Ofended and Amazed

Mark 6

3b They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. 4 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” 5 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.

This same Jesus Who calmed the storm and raised the dead was not respected at all in His “hometown” of Nazareth. Mark records that the people there were deeply offended and refused to believe in Him. Their unbelief resulted in few miracles being performed there, and in the amazement of Jesus Himself. In fact, the only times I can recall Jesus being amazed, it is at the unbelief of folks around him. I have no desire to ever amaze Jesus that way. Instead, may I continue to be amazed at His love, grace, and mercy in my life. May I also share those precious gifts with others around me at all times.

They Laughed

Mark 5

40a The crowd laughed at him.

Jesus has just told Jairus that his daughter was not dead, but asleep. This, after the report that his daughter had died came to Jairus while he and Jesus were on their way to his house. This happens right after the woman with the issue of blood touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is instantly healed. This, after the Disciples had witnessed Jesus calm the storm with mere words. What must they have been thinking when the crowd laughed at Jesus? Were they secretly hoping that Jesus would inflict some good ole Sons of Thunder type wrath on the crowd? Were they terrified about what would happen next? The Bible doesn’t say. We do know that Jesus ignored the crowd, raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead and went on about His business. Perhaps when the crowd laughs at us because of our faith in Christ, we should follow His lead: ignore them, and go on about our business. Easier said than done, my friends.

Holy Terror

Mark 4

38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”

39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

Did you catch the reaction of the Disciples? After Jesus calms the storm with “mere words,” (lol, He IS the Word of God), they are TERRIFIED. I wonder if I have ever been terrified when I think of Jesus. If not, why not? This Jesus Who IS the Word of God is a friend, just like He was to His Disciples in the boat. He is ALSO God in the flesh, and as such, our friendship should not be trifled with. It is not a relationship to take casually or flippantly. I fear that I have been guilty of that attitude in the past, and I am afraid that I know way too many people who have that attitude today. Jesus is LORD. Jesus is Master. Jesus is God. To treat Him any other way is foolish. A little Holy Terror might be a good thing for us all from time to time.

Family of God

Mark 3

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”

33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. May I be found doing God’s will in my daily life. May I love the way Jesus loves. May I obey the way Jesus obeys our Heavenly Father. May I live in such a manner as to be counted worthy to be considered a brother of Jesus.

Easier Said Than Done

Psalm 37

1 Don’t worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

2 For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

This Psalm of David reminds me of the saying, “easier said than done.” Like David, I want to remember this, and live it out daily. I love my Lord and I love His provision in my life.

Anger and Saddness

Mark 3

1 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. 2 Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

3 Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” 4 Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts.

Want to know what angers and saddens Jesus? Hard hearted religious folks. When we think that we have it all together, and when our rules outweigh our compassion, we anger and sadden Jesus. May I NEVER be guilty of that again.

Spiritual Discipline

Mark 1

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

A spiritual discipline I am still not very good at. May this be the year, when I improve my walk with Christ in this manner.

At Once

Mark 1

16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

“At once.” Not, “in a few minutes,” or “when it is more convenient for me,” but “at once.” THAT is the proper response to the call of Christ. May I always remember this, and may I pass along that attitude to others.

Perfect Gift

Matthew 28

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God’s Valentine’s gift to mankind is the resurrected Lord Jesus. Our Valentine’s gift to the world is to share the Gospel, baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey Christ always. There is no better gift that can be given on this or any other day.

Skills and Call

Exodus 36

1 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”

The LORD has gifted Ian musically, and given him a heart for ministry, but he is scared, living in denial, and running from God. Had a long conversation with him about all of this again yesterday while on our way to Kissimmee to help move Emily back on campus. I am praying that God will convict Ian so severely that Ian is miserable until he gets back in a state of obedience to God’s call on his life. I love this son of mine more than life itself, and I pray that I can be a positive influence on him. If Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled craftsmen had ignored their calling, the tabernacle would have been built by others, and these guys would NOT be part of God’s story. I do NOT want that fate for Ian by any stretch of the imagination!

Lasting Effects

Exodus 35

6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty.
I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
even children in the third and fourth generations.”

