The Temple of the Holy Spirit

I Cor. 6:19

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were brought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

 Since my body is a member of Christ, I must honor that relationship. Because of this I must flee sexual immorality, adultery, homosexuality, theivery, greediness, drunkeness, reviling, and swindling. Paul says clearly that people who do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Except for the grace of God, I would be caught in that same web of sin, but thank God, I am washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus by the Spirit of God. I am grace-gifted with the Holy Spirit who has made me His temple. Why such a gift? It is only because of the gospel--the death of Christ who paid the price for me at the cross. What is my response to this? I so want to glorify God in my body.

Father,

Teach me to live as a temple that glorifies You. Show me the way to listen and obey each prompting of the Spirit.

Wisdom from the Spirit

I Cor. 2: 11

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Without the Spirit of God, no one understands the thoughts of God. As a born again one, I have received the Spirit of God in order that I might understand the things of God. The Spirit then interprets spiritual truths to me. No wonder Jesus gave His followers this gift of the Spirit  How essential He is! It is amazing that God would chose to share Himself and His Spirit with man and with me personally.

Father,

Thank You for this great gift. Help me to know Your spirit and hear His voice every moment of the day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Lord Worked Mightily

Acts 19:20

So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hand of Paul. This working resulted in miracles such as moved the hearts of many people. In fact, some of the local itinerants tried to invoke the name of Jesus to do miraculous things like Paul had done, but it back fired. The evil spirits came out and overpowered the men causing them to flee the house naked and wounded. What was the result? Many of those who were believers confessed their evil practices and magic arts bringing all their books burning them in the sight of all the people. They counted the value of all of them, and it was 50,000 pieces of silver. The Lord was working mightily in His people. How glorious to be used of God and to see the hand of God at work in the life!

Father,

Give me the grace and desire to serve You single mindedly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Final Instructions

I Thess. 5:17

Pray Without Ceasing

I know that when I leave for a time, I leave my husband with final instructions usually in list format: don't forget to take the garbage out, feed the dog, and at this time of year, put up the Christmas lights-- definitely things of minimal importance but things that need to be done to keep the house running smoothly. Similarly, in the book of I Thess. Paul is giving his final instructions as well, final instructions that keep the body of Christ functioning smoothly. His instructions include:

• respect those who labor in the body
• be at peace in the body
• admonish the idle
• encourage the fainthearted
• help the weak
• be patient with all
• do not repay evil for evil
• do good to each other
• pray without thinking
• rejoice always
• be thankful in all circumstances
• don't quench the Spirit
• test everything
• hold fast to what is good
• abstain from every form of evil 

As I read this list, I ask myself if these spiritual essentials are my priority.  As I live and work each day, am I thinking about these things more or less than the inconsequentials that seem to consume my daily routine? Should I make a list of these items and carry them with me or refer to them as I go through the day? Do I make them a matter of prayer asking God to give me the grace to obey?

Father,

Teach me to make these final instructions my daily instructions. Give me Your grace to live as I should. Change my heart and mind to mold to your desires so that I might glorify You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Live, Move, and Have Being

Acts 17:28

In Him we live and move and have our being...For we are indeed His offspring.

God  determined that man would live on the earth and that he should seek God, but not in temples made with human hands because God is worshiped in the human heart. Nor is He served by human hands because He needs nothing from man.  If all this is true, why would God want to have a relationship with man? Basically, God's great love caused Him to reach down and rescue man even when man was sinful and cared nothing for God. God wants man to find Him so that they might fellowship. For the believer, it is God that is our life. He is the one who gives us purpose and existence because we are His offspring. This is the grace and faith that saves, a power totally apart from human hands or works, a power that makes us over anew. Truly in Him we live, move, and have our being.    

