Children of Promise

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

OBSERVATION: In many ways my story, as one who has received salvation, mirrors the story of Isaac's birth.

• Isaac's birth was a physical impossibility. Not an improbability. Abraham was past childbearing age and Sarah's womb was barren. Repeated failure testified to its impossiblity. My salvation was a physical impossiblity. My repeated failure testified to the fact.
• God did what He said He would do. God had spoken to Abraham about giving him a son, and He did. Many prophecies said that God would send the Messiah to bring salvation, adn He did.
• Isaac brought laughter. (His name means 'laughter.') Salvation brings joy.
• To Isaac was given the inheritance. He received everything that God had promised. He didn't get a small portion, but all of the inheritance. Scripture also says there is an inheritance for me. (Though there is, even to this day, a battle being waged for that inheritance.)

APPLICATION: In order to address the Galatians moving into error, Paul goes back to the foundational truths about salvation. When I get mixed up, or tempted, or down, it is good for me to go back to these same truths.

• My salvation is the result of promise, not performance.
• God is patient and persistent in fulfilling His Word.
• Salvation and joy go hand in hand. Where's my joy?
• I have a full inheritance!

PRAYER: Father, If I could only keep these things always before me, I suppose that things would be a lot smoother. It's not about what I deserve but about what you have done. Give me clarity of mind and clarity of Spirit to understand living for you. Amen

Pleasing God and Persuading Men

SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

APPLICATION: Paul asks two questions here: 1) Who do I try to persuade, men or God? 2) Who do I try to please, man or God?
These are very important questions. You really couldn't call Paul a people-pleaser by any stretch of the imagination. He seemed to stir up trouble with people wherever he went. He was always stepping on people's toes. He faced the supporters of the goddess Dianna in Ephesus. He faced the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. He even confronted Peter to his face. He definitely was not a people-pleaser.
Nor was he a God-persuader. He didn't manipulate God to fit his needs. When he asked God three times to remove his thorn in the flesh and God said, "No," he submitted and said, "Now I will glory in my affliction."
Paul sought to please God, not people. Paul sought to persuade people, not God. Paul had it right.

OBSERVATION: These two things are easy to mix up: Pleasing God and persuading people; not pleasing people and persuading God.

• God is the One that we serve. He is the only One we need to please. It is His opinion alone that counts. He needs to be the motivation for my action. He is not compromised or negotiated.
• People are the ones to whom we bring the message. People and popular opinion are fickle and always changing, but can be very compelling. There is a strong desire to please people -- but how can we persuade them if we seek to please them?

God's opinion, not popular opinion, is what really counts. Changing people to come to God, not changing God to fit for people, is the only way to make a real difference.

PRAYER: Father, keep me from the people-pleasing trap. I know that I am drawn to it. Amen.

Collapse

SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"

OBSERVATION: We have an unhealthy fascination with the temporal. We are enamored with big, beautiful houses, with temples, skyscrapers and elaborate complexes. Think of Las Vegas where there is the most unique collection of hotel and casino buildings and facades. Buildings are about the most lasting things that we can build. A well-built structure can outlive its builder many times over. To us, that is almost eternal.
But to God, even the most long-lasting structure is fleeting. It is still temporal. I see things from such a limited framework. ("Wow! This is something worth investing in. It is really long-term!") God's perspective is so much greater. ("That will be a pile of dust someday.")

APPLICATION: Am I enamored with stuff that is temporal? Or do I invest in the eternal? Everything in this world will crumble and fall apart someday: money, buildings, organizations, etc. People and God's Word are eternal.

PRAYER: Lord, You will never depreciate or crumble. I'm glad my eternal real estate is in heaven. Amen.

Shall or Shall Not?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

OBSERVATION: Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment. I may have been a trick question or it may have been a sincere question, we're not really sure. Some people are insincere in their approach to Jesus. They ask questions, not to satisfy their search for truth but to discredit Jesus and Christianity. Their mind is already made up. They are just antagonistic. Others are genuinely seeking truth and feel that Jesus might be the answer they are looking for. Whether the motive is pure or impure, the truth is the truth. We can share with people and then leave the issue of their response to them. In this story, the man's response was a good one.
When Jesus was asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" what was the asker expecting to hear? What would people of today expect if this question were asked? We think of the ten commandments. Those are the ten biggies -- the top ten, so to speak. Written by God's own finger and given to Moses on the mountain to be delivered to God's people. The ten commandments -- many people consider them to be the basis for all civilized legislatures and legal systems. So, the first words that were expected certainly these: "Thou shalt not..." This is the start and the theme of the ten commandments. But Jesus threw them a curve. Instead of 'Thou shalt not" He said, "Thou shall..." Not only that, but "thou shall love..."

APPLICATION: Many people today see Christianity as a 'thou shalt not' kind of affair. Jesus declares that it is a 'thou shalt' thing. He took all the objectivity of the law and the prophets and he hung them all on the subjectivity of 'love God with all that you are.' That's pretty awesome. And that's what allow me to be a 'thou shalt' kind of Christian instead of a 'thou shalt not' kind of Christian.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for trusting me enough to replace the 'thou shalt not's with a 'thou shall.' I will honor You. Amen.

Stick With The Script

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

OBSERVATION: The power of this verse is in its sharp contrast with verse 22. In verse 17 he came running -- with eager anticipation and enthusiasm. In verse 22 he went away sorrowful. He came running but went away sorrowful. Like the month of March which sometimes "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb," this guy came in to Jesus with great excitement and zeal but left with a whimper.
This encounter with Jesus did not play out the way that he had pictured it in his mind. He played his part right, just as he had rehearsed: He came running -- check! This showed his youth, his health and his vigor. He asked the right question -- check! "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" This showed his spirituality and a willingness to work. Jesus asked him about the commandments and he was able to flash his spiritual credentials, "all these things I have done from my youth." -- check!
Everything was going according to the script, but then Jesus went off the script. Jesus asked him to do something that he hadn't planned on, that he had not rehearsed, "Go, sell all you have and give your money to the poor."
That was totally out of the blue. It was totally unplanned. Everything was going so well up until that point. But then everything changed. His excitement and enthusiasm immediately disappeared and were replaced with sorrow. He left the conversation quite differently than he came in to it.

APPLICATION: Jesus doesn't stick to the script. Whenever I presuppose or prefigure His answer or activity I set myself up for disappointment. We are no different from this guy. WE come running up, excited about Jesus and life with Him and how well everything is going to go. When things don't go the way we have it planned, it can certainly be unsettling. It can rattle the very core of our relationship with the Lord. It can change the demeanor and attitude of our service.
I have seen people who have started out strong, like this guy. Running to the Lord, they can't wait to start with Him. But then something happens. Jesus doesn't stick with the script. It's not the way they had it planned.

• Maybe it costs more than they thought it would cost.
• Maybe He doesn't give them the accolades or position that they thought they would get.
• Maybe they just don't understand: "How could this be this way... How could He treat me like this... when I've said all the right things?"

Jesus just doesn't stay on script. He says what He wants, when He wants. Actually, He is the writer of the script. If some one deviates from the script, it's me not Him. This is how this particular scene was supposed to end: "And the man, realizing that his great wealth was a snare to him and the blessing that he could be to others, gladly sold all he had. He gave every penny to the poor and ran back to the Lord, even faster than the first time. He was a changed man. And he followed Jesus from that point on, trusting Him to supply his every need. The End, and Amen.

PRAYER: Jesus, You are the scriptwriter. I will follow Your script, not expect You to follow mine. I want to finish with greater enthusiasm than I started with. Amen.

Continue in the Faith

SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

OBSERVATION: Paul and Barnabbas did what spiritual leaders do. After sharing the message of salvation to the unbelieving crowd many became saved. Now their language had to change somewhat from their message to unbelievers ("Repent and be baptized"), to the message to believers ("Continue in the faith").