The Lord is slow to anger, and He is the God of compassion and mercy and forgiveness. The effects of sin remain, and those effects can linger for several generations. I pray that I can be a man of God who will not pass along the effects of the sin in his life to my kids and grandkids, and great grandkids. My desire is to be a fully committed follower of Christ. I still have lots of work to do in that area, but that IS my desire.

Periods of Absence

Exodus 32

1 When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

When I see long periods in my life when I am not staying in touch with the Word of God, it makes me sad. Sad because I am allowing the stuff of this world to crowd out that which is most important. It makes me mad. Mad because I KNOW better, and yet I find myself falling into that trap once again. When I finally awaken from my spiritual slumber, it makes me glad. Glad because I do know what has happened, and I can remedy this situation. Glad because my Lord eagerly awaits my return, and our conversation. May I NEVER allow a period of absence to lead me into idolatry like the children of Israel did. May I be more determined than ever to no longer allow a period of absence in my life. God is with me, whether I acknowledge His presence or not, so I might as well just acknowledge it, and enjoy deep conversation with Him every day.

What Joy

Psalm 32

1 Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight!

That is the joy I feel every day. Because of Christ, my disobedience is forgiven and my sin is out of God’s sight. Because of Jesus, I will live in a way to bring glory and honor to my Lord every day. To do any less would be to live the life of a foolish ingrate.

The Lord's Supper

Matthew 26

26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Each Lord’s Day, we commemorate the Lord’s Supper by eating the bread, drinking the cup and proclaiming the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I don’t want to ever take this special time in the corporate celebration service for granted. This meal is central to my belief as a follower of Christ. May my life be lived in such a manner as to bring Christ glory always. Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I will proclaim this Truth always.

Sheep and Goats

Matthew 25

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

On Judgment Day, Jesus will separate those who claim to follow Him from those who truly have followed Him. The criteria being used on that day? Obedience. Those who have genuinely lived their lives in such a manner as to bring glory and honor to Jesus. How is that done? By treating the “least of these” with whom we come in contact with the love of Christ. It won’t be based on building buildings, singing songs, attending studies, or listening to sermons. It will be based on putting feet on prayers, and serving others in the name of Christ.

Keep Watch

Matthew 25

13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

Jesus just finished telling the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom foolishly did not have enough oil in their lamps, and thus missed the wedding party. All to bring Him to this point: keep watch! Jesus is going to return to collect His Bride, the church. So many people who think that they will be in that wedding party will be left outside the door because their lamps won’t have any oil. They believe they can be “good people” without obeying Scripture. They believe that Jesus will overlook their shortcomings (read SIN). This is NOT what Scriptures plainly teach. Help me, O Lord, to dispel such foolishness.

Trading My Sorrows

Psalm 30

4 Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

I’m trading my sorrows. I’m trading my shame. I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord. Those are more than lyrics to me, those are my marching orders for this day and every day. My the Lord be praised, and may my life be one of joy in Jesus, no matter what life throws at me!

Why We Exist

Psalm 29

1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;

honor the Lord for his glory and strength.

2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

Let me be clear. I believe that it is the responsibility, or the job if you will, of everything in the universe to BRING GLORY TO GOD. To do any less is to deny who we are and why we truly exist in the first place.

Source of Strength

Psalm 28

8 The Lord gives his people strength.
He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

Our strength can ONLY come from the Lord. Thursday, I received the sad news that David Bompart dies from his wounds after being shot in Haiti while serving on a mission trip. I grieve for his wife Nicolle and her family. I also grieve for Cliff and Jane Keller who have returned to Vero after being able to retrieve the remains of their daughter Crystal, who died in a train-car collision last week. Father, protect both of these dear families as they deal with the grief of losing loved ones. May they all look to You always as the source of strength, comfort, and love that You are.

Prime Directive

Matthew 22

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Here we see the Prime Directive as laid out by Jesus. In the sci-fi show “Star Trek,” the Prime Directive stated that Starfleet personnel were not to interfere with the development of alien societies or cultures. The Prime Directive of Jesus is exactly the opposite. We are to love God with everything we have, and to love people like God loves them. That DOES mean we will interfere in the cultural and societal development of those around us. We are to help them turn from sin towards God (repentance) so they can learn to love Him as much as we do. We are to do so in a manner that reflects the love of our heavenly Father. May I follow the Prime Directive of Jesus daily.

