1 Corinthians 11-14

November 30

1 Corinthians 11-14

God gives His people various gifts. Some seem more “spiritual” while others seem more mundane, but they are all important to the growth and function of the Body of Christ. People look at the gifts others have and wish they had the same gifts. It is easy to think someone else has a better gift or a more important gift. When we begin to envy or desire what others have, we lose focus on what God has given us. Sometimes we look at our own gifts as more important than that of others, especially if we have a gift that gives us leadership positions. That is like the eye saying to the hand; “I don’t need you.”

God gives us different gifts so we can function stronger as a unit working together rather than as individuals each doing our own thing. When we take our gift and use if for the benefit of the entire Body for the benefit of others instead of for our own benefit, God’s Kingdom grows in size and in strength. Each of the gifts, operating on their own, can accomplish tasks in that area, but when various gifts come together, their power and abilities grow exponentially. Then when we add love to the equation, the sky is the limit.

God did not create us to live in a vacuum. He created us to live in community. He gives us gifts to be shared with that community. When we begin to spotlight different gifts, especially the gifts that could draw attention to the person instead of the Giver of the gifts, we distort the Body and cripple the Body of Christ. When we work together, God can transform our world using us as we use the gifts He has given us as His people.

1 Corinthians 6-10

November 29

1 Corinthians 6-10

What is our responsibility for other believers? In our individualized society, we often see no relationship between our actions and the affect they have on other people. Paul expressed a different perspective. Though we are free, if our actions cause someone else to stumble in their faith, we are guilty of sinning against them and against Christ. It is better to have to abstain from activities that may cause another person to stumble, than to express our freedom while causing them to stumble. Paul said he would rather never eat meat again than to cause someone else to fall.

We are free from living by a list of rules when we are in a relationship with Jesus, but love for other people is sometimes expressed by making sacrifices for their benefit. Paul wrote; "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." (1 Corinthians 9:19, NIV) Making Christlike disciples is more important than expressing our “rights.” We do not sacrifice our uniqueness or our freedom, but we exercise our freedom by looking for ways to connect with other people so we can introduce them to Jesus.

Paul wrote; " I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:22-23, NIV) Paul’s primary goal in life is not to express his freedom, but to spread the gospel. For that reason he puts others before himself in order to win them to Christ. It would be good if we would examine our hearts, our motives to see what drives our actions. Is it Jesus and the spread of the gospel, or is it self centered and our freedoms and rights as a follower of Jesus?

1 Corinthians 1-5

November 28

1 Corinthians 1-5

The cross stands at the crossroads between heaven and hell. For some it is a bridge to eternal life in Christ, for others it is a stumbling block they will not overcome. It is a simple message. Perhaps it is too simple. We want to do something to earn our way to a relationship with God, but we can do nothing to earn our way. Besides, the price has already been paid. The gift has already been given. The price is paid. For us to try to pay God back for what He has freely given us is and insult to the price Jesus paid for us.

The cross is foolishness to some people, but Jesus said; "“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NIV)  That gate is the cross. People look for numerous ways to come to God without facing the cross, without accepting Jesus, but there is no other way. God revealed His love for us by becoming man and dying on the cross in our place. He took our sin and punishment upon himself, so we could spend eternity with Him.

The message of the cross sounds like foolishness to those who are perishing, but there is power in the message when the Holy Spirit reveals the truth in our hearts. Once our eyes are opened and we can see the truth, our lives are changed forever. If our eyes are not opened and we continue to deny the truth of the Gospel, we are headed for destruction. We all have to choose the path we will take. We can take the narrow road and humble ourselves at the foot of the cross and receive our salvation, or we can reject the cross and fall on our faces in the presence of Jesus when He pronounces judgment upon us. We will all humble ourselves, the difference is when and our eternal destiny.

Romans 12-16

November 27

Romans 12-16

Each one of us have gifts from God. We can use those gifts for the benefit of the Body of Christ or we can use them to build ourselves up. Whenever we put ourselves above everyone else, we can be assured a fall is coming. God created us to come together and to support one another, not to lord our gifts over others or even to judge others. He wants us to lift each other up, so we call all grow closer to Jesus.

There are some people who are easier to love than others. There are some we just cannot make ourselves love. That is when we need the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to love. Paul says we should even give our enemy food and drink. We cannot do that on our own. In love we support our brothers and sisters. If one hurts, the others are there to support them, if one rejoices, the others are there to rejoice with them. The Church is the Body of Christ and as with any body each member is affected by the others.

It can be difficult enough getting along with members of your family, how can we learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ let alone our enemies. This kind of love can only happen when we first love God with all our heart. Paul wrote; "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV) When we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, we no longer live for self preservation, but for the Kingdom of God. We can humble ourselves and love in ways that we could have never loved on our own. When we have a transformed mind, we can love with a pure heart.