APPLICATION:

• Continue in the faith. I don't think we can imagine how difficult that might have been at that time. There was no established church. There was no Christian Bookstores, Sunday School curriculum, Christian worship songs -- there was not even a New Testament.
• Continue in the faith. The main sense and meaning of the word is to 'remain in' the faith. Don't depart from it. In spite of hardships and difficulties. They were told, "through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God." It's not an easy road. Fasten yourself to the mast of faith and hold on (like the sailing scene in 'What About Bob'). Don't be discouraged or derailed by life's tribulations. Hang on. Continue in the faith.
• Continue in the faith. To continue in the Christian faith isn't just static -- it is dynamic and growing. Continue means maturing, bearing fruit, changing from milk to solid food, etc.

PRAYER: I'm not done! I am still in process. Lord, I need Your guidance, Your grace and Your strength. I will continue in my faith, not just stand still or shrink back. Amen.

Free From Expectations

SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people."

OBSERVATION: Peter was free! He had already been free for some time but didn't even realize it. It was something so incredible and so amazing that he thought it must have been a dream. But it wasn't. It was real. The prison walls that held him no longer held him. The guards that restricted him no longer restricted him. Herod, the one who intended to kill him, no longer threatened him. And the Jewish people, who had a certain and final expectation for the end of his life, no longer had control over him. Peter was totally free.

APPLICATION: I like the phrase, Peter knew that he was free from "all the expectation of the Jewish people." Other people had a plan for Peter's life. They had a certain expectation for him. But Peter was going against the grain, the expectation of the Jews for him was one of death. He must be stopped. It was really the expectation of the Jews that landed him in prison and set him facing death. But the Lord set him free.
How much control do other people's expectation have over me? Do I let them become a prison for me, directing me for a certain end? Can I really believe hat the Lord has set me free from the expectations of others, or does it just seem like a dream? It is real.
And, in the same way, Jesus has set others free from my expectations of them. Don't imprison others with my expectations.

PRAYER: Jesus, You said, "If the Son has set you free, then you are free indeed." It is not a dream. I will come to myself and walk in the freedom that You have given me. Amen.

Awaken the Dawn

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 108:2-3 Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations.

OBSERVATION: I love the imagery that this verse expresses. David is talking about waking up early in the day. As he looks over at his instruments, his lute and his harp, they are lifeless and motionless. What better way to waken them then with praise? David didn't need to be wakened by the lute and the harp. He would awaken them. He didn't need to be stirred to praise by instruments. He would stir them.
The same picture is extended to the dawn. Before the dawn was awake, David was, and he was already praising God. The army used to have a commercial that said, "We do more before eight a.m. than most people do all day." David could say, "I praise more before eight a.m. than most people praise all day."
David didn't need a beautiful, sunny day to praise the Lord. He started while it was still dark and was already praising the Lord.

APPLICATION: David was ready, always ready, to praise the Lord. he didn't need beautiful instrumentation to get him into the mood for worship -- he is the one who got the instruments into the mood. He didn't need sunshine. He praised the Lord in the darkness and allowed it to become sunshine all around him. Am I ready, always ready, to praise the Lord?
Praise is not dependent on or determined by skillful instrumentation. We can praise God in dark times. Have I become spoiled, so that I can only praise God when certain conditions exist? David was saying, "I will let my praise create the conditions, not the other way around."
Wake up! and praise God!

PRAYER: Jesus, I praise You. You are worthy of praise. Like David, I want my praise to be an instigator, not a responder. May my praise wake others up to praise Your Name. Amen.

Complicating Ministry

SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

OBSERVATION: The beginning of ministry for Paul the Apostle! Note that the very first thing that God told him to do was, "Go into the city." But then God actually made it difficult for Paul to accomplish what he was told because God made him blind. It seems like a simple enough of an assignment until the Lord complicates it.

We wrongly assume that if God tells me to do something then He will work some magic to make it easier to do, not harder. But that is not the case. We let this thinking guide us so that if something is hard we assume, "I must not have heard God properly."

I think it is also important to note that God made sure that, even to fulfill this very first of many directives, Paul would need the help of other people. People that would help him up and guide him by the hand to his destination. This was a hallmark of Paul's ministry -- relying on other people.

APPLICATION: Two points of application:

1- Don't assume that if Jesus said to do something that it will be easy to do. Sometimes He may even make it harder.

2- Rely on others. It's okay to be led around by the hand. We all have blind spots and need the guidance of others. Later Paul was again led by the arm and assisted, this time by Barnabas. Not because of his blindness, but because others were blinded by his past reputation.

PRAYER: Jesus, rid me of this wrong expectation that ministry would be easy and always fruitful. I'm usually groping around in the darkness. I'm in good company with Paul. Amen.

Don't Shoot The Messenger

SCRIPTURE: Acts 7:25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

OBSERVATION: The main point is the connection here between Moses and Jesus ("a Prophet like me.") Just as their fathers missed their deliverer, these descendants were now missing theirs.
The observation for more personal use and reflection is that I am certainly no better than these devout Jews. Isn't it likely, even certain, that I misunderstand the means and the methods and messengers that God puts in my life? Should I open my heart and my ears to what Stephen has to say and ask myself, "Have I despised, pushed away or discounted ways in which God brings deliverance to me?"
My thoughts are not God's thoughts! My understanding is not His understanding. The ways that He uses for deliverance may not be ways that I would choose.

APPLICATION: What are some things that I may push away, as Moses was pushed away, that God could actually use for my deliverance?

• Tough times. Scripture says that God delivers us through adversity. Does that mean from adversity, as the thing from which we are delivered, or also through adversity, as the tool that God uses to bring deliverance?
• Difficult people. There are some people that I would be certain God could never use in my life. Really? Moses and Jesus were unlikely deliverers.
• Small, insignificant things. It seems that we are always looking for the big and impressive for deliverance. Moses' background was more impressive than Jesus' background.

PRAYER: Father, I realize that I am not capable or qualified to recognize Your hand and Your deliverance when it comes. Give me discernment that surpasses knowledge. I want all that You have for me, not just that which comes in the package that I approve of.

Is It Useless to Serve God?

SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3:13-14 "Your words have been harsh against Me," Says the Lord, Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts?

OBSERVATION: The people were being harsh with God in ways that they were totally oblivious to. Their thoughts and their words were derogatory and they didn't even realize it. When they heard this charge by the Lord they probably thought, "Oh, yeah. I did say that..." A greater sensitivity to God, a greater awareness of my thoughts and words would be appropriate.
Then there is the complaint itself: "It is useless to serve God; what profit is it?" These words were recorded in the days of Malachi (though certainly not new with that day), about 2,500 years ago. But they are current today, too. "What good does it do me to live for God?" I have heard these words myself. I think that most people who say them don't even think of it as an accusation or a slur against God, but it is.
It is the wrong question to ask on many levels:

• The timing level. Serving God is not for benefit in this life but in the next. Jesus said not to be satisfied with your reward here and now but desire instead a heavenly reward (Matthew 6:1, among other verses). Hebrews 11 tells us that being people of faith means neglecting comfort here for the comfort of a heavenly city, whose architect and builder is God. Like the prodigal son, we too often say, "Father, give me my inheritance now!"
• The gratitude level. This question also reveals the lack of appreciation that many people have towards God. Like spoiled children, we fail to understand and appreciate the many things that God does for us. He created me. He sustains me. He provides for me. He brings people and things into my life that gives me joy. he puts beauty in the world all around me. In serving Him, I have the benefit and the confidence of eternal life. Death no longer holds dread and fear to me. I have been around enough death beds and funerals to know what a huge blessing that is. He gives me purpose. I would be wise to be appreciative of all these things, and many more.
• The serving level. There is a contradiction within the very question, "It is useless to serve God; what profit is it?" Real servants don't talk that way. Who is the servant and who is the master? You don't serve someone for your profit and benefit but for theirs. The master doesn't justify himself to the servant, but the servant to the master. Jesus talked about a servant who worked all day in the field, came home and fixed his master's supper and still beat his breast saying, "I am an unprofitable servant, because I have only done what is required of me." That may seem excessive, but that is the heart of a servant.

APPLICATION: I'm sure there are many other levels, too. But that gives me something to work with. Those three things speak of: faith, gratitude, and humility. That is the antidote for this accusation against God.

