Who could imagine such a thing? A God who looks for the lost and sinful in order to have a relationship with them? Unbelievable! That’s what the professional religionist thought in Jesus’ time, especially the Pharisees. Everyone knows that God hates sin, right? Everyone knows that God won’t fellowship with sinners, right? This way of thinking was exploded by Jesus in Luke 15. It doesn’t matter how the lost got lost, if through ignorant following natural desire like a sheep for grass or carelessness by the woman with her money.
It doesn’t matter. Lost is lost. It can never find itself. It is helpless and hopeless. There we have a definitive statement on the lost condition of man. The Pharisees reaction? Good riddance! They were not worthy of God’s love anyway. God would take care of it someday and burn all that rubbish in Hell.
But Jesus says “No”. In verses 8 through 10 He describes God as having the same emotional reaction as a poor peasant woman who has lost a coin. The woman conducts a grief stricken search for the coin. God conducts a search for lost people. All the way to Mount Calvary is God’s “trail of tears”.
A basic question: What kind of Father is God anyway? Haughty and rejecting? Tender and seeking? God is persistent in His search for His lost children. He found one among the miserable at the Pool of Bethesda. He found another, Bartimaeus, begging on the roadside.
Has He found you yet? Where were you when you found God, or better said, when He found you? If you have not yet been found by God, stop where you are, stop running and shout “God, here I am. I want to be found today.” Isaiah 65:1 (NIV) says “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”
“O Blessed Hound of Heaven, thank You for keeping up the pursuit
for Your lost creations. I pray we all get tired of running from You. Amen”
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
March 7: MOLDING OUR CHILDREN
My wife loves Pre-school children, all of hem. She loves to teach them and watch them grow. She is one of those people who learned long ago that it is easier to mold a child than reshape an adult. Many adults will confess today that they wish someone had taught them the truth before they became hardened adults.
It is so hard watching children come out of homes where the adults don’t care about the impression being made on he children. Young lives are so pliable and responsive. The old saying about “as the twig is bent” is very true.
Adults need to exercise control over what television programs the children watch. Some of the results will not be seen immediately but the seed planted will bear fruit. It is comparable to the “copy-cat” crimes that are regularly reported on the Evening News. Some of the grosses and most shocking are the ones perpetrated by children after watching adult TV.
Parents who read worthless fiction or watch immoral television shows or use any kind of drug (even prescription) can be sure that their children will follow their example, not their words. Jesus said “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
Jesus has great compassion for children. Its easy to understand. Children are so vulnerable. In a metropolitan area people get so preoccupied with making a living that it’s easy to neglect time spending time teaching the children how to “make a life”.
Caring for their diet and physical well-being is important in raising children; caring for their spiritual and emotional development is critical. Reader: check out your children and grandchildren. If you see actions, hear words, notice attitudes that they learned from you: go to them and apologize.
“Father of All, these precious young lives who copy so much after us;
help them to sort out what is worth copying and ignore the rest. Amen”
It is so hard watching children come out of homes where the adults don’t care about the impression being made on he children. Young lives are so pliable and responsive. The old saying about “as the twig is bent” is very true.
Adults need to exercise control over what television programs the children watch. Some of the results will not be seen immediately but the seed planted will bear fruit. It is comparable to the “copy-cat” crimes that are regularly reported on the Evening News. Some of the grosses and most shocking are the ones perpetrated by children after watching adult TV.
Parents who read worthless fiction or watch immoral television shows or use any kind of drug (even prescription) can be sure that their children will follow their example, not their words. Jesus said “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6 NIV)
Jesus has great compassion for children. Its easy to understand. Children are so vulnerable. In a metropolitan area people get so preoccupied with making a living that it’s easy to neglect time spending time teaching the children how to “make a life”.
Caring for their diet and physical well-being is important in raising children; caring for their spiritual and emotional development is critical. Reader: check out your children and grandchildren. If you see actions, hear words, notice attitudes that they learned from you: go to them and apologize.