Father,

Help me to live in You, to bring glory to Your name. Teach me to know what it means to have my being in Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Walk by the Spirit

5:16, 25-26

For I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh...If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Jesus freed me from the desires and demands of the flesh. Amazingly, I am called to freedom. But the caution is not to use my freedom as an opportunity for sin, sin which causes me to bite and devour my sisters and brothers in the Lord. The entire law fulfilled in and through Jesus means one thing: love. I must love my neighbor as myself and not be consumed with conceit or envy. This love is a vital part of walking in the Spirit.  The Spirit is also the leader and energizer in my walking by the Spirit. He is the One who makes it possible. He is the great gift sent from Jesus to allow me to walk by faith. What a life that I have been given!
 
How often do I walk in the Spirit? What is the problem? If this is what I have been promised and given, what prevents me? Is it my flesh? My desire to hold on to the world? Do I actually pray that God will make this a reality in my life, or am I trying to accomplish it in my own strength?
 
Father,
Teach me how to walk in the Spirit and how to love as You would have me love. Make this walk and life a reality in my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen

New Life

Gal. 2:19-21

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

To live to God, I must be crucified with Christ so that Christ lives me. It is no longer my life but His life; It is no longer my desires but His desires. This life that He has given me must be lived by faith in Jesus alone through His grace and not dependent on my fleshly works. If I live for Christ in my flesh, I make Christ's death of no purpose. How important is the faith walk! Even though important, how difficult is it to understand! The gospel, Christ's death, is my life. I must come to the cross daily for the grace and faith that I need to live for Him. When He died for me and chose me to be His, I gave up my life for His life.
 
Father,
Continue to teach me this faith walk. Thank You for this great grace and new life. Teach me how to live for You in Your power.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Acts 16:14-15

And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

As the Paul and Timothy went to the river to pray, they met the women who were gathered there. During the conversation, they met Lydia, a seller of purple and a worshiper of God. At this time, God was drawing her to Himself. He opened her heart to pay attention to the words of Paul. How beautiful is that! When God draws a person to Himself, He opens his or her heart to hear His words. He gives them the grace and faith to believe. Immediately after Lydia's heart was opened, she was baptized as well as her household. Then the natural outworking of her faith and salvation was her desire to serve. She opened her house to Paul and Timothy. What a neat example of God's working in the heart of someone! His work is accomplished by His power. He does the opening, the growing, and even gives the desire to serve. Why? So that He might be glorified!
 
Father,
Open my heart to pay attention to Your words. Give me the grace and faith to believe, to grow, and to serve.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Wisdom from Above

Jas. 3:17-18

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

The question James raises is who is wise? How is wisdom evidenced? The truly wise person shows wisdom through meek actions. But by contrast, anyone who is jealous, ambitious, boasting, or lying is unwise. This worldly wisdom is unspiritual, demonic, and produces disorder and every vile practice.  What a contrast is the wisdom from above! It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. This wisdom is rooted in the Beatitudes, in the values that Jesus taught. If this wisdom controls the life, then a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. How can anyone live like this? God's wisdom comes from Him completely. He sends the Holy Spirit to fill me so that God's grace fills my life allowing these qualities to grow and flourish. What a gracious God who empowers His children with all that they need!

Father,

Teach me to have this wisdom. Make it a reality in my life. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Begged to Hear

Acts 13:42

"As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath."

When Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch, they preached the Word. As Paul recounted the details of Israel from their choosing by God, their delivery from Egypt, and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, many of the hearts were touched. As the people went out, they wanted to hear more. The next Saturday nearly the entire city turned out to hear more. This time salvation was made known to the Gentiles as well. When they heard, they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. How glorious! The Word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region, but sadly not all believed. Some stirred up persecution and drove the disciples out; nevertheless, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. How exciting to see and read of the beginning of the church! No matter what man does, it is Spirit led and Spirit driven. Only those who are appointed can believe. What a gift of grace!

Father,

Give me this fervor and desire to share you with those of Your choosing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No Partiality

Acts 10:34

"So Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him."

What a gracious gift that God shows no partiality! He extends Jesus and salvation to anyone who believes, to the Jew and the Greek. Peter was commanded to preach to the people testifying that He [Jesus] was the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead, a truth to which all the prophets bore witness, and a truth which would be hard for the Jews to swallow. Peter was constantly reminding them of the awful way the Jews had treated Jesus, but at the same time extending salvation and hope to them.