• How is my faith? Do I live for the here and now, for present rewards, or for eternity? Am I willing to store up treasures in heaven and forgo them on earth?
• How is my gratitude? Do I recognize and appreciate the many, many, many things that God does for me in life?
• How is my humility? Very clearly we know that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. What does God owe me, really? I don't want what I am owed because it would be pretty.

PRAYER: Master, You are so good to me! How can I ever thank You for all that You have done for me? Thank You for every reward that is withheld from me now to be received later in heaven with You. Amen.

Where Is God's Honor?

SCRIPTURE: Malachi 1:6 "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’

OBSERVATION: God is due honor and God deserves reverence, far beyond anyone else on the earth. Where is His honor? Where is His reverence? We have lost the reverence for God in the emphasis of grace and approachability. Hebrews 12:31 says, "Our God is a consuming fire." It does not say, "Our God was a consuming fire." Not 'was,' back in the Old Testament, but 'is,' right now. How do I regain and show to God, my Father and my Master, honor and reverence that He is due?

APPLICATION: I don't know. This will take some extended, prayerful though. It begins with an attitude of reverence and honor. His grace may shield me from the consuming fire of His presence, but He is still a consuming fire. The very fact that I am able to come near, in spite of His consuming presence, just makes His grace all the more amazing. Similar to Moses getting a glimpse of God when he was held in the cleft of a rock but even greater, He has made a way for me to be near to Him. He is still a consuming fire and worthy of honor and reverence.

PRAYER: Father and Master, give me an undivided heart. Give me insight to know how to approach You as a friend but with honor and reverence.

What Shall I Do?

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

OBSERVATION: Peter's preaching found its target -- people's hearts. It was a bull's eye. The people there didn't hear a disconnected truth or principle, but they connected themselves to what what shared. They knew that it required some response on their part. They asked, "What shall we do?"

APPLICATION: It is important, whether I am preaching or listening to a preacher, or reading the word of God to ask the question, "What shall I do?" The response, or the 'doing,' made all the difference between a word of condemnation and judgement to one of repentance and life.

PRAYER: Lord, "What shall I do?" Today, what shall I do? With the assignment that You have given me, what shall I do? With the resources You have given me, what shall I do? With the mistakes I have made, what shall I do?

Uttermost

SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

OBSERVATION: "To the ends of the earth." Or, as in the King James Version, "to the uttermost part." What did Jesus mean when He said that? Since the other words are all locations, was He talking about geography only, or something else?
The word here is 'eschatos,' from which we get our word 'eschatology," the study of the last things. We see it in reference to the last days just before the final judgement. Is that what Jesus means, be witnesses even until the eschatos, the last days?
If Jesus was speaking strictly geographically, that leaves other questions. If He was telling the disciples, "Preach the gospel emanating here from Jerusalem until it reaches the farthest and most distant points," then I am in the uttermost right now. I think Salem, Oregon, when considered alongside of Judea and Samaria, is uttermost from Jerusalem. Certainly it would have been in the minds of the disciples. Then, is the job finished and, instead of looking for an uttermost, I recognize that I am the uttermost?

APPLICATION: What is my uttermost? It may not be geographic, because I already am that. It may be some other distinction that is beyond my imagination, just as Oregon was beyond the disciples' imagination. I think the spirit of what Jesus was saying is, "Whoever is far off and distant from me, go to them." It can be geography that distances people. It can be culture or experiences or ignorance or anything else. Be creative. Be imaginative. Go to the uttermost.

PRAYER: Jesus, I need to receive Your Holy Spirit, not just to minister to the uttermost, but even to know what that is. Fill me today. Amen.

Opened Understanding

SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

OBSERVATION: They had been with Jesus for three years. They heard Him talk about the kingdom of god and of His purpose on the earth. They heard Him teach about the prophets, and the sign of Jonah and they saw Him do all the miracles. He even talked about His own death and resurrection. But they didn't get it. They heard all the words, but their understanding was not opened.
They must have thought that He was teaching about some general principles. But He was talking about real life. About their life.
Suddenly, scripture wasn't a collection of vague principles for study and reflection. Instead, scripture was a reflection of their own lives. As they looked into it they saw their own reflection looking back. It was their life, their experiences, their thoughts and their flaws they saw. Their understanding was opened to comprehend the scriptures for their own lives, not as impersonal and distant but as personal and current.

APPLICATION: I need my understanding opened, just like the disciples did. That is the role of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is more accessible to me today than it has ever been in history. What good is that if my understanding isn't opened? Do I use the Bible? Do I understand it? Do I read it as it is, personal and current? Only with Jesus' help can it come alive to me.

PRAYER: Lord, make Your word come alive to me. Make it current. Make it personal. Amen.

Thief-One or Thief-Two?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

OBSERVATION: Two thieves. Two different responses to Jesus. The words of the two thieves, when compared to each other, are remarkably different and yet remarkably similar.
Thief #1 said, "If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us." He was hoping to benefit from Jesus' power right here and right now. His challenge to Jesus had a personal and selfish motive. He was hoping to capitalize; to cash in. It came in the form of a challenge: "Prove You are God by getting me out of this fix. Stop my pain and bless me so that I can believe in You." I wonder if Jesus had done that, would he have really believed and given his life to Jesus? I think probably not. The bless-me-and-I'll-believe faith is generally a pretty short-lived faith.
Thief #2 also wanted to benefit from Jesus' power as God. He said, "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom." However, his statement didn't involve a challenge for faith but a demonstration of faith. It wasn't "do this and I'll believe." Rather, it was "I ask this because I do believe." It is a huge difference. There is another huge difference. The first thief wanted his benefit here and now. The second thief was satisfied with his benefit in eternity. Not the here and now, but the hereafter. This is another demonstration of real faith.

APPLICATION: Do my prayer and my faith demonstrate a thief-one or a thief-two mentality? "Bless me now, Lord, so I can believe in You," or "Remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Don't settle for immediate gain and lose eternity in the process.

PRAYER: Lord, my prayer today is the same prayer as the second thief on that day, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Amen.

Escaped by Grace

SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 1:2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

OBSERVATION: I noticed something interesting but still puzzling, so I can't make any certain inferences from it. I noticed that Nehemiah used the word 'escaped' -- "the Jews who had escaped..." I am pretty sure that he is talking about the Jews who were part of the captivity ("who survived the captivity") and who responded to King Darius' decree to go back and rebuild Jerusalem. That would be Zerrubabel and his gang. If this is true, it is a curious use of this word 'escape.' Escape here would not be to plan and execute some kind of escape plan on your own against the will of the governing authorities, like tunneling out of a cell using spoons smuggled from the prison cafeteria. It is choosing the escape route provided for you, an invitation, to move into your freedom. The king made it possible for anyone to go. In fact, he encouraged it and provided resources for it. Those who accepted his offer and his resources were the ones who 'escaped.'

APPLICATION: The application to the gospel message is obvious. Those who 'escape' from sin and the captivity of sin don't sneak out or break out on their own. They walk confidently out the front door because the King said they could. He gives the invitation. He issues the decree. He provides the needed resources. Our escape is through an open door of grace. We are invited to leave the captivity of sin and darkness and escape into freedom and hope.
I am an escapee of grace!

PRAYER: Jesus, You are the Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10). You made a way and gave invitation. My escape is because of You. As an escapee, I want to help others escape, too. The way has been made and the invitation given. Give me wisdom to share with others for their escape. Amen.

Like a Weaned Child

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 131:1-2 Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

OBSERVATION: David recognizes in this short Psalm that there are things that are too profound for him. Some can't admit that.
He uses the expression, "Like a weaned child with its mother." What an interesting phrase. Could it be because a weaned child has, for the first time, a bit of independence? But a weaned child is far from being fully independent or self-sufficient.
A weaned child doesn't even understand its limited view of the world and what it would take to care for itself. How foolish it is to even consider a weaned child saying to its mother, "Okay, now that I am weaned I can take it from here. I don't need you anymore." Ridiculous! And yet sometimes we take this kind of ridiculous, arrogant stance with God.

