Heavy Heart

Proverbs 14

13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart,
but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

My heart is heavy this morning. I am praying for the LORD to remove this heaviness, and to not allow my imagination to run away with me. An email discussing an upcoming meeting has me concerned, because I am afraid of a pattern being repeated. Lord, may this heaviness be removed so that I may enjoy the remainder of my weekend. I know that You will take care of whatever is going to happen at this upcoming meeting. I frankly feel like I am about to be ambushed, LORD, and I am asking for Your protection. No matter the case, may You be glorified, and may I be Your humble servant always.

Perfect Day for Praising God

Psalm 100

1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

2 Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

This is a good day to give praise to the Lord. After all, I am awake, breathing air, able to read, write, and express my thoughts. God is so good to me. I live in “Paradise on Earth.” I am married to the most beautiful woman ever. Our children all love and serve the Lord. Above all else, Jesus has paid the price for my sins so that I could spend eternity in the presence of the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. Of course this is a perfect day for me to give Him praise!

Jesus is Alive

Luke 24

5b“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6a He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!”

The message of the angels to the women on the day of Jesus’ Resurrection should echo throughout our lives today. Jesus is alive! Christianity alone is based on the historical fact of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior. Jesus alone accomplished the fulfillment of God’s plan reconcile mankind to Himself. God is the God of the living, and the only way to true life is through Jesus. May the Name of Jesus be praised always!

Father Forgive Them

Luke 23

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

As the Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, this is the prayer He uttered. More comforting words cannot be found in all of the Scriptures. Jesus prays for our forgiveness while suffering for our sins. Jesus overlooks our ignorance. How many times has Jesus prayed this very prayer on my behalf over the years? Too many to truly want to consider. Way too many to count. May I leave the ways of ignorance, and cling to the Word of God every day of my life. Thank You, Lord for the forgiveness I receive from You daily. Help me to live in such a way as to bring You glory and honor, not shame and reproach. Help me to no longer live in ignorance, but to live in such a way as to lift up Your Name daily.

Worse Than Peter

Luke 22

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Oh, Peter. He had proclaimed that he would NEVER abandoned, nor deny Jesus. The Lord told Peter that he would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed, and sure enough, he did. It is easy to sit back and be critical of Peter from my vantage point...at least until I think of the times I deny knowing Jesus in my life. Those times when I speak harshly to someone for little or no reason at all. Those times when I am less than Christ-like behind the wheel of my car. Those times when I cannot be distinguished from the pagans around me. Those times when I fail to give Jesus the glory and honor He deserves. Those times when I am silent when I should be standing up for Christ. The list is already too long, and could go on even more. When I think of this list, the bitter tears form in my eyes. I am so undeserving of the love of Jesus, and yet He freely pours out that love on me anyway. Amazing Grace, indeed.

The Least I Could Do

Luke 22

41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

To think that Jesus sweat blood because of knowing that He was going to suffer so terribly for my sins just blows me away. We have just celebrated Resurrection Sunday and on this side of those celebrations I am determined to be more intentional in my public proclamation that Jesus is Lord. It is the very least I can do. I mean all He did was pay the price for my sins by dying on the cross, raising from the dead and ascending into heaven to talk to God the Father on my behalf. He’s coming back to collect the church and take them to be with Him forever. Yeah, the very least I could do is live my life for Him.

Pass It On

Judges 2

10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

This verse makes me want to weep. Especially as I read it on this Resurrection Sunday. How could a whole generation NOT be taught about God and all He has done for His children? It is because we who claim to be His followers become complacent, lazy, arrogant, and prideful. We ourselves forget that our blessings come from God, and we fail to acknowledge Him. So, our children do not grow up hearing about God, seeing us praise Him, and never learn to do so themselves. In fact, in our nation, we have allowed the pagan culture to mock God and His followers. Having been in student ministry for a couple of decades now, it really saddens me when I see parents allowing their children to make the spiritual decisions for the household, instead of taking the lead in instructing their children in the way of the Lord. Far too often, those children turn their backs on God. We crucify Jesus all over again by such actions. On this day when we celebrate His resurrection, may I be that much more determined to help the older generations understand their responsibility to teach the younger generation Who God is and why we should follow Him ONLY.