“Father of All, these precious young lives who copy so much after us;
help them to sort out what is worth copying and ignore the rest. Amen”
Monday, March 5, 2007
March 6: DISCIPLESHIP VERSUS LAZINESS
When Jesus started talking about the cost of discipleship, many decided that they didn’t want to be Christians. Read John 6. Being a disciple means being a student or learner. Being a disciple of Jesus means being controlled by Jesus. There is a crisis in Christianity today. Jesus said His disciples are to be taught “to obey everything I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20) and many professing Christians reject that responsibility.
How many Christians do you know who are actively involved in a discipling process? Acts 2:42 says the early disciples “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching”. A profession of your faith in Jesus Christ is the front end of the Christian experience, not the final end. Discipleship will enable you to apply the Word of God in your life and live a victorious Christian life. Christian ethics and morality, a Christian lifestyle, Christian family life; all of this is the fruit of Christian discipleship.
The real purpose of the Christian life is to reproduce but only a discipled life knows how to reproduce. Anyone can open the Bible and discover the truth but the definite application of the truth is a guided experience! This is hard work! Each Christian must realize the seriousness of the need for spiritual growth. The Bible never says or implies that there is a blessing in being ignorant.
Would you like a key verse for a discipling emphasis in your life and Church? Try 2 Timothy 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Kingdom of God will grow with this kind of spiritual multiplication. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) This is a word from Paul. To win this struggle will demand disciplined followers not just emotional believers. Are you up to it?
“Lord God, save me from spiritual laziness. Help me to commit to
the spiritual discipline needed to grow in the things of the Spirit. Amen”
How many Christians do you know who are actively involved in a discipling process? Acts 2:42 says the early disciples “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching”. A profession of your faith in Jesus Christ is the front end of the Christian experience, not the final end. Discipleship will enable you to apply the Word of God in your life and live a victorious Christian life. Christian ethics and morality, a Christian lifestyle, Christian family life; all of this is the fruit of Christian discipleship.
The real purpose of the Christian life is to reproduce but only a discipled life knows how to reproduce. Anyone can open the Bible and discover the truth but the definite application of the truth is a guided experience! This is hard work! Each Christian must realize the seriousness of the need for spiritual growth. The Bible never says or implies that there is a blessing in being ignorant.
Would you like a key verse for a discipling emphasis in your life and Church? Try 2 Timothy 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
The Kingdom of God will grow with this kind of spiritual multiplication. “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) This is a word from Paul. To win this struggle will demand disciplined followers not just emotional believers. Are you up to it?
“Lord God, save me from spiritual laziness. Help me to commit to
the spiritual discipline needed to grow in the things of the Spirit. Amen”
Sunday, March 4, 2007
March 5: THE BLESSING OF DISCIPLINE
It takes a mature person in faith to accept discipline and be grateful for it. From our childhood, most of us view discipline as punishment, deserved or undeserved. David had grown spiritually when he said in Psalm 141: 5 (NIV) “let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness; let him rebuke me, it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”
When was the last time you prayed, “Lord, discipline me”? Much more easily do we say “bless me”. Haven’t you read The Revelation 3:19 (NIV) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent”. I hope you wouldn’t allow your child or grandchild to remain on a destructive path. In the same way the Lord has to chasten us. The wise man in Proverbs 19:18 says “discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
It often seems that society has forgotten how to discipline. When a teacher or person in authority gives discipline to children, it often results in a legal charge. Parents who were never disciplined don’t discipline their children nor do they want others to do so. Love and caring expresses itself through discipline. It means “I love you too much to allow you to continue on this path to destruction.” “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” was David’s testimony. (Psalm 118:18 NIV)
The road to destruction has no stop lights or barricades. Discipline is often painful, always restrictive, but the results are worth it. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) You can trust God, He will do it right. If things are not turning out right in your life, ask Him to discipline you. His discipline will be in love and will do you good.
