House of Prayer

Mk. 11:17

And He was teaching them saying, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? But you have made it a den of robbers.

The temple in Jesus' day was not fulfilling its purpose in leading the people in true worship. Instead there was corruption in the priesthood as they took advantage of the people in their buying and selling of sacrificial animals. Clearly, the temple was not designed for commerce whether it was corrupt or not. What was its mission? As Jesus exposed the sin, sudden and swift judgment followed!Jesus drove out the money changers and the seats of those who sold the pigeons. He cleansed the temple of this disgrace. Once clean, He could explain His actions. God's house was to be a house of prayer not a place of business. What was their response? Were they convicted in their hearts? No, the priests and scribes feared Jesus and sought a way to destroy Him because of His huge impact on the general public. Sadly, the established religious leaders would not listen or change their hearts! They were bent on a course of entrapment and eventual death to Jesus.

As I look at the church today, what is its mission? How large a part does prayer have in its purposes and programs? Has the church relegated prayer to a useless formality instead of a powerful agent of transformation? What about me? How large a part does prayer play in the temple of the Holy Spirit that is present with me constantly? Am I relying on prayer and using it for what it is designed?

Father,
Thank You for being ever present and ever accessible to me. Draw me ever closer to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Hosanna

Mk. 11:9

And those who went before and those who followed were shouting. "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt at the beginning of the Passover week, a week which recalled Israel's freedom from Egypt. Truly this week would herald another liberation, that is for those people who would believe in Jesus and His death and resurrection. It would mean their freedom from the power of sin, death, and Satan.

As Jesus rode in to town, many spread branches across his path as they joyously shouted. Hosanna means save or please save. What did the people want to be saved from? Their next statements revealed their thinking. They were blessing Jesus as the coming Messiah. Of course, the people thought it would be from Roman occupation, but the Messiah's mission was far more reaching than that. However, the people along the parade route realized that Jesus was sent by God and was beginning the long foretold kingdom of David. To them this was the answer to years of waiting and years of servitude. It meant that what they had learned was now being fulfilled. But sadly, they missed the true point of Messiah as savior. His revelation as Messiah came about in a much different way than any of them would ever imagine. From their way of thinking, how could deliverance follow a crucifixion and a death? How could it leave the Roman Empire in control? The answer was that the Kingdom of God came by faith and grace. Faith in the resurrected Jesus and grace to freely receive what He offered. I can truly say, Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

How hard it must have been for these 'Hosanna-shouters' at the end of the week when their hopes were dashed and their servitude would be unaltered. But for the few who knew Jesus, a new life had been born in them and their servitude to sin and Satan was at an end. For a few it was the beginning of a whole new life and mission. Truly Hosanna had been fulfilled before their eyes!

Father,
Thank You for saving me and giving me new life. Help me to always keep my eyes on You even when I don't understand the circumstances.
In my Savior's name,
Amen

Slave of All

Mk. 10:44-45

...and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Being a follower of Jesus counters what is the norm in life. Normally, people aspire to great heights, to be the best, to get the most money and prestige, but in the Kingdom of God, it is just the opposite. To be great in God's economy means to be slave of all, to be the lowliest in the chain of command. Pride in achievement or pride in self is replaced by love for others and service to others to the point self is put last. What pride is in that? None, that is the point! The kingdom of God does not honor self; instead it considers self to be an idol, a false god who brings nothing but harm to the soul. How does a person live like this since it counters all human fleshly desires? The power to live in the kingdom of God is supernatural coming from having a new life and a new nature that includes the indwelling Holy Spirit guiding and filling us So once I am saved the struggle is over? No, the sturggle is never over until I am taken to heaven where I will see Jesus as He is and be like Him. But for now I have the help of the Spirit and the intercession of Jesus Himself. I must follow the example of my Lord and Master who was a servant to all mankind by giving His life. How selfless was that! What an example!

Father,
As I grow in You, teach me to be more and more selfless each day. Open my eyes to the ways that I can serve others.
In Jesus name,
Amen

You Lack One Thing

Mk. 10: 21-22

And Jesus looking at him, loved him, and said to him, You lack one thing:go sell att that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me. Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This rich young man was very moral, disciplined, and had great insight. By his calling Jesus Good Teacher, was he revealing his understanding of who Jesus was? Could he could see the godlike qualities that Jesus possessed? Did he know that no one else but God, or the Son of God, could do such things? Anyway, as the conversation progressed, he asked what he could do to inherit eternal life? First Jesus talked about the commandments, commandments which this man had kept from his youth up. Did Jesus bring these up first to reveal his true heart condition? Was Jesus showing him practically that a self-righeous life style meant nothing if the heart was not right? So when Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he couldn't. Jesus revealed to him his love of money and possession, and perhaps the status that went with those things. In Mt.6:24 Jesus said, No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the others. You can't serve God and money. This was the crux of his dilemma, and he made his choice. He opted for money at the cost of his eternal salvation. All his self-righteousnes was for nothing lasting. It only gave him a reputation in this life. I wonder if years down the road when his life was hollow and empty, or even when death came for him, would he remember this conversation? Would he regret his choice?