APPLICATION: The most that I can compare myself to in God's perspective is a weaned child. I may be able to go from the pure milk of the word to more solid food (1 Cor. 3:2, Heb. 5:12-14), but I am still far from being independent from God. I need Him like a weaned child still needs its mother.
I admit that there are things about God and His kingdom that are too deep, too profound for me. Many people would like you to believe that they have it all figured out and there is nothing they don't understand. Not me. There are a whole lot of things that I just have to trust to God, because they are beyond me. Being a child has its privileges. Don't be proud. Lean on God.

PRAYER: Lord, as a weaned child trusts and needs its mother, I trust in You and need You for everything. I would not last a day without You. You understand all the deep things so I don't have to.

Bold Humility

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 8:22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him."

OBSERVATION: Ezra found himself in a pickle. He told the king how great and awesome God is, so it seemed inconsistent to ask, "By the way, king, could you send some bodyguards with us? We're afraid of our enemies." It didn't make sense. Now here he is, and the people that are with him, in a very precarious position. They were vulnerable to enemy attack, and they knew it. They would not have felt this sense of vulnerability if the king's guards had been there.
It's a funny thing about vulnerability -- it leads you to do radical things. Because of this vulnerability, Ezra calls a fast of all the people. They fasted and prayed and humbled themselves. Vulnerability has a way of bringing about humility.
God loves the prayer of the humble.
God answered their prayer.

APPLICATION: Is my life and my trust consistent with my words? If I say God is a great provider, do I really live that way? If I say that God is a great protector, do I really live that way? Ezra was ashamed to let his words and his actions be contradictory and inconsistent. Am I?
Do I let vulnerability drive me back into a corner or let it produce in me a bold humility? A bold humility fasts and prays. A bold humility is greater than the strength of an entire army.

PRAYER: Jesus, I am vulnerable today and everyday. There are fears and enemies all around. I call out to in in humility. Amen.

It's Not About Fairness

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:24-25 "And he said to those who stood by, Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas. (But they said to him, Master, he has ten minas.)

OBSERVATION: Just a reminder of how self-focused, need-focused, fairness-focused we are and how it gets in the way. When I am need-focused then God (the 'Master') is here to meet my needs. He's working for me. The man with ten minas didn't need another one, so why take it from the guy who has none, who needs it, and give it to the guy who doesn't need it? It isn't fair.
But that thinking betrays 'a-God-who-serves-our-agenda-and-our-needs' kind of thinking. The right thinking is that I am here to serve God. Everything belongs to Him, He owes me nothing and doesn't have to meet my need or be fair.
From this point of view, the decision is an obvious one. The guy who successfully handled ten minas can be trusted with one more. He has shown himself faithful and is committed, not to his own personal comfort and safety, but to the expansion of the Master's kingdom. He can be trusted and can handle it. He is the perfect choice to manage the mina.

APPLICATION: I realize from this parable and my reaction to it how man-centered I am in my thinking and evaluations. I need to be more God-centered. Not what would be more beneficial for us, but what is more beneficial for Him. Not worshipping the created, but worshipping the Creator.

PRAYER: Master, everything is from You and for You. I am all for You. Amen.

Keep Your Nose Out

SCRIPTURE: Esther 3:3-4 Then the king’s servants who were within the king’s gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king’s command?" Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

OBSERVATION: This is where the entire problem started -- the hatred of Haman; the plot to annihilate the Jews; the building of a gallows; the fasting a praying; Esther risking her life by going in to the king; Haman's death; the death of his family and the death of thousands of others. It started right here with some servants who couldn't mind their own business.
First, they felt like they had to tell Mordecai what to do. They all bowed when Haman came along. Not because they wanted to, but it was the law of the land. And if they had to do it, then everyone better do it. Compromised and legalistic living is like that. It looks around to see what everyone else is doing. It has an unhealthy fascination with everyone else's behavior. Conviction living isn't like that. Personal conviction isn't concerned with what everyone else is doing or not doing. Mordecai stood while everyone else bowed, just as Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-Nego stood when everyone else bowed. Just as Daniel prayed though the king's edict said not to pray. Just as Jesus healed on the sabbath though all of the religious elite said not to.
Then, not happy with just telling Mordecai what to do, they took it the next step. They told on him. They ratted him out. They became the bowing police and told Haman that Mordecai was not bowing for him and why he wouldn't bow, because he was a Jew. Apparently, before this Haman hadn't noticed. it is very likely that Mordecai wasn't making a showy display of his conviction. He just quietly, perhaps in a dark corner or wherever he happened to be, refused to bow. It wasn't for show. It wasn't for revolution. It was a matter of personal conviction. he didn't need attention. God saw his heart and his actions. It was for Him.
Conviction doesn't look around and conviction doesn't show off. It just acts.
So, the king's servants, these of lowly position and supposedly dedicated to serving the king, these end up stirring up trouble that upsets the entire kingdom. They do it just by being busybodies. Just by sticking their nose in where it doesn't belong. They are responsible for great disaster.

APPLICATION: What a great contrast between Mordecai, a man of great conviction and courage, and these busybodies who supposedly serve the king. It is Mordecai that is elevated to position, not them. They just cause trouble.
In addition to learning from Mordecai's conviction, I can also learn from these troublemakers:

• Don't stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. These people may have felt justified in what hey were doing, even as if it were their duty. It wasn't. Romans 14 says, "Who are you to judge another man's servant?"
• Divisive talk has devastating results. James talks about the power of the tongue and the wildfire that it can start. The divisive talk of these servants started a wildfire that led to many deaths.
• Look at yourself. Instead of attacking the actions of others, take the opportunity to consider your own convictions and behavior. People with opposing convictions give us a unique opportunity to do that.

PRAYER: King Jesus, I am Your servant. I want to make sure that my words and actions always serve to build up Your kingdom -- never tear down. Amen.

Far Reaching Impact of Actions

SCRIPTURE: Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: "Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus."

OBSERVATION: The things that we do affect other people, not just ourselves. Typically the number of people we impact goes beyond the number that we might imagine. Like ever-growing circles on the surface of a pond after a rock has been thrown in, my actions have a ripple effect. (This is especially true for people in leadership, like Queen Vashti.)
We don't know why Vashti did what she did, but when the king sent for her she said, "No." You don't say 'no' to a king. For the queen to do that and go unpunished, she suddenly empowers everyone else to be disobedient -- disobedient to the king, to the princes, to their own households, etc. That's how she wronged all those other people, by setting a precedent for disobedience. Maybe she didn't realize it when she did it, but she was affecting a lot of people.

APPLICATION: I should think before I act -- "Who else will be affected by this action?" whatever it is. Paul said if his freedom or action would cause someone else to stumble, then he wouldn't do it. Do I have that same level of commitment?
I hate it when I see people doing things that adversely affect others, like vandalism, stealing or even murder. I should never take it upon myself to take action that hurts another person. Do I do it with my words? My freedoms? My actions?

PRAYER: Jesus, give me insight into how my actions affect others. Amen.

Wholehearted Worship

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 138:1 I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.

OBSERVATION: Praise is a volitional decision. This psalm begins, "I will." That speaks of intentional decision. Praise isn't an accident. You don't accidentally offer real praise. It isn't automatic. The default setting is not God-praise but self-praise.
Real praise comes from my 'whole heart,' or and undivided heart. If my heart is divided -- praising God while praising other things -- I am not praising God with my whole heart.
There will be other gods that will pull for my attention to divide my heart. Those things must not become a focus of my praise or affection, but they can become an audience to my praise to God. ("Before the gods I will sing praise to You.") They will be there, clamoring for attention, but they will only serve as a witness to my undivided heart.

APPLICATION: Where would I say that my heart is divided? Do I worship God with my whole heart, or is there some kept aside in reserve for someone or something else? Do aspirations divide my heart? Possibly at some times. Do other activities or people get my praise? I don't think so.

PRAYER: Lord, search me on this issue of an undivided heart. Show me where I am not worshipping You with my whole heart and purify my heart. Amen.