Amazingly, when Peter had finished speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the Word.  As the Jewish believers watched, they were shocked that the Spirit was poured out on Gentiles who spoke in tongues praising God. Peter then commanded them to be baptized. God was truly building His church without partiality, with Jews and Gentiles. He was working through obedient, believing men empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thank God I am part of that church today and His Holy Spirit indwells and empowers me.

Father,

Thank you for giving me salvation and being impartial to all who believe. Thank You for drawing me to You and giving me the grace and faith to believe.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Resist the Holy Spirit

Acts 4:48-52

"Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?' "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."

Sadly, the people were focused on externals, on man-made houses and traditions. But instead, God dwells in the human heart through the person of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, there is nothing man can build or do to establish a relationship with God. In fact, resisting the Holy Spirit is a stiff-necked response from people who are uncircumcised in heart and ears. How important is the Holy Spirit! How important to respond to His leading and nudges! Do I listen carefully?

Father,

Help me to be attune to the Spirit's leading. Let me hear clearly whatever He leads me to do or to say.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Boldness

Acts 4:18

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus."

The rulers and elders arrested Peter and John for teaching about Jesus and for healing the beggar. As Peter and John stood before the council, the  members were greatly annoyed.  They wanted to know by whose power these men were doing these things. Boldly, they spoke of Jesus saying salvation was only in His name. What an amazing, astonishing thing this was! The council could not understand how these uneducated men could speak like this. In order to prevent this teaching from spreading, the council charged Peter and John to quit doing anything in the name of Jesus. Little did they know, this was an impossibility! Peter and John answered, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge. For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. What great faith and fervency! Then the council threatened them, but let them go because of the people who were praising God for the healing of the beggar. As if this was not enough boldness, Peter and John left the council to meet with friends to pray. They asked God to look on these threats and grant to them the ability to continue speaking with boldness and to continue to work through them in signs and wonders through the power of Jesus. What was the answer to this prayer? The place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. What an exciting time! How powerful were these men who loved Jesus and wanted to spread His name to others!

Father,

Give me boldness to share You with others. Build my fervency so that it flows out of me unrestrained.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Before the disciples could carry out the mission that Jesus had given them, they had to have power from the Holy Spirit. In John, Jesus talked about the gift of the Holy Spirit, saying unless He would leave, the Spirit would not come and live within each believer. The Spirit would bring all things to their remembrance, teach them all things, make clear the Scriptures to them, convict them of sin, seal them until Christ's return, intercede for them, indwell them as the Temple of God, and empower them. What a crucial gift Jesus gave! Thankfully, this gift was not just for the disciples in the book of Acts but for believers today, for me. It is through His power that I can fulfill the ministry that God has for me, that I can go and tell of Him to those He brings in my path.

Father,
Teach me to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Help me to obey and follow His lead.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Why Signs

Jn. 20:30-31

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus was not concerned with the signs in and of themselves, but instead, the signs were a tool to verify that Scripture had been fulfilled and to allow others to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, others would have eternal life.
 
First there were the women who saw the angels, the two men in dazzling white. The angel pointedly asked, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. They did remember and went and told the disciples all that they had heard and seen. But the disciples did not believe the women, so Peter and John ran to see for themselves.
 
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus came up and talked to two men. Without recognizing Jesus, they told him all that had transpired, the crucifixion and the missing body. Jesus responded, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter in His glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Later He sat down to dinner with the men breaking bread with them, and their eyes were opened. They saw and they knew.
 
Then Jesus appeared to His disciples. Of course, they were frightened as well thinking Jesus was a spirit. Here he showed them His hands and feet, and even asked for something to eat with them. Then He said the crucial words, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise  from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations...They were His witnesses. They would have to go and tell the message to all nations. But the gracious things was that He would empower them from on high. Jesus taught His followers that Scripture was fulfilled, He was truly resurrected, and that in His power, must now go and tell the message, the message of Jesus.
 