True Rebels Follow Christ

Proverbs 6

20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart.
Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
When you sleep, they will protect you.
When you wake up, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp
and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
is the way to life.

Wait. You mean obeying your parents is pleasing to the Lord? Huh. You mean obeying your parents can lead you to a better way of life? Seriously? This is SO counter-cultural. Oh yeah, the true rebels in society are those who do NOT follow the crowd, but follow God. Count me among the latter, please.

Toughen Me Up, Lord

Exodus 13

17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

As a 21st Century American, I am not immune to the “microwave mentality” of wanting what I want and wanting it right now if not sooner. Patience is not a hallmark of our society, nor of me as an individual. God knows, in His infinite wisdom, that patience and stress are necessary to toughen us up. Make no mistake about it, we are in a battle. Not against flesh and blood, but agains the spiritual forces of evil. I am so glad that the Creator of the Universe, Who is the Lover of my soul, does NOT give me what I want (or need) instantly, but often has me travel the “long way around,” so that I can be significantly toughened up for the battle ahead. May I always be ready for the battle, for it looms large every day of my life.

Gladly

Matthew 20

29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind. 30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

31 “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.

But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

32 When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, “What do you want me to do for you?”

33 “Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” 34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.

Jesus felt sorry for me, too. A wayward lost child, self-absorbed, stubborn, and rebellious to a fault, I finally came to my senses and cried out, “Jesus, have mercy!” He did. He does. I now follow Him. Gladly.

Humility in Service

Matthew 20

25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Humility in service is the mark of a true follower of Christ. I haven’t always been nearly as humble as I hope that I am now. My attitude is one that I pray portrays humility. I have no desire to have the spotlight turned on me, I simply want to serve in the Name of my Lord Jesus. I don’t need to be the one getting any praise or honor, because it all goes to Jesus anyway. I don’t claim to have any authority, I simply try to lead others by example, and to Christ. Lord, help me be humble as I serve You daily. Forgive me when I allow pride to creep into my life. Do not allow me to desire the spotlight, the accolades, or any other such distraction to the mission for which You have called me. May I die to myself today, so that Jesus is lifted up on high in my life.

Everything Belongs To God

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

You know, when we FINALLY come to grips with this truth, our world view changes to the proper perspective. This week, I have been in heartsick prayer for the families of Crystal Keller, Lori Angel (both of whom died this week), David Bompart (shot while doing mission work in Haiti & in critical condition), Kim Miller (potassium levels through the roof, wife of my friend Gary Music Miller), and John Martinelli (diagnosed with a blood disorder that brings him dangerously high red blood cell levels). I have pleaded with God on behalf of these families, and I praise God because I know that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Since we all belong to Him anyway, I know that His plan for our lives is best. I know that He is worthy of glory, honor, and praise. I will do my best to serve Him on this day. To do any less would not make any sense at all.

Just As The Lord Commanded

Exodus 7

20a So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them.

Now THAT is what I would like said of me, both during my life, and at my funeral. “Scott did just as the LORD commanded him.” Sweet.

Making God Angry

Exodus 4

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

14a Then the Lord became angry with Moses.

Wow. Moses was either very brave or very dumb. Arguing with God to the point of making the Almighty Creator angry is not a good idea. Even so, God used Moses (though Aaron, his brother) to accomplish the Lord’s plan. I want to be God’s “yes man.” I often have tried to argue with God in the past, but this is a foolish exercise. My life is much more at peace since I instead have simply said to my Lord, “here I am, send me.”

Who I Am

Exodus 2

11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”

14 God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.”

We go from Moses asking who am I, to God saying that His Name is I AM. Quite the contrast, and one I would do well to remember. Who am I? I am a representative of the Great I AM. As such, I need to stop manufacturing excuses, and live my life in such a manner as to bring Him glory and honor every day of my life!

A Resounding NO

Matthew 16

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

My answer to the question Jesus asks at the end of the passage is a resounding “NO!” Nothing is worth more than my soul, and following Christ is the ONLY thing in my life that truly matters. I love Jesus and I live for Him daily. The things that I do are done for His glory alone. It is my desire to die to self and live in Christ always.

In Times of Trouble

Psalm 20

1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.