HOME

Psalm 90

1 Lord, through all the generations

you have been our home!

2 Before the mountains were born,

before you gave birth to the earth and the world,

from beginning to end, you are God.

This Psalm of Moses strikes me today for the simplicity of the relationship with God that is expressed here. God is our HOME! This world is not our home. My house here in Vero Beach is not my home. These are temporary dwelling places, but the Creator of heaven and earth; the Author of Salvation; the Perfecter of my faith, He is HOME. May I dwell in Him always. May I give Him the praise daily. May I be content to be in Christ knowing that being in Christ will always lead me HOME.

Mere Rocks

Joshua 24

25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to follow the decrees and regulations of the Lord. 26 Joshua recorded these things in the Book of God’s Instructions. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the terebinth tree beside the Tabernacle of the Lord.

27 Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”

Joshua has just charged the children of Israel to fear the LORD and serve Him only, and they have agreed. Covenant is made, and Joshua rolls a big old stone under a tree to serve as a witness to this covenant. How interesting that in the past week’s worth of reading, stones have been said to be able to burst into cheers for the Lord, and now to serve as a witness to covenant made between God and His people. I will never look at “mere rocks” the same again.

God of the Living

Luke 20

37 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

39 “Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40 And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.

I agree with some of the religious leaders here when they said, “well said, Teacher!” Jesus nails it on the head when He proclaims that God is the God of the living, not the dead. Those who follow Jesus, obey the Gospel , and love God and people will live with God the Creator of heaven and earth forever and ever. While we may experience physical death, we will never have to experience spiritual death (separation from God). It is that hope to which I cling every day. No matter what the world throws my way. No matter the challenges ahead. I praise God for loving me and for saving me. I praise God for the opportunity to serve Him daily.

Daily Praises

Psalm 89

1 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!

Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

2 Your unfailing love will last forever.

Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

Like Ethan the Ezrahite, who wrote this Psalm, I want my life to be marked by daily praise of my Lord and Creator. Not just the words of my lips, but my very lifestyle. Again, I don’t want the rocks along the road to have to take my job in praising God! It is easy to get distracted by the drudgery of daily living, by the routine of regular schedules, and by the same ole same ole. May I look at every new day as just that: a new day in which I get the privilege of praising the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. After all, God is worthy of that praise and more.

Cheering Rocks

Luke 19

36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

How often are those of us who claim to be followers of Christ silent because we are afraid to upset the apple cart? How often do we allow the Politically Correct society in which we live to keep us from publicly proclaiming Jesus? How often do the rocks along the road want to cry out on behalf of our Messiah because we won’t do so? Something about which to think in this Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday.

The Mission

Luke 19

10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Jesus has just had dinner with Zacchaeus, a tax collector and a “notorious sinner.” At least he is a “notorious sinner” in the eyes of the “righteous people” in his town. Jesus stops them in their tracks, however because He proclaims that salvation has come to Zacchaeus and by making the mission of the Son of Man as plain as day. Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. As a follower of Christ, that should be my mission as well. Who do I seek today?

David the Persistent Pray-er

Psalm 86

1 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.

2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

3 Be merciful to me, O Lord,

for I am calling on you constantly.

Long before Jesus told the story about the need for persistent prayer, David was practicing this habit. It is not wonder he is called a “man after God’s own heart.” No, David was not perfect. Yes, he had plenty of sin in his life. However, David knew how to repent, and he knew how to implore God for His mercies through ceaseless prayer. It is that part of David’s life that I desire to imitate.