Romans 9-11

November 26

Romans 9-11

Being sold out for a cause is not enough. Believing something with all of your heart does not make it true. Paul said the Israelites were zealous for God, but the zeal is not based on knowledge. They pursued God, but dismissed Jesus. Paul knows, he was one of them. When God did the unexpected, they did not submit to God instead they submitted to the Law. They could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God, that He came to fulfill the Law and that through Him alone we can find our salvation. We cannot be saved by our own righteousness, but only through uniting with Jesus and His righteousness.

How can anyone know God? How do we know to call on the name of Jesus? We only know the truth of the Gospel because the message has been spread throughout the world. God pursues us, desiring a relationship with us, but He uses other people to spread the Good News. Jesus said; "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)

We are all called to make disciples, but we can also help the cause of Christ, by sending others to go to places where the Gospel has not been preached or where it has been corrupted. Some will hear the Word of God and turn to Him, while others will reject the Word shared with them. Their reaction is their choice, but we are called to go and share. Who knows God may use us to turn someone from the fires of hell, and bring them into the gates of heaven.

Romans 5-8

November 25

Romans 5-8

Sin is the curse that hangs over humanity. God gave us free will so that we could choose to love Him, but instead it was used to turn away from Him. There is no genuine love apart from free will, but the consequences of human decision have rippled out throughout the generations. Sin affects every person born into this world. It affects the environment, it brings unintended consequences. " Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—" (Romans 5:12, NIV)

There is no human solution to sin. It is too deep seated to overcome. The damage of sin is irreversible. But God became the solution; God brought reparation where brokenness reigned. Jesus came and died the death we deserved and rose for the dead in victory over sin and death. We now can unite with Jesus in His death and in His resurrection so that our old selves die with Christ and we live as new people.

We struggle with sin. As Paul says; "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:15, NIV) We wrestle within ourselves. Who is going to reign in my heart? Am I going to die to myself and live for Christ or am I going to remain the king of my own life. Paul expressed this dilemma and reached a point of realizing there is only one solution. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." (Romans 7:24-25, NIV) Paul realized that he did not have the answer to his problem, but God did.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2, NIV) Through our relationship with Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin. Jesus rescues us from our body of death and gives us new life in Jesus. There is no hope apart from Jesus, we cannot overcome sin, but Jesus did and He invites us to join Him in His victory.

Romans 1-4

November 24

Romans 1-4

Our salvation, justification, has never been about what we do, it is, and always has been, about faith. The Jews looked back to Abraham as their father. Abraham received the covenant from God, a promise to bless him and his descendants, that He would bless them and be with them. Abraham received this promise, not because of what he did, but because he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. By his faith, God made him righteous. He was circumcised as a sign of his relationship with God, but the relationship was established by faith. Circumcision, the action, occurred later.

In the same way, our salvation is not initiated by us. We have all sinned and have rebelled against God. We do not seek Him, but He seeks us and invites us to come into a relationship with him. When we turn to Him, by faith, we are saved. But just as Abraham’s actions revealed his faith, our actions should reveal our faith. We do not have to be circumcised in the flesh, our hearts are circumcised, we are marked as the children of God.

Acts 27-28

November 23

Acts 27-28

The book of the Acts of the Apostles as it is more fully known is really about the acts of the Holy Spirit. God used the apostles to build and spread the Gospel message, but they were only able to act with the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts is the initial fulfillment of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28; "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)

The Great Commission as these verses are called, was not just for the apostles present when Jesus said these words. This is what all followers of Jesus are called to act upon. We can go because Jesus who has all authority has sent us. Though Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar, he did not stop preaching and teaching about the Kingdom of God. The last verse in the book tells us that; “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 28:31, NIV)

The acts of the apostles may be drawing to a close at the end of the Book of Acts. The apostles were facing persecution and death, but the acts of the Holy Spirit were just beginning. The book seems to end in an odd way. We are not told what happened to Paul, about his trial with Caesar, with the rest of his life and his death. The ending of the book gives us insight into the purpose for this book. It is not to just give us the history of the church, it also reminds us that the acts of the Holy Spirit are not done. The book is not finished. God is still moving and there are leaders who step up in each generation to continue to share the Good News. Each of us is called to help writing the story begun in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit is still moving and if we follow Him, we too will face trials and victories and can tell the story to the generations to come. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus and He sends us to make disciples in our community.