“God, there are a lot of crooked paths in my life. I give You permission
to straighten them out and give me strength to walk on them. Amen”
When was the last time you prayed, “Lord, discipline me”? Much more easily do we say “bless me”. Haven’t you read The Revelation 3:19 (NIV) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent”. I hope you wouldn’t allow your child or grandchild to remain on a destructive path. In the same way the Lord has to chasten us. The wise man in Proverbs 19:18 says “discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.”
It often seems that society has forgotten how to discipline. When a teacher or person in authority gives discipline to children, it often results in a legal charge. Parents who were never disciplined don’t discipline their children nor do they want others to do so. Love and caring expresses itself through discipline. It means “I love you too much to allow you to continue on this path to destruction.” “The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death” was David’s testimony. (Psalm 118:18 NIV)
The road to destruction has no stop lights or barricades. Discipline is often painful, always restrictive, but the results are worth it. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) You can trust God, He will do it right. If things are not turning out right in your life, ask Him to discipline you. His discipline will be in love and will do you good.
“God, there are a lot of crooked paths in my life. I give You permission
to straighten them out and give me strength to walk on them. Amen”
Saturday, March 3, 2007
March 4: THE COLOR OF GREED
The grass is not the only thing turning green. The world of sports is showing us very clearly how much greed devours our society. We have hardly settled down from the shock of astronomical salaries being paid to baseball players. Now, during this time of “free agency”, the football players are making headlines with huge salaries. Allegiance to certain teams, once a sure thing, has been neutralized as players jump from one team to another, going to the highest bidder.
Baseball players, already richer by far than the average person, can threaten to go on strike for more money. And since sports is such a big industry in our country, the trickle down effect is great. That greedy people can evoke sympathy getting rich is a phenomenon in itself.
Want to hear what God says about greed? Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) says “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV) says “the lazy man’s greed will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work, all day he covets greedily”. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that a sign of a mature man is that he is not greedy for money. (1 Timothy 3) Greed has the effect of generating a class-conscious society where success is determined by the kind of house you live in, the kind of car you drive, and the brand-name clothes you wear. Greed kills sensitive concern for your fellow man.
This greed is in stark contrast to the life of Jesus where liberality and giving to others is clearly proclaimed and exemplified by Jesus. Jesus went so far as to say even if your enemy asked you for help, give to him liberally. (Luke 6:30) Maybe the reason the sport’s scene is so distasteful to some of us is because we wish we had that kind of financial power and leverage. If it would force all of us to do something about our own greediness, that would be good.
The next time you are overcome with feelings of greed, even in Church, think of Jesus who had “no place to lay His head”.
“Father God, we all know that we can’t take money with us when we
leave this world. Enlighten us to use money wisely and helpfully. Amen”
Baseball players, already richer by far than the average person, can threaten to go on strike for more money. And since sports is such a big industry in our country, the trickle down effect is great. That greedy people can evoke sympathy getting rich is a phenomenon in itself.
Want to hear what God says about greed? Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) says “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV) says “the lazy man’s greed will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work, all day he covets greedily”. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that a sign of a mature man is that he is not greedy for money. (1 Timothy 3) Greed has the effect of generating a class-conscious society where success is determined by the kind of house you live in, the kind of car you drive, and the brand-name clothes you wear. Greed kills sensitive concern for your fellow man.
This greed is in stark contrast to the life of Jesus where liberality and giving to others is clearly proclaimed and exemplified by Jesus. Jesus went so far as to say even if your enemy asked you for help, give to him liberally. (Luke 6:30) Maybe the reason the sport’s scene is so distasteful to some of us is because we wish we had that kind of financial power and leverage. If it would force all of us to do something about our own greediness, that would be good.
The next time you are overcome with feelings of greed, even in Church, think of Jesus who had “no place to lay His head”.