Father,
Give me Your power to tell the glorious message of Jesus' life and resurrection. Help me to proclaim boldly the message of Your gospel.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Do Not Be Afraid

Mt. 28:18-20 

" And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Jesus was risen. What a glorious day! I imagine fear was in the hearts of those who saw Jesus, after all, He had been dead and was now risen. First there was fear in the hearts of the guards as the angel descended to the tomb to roll the stone away, an angel with the look of lightning and clothing white as snow. In fact, he was so scary that the guards trembled and became like dead men. Not only did they experience total crippling and paralyzing fear, but they muffed their job. When they later thawed out, they reported the happenings to the chief priests who in typical fashion fabricated a story blaming the loss of the body on the disciples. In this instance, fear led to lies!
 
Then the angel encountered Mary and Mary saying, Do not be afraid...He is not here for He has risen. The two women ran to tell the disciples with fear and great joy. Their fear gave them the energy and the impetus that they needed to get into action, to spread the glorious news. 
 
When Jesus met the disciples, He said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid...  The fear in their hearts had turned to worship for some, but for some it produced doubt. Sadly fears power can go either way even in the hearts of disciples. 
 
Jesus went on to give the disciples their final charge: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. They had to go and tell, a message that would not always be popular or well received. What was in their hearts now? There must have been some fear because Jesus said to them, And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  What a powerful scope of human actions fear controls! Am I afraid to tell the story? Am I so afraid that I am paralyzed so that lies result? Is my fear making my faith a lie? Or does my fear cause doubt, doubt that I am equipped or doubt about Jesus Himself? Hopefully, my fear will be positive and send me obediently to tell others about Jesus.
 
Father,
Don't let me be paralyzed by fear, but give me Your power and grace. Help me to run to others with the good news.
In Jesus name,
Amen

To FulfillScripture

Jn. 18-19

Jesus' journey was almost to an end. Even though He had many horrible things yet to endure, He went forward in obedience to the Father so that His sovereign plan would be fulfilled. In these two chapters alone, those words were repeatedly stated. Then Jesus knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them. How hard to know the horrendous things yet to come and still to go forward! What depths of love and obedience!

• Jesus answered, I told you I am He. So, if you seek me, let these men go. This was to fulfill the word that He had spoken.  Of those whom You gave me I have lost not one.
• Peter denied Jesus three times and the rooster crowed just as Jesus said it would.
• The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death He was going to die.
• You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth.
• But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be. That was to fulfill the Scripture which says, They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
• After this, Jesus knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill Scripture), I thirst.
• For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Not one of His bones will be broken. And again another Scripture says, They will look on Him whom they have pierced.

When I read these chapters that are so tragic yet so full of hope for all those who believe, I see how Jesus' life and words all revolved around Scripture. What an example for me! Is my life fulfilling the purpose and plan that God has for me? Are the very words of God radiating forth from my life and my mouth?

Father,

Teach me to make Your words my words. Make me aware of Your sovereign plan and purpose in every detail of my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Silence

Mt. 27:14

"But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed."

How many times when I am falsely accused or have my pride wounded do I spout off? Way more than I would like to admit, but here in a life and death situation, Jesus responded with silence. Pilate asked Him one question: Are you the king of the Jews? His reply, You have said so. But after this when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered not a word. Pilate said, Do you not hear how many things they testify against you? But Jesus did not answer. Pilate was amazed and could not understand why Jesus would not defend Himself. Why wouldn't He answer?
 
Perhaps He restrained Himself to fulfill prophecy, but it was also to show His disciples how to live, how to handle the persecution that was to come. In the Beatitudes Jesus had given a blessing to the meek and those who would be persecuted for righteousness' sake. Here Jesus is showing His followers exactly what that looks like. He is showing His disciples how to live, how to answer His call. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. How hard it is to keep silent! How much strength it takes to entrust the negative things, the unjust comments and actions to God! But to live like Jesus taught in the Beatitudes, disciples must follow His example. Without deceit, I must stay silent not answering back and not defending myself. This is truly living like I believe practically that God is sovereign over every detail of my life!
 