Acts 23-26

November 22

Acts 23 -26

They purpose behind some events is not always obvious. We often wonder why things happen the way they happen. When challenges and struggles come into our lives we ask “why”. When disaster strikes whether close to home or around the world, we see the devastation and wonder why. It does not seem fair when innocent people face the consequences for the actions of others, but we live in a broken world. Sin drives our society and there are consequences for sin, not only for the offender, but there are ripple effects. Sin affects everyone.

As Paul was being brought before Felix and Agrippa, he had to wonder why this was happening to him. He had done what God asked him to do. He went and preached the gospel where God led him to preach. He had not disobeyed the law, but had upheld the law. He had faced persecution at the hands of Jews and Gentiles and now he stood before the governor and the king.

Perhaps Paul had heard the account from the Matthew’s letter that Jesus had warned; "On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles." (Matthew 10:18, NIV) He realized that imprisonment and this trial were not accidental. This was part of Paul’s mission in spreading the Gospel. Jesus had also said; "But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20, NIV)

 

Paul did not hold back, he did not change his message. He showed respect to the government leaders, but he used the opportunity to share the gospel. He allowed the Spirit of God to speak through him. God used what seemed like a destructive event in Paul’s life to bring good. Paul and his followers may have wondered why this was happening to him, but God saw the bigger picture. Paul was not a victim, he was sent by God to deliver a message to the governor and king. Paul did not whine about his situation, instead he rose to the occasion.

 

Sometimes bad things happen in our lives because we live in a broken sinful world. Sometimes bad things happen in our lives because God wants to mature us or use us in ways we cannot see or imagine. No matter the reason we are facing trails, we can know that God is in the trial with us and will pull us through.

Acts 20-22

November 21

Acts 20-22

"“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me." (Acts 20:22-23, NIV)

 

Paul had no doubt that the Holy Spirit was leading him to Jerusalem. He also knew that going to Jerusalem would not be easy. He knew he would face prison and hardships. Most people make decisions based on the path of least resistance. We do not usually knowingly put ourselves in path of persecution. But Paul did not listen to human wisdom, he walked in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Paul knew going to Jerusalem could cost him his life, but he did not worry about living or dying, Paul’s greatest concern was to walk in obedience to Jesus.

 

We each have a choice to make. We can follow the leading of the Holy Spirit or we can travel the path of least resistance. God does not promise us that following His lead will be easy. He does not promise that we will not face persecution. He does not even promise we will not die. But we can know that if we finish the race, if we persevere in the faith, if we follow God, He will walk with us and empower us to remain faithful. And perhaps when we leave this world we will hear the words; “well done my good and faithful servant.” The eternal rewards of obeying the Holy Spirit far outweigh any rewards we may receive on earth going our own way.

Acts 17-19

November 20

Acts 17-19

Paul was an expert at finding out where a person was spiritually and pointing them to Jesus. Paul wrote to the Corinthians; "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." (1 Corinthians 9:20-22, NIV) Paul met a person where they were, he went to their place of comfort and led them to the cross. He did not stay on his turf and call them over, he went to the people and connected with them where they were.

Paul did not run from those of a different faith, he met them where they were. He went to a meeting with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers and when he stood he complimented them on their religious fervor. Then Paul connected their unknown God with Jesus. He took something they did not understand and used it to reveal Truth.

We do not have to fear sharing our faith. God put a yearning for Him in every human heart. If we will listen to people and hear their hunger, hear their hurts, hear their desires, we can find a point of common ground and point them to Jesus. They will not listen if we shout to them from afar, but if we will come close to them, if we will do whatever it takes to get them to see the truth of the Gospel revealed in our words and in our lives, some will be saved.

Acts 15-16

November 19

Acts 15-16

The meeting between Paul and the church in Jerusalem was an important meeting for the history of the church and the establishment of Christian doctrine. Paul had been preaching to the Gentiles and many were getting saved. The Gentiles and Paul wanted to make sure the Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised in order to be right with God. The council met and after hearing Paul’s testimony and Peter’s confirmation of God’s work among the Gentiles the council declared that the Gentiles did not have to follow the dietary laws nor be circumcised.

This may not seem like a big deal to modern day Christians, but it is the foundation for our faith by faith through grace. We do not have to do anything, nor can we do anything to earn or to repay God for our salvation. It is not Jesus plus the law, Jesus is all we need.

That is not to say that there are not moral laws we follow, but we follow the law because of our relationship with Jesus, not to in order to have that relationship. Jesus fulfilled the law in His life, death, and resurrection. When we receive the gift of salvation He offers us, we do not, should not, cannot add anything to it. When we insist on legalistic ideas, we are putting a burden of those who have come to know Jesus by faith. Faith is the foundation of our salvation.

