more important than what is outside. The thrust of the Gospel is that we must take care of the matters of the heart. The truth is that if we take care of the matters of the heart they will work their way into every aspect of the way we live.

How often are you in church? How do you worship? What is your giving record? In what way were you baptized? The answers to those questions are absolutely meaningless, unless those things come out of your heart. Take care of your heart first so that in the end you don’t hear the same horrible rebuke that the Pharisees received: pretty on the outside, but rotten on the inside!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – October 6, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.’”  (Matthew 23:1-4)

Hypocritical teachers, that’s what the Pharisees were. Jesus was willing to call them hypocrites right to their faces. He would do that several times before this chapter is finished. Yet, the hypocrisy of the teachers did not invalidate what they taught. Jesus challenged the people to obey their teachers, not because of the quality of their lives, but because of the truth of what they taught.

We still have hypocritical teachers today. There have been all too many times when American pastors of large churches have been accused of immorality or embezzlement. The truth of the charges has been evident. The church has been faced with many such scandals over the years. Hypocritical teachers are not confined just to the days of the Pharisees -- nor just among large churches.

It is tempting to ignore everything we’re taught by someone else. Who knows whether or not that teacher will be revealed as a hypocrite someday. Truly, every teacher could be revealed as a hypocrite at some level and in some area of life. There has never been a sinless and perfect teacher, except Jesus!

It is not the quality of the teacher that makes what they say worthy to be followed, rather, it is the truth of the message. If it is from the Word, the message is true and should be followed, despite the inadequacy and failure of the messenger.

Focus on the Divine Message, not the human messenger.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – October 5, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:35-40)

Two biblical images come to mind when I consider Jesus’ answer to the question the legal expert asked:

The father was longingly waiting for the return of the prodigal. He deeply loved his lost son and hoped that his son would return. What that father wants from his son is his son’s love! It is what every parent wants most from their children. A parent hopes for obedience, yes, but not out of a grudging heart. A parent longs for the child to return his love.

The groom came for his bride. Jesus’ day was a day of arranged marriages and strange courtships. Yet, then, as now, the groom longed to woo his bride and see her respond with love. The groom wasn’t looking for grudging compliance. He was looking for a heart of love from his bride.

Jesus chose those who images to describe God’s relationship to His people. He is Father to us, and we are His children. He is the Groom and we are His bride. He loves us with a depth we cannot even imagine and He longs for us to respond to His love by loving Him. It is not grudging obedience that God longs to see in our lives. What He desires most is for our hearts to respond to His love by loving Him back.

God loves you. Love Him back! And then learn to love others, too, because God does!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – October 4, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“‘'Teacher,’ the Pharisees and Herodians said, ‘we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. Then he said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” (Matthew 22:16-22)

Giving our highest allegiance to God does not mean that we ignore whatever responsibilities we have to others. In fact, those who honor God will be the most responsible spouses, parents, citizens, and employees, as long as what is asked does not contradict our allegiance to God.

Paul and Peter provided a similar instruction about how to live our lives. Paul wrote, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7)

Peter said, “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)

Show respect and honor, and be responsible to all of the authorities God places in your life, but keep in mind above all, that God deserves our highest allegiance and nothing and no one should be allowed to interfere with that. “Seek first His kingdom.” (Matthew 6:33)

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – October 3, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14)

The story Jesus told is a strange one of an invitation given and then taken back because the man didn’t come dressed appropriately. It sounds elitist -- if you can’t afford to dress right, you don’t get into the feast!

But the wedding garments are freely given by the King and the one not wearing them did so because of his own stubbornness. He would come to the banquet, but only on his own terms.

The truth of the matter is that we can only come to God’s banquet on His terms! No matter how much He wants us there and how often He has invited us to come, He will not allow us in on our own terms.

And what is the wedding garment that we must put on before we are allowed into the eternal feast with God? Paul’s admonition was to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:14) He is the wedding garment, freely given by God, without which we will never be allowed to enter the feast.

Jesus is the terms of salvation … the only terms. None will come to the feast without Him. With Jesus, anyone can come to the feast.

Thank God for Jesus.

His, by Grace, Steve