“Father God, we all know that we can’t take money with us when we
leave this world. Enlighten us to use money wisely and helpfully. Amen”
Friday, March 2, 2007
March 3: FAITH AND THE SPECTACULAR
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And then follows a long list of names of people who died, some heroically, assured in their hearts that they were going to Heaven and be with God. They just knew! They trusted God’s Word and invitation. The key to Eternal Life is just placing your life in God’s hand. Even though you don’t see anything! Even without God giving you a spiritual display of power. The story from Luke 16: 19-31 is very appropriate here. Lazarus died and went to Heaven because of his faith. A rich man died and went to Hell. Of course, he wanted out. He was told that was an impossible request. So he asks for a messenger from Hell to be sent to warn his brothers to avoid Hell. He is told they already have the Word of the Lord. The man protests that they would be more likely to “repent” if someone came directly from Hell. The conclusion is that if the brothers won’t respond to the Word of the Lord, nothing can convince them. Paul concurs in Romans 10:17 “faith come from hearing”. No showtime required: hear the Message and take it in. Some churches and Christian organizations are regularly producing “spectaculars” to convince doubters that they should believe. Famous people are invited to give testimonies that Jesus is “worth following”, even well-known athletes. I’m reminded of the crowd around the Cross where Jesus was hanging shouting out “if You will come down, we will believe.” (Mark 15:32) Sorry, no more spectacular events like walking on the water or raising dead people. It’s just faith! Trust and OK! Blaise Pascal, the Christian philosopher (and former atheist) said ‘faith has it’s reasons that reason knows not of”. If it took a “spectacular” to convert you, it would demand a daily spectacular to keep you convinced.
“Help me Lord, not to stumble over doubt or any other hard-hearted
thing on the way to trusting You with my life. Amen”
“Help me Lord, not to stumble over doubt or any other hard-hearted
thing on the way to trusting You with my life. Amen”
Thursday, March 1, 2007
March 2: THE PRACTICAL BIBLE
One reason that I love the Bible is because it is so practical. In the Bible I met Jesus and became a Christian, the most practical good thing that has happened in my life. Every situation is spoken to in a direct and practical manner. One example: David said to God in Psalm 18: 36 (NIV) “You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not turn.” Here is a picture of God’s love that cares for such details as removing loose rocks from the path so the shepherd does not turn an ankle. Imagine a shepherd with his flock of sheep, far away from any human companionship, dealing with the consequences of a twisted ankle. There would be no help for him. The sheep would scatter without food or water. Some like to say that spiritual truths are worthless philosophy or dreamy theories, no possible practical good would come from it.
But that ignores the facts. Check the roots of many of the greatest institutions of higher learning or medical care and you will find the practical application of Christian truth. The majority of international helping organizations have the same kind of spiritual roots. The more you understand your faith, the more practical you will become in applying it. Let the insult never apply to you that states, “he is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good.”
If we are truly heavenly-minded people we will be able to help so many ordinary people in ordinary ways that they will be interested to meet our Extraordinary God. Jesus said we must express our faith practically: things such as giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, warm clothing to the cold, and visiting the sick. (See Matthew 25) Matthew 5:13-14 also talk to us about being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. You know, its not too late to promise yourself that you will read this very, very practical Book daily.
“Yes, God, your Bible is a light for my path and illumination for my
meanderings. Help me to stay focused. Help me to read daily. Amen”
But that ignores the facts. Check the roots of many of the greatest institutions of higher learning or medical care and you will find the practical application of Christian truth. The majority of international helping organizations have the same kind of spiritual roots. The more you understand your faith, the more practical you will become in applying it. Let the insult never apply to you that states, “he is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good.”
If we are truly heavenly-minded people we will be able to help so many ordinary people in ordinary ways that they will be interested to meet our Extraordinary God. Jesus said we must express our faith practically: things such as giving a cup of cold water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, warm clothing to the cold, and visiting the sick. (See Matthew 25) Matthew 5:13-14 also talk to us about being the “salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. You know, its not too late to promise yourself that you will read this very, very practical Book daily.
“Yes, God, your Bible is a light for my path and illumination for my
meanderings. Help me to stay focused. Help me to read daily. Amen”
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