Acts 12-14

November 18

Acts 12-14

As the church grew, so did persecution of the church. Herod had James the brother of John put to death and arrested Peter with plans of killing him also. While Peter was being held in prison, the church prayed. The night before Peter was to be brought before Herod, God sent an angel to free him. The angel released Peter from chains, and led him out of prison. Peter went to the house where the church was meeting and praying and the people were amazed that Peter had been freed. Peter told them the story of his narrow escape and went to somewhere safe for a period of time.

There are two lessons we can learn from this story. First, pray without ceasing. God hears our prayers. He does not always answer them the way we expect or even perhaps the way we ask, but He answers prayers. The second lesson is that God’s timing is not our timing. There is saying that God is rarely early, but never late. I imagine Peter was wondering how late God was going to be in releasing him from prison. The church prayed, God heard, but it was not until the night before Peter was to be executed that God sent and angel to deliver him. Don’t give up, keep praying, and trust God.    

Though the church was praying, they were amazed that Peter had been released. The reason they were amazed is they were praying for something that seemed impossible. It is good for us to seek God to help in our impossible situations. When we only ask for what we can do on our own, we never see the miracles. It is alright to ask for the impossible, but we also need to know that sometimes God answers; “no.” Not because He does not love us or want what is best for us, but because He does want what is best for us and His best is not always what we see as the best.

Acts 9-11

November 17

Acts 9-11

In chapter 5 of Acts, Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, speaking to the Sanhedrin about Peter and John said;  "Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”" (Acts 5:38-39, NIV) As we continue in the book of Acts, it is obvious their activity was from God and those who opposed them found themselves fighting against God.

Saul the great persecutor became, Paul the preacher. Jesus encountered him on the road to Damascus, knocked him to the ground, blinded him, and told him he would not longer be a tool of persecution against the Church, but would be an instrument of spreading the Good News to the Gentiles. In the mean time, God sent Peter to preach to Cornelius and other gentiles. The Word of God was spreading and there were no boundaries it could not cross. Jew, Gentile, slave free, male, female; all were hearing the message receiving Jesus as Savior and were being baptized by water in the name of Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Why has the spread of the Gospel slowed down, stopped, and even gone backwards in the united States and other developed countries? Why don’t we see people asking to hear more about the message God has for them? Why is there no power displayed in the lives of believers? Perhaps it is because we no longer gather together and spend time in prayer asking God to give us boldness to proclaim the Word, asking for God to touch the lives of those who do not know Him. Perhaps it is because we do not seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we go through life proclaiming we know Jesus, but never living in the power available to those who will receive Him.

Acts 7-8

November 16

Acts 7-8

Stephen and six other men who were filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom were chosen to oversee the distribution of food to the widows in the church. The apostles delegated this responsibility so they could concentrate on preaching and praying. Just because their job was to coordinate the distribution of food, did not keep Stephen from sharing the Word of God. As he shared, opposition arose, but Stephen filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, was able to crush any argument they made against him or his message. Stephen was taken before the Sanhedrin where Stephen shared the history of the people of Israel from Abraham to Jesus. He spoke of their rebellion and their murder of the prophets. Then he told them that they continue to resist the Holy Spirit and murder the messengers of God including the Righteous One, Jesus Christ.

The message of Stephen the truth of the sinfulness of humanity, including the religious leaders was more than the Sanhedrin could stand. They covered their ears and yelled so they did not have to hear the truth. They resisted the Word of God spoken through Stephen as they had resisted the Word of God spoken by the prophets and finally by Jesus. The leaders were furious and stoned Stephen. Stephen on the other hand looked up and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father as he died at the hands of the religious leaders.

We may not shout and cover our ears, but do we really listen when God is trying to speak to us. Do we obey the Word of God, or do we continue to walk our own walk refusing to hear the corrections God is trying to make in our lives? We may not stone the messenger, but do we willingly receive the correction revealed through the bible and perhaps spoken by a friend or pastor?

Acts 4-6

November 15

Acts 4-6

"But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”" (Acts 4:19-20, NIV)

 

The apostles and the early church faced persecution, floggings, imprisonment, and threats from political and religious leaders because of their devotion to Jesus as Lord. They preached the Word of God boldly as they were called before people who had convicted Jesus and had him crucified, but they did not back off of their message.

 

We are told; "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13, NIV) They were unschooled ordinary men who stood before the religious leaders with boldness and wisdom. It was obvious they did not receive this power or wisdom on their own. It was noted that these men had been with Jesus.

Do we focus our lives on obeying God or obeying people? Does peer pressure influence the way we act, what we say, and what we do more than the Word of God? Peter and John and the other followers of Jesus knew what they had seen and heard. They had been with Jesus and knew He was the promised Messiah, they knew He was the Son of God. They refused to change their story, even if it cost them their life.