A Generous Reward

SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:30 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

OBSERVATION: I get the impression that this is the crux of the older son's argument to his father: You are rewarding bad behavior. You are condoning all of this prodigal's actions.
That is something to consider. How do I feel about that? Is it true? Do I need to change my thinking on this issue?
In reality, many people have an unspoken or spoken feeling like that of the older son. If someone has been involved in something bad, then we shouldn't 'condone' their behavior. We shouldn't reward them.
The problem is, that contradicts the very definition of grace. Grace is unmerited favor. By it's own definition, if it is merited then it isn't grace. You cannot extend grace without 'rewarding bad behavior.' Isn't that true? That's why some people have a hard time with true grace. "Yes, God, by all means be nice to them, if they deserve it" is the idea.
Of course, there is a very significant intervening event here, and that is repentance. The younger son repented of his misdeeds, and that is all the father needed to accept his son back and extend grace to him. I think it is interesting to not that the older son was unaware of the repentance, nor did he seem to be interested in it. He only heard, "because he has been received back safe and sound." He didn't hear the heart of spirit of words of his return. The father was able to gauge the repentance of his son, not the brother.

APPLICATION: In the same way, I cannot accurately gauge the heart or repentance of someone else -- a brother -- only the Father can do that. The best thing for me to do is trust the Father and join in on the celebration!

• Extend grace to people no matter what their past.
• Leave matters of true repentance to God.
• Join the party! Celebrate spiritual life and redemption!

PRAYER: Father, thank you first of all for accepting me and for your generosity towards me. Give me Your Spirit of grace and forgiveness. Remove the resentment and self-righteous attitudes that keep me from joining the party. Amen.

I Matter to God

SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

OBSERVATION: Jesus is talking with His disciples and other followers about some very practical things. The crowds had gotten so thick that they began to trample one another (12:1). He talked about hypocrisy and secrecy and then begins to talk about fear and worry. The words 'fear' and 'worry' and 'anxiety' are used repeatedly throughout this chapter. So is the word 'value.'
In this verse, Jesus says, "Do not fear." Why? What is the reason that I don't have to fear? Because I have value. Not just value, but value to God. There seems to be a connection (an adverse connection) between fear and value. Confidence in my value reduces fear and anxiety. The lack of confidence in my value increases fear and anxiety.

APPLICATION: What if I were absolutely convinced of my high value to God? What would that do to any fear, worry or anxiety that I might face? I think we can rightly say that it would have a very great effect, and the effect would be a very positive one.
The problem is many people aren't convinced of their value to God. And why should they be? Evolution tells them that they came about as a great cosmic chance, or accidental, event. Where is the confidence there? "Do not fear therefore; ________." How do you fill in that blank from an evolutionary standpoint? You can't. There is no reason for calm or confidence. If there is no God and I don't really matter at all, I have nothing to count on. So the phobias and the anxieties pile up all around us.
I am valuable to God. That is not a point of pride or of self-worship. It is, however, a point of confidence and peace. If I matter to God, (and I do), then what do I have to fear?

PRAYER: Father, thank You for taking notice of me. You tell me to cast my cares upon You, because You care for me. I receive Your care and Your love to cast out fear and anxiety. Amen.

Opposing the Opposer

SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.

OBSERVATION: Another picture in heaven like we get with Job when Satan comes to oppose Job. Here we are given a glimpse at Satan doing what Satan does. In fact, the word here for Satan and the word for oppose is actually the same word. In other words, "Satan was sataning." That's what Satan does. He opposes. He resists. He accuses. He generally makes things difficult for people.
But not without the Lord's knowledge. Satan is powerless to do anything without God's consent, and when he does do anything with evil intent, God turns it around and uses it for good.
In this picture, Satan is opposing and resisting ('satanizing') Joshua the high priest. The Lord rebukes Satan, and then removes Joshua's' old, ratty clothes and give him new ones. The the Lord puts a new turban of authority on his head. Then he makes Joshua some awesome promises of blessing. Satan didn't hinder grace for Joshua. If anything, he served to show grace for what it really is.

APPLICATION: One time, someone came to bring accusation against a servant/worker in the church. The person who was accused was someone I have known for years who has served sacrificially many, many, many, many hours. The other person was someone I had only a recent acquaintance with. This person wanted me to accept the accusation being brought without question. I wouldn't do that. Instead, because of what I knew of the person and the situation, I stood in defense of the one accused.
God stands in defense of me. When the accusations come ('accuse' is another meaning of 'Satan'), He won't turn against me. He will shower me with amazing grace.


PRAYER: Lord, in this verse I see You standing on my behalf, rebuking the enemy and clothing me with Your great promises. I praise You.

Assignment: Joy

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."

OBSERVATION: This must have been a tough assignment, and one that some of them were unsure about. Jesus told seventy of His followers to go out two by two, without Him to minister in surrounding cities -- places that He was going to later.
This was tough enough. But then He said, "I'm sending you out as lambs among wolves." Not an inspiring thought.
Then, to make it even more difficult, He said, "By the way, take nothing with you. No money. No supplies." (Even on Survivor they get to take one article with them.) How were they supposed to live? Find a house, stay there, and hopefully they will feed you.
Wow. This was a tough assignment. Some must have really been freaking out. but there is still more.
"One final thing," Jesus said. "Heal the sick while you're there." What?! Heal the sick? Oh, sure. That's easy. Just do the miraculous.
So these disciples who watched Jesus but never did much on their own were to go out in groups of two, taking nothing with them, as lambs among wolves, hoping to find a place to stay (no reservations), to cities that may or may not accept them and do the miraculous? That's the assignment.
I think I would have been quaking in my boots. But they went.
They returned from this assignment with joy! This assignment was not only tough, it was a joy-giver.

APPLICATION: When I think of the ministry assignments that are before me, they pale in comparison to this one. I may think, "That will be too difficult," or even, "That will ruin my life," or, "I won't be able to do it." I'll bet these seventy had the same ideas. But, if I step out like these did, will I instead find joy beyond my wildest dreams and expectations?

PRAYER: Jesus, Here am I. Send me. Give me joy in serving You. Amen.

Helpful Enemies

SCRIPTURE: Ezra 4:1-2 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the Lord God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."

OBSERVATION: News Flash: Some people can't be trusted.
The enemies came and said, "Let us help." Zerubbabel and the leaders didn't get sucked into their trap.
The enemies knew that the best way to destroy this work was from the inside. Get inside on the team and destroy it from the inside out. A destructive worker on teh team is far more destructive and distracting than those who are known enemies on the outside. The leaders were very wise in not accepting their help. They still caused trouble, but not as much as they would have caused on the inside.

APPLICATION: Not everyone who says, "I want to help" should be allowed to help. Those who are allowed to help, who are part of the team, should not be allowed to distract or hinder the work.
Paul said that wolves will come in among you in sheep's clothing trying to cause problems from the inside. For this reason a leader should always be on guard and watchful, not just of those who pose a threat from outside, but even more for those who pose a threat from the inside.

PRAYER: Good Shepherd, be watchful over Your people. Empower those who are genuine in their desire to help. Expose those who pose a threat.

Near Death Experience

SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

OBSERVATION: This is one of those 'near death experiences' that we are actually told about in the Bible. We don't have to wonder, "Well, was she really dead or not... can someone really come back from the dead... is her testimony of what she experienced really valid?" We know, on biblical account that she was, in fact, dead. Not just 'mostly dead.' How great it would've been to put together a symposium with Jairus' daughter, Lazarus, the widow of Nain's son, Dorcus and Eutychus to hear first hand of their experiences of being dead and then coming back to life. That would be one conference I would love to attend.

Death has a great fascination to us for many obvious reasons. First, because we know that we will all face it. No one is exempt or immune. No one will escape physical death. Next, because no one really knows what lays beyond the veil of death. It's not like going to New Jersey, where you can talk to many people who have been there, and maybe even see some pictures. (In other ways, however, it is just like going to New Jersey...)