Yesterday brought tragic news from several different fronts. A nine-year-old girl orphaned as her Mom dies of a-yet-to-be-determined illness. Her Dad, who was a minister, died while on a mission trip four years ago. My heart breaks for this beautiful child of God who now has neither an earthly father or mother. I know that she has a loving extended and church family, and in that I take comfort. Then, last night some dear friends from church got word that their daughter had been in a car-train collision and is in critical condition. Lord, God, I am praying for these families in their time of severe distress and pain. May You comfort them, and bring to them a peace that passes human understanding. I love them all dearly, and love You even more, O God.

Thank You Lord

Psalm 19

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display his craftsmanship.

2 Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

This morning, I was up before sunrise, and as I turned east on Oslo Road I literally gasped in amazement out loud, “thank You, Lord! How awesome is the sky this morning!” The sunrise was filled with blues, pinks, oranges, and purples, as the entire sky was ablaze with God’s glory. I never cease to be amazed as these displays of God’s handiwork. I never want to take them for granted, nor do I ever want to experience one without giving praise to God Almighty. He alone is the Source of every good and perfect gift including those beautiful sunrises as seen here in beautiful Vero Beach!

Thank You Lord

Psalm 19

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display his craftsmanship.

2 Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

This morning, I was up before sunrise, and as I turned east on Oslo Road I literally gasped in amazement out loud, “thank You, Lord! How awesome is the sky this morning!” The sunrise was filled with blues, pinks, oranges, and purples, as the entire sky was ablaze with God’s glory. I never cease to be amazed as these displays of God’s handiwork. I never want to take them for granted, nor do I ever want to experience one without giving praise to God Almighty. He alone is the Source of every good and perfect gift including those beautiful sunrises as seen here in beautiful Vero Beach!

You Feed Them

Matthew 14

16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

The crowds had gathered. Huddled and harassed like sheep without a shepherd, hungering for what Jesus had to offer. Then, as the day wore on, they were hungering for some physical food as well. Alas, the concession stands were not open, and Jesus’ Disciples come to Him with this problem. They want Him to disperse the crowds so those folks can go scrounge something to eat. Jesus simply replies, “that isn’t necessary - you feed them.” How often do I ask Jesus to do for me, what I should be doing in His name? How often do I deserve to hear, “that isn’t necessary - you DO it.”? Jesus has empowered me to take care of folks in His name. May I never again be guilty of trying to wiggle my way out of that responsibility.

You Feed Them

Matthew 14

16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

The crowds had gathered. Huddled and harassed like sheep without a shepherd, hungering for what Jesus had to offer. Then, as the day wore on, they were hungering for some physical food as well. Alas, the concession stands were not open, and Jesus’ Disciples come to Him with this problem. They want Him to disperse the crowds so those folks can go scrounge something to eat. Jesus simply replies, “that isn’t necessary - you feed them.” How often do I ask Jesus to do for me, what I should be doing in His name? How often do I deserve to hear, “that isn’t necessary - you DO it.”? Jesus has empowered me to take care of folks in His name. May I never again be guilty of trying to wiggle my way out of that responsibility.

Light Up The Way

Psalm 18

25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.
26 To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.
27 You rescue the humble,
but you humiliate the proud.
28 You light a lamp for me.
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.

It is my desire to always be faithful, to be filled with integrity, and to be pure before my Lord and my God. I don’t always succeed, but that is my desire nonetheless. Father, God, I humbly come before You asking for Your unfailing mercies and love to be poured upon my son, Ian today. I ask nothing for myself, just please light up the darkness surrounding my son. May he know Your love in a deeper way than ever before, and may he be determined to serve You to the best of his considerable abilities every day of his life!

My Savior

Psalm 18

1 I love you, Lord;

you are my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

As my prayers continue for Ian, Lord, I am more than just concerned. I am pleading with You, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my strength, and my savior. Please strengthen Ian emotionally and spiritually right now. I could use a dose of that strength, too.

Hear My Plea

Psalm 17

1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.

Listen to my cry for help.

Pay attention to my prayer,

for it comes from honest lips.

My prayers today are primarily for my son Ian. Father, strengthen him, and show him Your unwavering love. Use me to help in that regard. I know things are tough in his life. I also know that he loves You and really does want to follow You always. Don’t let him get sidetracked. Help him to refocus, Father, and to keep his focus on You always.

Bad Fruit

Matthew 12

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.”