People noticed the difference in their lives. They saw boldness and wisdom. They saw Peter who could not keep his foot out of his mouth before Pentecost, now boldly proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to any who would listen.

What is God calling us to do? At the end of Luke’s Gospel and the beginning of Acts Jesus tells the disciples they will be witnesses, in Matthew He tells them to go and make disciples. In Mark He tells them go into all the world and preach. In John, He says as the Father has sent me, I send you. God is calling all of us to tell our story about how Jesus came and died and rose on the third day and the effect His actions have had on our lives. As we spend time with Jesus in bible reading, devotions and prayer, people will notice a difference in our lives and note that we have been with Jesus.

 

Acts 1-3

November 14

Acts 1-3

Power comes through the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples to wait. He told them that when they received the Holy Spirit they would have power to be witnesses throughout the world. The disciples gathered together and waited while praying. Around 120 believers gathered together waiting and seeking the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. On the day of Pentecost, the promise was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit came and filled the believers with His presence.

With boldness, Peter stood before the crowd and explained all that had happened. He explained the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The people were convicted of their sin and asked what they could do now that Jesus had been killed. Peter told them to repent and be baptized. As the people turned to Jesus and were baptized, they committed their lives to this new community of believers. The church was born in a prayer meeting and the church continued in prayer.

" They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42, NIV) This verse and the rest of the second chapter of Acts give a good description of the Church acting like the Church is supposed to act. The people were learning more about Jesus and how He was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. They supported one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They shared communion together. And they prayed.

 

Many people who claim to follow Jesus do not participate in any of the activities that marked the early church. We have become independent in our faith. We want to do things our way and joining with other people interferes with us. But the model of the early church gave balance to the believer and the community of believers. We are not an island, we are a part of a Body, the Body of Christ. Each person brings a unique piece of the total. Each person is needed and necessary.

 

If the Church would make its core values, the same as the values of the early church, we would be healthier, stronger, and would transform the world in which we live.

John 20-21

November 13

John 20-21

Have you ever just missed an amazing event? You show up and everyone tells you about what they saw moments before you arrived. Can you imagine Thomas’s disappointment? The other disciples are adamant that they had seen the risen Lord. For whatever reason, Thomas was not there. He could not believe, though he probably wanted to, that the Lord had actually shown himself to the other disciples. Thomas said he could not believe unless he saw the Lord himself. For an entire week, Thomas heard the other disciples talk about the appearance, but He doubted.

The following week Jesus walked into the room with locked doors again and addressed Thomas. He said; “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas called Jesus; “my Lord and my God!” Thomas went from doubting the resurrection to recognizing Jesus as God through one encounter with the risen Lord. Jesus restored Thomas by addressing his doubts.

Another time, Jesus showed up while the disciples were fishing. When Peter realized it was Jesus, he jumped overboard and swam to get to the shore, and Jesus, quicker. During this encounter, Jesus restored Peter. Three times He asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter affirmed his love. While Jesus was being tried, Peter had denied even knowing Him three times. Jesus restored Peter and repeated the words He spoke when He first called Peter; “follow me.”

Jesus came not to condemn us, but to save us. He comes to each of us and offers restoration just as He offered restoration to Peter and Thomas. He gives us the opportunity to turn our doubt to faith, our rejection to acceptance. Just as John wrote; "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31, NIV) Jesus continues to work in our lives so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and through faith we will have eternal life.

John 17-19

November 12

John 17-19

"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." (John 17:18, NIV) Jesus repeated this in John 20:21; “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  Followers of Jesus are sent people. Jesus prays not that we would be removed from the world, but that God would protect us from the evil one. He does not remove us, but sends us. He does not call us into a holy huddle to talk about how bad the world is while we remain protected in our churches. He sends us into the world to bring restoration and preservation. He does not say for us to build it and they will come, He sends us into the world to change the world.

 

It is much easier to play armchair quarterback and gripe about the condition of our country, our government, and the world. It takes effort to bring about change. Just as the Father sent Jesus to bring hope and holiness to a broken and dying world, Jesus sends us to bring hope and holiness wherever we go. We are the salt that flavors and preserves the world in which we live. We are the light that points people toward Jesus who loves them and brings salvation. Our job is not finished until Jesus calls us home.

 

If we sit and wait, we are disobeying Jesus. He has sent you.

John 13-16

November 11

John 13-16

Jesus was the most powerful man to ever walk this earth. "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;" (John 13:3, NIV) He did not need to prove himself to anyone. He knew better than to trust the opinion of men, yet He loved people with perfect love. Though He was completely God and completely human, yet He was willing to wrap a towel around His waist, bend down, and clean the dirty feet of His disciples. It was the job of the lowest servant, but Jesus was willing to fill that role.
Jesus said; "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14-15, NIV) The greatest man to ever live set an example of service. He not only served, He called those who follow Him to lead by serving.