So, there is a lot more that could be said about death -- but the thing I want to focus on is: "Then her spirit returned and she arose." Death became life when her spirit returned. The presence of absence of the spirit is the difference between life and death. The fact that it returned means that it didn't cease to exist in death but was relocated somehow. It returned means that it had gone away and was able, with Jesus' words, to come back.

APPLICATION: Without a spirit a body is inanimate and will quickly begin to decompose. A spirit give animation, life and growth to our physical bodies. Life or death are spiritual issues more than they are physical issues. death is a relocation of the spirit ("To be absent in body is to be present with the Lord"). We are not body with a spirit, but spirits with a body.

I really wish Luke would have added some testimony from this young girl. I guess we will all find out for ourselves someday.

PRAYER: Jesus, in speaking to Your opponents about the resurrection from the dead, You said that God reveals Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You said that He is not the God of the dead but of the living. Those men are dead by our standards but alive by Yours. Thank You for the certainty of eternal life. Amen.

We're Not Worthy

SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving,

OBSERVATION: The people who came on behalf of the centurion based their request for Jesus to heal his servant on his being deserving. They said he loved the Jewish nation (though he himself was a Roman centurion). He had built them a synagogue. Based on these actions, and possibly others, the people judged him as worthy or deserving.
The man didn't seem to agree in his own self-assessment. He sent messengers who said, "I am not worthy, or deserving." The Jews that were there must have thought, "Oh no. That was the basis for our argument to get Jesus to come to you. Now you've ruined it."
The centurion changed the discussion from his worthiness to Jesus' authority. he wasn't arguing, "Come and heal my servant because I deserve it or because You owe me." He asked, "Heal my servant because You can. And You can do it from right there." And Jesus did. He also commended the man's faith.

APPLICATION: Here are some applications to consider -

• Don't ask for what you deserve. Don't pray on the basis of what you deserve. The centurion was right. Even though he had done great things and people were willing to stand up for him, he wasn't deserving of Jesus coming to him. No matter how much I've done -- and I'll never do as much as this man had done -- I don't deserve Jesus' attention or love or presence. But He has been so generous! Not on the basis of worthiness, but on the basis of faith.
• Pray believing in Jesus' authority. Can He or not? Is anything too difficult or impossible for Him? Is there anything that is not under His authority? No, no and no.
• Intercede for others. This miracle took place because others went to Jesus on this man's behalf and on behalf of his servant.

PRAYER: Jesus, I am reminded today of Your great power and authority. I want You to be pleased with my faith, as You were pleased by the faith of this man. Amen.

The Master's Hand

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us.

OBSERVATION: This simple and short psalm was recited by travelers on their way to Jerusalem, going up the incline to the city and to the temple. Along the way they remembered their contempt and their problems. They also remembered their position as servant of God. As a servant you demand nothing. It is best to remember your place.
A good servant keeps his eye on his master. The hands of the master are especially important for two reasons: one is that a servant should be doing manual chores so that the master doesn't have to. If the master's hands reach for a hammer, the servant should see the movement and pick up the hammer himself. An attentive servant anticipates what he can do t o ease the work of his master's hands. The second reason is for provision. What the servant has comes form his master's hand.

APPLICATION: The obvious question is about my attentiveness to the hand of God. As a good servant, I will see where He is at work and serve Him in that place. This is the basic teaching of Henry Blackaby's book, "Experiencing God." Where is God at work? What does He have His hand in?
At our Worship Wednesday service this week, people shared testimonies of God's activity in their lives. It was powerful. It was so encouraging to hear story after story of God's miraculous provision. God is at work in the lives of people.

PRAYER: Have mercy on us, O God. Help me to see the direction and intention of Your hand so that I might serve You faithfully. I want to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Come From Behind Win

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 7:25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

OBSERVATION: In Daniel's vision, the saints of God are given over to a king (or kingdom) that speaks pompous words against God and persecutes His people. This king isn't nice. He isn't fair. He certainly isn't righteous or godly. Yet he enjoys this victory.
It is only a temporary victory.
Daniel is told about it before it happens. That means it certainly doesn't catch God off-guard or by surprise. He is fully aware of it. In fact, He uses this to accomplish His ultimate purpose and plan foretold by Daniel.

APPLICATION: Every victory against the people of God, or against me as a person, is a temporary victory. it will not last. In fact, every apparent set-back is pre-known by God and used for His purposes.
To see the 'good guys' lose is such a let down, but to know it is only temporary and that the good guys score a come-from-behind win is wonderful.
Don't be discouraged by temporary set-backs. They don't tell the final story.
Daniel didn't even fully understand this vision. In fact, no one did (8:27). God reveals His mysteries when He wills and to whom He wills. Be careful of ascribing meaning to things beyond my understanding.

PRAYER: Father, You are truly the Author and the Finisher of my faith. It is all Your story. Give me understanding to apply what I need to know and trust where I do not understand. Amen.

What Shall We Do Then?

SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:10 So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?"

OBSERVATION: What a great reminder about the need people have for practical application to spiritual teaching and the charge for teachers to provide the practical application. John the Baptist here makes it very relevant and very practical. He tailors his response to each individual based on their life situation and occupation:

• To those with extra clothes or food
• To tax collectors
• To soldiers
• To Herod the king about his evil ways

When preparing any teaching, I should hear those voices saying, "What shall we do then?" As I read scripture for myself I should hear my voice among the crowd saying, "What shall I do then?" This brings me to a key question:
Does my relationship with Jesus, reading His word and listening to preaching, have any affect on my life? Does it matter? How does it apply to my specific situation? Am I doing it?

APPLICATION: Here it is, the application. John said, "Bear fruits worthy of repentance." Then he talks about generosity, integrity, contentment.

• Generosity. With my things, my attention, my time and my praise -- am I generous? Do I give freely expecting nothing in return?
• Integrity. Have I compromised in any way on integrity issues? Do not tell or perpetuate anything misleading or deceptive.
• Contentment. Lack of contentment and dissatisfaction leads to resentment, bitterness, selfishness and other things that are displeasing to the Lord.

I need to get a lot better at relating these things practically to my life and then at helping others apply them to their lives.

PRAYER: Lord, give me insight, like John, to make repentance and evident aspect of my life. This seems to be a real block, one which I cannot afford. many people study theology but don't let it change their life. I don't want to be one of those people. Make every part of my life reflect You. Amen.

Fifty-Five Words

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:36-37 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

OBSERVATION: Anna was honored by the Lord, as was Simeon, to be among the first to see and recognize Jesus as the Messiah. She is like a dear family friend that comes to the maternity room to see the new baby while the new mom and dad burst with pride. You get the sense that God Himself is bursting with pride as he shows off this new Baby, the salvation of the world, to Anna, His close family friend.
Anna was honored by the Lord because of her life of simple devotion. She never started a church. She never wrote a book. She never had a television ministry, but she lived a devoted life of service. She was the real deal. She didn't serve God to get something else. She just served God.
She had been widowed at a very early age, after only seven years of married life. She could have become bitter with God, "Why did you let this happen to me?!" But she didn't. She could have made a deal with God, "I'll fast and pray in the temple if you bring me a new husband soon." But she didn't. She fasted. She prayed. Not as a manipulation or as a means to an end. She did it just to serve God.
Eighty-four years is a long time. This was no short term service. This was a life-time commitment.
This woman, Anna, was a hero (heroine) of God in the fullest sense of the word. But she doesn't fit the typical stereotype. She was a woman, not a man. Women are honored by God and can be heroes (or heroines). She was elderly. Too often today elderly people are seen as 'out of date.' God doesn't think so. He honors this elderly woman of God (who was still going strong, by the way).
She was a prophetess. Can this even happen? Can a woman be a prophet, a spiritual leader and authority, one who speaks forth the words of God on God's behalf for others, even men (see the story of Paul and Phillip's daughters) to hear? Maybe God's theology is a little off here. No, it's not.
She fasted and she prayed. That's it. That's her resume. To God, that is a very impressive resume. And she did it night and day.