Father,
Give me Your strength and grace to follow in Jesus' footsteps. Help me to trust You and Your sovereign will  for my life. Teach me to be meek and merciful. Teach me how to have Your wisdom to handle life's situation.
In Jesus name,
Amen


Jesus was meek. He demonstrated the difficulty and the great effect on others that meekness has.

Jesus Prays for Me

Jn. 17:11

"And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.'

In Jn. 17 Jesus prays to the Father for those who are His, but first He prays to the Father that the Father may glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father. Through His life and impending death He not only gave people the knowledge of the Father and the Son, but He gave them eternal life.
 
What did Jesus pray for His followers?

• Keep them in Your name that they may be one as the Father and the Son are one.
• Keep them from the evil One but don't take them out of the world.
• Sanctify them in the truth, His word is truth.
• He prays not only for the followers at the present time, but for those followers yet to come that they may be one as the Father and Son are one.
• That the believers unity with the Father and the Son will cause the world to believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
• That the believers will be with Him where He is  to see His glory that the Father gave Him before the foundation of the world.

What a beautiful prayer! How often do I pray for these intense spiritual issues? I see how important my obedience to the Word, my unity with the Father and the Son is because it is that quality that testifies of Jesus to the world. I am sanctified in His truth, the Word, the Logos, I must live by the Word because the Word is my life. I can look forward to that time when I can be with Jesus where He is and see His great glory.

Father,
Sanctify me in Your truth. Keep me one in You and Jesus so that the world will see and believe in Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Love One Another

Jn. 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The Passover meal was over, and Jesus' time was nearing. Perhaps with sadness, Jesus spoke to His disciples calling them Little Children . With the future in mind, He told them they would be separated soon. He would not be with them, and they could not go where He was going. But before all these events would come to pass, He gave them a new commandment saying,  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Love would be the identification mark of His followers and would make Him known to the world. What amazing love! What did the disciples think when He said this? I wonder if they understood the self-sacrificial quality of this love since Jesus had not yet gone to the cross. The amazing scope of His love would drastically change their lives, and so much so, that they would love others in a similar way as He did. The essence of His love was the sacrifice, the giving of His all even to the point of death. What is my love for others? Does it reflect Jesus' sacrifice?

Father,
Teach me to love like You loved. Help me to be a disciple who reflects You to the world.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Sorrowful but Willing

Mt. 26:38 -39

"Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

Jesus was in deep agony this night because He knew the great suffering that was to come. Grieving in soul and spirit, He asked three disciples to watch and pray with Him. But they did not! While they were sleeping, He cried out to the Father to be spared this great suffering, If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. What revealing words! Just because He knew it was God's will did not eliminate the suffering. The pain was so bad that He bared His heart and soul to His Father. He asked to be freed of this burden, but at the same time, was willing to obey.
 
A second time, He went to pray. Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done. Once again Jesus' first concern was for the will of the Father not for His own comfort. Once again His three disciples were sleeping. So suffering alone, He went and prayed a third time saying the same words. Three times Jesus, the Son of God, cried out about the pain  and agony of doing the Father's will, but each time, He was always ready to obey. For Jesus and for His believers, God's will often includes suffering, agony, and sorrow. After coming back the third time, he woke His disciples and said that the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
 
He had come to the Father expressing His heart's desire, but at the same time had accepted the Father's will at the greatest cost possible, the cost of His life. Was He resting in the plan of a sovereign God? Did He think that God's plan was for His good? How was it for good? Certainly, it was for the believer's good since through His death we are reconciled to the Father. It was for His good as well because He became the Savior, the first of many brethren, the One who will come in glory to claim His own. The point is that resting in the sovereign plan of God, even though it brings good, is not easy or pain free. The Father wants His children to cry out to Him expressing their pain and their helplessness, but he also wants them to obediently do the will of the Father. Since I follow Jesus walking in His footsteps, my steps will include suffering. Resting in and accepting the Father's sovereign plan, even though it be painful, will always be for my good. Jesus modeled this great truth enduring the greatest pain ever. He was the sinless, perfect Son of God who willingly and obediently took on Himself the sins of the world enduring separation from His Father. He accepted the Father's will at the cost of His own life.
 