 Most of us do not walk the streets in sandals and therefore require a foot washing as we prepare for a meal, but there are still many ways we can serve those around us. Service is love in action. Jesus revealed His love by washing feet. How can you serve someone to show God’s love? We all have opportunities to serve. It may be serving a family member, a co-worker, or a total stranger. But no matter who we serve, we can do it to reveal God’s love to people who may or may not deserve it.

 "“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”" (John 13:34-35, NIV) Jesus revealed His love by being a servant, even unto death on a cross. He gave of himself so others could live. We reveal what He has done in our lives when we are willing to take up the basin and towel and serve.

John 11-12

November 10

John 11-12

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”" (John 11:25-26, NIV)

 

In theory, these are great words. But Jesus was standing outside the tomb that was holding the rotting body of Martha’s brother when Jesus spoke these words to her. She believed He was the Son of God, but did she understand the power in His name. She believed that her brother would rise with all the dead on the last day, but did she realize Jesus could bring life where death had dwelt? Who had ever heard of a dead man coming to life?

 

Mary and Martha knew Jesus could have healed their brother if He had come sooner. But Jesus purposely waited before showing up. He had a plan. He was going to give a glimpse of the resurrection through His friend Lazarus. Mary and Martha both said;; “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” In effect they were asking Jesus why He waited so long.

 

Why does God wait so long to answer our prayers? Why do we have to wait to see God move in our lives? If Jesus had shown up in the sister’s timing, it would have been a miracle when Jesus healed Lazarus. But Jesus had bigger plans. Jesus not only healed Lazarus, He raised him from the dead. He proved that He had power even over death. Because of His promise and His power, we can be confident in knowing that all who believe in Him will live even though they die. Jesus is Lord even over death. Death has no hold on us as long as Jesus is with us. He showed His ultimate power when He rose from the dead on the third day and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.

 

There is life in Jesus.

John 8-10

November 9

John 8-10

"Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." (John 8:34, NIV)

We all have a choice, but we are all a slave to something. We can either be a slave to Christ or a slave to sin. We are a slave to that which we serve. Sin is fun for a season, but it will grab you and hold you captive and you cannot set yourself free. Sin will take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and hold you longer than you want to stay. We try, but on our own, we are trapped, we are enslaved by sin. But just as God set the Israelites free from slavery to the Egyptians, He can deliver us from sin.

Jesus said; "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36, NIV)  Paul wrote; "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:18, NIV) True freedom only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When He sets us free, we are free. We are no longer slaves to sin. We produce a fruit of righteousness because we are made righteous. We walk in obedience, not because we have to, but because we want to. We have new hearts that yearn for more of Jesus instead of yearning for the empty promises of sin.

We have all been a slave to sin. We have all struggled to free ourselves. But Jesus came and died on the cross, not only to give us eternal life in heaven, but to set us free from the sin that so easily entangles us while walking this earth. He came so we could live lives of righteous now. When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, it took them over 40 years to learn to live as people who were no longer slaves but free. When we enter into a relationship with Jesus, we also have to learn to live in our freedom. We live as children of God when we realize that is what we are.

 

John 6-7

November 8

John 6-7

After Jesus fed the 5,000, they followed him to the other side of the lake. The followed not because they wanted Jesus per se, but because they had experienced what He could do for them. The liked that He provided them with bread, but Jesus wants more for them. He wants to meet their spiritual needs while they are focusing on their physical needs. Jesus wants them to feed on Him, the bread of life instead of pursuing bread that will spoil. The crowd does not understand the mission or message of Jesus.

When Jesus speaks of the gift of eternal life, they want to know what they must do to do the works God requires. Jesus said the work is to believe in Him. He promises that all who looks to Him and believes in him will have eternal life. When Jesus claimed to come from heaven and to be the bread of life, the people began to grumble. They could not accept that He was the Son of God when they knew His father Joseph.

Many of His disciples left because of His hard teachings. Jesus turned to His disciples and asked; “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Peter realizing that Jesus was the Holy One of God knew that Jesus was the only choice. Without Jesus, as He revealed himself through His teaching and ministry, there is no hope.

It is time for followers of Jesus to stop trying to make Him something He is not. He is loving, but He also expects us to walk in obedience. His teaching is difficult. It is countercultural. It is challenging. It is convicting. Some people will not like us because we follow Jesus. Some will turn away when they hear the truth. Jesus did not say anything goes. He calls us to follow Him and to die to ourselves.