APPLICATION: This is a wonderful and a challenging passage of scripture about Anna. She causes me to rethink assumptions of my life:

• What is a spiritual hero? Is my idea of a spiritual hero someone like Anna? Do I walk by and overlook spiritual heroes all the time because I have a faulty idea of what one may look like? Do I get so caught up on performance and accomplishment that I neglect things of greater spiritual weight, like fasting and prayer? It is very easy to do.
• What is my spiritual resume? My intention here is not to get into a resume-based relationship with God, but simply to ask the question, "How would my life be described?" This passage starts out, "Now there was one Anna..." Then fifty-five words describe this woman. The key features were included. What if this passage started, "Now there was one Jim..." How would the next fifty-five words go? How would I want them to go? If there is a difference, what am I going to do about it?
  

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for this challenge from Anna today. She teaches me about the importance of a simple life of devotion. Make the fifty-five words of my life really count for You. Amen.

What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 45:20 And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance. Thus you shall make atonement for the temple.

OBSERVATION: We think of sin as intentional disobedience against God -- and it is primarily. But here scripture speaks about unintentional sin done in ignorance. Sin is offending God, acting against His design and plan. We can (and do) sin without even being aware of it. Those sins need atonement, too. When I consider the sin of my life, including the numerous sins of which I am unaware, I am even more grateful for forgiveness that Jesus gives, for my bad intentions and my ignorance. His atonement cleanses me from both.

APPLICATION: "Ignorance of the law is no defense." Even if you are not aware that murder is against the law, you still pay the penalty for it. I want to learn more about His law so that I won't violate it. And I'm more thankful than ever for His complete forgiveness. ("But I didn't mean to..." doesn't cut it.)

PRAYER: Jesus, help me to know Your law and to keep Your law. Forgive my ignorance. Amen.

River of Life

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

OBSERVATION: This is not just a river, but it is a pure river. It is so pure that John describes it as "clear as crystal." This is not just a river, but a river of water of life. All water has some life in it, water is needed to maintain any living thing. This is not just the water of life, but the water of all life.
This is not just any river, but it proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This explains its purity. This also explains its life-giving properties. But these waters are not restricted. Verse 17 says anyone who comes may take of the water of life freely.

APPLICATION: I know that heaven is beyond my ability to understand, but it is not beyond my ability to desire. The picture of this river -- a central feature of heaven -- sounds incredible. It reflects and carries the character and nature of God ("proceeds from His throne"). It demonstrates His character and the character that I want to have:

• Purity. It is crystal clear. It is unspoiled by pollution or corruption of any kind. When I give myself to anything that is foreign to God or His character I foul the water.
• Life-giving. I can't author life like God can, but I can add to the life of others. I can care about the life of others.
• Generosity. Do I give as freely as this river does? This river is able to give freely because its source is God, a never-ending supply. Isn't that my source, too?

PRAYER: Father, make me a river of life that flows from Your throne. Amen.

A Beautiful Mosaic

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 41:20 From the floor to the space above the door, and on the wall of the sanctuary, cherubim and palm trees were carved.

OBSERVATION: All throughout this temple described in great detail are two decorative figures: cherubim and palm trees. they are carved one after the other, with the two-faced cherubim looking at the pal trees -- one face looking at the palm tree to the left, and one face looking to the palm tree to the right. Both images filled this temple.
The thing that I find interesting is that one of these images is recognize able to human experience -- the palm tree -- and one of them is not -- the cherubim. The earthly and the heavenly both blend together to adorn this heavenly temple.

APPLICATION: There is a very old heresy that makes a stark distinction between 'worldly' and 'heavenly.' Anything earthly is automatically nonspiritual and anything heavenly is separate and spiritual. But God is able to blend together, in one mosaic, both elements for His purposes. Don't miss the spiritual significance of very common, ordinary things.

PRAYER: Father, help me to see you in everything, not just the 'spiritual.' Amen.

The Liberation of God's Nearness

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

OBSERVATION: The nearness of the Lord is a great comfort. As a child, if you have to do something of which you are unsure or a bit afraid, it is good to know that mom or dad are nearby. Just to know they are nearby makes all the difference.
A familiar scene plays out each year all over the world. On the first day of school a little boy or little girl of the house is going off to school for the first time. It is a big deal. It is a really big deal. New clothes and school supplies have all been bought, and now it is time. It is a huge new step. Along with the child goes mom or dad or both. Not to go in place of their child, but just to be there for them as a comfort and strength.

APPLICATION: God is that parent to me. He wants to be near me. he is glad to be near. And His nearness is a great source of comfort. Because of His nearness, He is available and ready when I call upon Him. It does no good to call upon Him if He is not near, and it does no good for Him to be near id I can't call upon Him. But, put those two things together and it is an awesome comfort. I can know today that anything I will face, He is near to me. That knowledge allows me to branch out and be more brave than I ever thought possible, like that child going off to school for the first time.
His nearness is not a limiter. It is a liberator.

PRAYER: Father, I am blessed by Your nearness.

Fetch!

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 37:19 say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am about to take the stick of Joseph (which is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with it; and I will put the stick of Judah upon it, and make them one stick, in order that they may be one in my hand.

OBSERVATION: A branch can be grafted in to a plant while there is still life in it. But a stick, which is lifeless, being joined together with another stick is miraculous and supernatural. This passage also reveals God's desire and Hi s power to restore broken relationships. He wants to mend those who are separated, and He can do it.

APPLICATION: Even when it seems hopeless, like a valley of dry bones or a broken, lifeless stick, look to God to do the miraculous.

• Be one who speaks life. (Bones are never too dry.)
• Be one who speaks unity. (Sticks are never too broken.)
• Be one who speaks for God. (Most important of all.)

And then -- Fetch! Retrieve those who are broken and join them in. Go after them.


PRAYER: God, give me a prophetic ability to speak life into dry situations and unity into brokenness. Accomplish Your supernatural will. Amen.

Three Dangers for Sheep

SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 34:31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture and I am your God, says the Lord God.

OBSERVATION: This chapter could form the basis of much study on ministry and church life. The continuation of this chapter is in Matthew 9:36, where it says about Jesus, "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Also, John 10)

APPLICATION: There are three perils that God's people (sheep) have to be protected from:

1- Selfish Shepherds. (v.2-10) Their shepherds were neglecting their duties to their sheep:

• To strengthen the weak
• To heal the sick
• To bind up the broken
• To bring back those driven away
• To seek out the lost

2- Fat Sheep. (v.17-22)

• They ate the good pasture, drank the good water
• They trampled the remainder with their feet and fouled the water
• They pushed with their side and shoulder
• The butted the weak with their horns
• They scattered them

3- The Wilderness. (v.5, 24-31)

• The beasts of the field
• Hunger
• Shame
• "Cloudy and dark days" (v.12)

PRAYER: Good Shepherd, make me sensitive to the needs of Your sheep -- those who are gathered and those who are scattered. Make me aware of my responsibilities as a shepherd and increase my ability to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring back those driven away and seek out the lost. I need Your power for these things. I depend on You. Amen.

God Involved

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 4:17 "... the Most High is sovereign over the kingdom of mortals; he gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of human beings."

OBSERVATION: That phrase, "the most High rules in the kingdom of men," is the one that caught my attention.
Nebuchadnezzar was what some would call a spiritual man. He set up a huge image, undoubtedly at a great cost, and made a decree that everyone would worship this image. At the time of worship, instrumentalists were instructed to play elaborate music. He was willing to mix church and state, as long as it served his purposes.
What Nebuchadnezzar found out is it doesn't work that way. There really is a G0d, not just a pretend deity for national identity, but a real God. And God doesn't take His cues from men, even kings. God doesn't stay tucked away in heave so preoccupied with heavenly affairs and administration that He doesn't have time to get involved with earthly affairs. "The most High rules in the kingdom of men." People feel safe with a pretend God or a far-off and distant God. But a God who is involved and is in charge. That's a different story.

APPLICATION: This story is about pride. Nebuchadnezzar figured his success was due to his own doing. He learned that it is God. It was God all along.
God does rule in the kingdom of men. He is not distant and removed. He is involved in my daily affairs. He is involved today. Will I give notice and recognition to Him? He is real. He is near. He is involved. He is in charge.