Father,
Thank You for Your plan that brought me to You. Help me to follow obediently in Jesus' footsteps. Keep me ever crying out to You in the pain and suffering but always willing to obediently follow.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Blessed by the Father

Mt. 25: 45-46

"Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

In this description of the end times, the Son of Man comes in His glory with His angels. As He sits on His throne, all the nations stand before Him. He separates the people as one would separate the sheep from the goats. His words to those on His right are, Come, You are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. The people on His right responded with when, when did we do all those things. Jesus said that if they did it to the least of His brothers, they did it to Him.

Observations from this account:

• There will be a judgment where all stand before Jesus.
•  The sheep and goats will both stand before Jesus.
• What He has prepared for believers was prepared from before the foundations of the world.
• He is a sovereign God.
• His brothers are His body and what is done to the least of His brothers is done to Him.
• Following Jesus means meeting the physical needs of hunger, thirst, clothes, ministering to the sick and the imprisoned.
• What is prepared for believers is eternal life.
• What is prepared for unbelievers is eternal punishment.

How sobering! The difference between sheep and goats is not monumental, but it is crucial. Within Christianity obviously there are people who are goats, or like in the previous story, are one of the virgins without enough oil. They blend in to the human eye. They look good from the outside, but none of that matters when all stand before Jesus. What is my response? I must not judge people but concentrate on serving Jesus, obeying His word, and making sure my lamp is trimmed and ready. Am I concerned for the body of Christ? Am I meeting the needs of others? Am I living out the Beatitudes, the Christian character that Jesus taught His followers were to have? Am I listening to the voice of my shepherd? Am I an obedient sheep?

Father,

Teach me body life so that I may minister to You as I minister to them. Thank You for preparing heaven for me before the foundation of the world.

In Jesus name,

 Amen

An Unknown Day and Hour

Mt. 24:36

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

Mt. 24 tells of the same events as Mk. 13, but it goes on to explain what it means to Be on guard. The moral compass of the world will be the same as in the days of Noah, eating and drinking and totally unaware of what is to come, but the believers must be aware. Why? They must be on guard because the time of His coming is unknown to all but the Father. Jesus said it was similar to staying awake to guard against the attack of a thief. The householder knows the thief is coming, but not when. Similarly, we know Jesus is coming, but not when. Consequently, we must be eagerly watching and waiting because the time will be when we least expect it.

Jesus wants us to be faithful servants keeping charge of the master's house and giving food at the proper time. If I am this faithful servant, I will be blessed because I will be ready for His return. But if I am a wicked servant, beating the fellow servants and eating and drinking with drunkards, then I will be thrown into the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. What is my heart? Am I waiting eagerly? Am I a good servant living obediently and longing for the day of His return?

Father,
I want His return. Give me Your grace so that my heart and life are ready.
In Jesus name,
Amen

My Word Will Not Pass Away

Mk. 13: 31

"Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

God's word endures because He Himself is timeless. He existed before time and will exist when time is no more. Since He is immutable, His words are as well. Not only that but His words will always come to pass. They know the end from the beginning. In Mk. 13 Jesus tells the signs that mark the end of the age. Always, there is one warning. Be on Guard.

• Many will come in His name leading many astray.
• There will be wars and rumors of wars.
• There will be earthquakes and famines.

As bad as these are, they are merely the beginning, the birth pains. Jesus is not returning yet, but there is more for the believer to observe.

• The abomination of Desolation will be ruling.
• There will be unbelievable tribulation.
• Days will be shortened to preserve life.
• False Christs and prophets will perform signs to lead people astray.
• The normal course of the sun, moon, and stars will be altered.
• The gospel must be proclaimed to the world.

After all this, then the Son of Man will come in the clouds with great glory and power to gather His own from the ends of the earth. This chapter ends with the definitive statement: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Believe Him. This will all happen, and when it is over, His words will remain. No wonder I should be on guard.