John 4-5

November 7

John 4-5

When Jesus approached the invalid at the pool, he asked him; “do you want to get well?” This seems like an odd question. The man was lying by this pool where those with infirmities gathered in hopes of being healed. He had been an invalid for thirty eight years. Perhaps he had given up hope and just came to the pool as a formality. When Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well, the man did not say; “yes.” Instead he told Jesus why he had no hope. He did not pursue a cure, he made excuses.

Jesus told the man; “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” The man was cured and he walked. What have you struggled with in your life that you say you want healed, but you make excuses instead of pursuing a cure. Perhaps its and addiction, maybe it is a strained relationship, it could be a health issue, or the pursuit of more education or a job change. It is often easier to complain about our infirmities than it is to make a change.

Has Jesus asked you if you want to get well and you just make an excuse why it is not going to happen? He wants to heal us of more than our physical infirmities, He wants to go deeper. Later, Jesus found the man and told him to stop sinning or something worse may happen to him. His physical ailment was just the surface problem. Jesus saw the deeper issues. Perhaps those deeper issues were the obstacles to his recovery in the first place.

When we pray seeking God’s help in our lives, when we seek healing spiritually, physically, or emotionally, God wants to heal our hearts before He addresses our circumstances. To heal the outer person without addressing the deeper issues only lead to other problems. If we will allow God to cure the sin problem in our lives, if we seek Him with all our heart and allow Him to lead our lives, the other issues will take their rightful place.

John 1-3

November 6

John 1-3

"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit." (John 3:34, NIV)

The words of Jesus are the words of God. Jesus came to reveal God to humanity. Many people would not accept the words Jesus spoke. They rejected Him. They rejected His message. Though He was God, though it was through Him that all things were made, people did not recognize Him as the Son of God. Those who do receive Him, those who believe that He is the Son of God, He gives the right to become children of God.

 Just as Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, God gives the Spirit without limit to all who call on the name of Jesus. Luke wrote that God gives the Holy Spirit to all who ask. Jesus said those who believe in Him, out of them will flow rivers of living water will flow from within them.

There is no limit to how much of God’s Spirit we receive. He wants to fill us, to guide us, to support us, to shape us into the image of Jesus. If we are willing God will give us all of Him we want. He will work in our lives and amaze us as He does immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. How much of God’s Spirit do you want in your life?

 

 

Luke 22-24

November 5

Luke 22-24

Cleopas and another disciple left Jerusalem, after the news of the resurrection had reached them, and were headed to Emmaus. They did not know what to believe. They had experienced the joy of Palm Sunday and the shock of the crucifixion. As they talked, Jesus came along side them, though they were kept from recognizing Him. They told Him all that had happened and that the women had told them that the tomb was empty and that angels had told the women that Jesus was alive.

Jesus listened and then explained how the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus was revealed through the Law and the prophets. He tried to help them make sense of the events that did not make sense. As He talked their hearts burned within them and their eyes were opened to the meaning of the scripture and the events of the last several days. When Jesus joined them for a meal, He broke the bread and they recognized Him.

Sometimes events in our lives just do not make sense. There are times when we struggle to see any good, any benefit in our circumstances. But even when we are in the midst of the struggle, we can know that God said; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV) Even when we feel like we are walking alone, He is with us. Even when we do not recognize Him, He walks this journey with us. Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to speak to  us, to guide us, to teach us.

Then there are those times when He gives us a glimpse of himself to remind us and encourage us with His presence. Those moments are not for us alone. They are for us to share with the other believers to encourage them and to remind them that Jesus is walking with them as well.

 

Luke 19-21

November 4

Luke 19-21

Have you ever been so afraid of failure you didn’t even try? Failure is something we try to avoid, but sometimes fear of failure keeps us from the best. Failure is not usually fatal. We can learn from our failures and move forward. Jesus tells a parable about three servants in whom a king had entrusted money while he was gone. Two of the servants came back with a return on their investment. One came back with ten times the amount he was given another came back with five times what he was given. Both of these servants were commended by the king and given ten and five cities respectively to be in charge.

The third servant mentioned in the story was afraid of failure. He hid his money and when the king returned, he returned the money. The king condemned the servant hiding the money and not getting any return for his investment.

God has given us all gifts. For some it is money or other material possessions, for others it is a talent or other type of spiritual gift. God gives us these gifts and allows us to decide what we will do with that gift. He does not dictate how we use these gifts, but He expects us to use them for the building of the Kingdom of God. Some will get great returns on their investment, others will get a smaller return. The one in Jesus’ story who was condemned was the one who did not do anything with his gift.