Persistent Prayer Life

Luke 18

1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

What follows this verse is the parable of the persistent widow. Jesus wants His followers to know that prayer is not just something to be done in the “fox holes of life.” Prayer is essential in our relationship with God the Father. If we don’t talk with Him, how can we have close relationship? Yet, how often do we let days go by without much more than the perfunctory acknowledgements of our Creator? I am working harder these days to be a man of persistent prayer. I don’t always succeed, but it is not from a lack of trying. May my prayer life be more reflective of a close relationship with God the Father, and may Jesus be glorified through my prayer life always

The Kingdom is here now

Luke 17

20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?”

Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”

Why is it that we tend to look for something assuming it is far off? Those of us who follow Christ should know that Jesus is right here with us every step of the way, because He has promised us that He would be. The Holy Spirit Who indwells us will lead us in the Way, if we are willing to submit to Him. The Kingdom of God is not at hand, it is here. Ushered in by Jesus, Himself, the Kingdom has been around for some 2,000 years now. As a citizen of the Kingdom, I have a responsibility to do all that I can to bring others into this Kingdom through the saving power of the Blood of Jesus. May my life ever be dedicated to that proposition.

Use Stuff, Love People

Luke 16

9 “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.”

Jesus has just told the parable of the shrewd manager, and I love the way the NLT ends this story. These are the words of Jesus recorded in verse 9. He says that we should use worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. I view my “stuff” as ministry tools. Nothing more, nothing less. May my attitude towards stuff always be this way. Please, Lord, help me to use stuff and love people, not the other way around. May I be shrewd with the material blessings I have been given, and may those blessings be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus always.

The Lord's Side

Joshua 5

13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”

14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”

At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”

15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

So many times we try to say that God is on our side, when we should be striving to make sure that we are on God’s side! Joshua is the mighty leader of the children of Israel, tasked with conquering the Promised Land. Yet, he still needs a lesson in who is on whose side. The Commander of the Lord’s Armies sets Joshua straight. I pray that God’s Word will set me straight. I want to be counted among those who are on God’s side, and that is all I want!

Gives Me Pause

Luke 14

12 Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. 13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

In this passage where Jesus is teaching on humility, we often hear the section just before today’s text, where Jesus talks about not choosing a seat of honor. However, I am not sure that I have ever spent much time at all with verses 12-14, when Jesus turns to the host and talks about who should be invited to a luncheon or banquet. Jesus makes it quite plain here that as followers of His, we should be watching out for the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind...people who cannot repay us for our kindness. THOSE are the people we should have in our homes, eating meals around our tables. Gives me great pause this morning. Our table has always been open for students, for friends of our kids, etc. Many of them have no means by which to “repay us,” nor would we ever consider expecting such repayment. But, have we truly taken it the next step as Jesus is commanding here? Like I say, gives me pause, this morning.

Narrow Door

Luke 13

22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

Now, Jesus is telling His followers that some who claim to follow Jesus won’t make it to the Kingdom of God. They have been deceived into thinking that they are “okay” even though they are following the ways of man instead of entering through the “narrow door” of the teachings of Christ. Yeah, Jesus is narrow minded when it comes to salvation. There is only one way, and it is His Way. I would join Jesus in warning folks to “work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom.” Study the Scriptures diligently, and live your life accordingly.

Don't Worry...PRAY!

Proverbs 12

25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.

My Dad is a consummate worrier. He always has been. I recently came across a couple of tweets from Rick Warren dealing with the subject of worrying, and I copied them, printed them, and gave them to Dad. They say:

“Worry is a 100% waste of emotion. It cannot change the past. It will not change the future. It just ruins today.”

Then, “If you prayed instead of worrying, you’d have a lot less to worry about.”

Now THAT is a word of encouragement regarding worrying, my friends. May we pray instead of worrying. May we hand it all over to the Lord instead of stewing about it. May we remember that we can’t do anything without God anyway, so why worry? Give it to God!