Father,

Teach me the truth in Your words. Help me to be on guard. Strengthen me to withstand what you have for me to endure.

In Jesus name,

Amen

What is Sefl-Righteousness?

Mt. 5:20

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

What exactly was the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? I know it was self-righteousness, but how did it manifest itself? Mt. 23 makes it pretty clear. Jesus begins be giving a few general statements before He lists the woes.

• They asked the people to practice what they themselves did not do. 
• They preached without personally practicing what they said.
• They tied up heavy burdens, hard to bear and laid them on people's shoulders, burdens they were not willing to lift at all.
• They do all their deeds to be seen of others.
• They loved the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplace, and being called Rabbi.

Then Jesus went on to give some woe's to these self-righteous men. These woes were distinct warnings to them about their lives.

• Woe to them for shutting the kingdom of heaven in the faces of people without them entering into the kingdom either...How devastating that they would keep people from the truth!
• Woe to them for traveling great distances to make a proselyte, but then making them children of hell ... Their beliefs had no saving element to them, and all they brought into their way of thinking ended up as they were.
• Woe to them for being blind guides and misinterpreting the spirit of the law for the letter of the law and their traditions..Such legalism and it's still thriving to this day!
• Woe to them for tithing but neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, faithfulness. They were straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel...Could people today be thinking that the acts of religion take the place of the heart of Christianity?
• Woe to them for cleaning the outside of the cup and plate with the inside full of greed and self-indulgence...These masks people still wear!
• Woe to them for being whitewashed tombs, appearing beautiful but full of dead men's bones. They were outwardly righteous but inwardly full of hypocrisy and lawlessness...Strong words!
• Woe to them for saying that would not have done what their fathers did to the prophets, but yet they are doing the same thing now and on them will come all the blood of the righteous and the innocent...A classic action--seeing the same sin in others that was in themselves!

Definitely strong words that I need to apply to myself. What is my heart like? Am I covering up the truth about myself to that I look a certain way?

Father,

Send Your Holy Spirit to root out and self-righteousness rooted in my heart. Make me transparent for You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Giving My All

Mk. 12:41-44

"And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Jesus was observing those who were putting money in the offering box, but His observations went far beyond their external actions because He was able to see their hearts. The rich put in their large sums, but a poor widow came and put in two small coins, a penny worth. Was Jesus more impressed with the rich or the poor widow? As Jesus told this story to His disciples, He said that the widow put it more than anyone else. How could that be? The amount of her offering was hardly anything compared to the rich. From a human point of view, this assessment did not make sense.  

Jesus told them that they [the rich]  contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty had put in everything she had, all she had to live on. Jesus was more concerned with the quality of the offering than the quantity, with the sacrificial quality. When the poor widow gave her all, her choice demanded faith. Once she had given all , she had nothing left. How would she live? Where would she get food? Her only recourse was to trust God since she had eliminated her human supports, but the rich still had plenty of their money to take care of themselves. In fact, what they gave did not even put a dent in their riches. The principle Jesus was teaching was an offering to the Lord must come out of sacrifice, and giving all brings great blessing and growth in grace. How hard this is! How it takes the giver out of the comfort zone! Perhaps Jesus is saying that great blessing comes when we are out of our comfort zone. How often do I go out of my comfort zone? How often do I make a decision that leaves me nowhere to go but to trust in God?

Father,

Teach me to give to You sacrificially. Take away my fear and build my trust.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Die to Live

Lk. 12 :24-26

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."

Jesus answered His disciples' question by saying that His hour had come, His hour to be glorified. Strange to human understanding, that glorification meant His death. He went on to explain that a grain of wheat doesn't bear fruit unless it dies, and likewise, His life would bear tremendous fruit by His death, fruit that involved the life of His followers. Like Jesus, His followers must follow Him even in death. Perhaps, not physical death, although some may lose their lives for Him, but all His disciples must hate their life in this world to live eternally. If anyone desires to love and serve Him, then they must follow Him completely including death to this life.
 