Hiding our gifts out of fear of failure is unacceptable. It is better to try and fail than to never try. When we fail, we have the opportunity to examine the reason for the failure, to make the necessary adjustments and to pick up and move forward again. Failure is just a step toward success when we are willing to take chances and allow God to direct our paths.

Luke 16-18

November 3

Luke 16-18

"So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”" (Luke 17:3-4, NIV)

 Forgiveness is one of the most difficult instructions Jesus gives us. He forgives us of so much, but it is still difficult to forgive others. It is probably almost impossible to forgive without God’s help. When someone does something that hurts us, the natural reaction is to stay away from that person and to do what we can to make them pay for what they did to us.

 One of the problems with unforgiveness is that it never ends. Unforgiveness leads to retaliation and revenge. We look for ways to get even, but we never really get even. If we retaliate, the person we retaliate against feels like we have gone further than they went and seek to get revenge on us. This goes back and forth and the intensity only grows.

 Jesus said to forgive. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of retaliation. Forgiveness gives healing a chance to take place. Forgiveness once can be difficult, but Jesus said we are to forgive over and over again. He said we are to forgive seven times in a day if each time the person comes back and repents for their sin.

 This sounds ridiculous to us until we think about the way God has forgiven us. Jesus is really asking us to imitate His forgiveness. If we sin, we can turn back to Him, ask for forgiveness and He forgives. When we forgive, we extend grace the way God extends grace to us. If we can get a glimpse of how much we have been forgiven, it becomes easier to forgive others.

 

 

Luke 13-15

November 2

Luke 13-15

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27, NIV)

 The church is sometimes guilty of trying to sell Jesus to people without reminding them that there is a cost to following Jesus. When people came to jesus and wanted to follow Him, He reminded them that there was a cost involved. Jesus does not just want us on Sunday morning. He does not want just ten percent of our income as a tithe. He does not just want a portion of our day or a portion of our relationships. He wants all of us.

 Jesus did not bait and switch. He was up front in His expectations. He said it would be difficult. He said wide is the road to destruction and narrow was the gate that leads to life. He warned those who followed to count the cost. He gave the example of a person building a tower and of a king preparing for war. If we were going to build a house, we would figure out how much it cost before beginning. We would not want to get the foundation and subfloors in only to run out of money and have the weather ruin what we had. We would count the cost and would know if we could pay the price.

 If a king sees an enemy coming towards his town, he will check out the enemy’s army. If he thinks he can win the battle he will go and fight. If the enemy is too powerful, he will try to negotiate. He would look at the situation and weigh the odds then make a decision based on what he could afford in men and resources.

 Jesus said in the same way we should count the cost of following Him. "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33, NIV)  It is expensive to follow Jesus. Not monetarily, but He wants everything. He wants our hearts, our minds, our dreams, our goals, our occupation, you name it and He wants us to give it to Him. He will give us back what He wants us to have and when He gives it back it is better than when we gave it to Him.

It costs everything to follow Jesus, but it is still a bargain we cannot beat.

Luke 11-12

November 1

Luke 11-12

"“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10, NIV)

Ask, seek, knock. Each of these words gives the image of someone pursuing something. When we ask, we want answers or we want someone to do something for us. We are pursuing something into which someone else can give us insight or can provide for us.

God wants us to ask for our wants, our needs, and our desires. Everyone who asks receives. He does not say we receive what we ask for, but we receive. Verse 13 says if we are evil and know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will God give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. I believe that if we ask for something that will bring us harm, God does not give us what will harm us, but gives us what will bring us benefit in the end.

Seeking involves looking for something. God wants us to seek Him, but He also wants us to seek His desires for our lives. God does not run and hide from us. He is not playing hide and seek. He wants us to pursue Him, but He is not running from us. The seeking is our part to play in pursuing God’s will for our lives. We have to discover God’s will and how He created us. We have to seek knowledge of ourselves, so we can seek God’s direction in our lives. Seeking helps shape us and prepare us for what God has prepared for our lives. If we seek, we will find. God wants us to discover Him and His will and direction for our lives.

Knocking is what we do when we desire entrance into a door that is closed. God wants us to knock on the door. He wants us to seek entrance. Some doors in our lives seem like they are closed and locked and there is no possible way we can enter. But if we knock, God may open that door for us. There are many doors in our lives that we cannot open, but God can. It never hurts to knock. Too often, we do not have our wants, needs, and desires because we have been too timid to knock. If we knock the door will be opened.

God wants us to actively pursue our wants, needs, and desires as we come to Him as His children in need. He wants a relationship with us and wants what is best for us. He created us and as a plan for our lives. We get to participate with Him in revealing His Kingdom on earth. So ask, seek, and knock until you hear yes, no, or wait. He will respond.