PRAYER: God, it is You who are in control of this day, not me. I rest in You and I trust in You. Let my life be worship before You today.

Search for Meaning

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:3 And the king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream."

OBSERVATION: Nebuchadnezzar was a mighty king, lapping up entire kingdoms in his wake. God mad it abundantly clear that He was empowering Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His purposes. Nebuchadnezzar is sometimes referred to in scripture as 'My servant Nebuchadnezzar." Not because he knew or served God, but because God used him to accomplish His purposes.
God had given to him great power and great might and great success. Apparently, this didn't cause Nebuchadnezzar to wonder about the meaning of his life or his great success.
But then this confusing dream comes along and he is desperate to find its meaning. "My spirit is anxious to know the dream." He is so certain there is a meaning, that it is not just a random and meaningless dream, that he gathers his smartest and most spiritual advisers. Every philosophy, theology and current train of thought was represented. For added motivation, if they can't tell him the dream and its meaning they are all toast.
It is only God, through Daniel, who is able to give meaning to this dream and, through the dream, give meaning and context to Nebuchadnezzar's life.

APPLICATION: Life has meaning. Everything about life has meaning. People need meaning, like Nebuchadnezzar. Sometimes that need is buried beneath layers of busyness or success, but it is still there. Then an event in life comes along, like this dream, which adds confusion and causes someone to say, "What is the meaning of this, and the meaning of life?" The search for meaning takes many forms and many avenues, but it can only be answered by God.

PRAYER: Father, all meaning is found in You. My life is not a random dream without meaning but everyday of my life was recorded in Your book before I lived one of them. I can live a meaningful life because You give my life meaning. Amen.

Perfect Judgement

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."

OBSERVATION: The judgements of God coming to pass results in worship of all nations. We normally don't think of judgement in this way -- as cause for worship. Judgement normally has negative connotations. If someone is judgemental it is not considered a good thing.
If you picture a courtroom after a long trial and everyone is waiting with eager anticipation. All the evidence is in and the case has been made. everyone waits for the judgement. When the judge read the judgement a cry goes out from everyone there. When the judgement is right, the innocent or the victims cry out in relief and vindication, and the guilty cry out in final desperation. When the verdict is wrong, the cry is a cry of injustice.
God's judgement is always right. His final judgement will result in glory and praise.

APPLICATION: Only God's judgement is perfect. If 'judgemental' means an unfair bias or judging unfairly without having all the information, then God could never be judgemental. But I can.
I can be judgemental. I am not God. I don't have all the information. I don't have judgement authority. I am not judge. God's judgement will be perfect and result in praise. Mine will not. The smartest thing for me to do is to leave the judging up to God.

• Release any judgemental attitude I have against anyone else.
• Remember: I don't have all the information and I can be biased.
• Praise God for His perfect judgements!

"Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

PRAYER: God, Your judgements are perfect. Free me from being judgemental towards others. I cannot trust my judgements, but I can trust Yours. Amen.

A Great Guide

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 48:14 For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.

OBSERVATION: God is my guide, just as He was the psalmist's guide. He is a guide through all life and even guide into death -- a death guide.
A guide is someone who knows the way and can show it to you. A tour guide points out the places of interest along the way. A guide is far better than a map, because a guide is personal. A map is impersonal. A map can be misread, but a guide keeps you from going the wrong direction (like a guide on a piece of machinery).
A guide through Israel may not be good as a guide to Paris, unless the guide has been to both places and is acquainted with both. A guide for life may not be a good guide for death, unless the guide has been to both places. Jesus is the perfect guide for life and for death.

APPLICATION: Having a guide for life and for death brings a great sense of peace. It doesn't mean that I won't face death, but I won't face it alone. David said, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." He was speaking of a guide.
How great will it be, not just to see the wonders of heaven -- the crystal sea, the tree of life, God's throne -- but to have Jesus as my guide!
I can trust His guidance. I can have peace in His guidance, in life and in death.

PRAYER: Jesus, I receive You as my guide. I welcome Your direction. I submit to Your correction. I desire to go Your way and learn all that You have to show me. Amen.

Choice for Chains

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 40:4 And now look, I free you this day from the chains that were on your hand. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong for you to come with me to Babylon, remain here. See, all the land is before you; wherever it seems good and convenient for you to go, go there."

OBSERVATION: Jeremiah was treated quite differently from the others who were taken from Jerusalem. Some were killed. Some were taken into captivity to serve the king of Babylon. Others (the poor) were left behind with a third-rate king to work the land and defend it, to face the dangers there. All had the decision made for them.
Jeremiah was different.
Jeremiah had the chains removed from his hands. he would not be led to some destination beyond his will. He was given assurances of 'the good life' if he continued on to Babylon. He was also given full opportunity to go back to those who were left behind. Like Moses, Jeremiah chose to work with the people of God over the pleasures in Babylon.

APPLICATION: What special treatment that Jeremiah was given! All because he had faithfully served the Lord. The chains came off and he was given a choice.
That's what Jesus has done for me and for all of us. The chains are off. he came to set the captive free. he came to give us a choice.

• Choose His gift of eternal life or reject it.
• Choose to be filled with His Holy Spirit or be filled with myself.
• Choose to live His way -- by faith according to His word -- or my way.

He has traded me choice for chains. What an incredible exchange!


PRAYER: Jesus, You have dealt with me far better than I deserve. I use the choice that You have given to me to chose You. Fill me with Your Spirit today that I might live for You, with all my choices. Amen.

Let Me Finish

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 11:7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

OBSERVATION: Timing is everything! Notice that the beast is only able to defeat them "when they finish their testimony." When their purpose is done, that's when they are overcome -- not before. It reminds me of the unstoppable destiny of God's people and also the importance of testimony.
What seems more important than anything in this passage is the testimony of those two witnesses. No one could stop it, not even the beast. Once it was accomplished they were taken to heaven.
This life is all about testimony. I have a friend who has said about someone who wasn't exactly following the Lord, "They're working on their testimony." Life before knowing Jesus is building a testimony for His grace to work through. Life after Jesus is sharing that testimony of His grace (while, of course, we continue to build more testimony).
No one can stop my testimony. They can try to explain away creation, try to discredit the Bible and debate points of doctrine, but they can't eliminate my testimony. "I once was blind but now I see. My life has been radically altered, and yours can too" is the message of my testimony and many others just like me. I will continue on this earth until God decides I have finished my testimony. Then I will go to be with Him. You just can't beat that.

APPLICATION: Testify! Every chance I get, share from my life about Jesus and what He has done for me. Testimony is not just with words. Unselfish actions testify of Jesus' change in my life.

PRAYER: Lord, be honored through my life. Be seen through my life. May my life be a living gospel, the story of Jesus' life in me. Amen.

The End of the Mystery

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 10:7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

OBSERVATION: There will come a day, an instant in time that is already destined to come, when the days of creation will come to an end and the mystery of God will be finished. Things now unknown, shrouded in mystery, will become clear. All of creation together -- every philosopher, theologian and common man -- all together will share in one great "ah-ha!" moment. "Ah-ha! Now it all makes sense. Now we get it!" "We were dead wrong" some will finally realize. Others... "We were on the right track," or "It's even better than we imagined," or "It's more terrible than we imagined," or "We were hoping for this," or "We were afraid of this." But for all: "Deep down we knew all along."
The mystery of God will remain a mystery until He chooses to reveal it. The concealing serves His purpose and the revealing will also serve His purpose.
It is hard to imagine the day when the mystery is finished. When God, His workings, His intentions and His Person are all fully revealed. The purposes of creation will be accomplished and we will move from mystery into eternity. What an amazing day that will be.

APPLICATION: Until that time, mystery remains. Spiritual discernment, convictions and trust remain. I don't have all the answers and won't have all the answers. I've got to hear from God: to spend time with Him consistently and know His word intimately.
And, by the way, don't be a know-it-all. In a time of mystery, nobody knows as much as they think they know.

PRAYER: God, use Your mystery to complete Your work in me. Through mystery, prepare me for the certainty of eternity. I trust You to guide me through the mystery. Amen.