It Is That Simple

Luke 12

49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

53 ‘Father will be divided against son
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

Do you want to know what Jesus is really like? Read this passage. Do you want to know what Jesus’ Mission is? Check out what Jesus says in verse 49. Yes, Jesus is our Savior, but He first and foremost MUST BE our Lord. Stand with Jesus or burn. Seriously, it is that simple.

Rich Relationship With God

Luke 12

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Those of us privileged to live in the United States of America face terrible Spiritual Dangers every day. Those dangers revolve around our consumer mentality. We are addicted to “stuff.” Earthly wealth is abundant in our culture, with even the poorest in this nation counted among the top ten percent of the most wealthy people on the planet. And yes, our wealth gets in the way of our relationship with God. We face great danger of being excluded from the Kingdom of Christ when we worship our wealth instead of our Lord. Every day, I pray that God will help me use stuff to serve people, and not the other way around. Lord, I dedicate my stuff to You, and I desire to give away my wealth so that Your Kingdom can be strengthened.

Truthful Peace

Proverbs 12

19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.

20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

May God’s Word of Truth dwell richly in me each day, as I study the Scriptures. May my life reflect my desire to live out the Truth contained in the Holy Word. May my heart be filled with joy and the peace that passes understanding as I live for Jesus and for Him alone every single day.

No Neutral Ground

Luke 11

23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

Jesus lays it all out about as plainly as possible here. There is no neutral ground regarding Jesus. Either you are with Him or you are against Him. Half-hearted platitudes mean that you are against Him. Wanting Jesus to be a part of your life, but not wanting Him to be Lord of your life means that you are against Him. It is my prayer this day and every day, that my every thought, word and action will be FOR Jesus. How about you?

That One Thing

Luke 10

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes it is so easy getting bogged down in the details of working for the Lord, that we forget to just spend some time at His feet soaking in His teaching. I know that I am guilty of this more often than I care to admit. Lord, help me to be more like Mary, and less like Martha every day. While the work is at hand, and I have my part to do, my first priority must always be to spend that time with You, drawing closer in my walk, and wiser in my ways because of Your Word.

Filled With Praise

Psalm 75

1 We thank you, O God!

We give thanks because you are near.

People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.

May my life be filled with praise for the Almighty God, Who is the giver of life, and the Author of my salvation. He has done, is doing, and will done great and mighty things in my life. God alone is worthy of all glory. May the Name of God be honored always. May anyone who comes along my way have no doubt as to my desire to give God the praise that He alone deserves.

Resolute

Luke 9

51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Jesus was resolved to follow God’s plan for the redemption of mankind, even though He knew what lay ahead of Him. Jesus purposefully set out to accomplish the mission from God. Nothing would deter Him (like the Samaritan opposition, He would encounter along the way - vv 52-53), nothing with distract Him (like James and John wanting to call down fire on the Samaritan village - vv 54-55), and nothing would detail Him (like people who said that wanted to follow Him, but just needed to take care of “one more thing” before doing so vv- 56-62). Just as Jesus was on a mission from God, so are all of us who follow Christ. May we be focused like Jesus was, realizing that deterrence, distractions, and detaining have no place in our lives. We need to do what God has called us to do to lead others to salvation in Christ. Let nothing stand in our way.

Sleepyheads

Luke 9

28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. 31 They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.

I never noticed this before. When Jesus took his closest buds up on the Mount of Transfiguration, they fell asleep! Look at verse 32! I mean, Jesus brings them with Him to pray. We know that Jesus was a champion of prayer and that He could pray for very long periods of time, but this is almost a preview of what would happen regarding Jesus praying and his men sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane. Lord, help me to watch and pray so that I do not fall into temptation, and help me to stay awake! I don’t want to sleep when You ask me to be vigilant. I don’t want to snooze through important stuff. I want to be the man Yo want me to be alert and ready for action.