 Romans clarifies this death issue. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Like Jesus died in the flesh taking my sin, I must die to my old self. Consequently, I can't let sin reign in my body; I can't present my members as instruments to sin; Instead, I must present myself to God and my members as instruments of righteousness. Do I live like this? If this great transaction has been accomplished, why do I still allow myself to pander after the world? Am I taking up my cross daily and following Him?
 
It is truly amazing that God sees me through the blood of Christ, and through that blood, I am dead to sin. The struggle is over! The victory is completed! But yet practically, there is Rom. 7. In my spirit I delight in God, but my flesh wages war with my spirit. For this battle, I need so much grace!
 
Father,
Give me Your strength to carry my cross and to follow Jesus. Let Your grace be my power and sufficiency in dying to sin practically and daily and in living in this new life. Transform my heart so that I am united to fear Your name.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Hidden Saying

Lk. 18:34

"But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said."

Jesus was with His disciples as they were beginning their journey to Jerusalem. He told them plainly that everything that had been written about the Son of Man would now be fulfilled. Were these men familiar with the prophecies since they were lowly fisherman? How much religious education had they received? But for sure the Scribes and Pharisees were familiar with them. How blind these self-righteous men were to miss what was going on, and even worse than that, to be an active part in what was happening! Jesus went on to say He would be delivered over to the Gentiles, mocked, shamefully treated and spit upon, flogged, killed, and on the third day rise again. And it all happened just as it was prophesied!
 
As I read His words, it sounds so clear, but of course, I am looking at it in hindsight. However, the disciples were looking at it as it was happening, and understood none of these things because it was hidden from them. They were not allowed to grasp the meaning of what He said. Why would it be hidden? What was the purpose? Perhaps they would have tried to stop it all from happening since they loved Jesus and would not have wanted Him to endure this terrible time. Perhaps they were not strong enough to stand and would have turned back. Whatever the reason, it was all in God's timing. This incident further shows me that God's timing is not always understood by men and may actually be hidden from men. This is why it is called the faith walk! I must walk believing and trusting in God's plan and His timing whether I understand it or not!
 
Father,
Help me to trust You unreservedly. Unite my soul so that I may fear Your name.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Hosanna

Mt. 21:9

"And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Jesus sent two of His disciples to bring him the colt of a donkey to ride on as He entered Jerusalem. All they had to do was walk into town, untie it, and take it. If anyone said anything to them, they merely had to say that the Lord had need of it. All of which fulfilled the prophecy, Behold your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden. So the disciples did as they were told , and brought the colt and the donkey to Jesus. Their cloaks were placed on the colt and Jesus sat on them as He rode. Why did they bring the mother? No doubt, the colt was skittish, and the mother walked alongside to calm her baby.
 
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowd was excited. In fact, they were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! What insight this crowd had! First they cried hosanna which means, help us because they knew Jesus had the power to save, in essence they were crying out for a Savior. Secondly, they knew He was the Son of David and that He came in the  name of the Lord. But not everyone responded this way, the Pharisees and Scribes were indignant at His behavior and at the response of the crowds, even the response of the children. Why were the people who knew the most about the prophecies the most resistant? Why were they so resistant to the truth?
 
As He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up and questioning His identity. The crowds answered, This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee. Jesus immediately went to the temple and cleansed it of the corruption that the Pharisees and Scribes had allowed. Instead of money-changers and over inflated temple sacrifice prices, Jesus declared His house a house of prayer. Even in the temple the children were crying out, Hosanna to the Son of David! Once again, their words combining praise and help. No wonder the Pharisees were indignant. Had the crowd ever followed after them like this? Had they ever received this exuberant praise? Had they ever had their corruption exposed in such a public way? I am sure they felt their control over the people slipping from their hands. Ironically, their hearts and mouths couldn't cry out for the one thing they needed most, a Savior, but soon they would cry out the words which would reveal their hearts, Crucify Him. 
 
Father,
Thank You for drawing me to You so that Jesus could be my Savior. My heart cries out, Hosanna! I praise Your name!
In Jesus name,
Amen