I am glad that the fruit trees on my property produce good fruit. If they did not, they would no longer be of any use to me. Jesus reminds us in this verse that bad trees produce bad fruit, just as wicked people behave wickedly. That is not me judging, that is simply using the common sense that God gave me to be able to discern what is happening around me. Those producing bad fruit need the love of Jesus. May my life be filled with grace, but may I also know not to allow my behavior to be influenced by the bad trees out there. May I act like fertilizer and pesticide to help those bad trees become good by producing good fruit. Otherwise, may those trees be cut out of my life.

God Almighty

Genesis 35

11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’”

Only a very few times in Scripture, do we see God telling someone His Name. To Moses, God simply says that He is “I Am.” Here, to Jacob, the LORD proclaims that He is “God Almighty.” He is the Almighty Creator of the universe, the Author of our salvation, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. He alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. This day, and every day it is my desire to do just that. May the Name of the Lord be praise. He is indeed God Almighty!

Yoked With Jesus

Matthew 11

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus never says that we won’t have burdens in this life, He simply reminds us that those burdens are much more tolerable/bearable when we are in Jesus. I will gladly take up my yoke with Jesus, and tackle the burdens that come my way. I trust in Him, and in Him alone. May my life reflect that trust, and may it draw others closer to Christ daily.

No Peace

Matthew 10

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’”

Jesus lays it out in plain and simple language here. As a follower of Christ, I must always be prepared to acknowledge His Lordship publicly, and I must not expect that my life will ever be anything closely resembling peaceful. My unwavering allegiance to Christ will, in fact, bring conflict into my life. May I be prepared to handle that conflict, and may Jesus be glorified in my life always.

The Lord's Promises

Psalm 12

6 The Lord’s promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.

The Lord has promised that in this world there will be trouble. The Lord has promised that we will be opposed, and oppressed. The Lord has promised that brother will hate brother, that families will be torn apart, and that His followers will be flogged, imprisoned, tortured, and killed. But take heart, the Lord has promised that He would never leave us. The Lord has promised that He has overcome the world. The Lord has promised us that no matter what we face in this life, it will be worth. The Lord’s promises are pure, and I will hold tightly to them every day of my life.

Awe and Fear

Genesis 28

10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” 17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”

Jacob’s reaction is what stands out to me in this passage. He was in awe and afraid. Revernece and fear are appropriate responses to an encounter with the Creator of the Universe. We have a tendency to be a little too comfortable around God. While God is our heavenly Father, and while He desires a close relationship with us, let me never forget that He is GOD, and is worthy of all glory, honor, praise, awe, and fear!

Jesus>Religion

Matthew 9

12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Many people confuse religion with a relationship with Jesus. A YouTube video making the rounds these days talks about that in a way that speaks well to the younger generation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

We would all do well to remember that Jesus came for the spiritually sick, not for the self-righteous.

Not Impressed

Proverbs 3

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Continuing in the thought pattern from yesterday (which is good since these are the next two verses from yesterday’s reading), I am praying that I will never again be impressed with my “own wisdom.” I once thought I was a very wise dude. That was before I realized how much I simply do not know. The older I get in my walk with Christ, the more convinced that I really do not know much at all. In fact, I only WANT to know this one truth: Jesus Christ, crucified Son of God, Risen from the dead Lord and Savior, Sitting at the right hand of God speaker on my behalf, coming again some day to take me (and all who are called out by Him) to live eternally in His presence. Nothing else matters to me. Period.

Not Impressed

Proverbs 3

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Continuing in the thought pattern from yesterday (which is good since these are the next two verses from yesterday’s reading), I am praying that I will never again be impressed with my “own wisdom.” I once thought I was a very wise dude. That was before I realized how much I simply do not know. The older I get in my walk with Christ, the more convinced that I really do not know much at all. In fact, I only WANT to know this one truth: Jesus Christ, crucified Son of God, Risen from the dead Lord and Savior, Sitting at the right hand of God speaker on my behalf, coming again some day to take me (and all who are called out by Him) to live eternally in His presence. Nothing else matters to me. Period.

All My Heart

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

This is so much easier said than done. We say we want to trust in the Lord, but we still try to hang on to our own understanding. Total surrender is what the Lord expects of His followers. I confess that I know nothing. I am the Sgt. Schultz of knowledge and understanding when left to my own devices. I will lean wholly on Christ Jesus, and will trust in Him alone. This is difficult for a stubborn, independent-minded goober like me. It is also the ONLY way I can live if I am to be a totally committed follower of Christ.

Easily Identifiable

Matthew 7

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

These words from Jesus help us to combat those who would misuse the “judge not, least ye be judged” passage. It is true that it is not my place to judge anyone, but I also have been given the good sense and discernment to be able to tell what’s what from the fruit of a person’s actions. God will take care of the judging, but to point out sin in someone’s life, is not judging, it is merely making an observation. Now, this applies to those of us who are followers of Christ only. Pagans behave like pagans because they are pagans. But those who claim to follow Christ, yet live like a pagan, well, those are the folks Jesus is talking about here. You can spot them from a mile away. So can I. Stay away from them. Period.

No Worries

Matthew 6

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

As a child, my Granpda nicknamed me “worry wart.” I have always been a very serious guy, and one of the things I have to work on is releasing my concerns/worries to God. I think I am doing better in that regard, but I know that there is still much work to be done. I do not worry about my daily provisions, because I firmly believe in the God Who provides. I do not worry about my salvation, because I am totally committed to the One Who saves. I do still worry about family and friends, although I try to couch my concerns more in terms of fervent desires for them rather than worry. I do want to daily cast my anxieties on Christ, and I do believe that He alone can/will handle that situation for me.

Stuff

Matthew 6

19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

As a “typical American” I have way too much stuff. Today is a day I have designated to rid myself of much of that stuff. My attic and garage are overflowing. Father, it is my desire to better arrange what I need and to rid myself of that I do not need. My treasure is my salvation in Christ Jesus, but my material possessions could easily get in the way if I allow them to do so. May it never be so. May my stuff be used to proclaim the glory of God, and may any stuff I have that hinders that proclamation be swiftly removed from my life!

Perfect Love

Matthew 5

43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Perfect love expects nothing in return. Perfect love gives to those who don’t deserve, nor appreciate it. Perfect love is the standard Jesus has set for His followers. Since I am claiming to be a fully committed follower of Christ, I must live a life of perfect love. To do any less is to be a liar to my Lord.

Lead Me O Lord

Psalm 5

8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.

Whether it be made plain to me or not, O Lord, lead me in the path You would have me to follow this day. My desire is to simply follow You daily.

Immediate Followers

Matthew 4

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

As Jesus begins His earthly ministry, He calls four guys to come follow Him. Jesus still calls for us to follow Him today, and our response should be just like Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Immediate obedience. When we hear the call of the Christ, we should leave what we are doing at once and follow Him. We should immediately follow Jesus. To do any less is not following, it is being a fan. I am not a fan of Jesus. I am a fully committed follower.

Breaking God's Heart

Genesis 6

5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

Sin breaks God’s heart. Today, I am burdened with the thought that my actions often break the heart of the One Who loves me more than anything. My actions bring sadness to the Creator of heaven and earth. My actions are deserving of the full wrath of God. Thank You, Lord for the forgiveness I have through Your Son Jesus. Thank You Father for Your great mercy. It is my desire to live in such a manner as to make You proud. May Your heart be gladdened by my actions today.

Awe, Fear, Discipline

Proverbs 1

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

My desire is to be wise in the sight of the LORD. Therefore, I cannot afford to become to “comfortable” in my relationship with Him. I must remember that while God loves and even likes me, He is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, and is worthy of my awe, my fear, and my reverence. Discipline as You see fit, O Lord, and help me to grow wise in this new year of 2012.

Very Good

Genesis 1

1a In the beginning God created...

31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

As we mark the beginning of a New Year, it is only fitting to remember that in the beginning God created. He created everything that exists. The earth and everything contained therein. The universe, and everything contained therein. Each of the six days of creation, God looked over what He had made and declared it to be “good.” That is, until the 6th day, when God created human beings, and then He declared His creation to be “very good.” Just as God decided that humans would be the crowning glory of creation, we humans need to acknowledge and worship God as the Master Creator. I LOVE the fact that this year, we get to start the New Year off in corporate celebration on the Lord’s Day. May the new beginning of a new year bring about a renewed desire to celebrate Jesus every day. May I look around at what God is doing in my life and together with Him declare that it is “very good.”