Father,
I see how hard it is even for someone who is not rich, to sell all. How tight my hold is on the few things that I possess. Loosen my grip and help me be generous and follow you even in this.
In Jesus name,
Amen

II Sam. 22:2-4

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior, you save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, amd I am saved from my enemies.

What a glorious song David offered to the Lord! His deliverance was so monumental in his life that he wanted to praise God. All his years of running and being pursued had ended, and he knew that his sovereign God had brought it all to pass. The Lord had been his rock, fortress, and deliverer. Just as He is mine. It was in the Lord that David took refuge from the enemy as his stronghold, refuge, and savior. It is amazing how many different words David uses to desribe God protection in his life. And the really exciting thing is that God is the same today as He was then. He is all these things for me today as He was for David then.. God alone is the one worthy to be praised! He is the One who ordains all the circumstances and details of my life, and for that He is worthy of my praise!

Father,

Teach my inner man a spirit of praise. Help me not to take life and all its circumstances for granted but to realize that they are all ordained by You.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Take Up His Cross

Mk. 8:34-35

And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his crosss and follow me. For whoever would save his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

These words were uttered just after Jesus foretold of His suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. The disciples did not like hearing these terrible things yet to come, and Peter began to rebuke Jesus. How terrible to rebuke the Son of God! To try and prevent the plan of redemption! But Jesus rebuked him soundly because he was advancing the cause of Satan. He was viewing the future events from the eyes of man not the eyes of God.

As I think about what Jesus endured, it gives more meaning to deny self and taking up his cross. When Jesus denied Himself, it cost His life and eventual separation from His Father. He had to leave the glory of heaven and assume the frail body of flesh. He had to become everything that was heinous to a heavenly being. Yet He did this all for love and for the obedience to the Father's will. So if I am to follow Him, it will mean separation from the life that is easy and appealing to my flesh. It means that I must identify with Jesus in His suffering and death. My flesh and its desires must be crucified and transformed into the will of the Father no matter how hard or difficult that is. This is my only path to life. I must lose this fleshly life for His sake and the sake of the gospel. He and the gospel must become my primary and only motivation for all that I do.

Father,
Continue to reveal to me what this really means. Help me to deny self for You and the gospel. Take me down this path.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Crumbs

Mk. 7:28-29

But she answered, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. And He said to her, for this statement yo may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.

As Jesus was leaving the region of Tyre and Sidon, He entered a house privately hoping to be unknown. Yet that attempt was foiled. In fact, immediately a Syrophoenician woman fell down at His feet to unburden her heart about her daughter who had an unclean spirit. Even though she was a Gentile, she begged Jesus to deliver her daughter from the demon. Jesus responded, Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs. Even though this statement seems obscure, she understood. She knew that she was not a Jew and was considered a dog, but that didn't matter to her. She went on to say that even the dogs under the children's table eat their crumbs. What humility! She was not offended at being considered a dog, and she was willing to take only a crumb. What faith to think that a crumb of Jesus' power could deliver her daughter! Jesus acknowledged her faith and sent her home to find her daughter healed. What a contrast to many of the Jews who wouldn't believe any of the claims of Jesus and who wanted him dead!

Father,
Increase my faith so that I trust in You completely. Make me value the crumbs and the passing touches as a means to keep constantly connected with You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Absalom, My Son

II Sam. 18:33

And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, 'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son.

Even though Absalom was at war with his father and wanted his position and power so much that he started a rebellion, David still grieved over his death. Nothing could assuage his grief over Absalom's death. The bond that he felt as a father was stronger than power, position, and winning the battle. In fact during the battle, David had even gone so far as to tell his soldiers, For my sake protect the young man Absalom. What love and what heartbreak! Absalom's life was over. Still I think parents today who have a child who rejects Jesus must feel a similar emotion. What grief to know that your child rejects Jesus and eternal life with Him! What grief to know that your child is doomed to a Christ less eternity full of endless torment!

Father,

Even now I think of unsaved relatives and especially my brother. I know that my mom and dad's hearts must ache for his soul. Show mercy to him and draw him to yourself.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Take Heart

Mk. 6:50-51

...for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke to them and said, Take heart, it is I, Do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased.

The disciples were sailing across the water to the other side while Jesus dismissed the crowd. Certainly, this would be an easy task for the fisherman/disciples since their livelihood had come from the water, but as it turns out the water were difficult because the wind was strong. During this time, Jesus had been praying on a mountain, and when He was done, He saw the churning waters. What was He to do? He wanted to meet their need so He came to them walking on the water. Their first response was that what they were seeing was a ghost. As they cried out in fear, Jesus tried to calm them by saying, Take heart, it is I, Do not be afraid. And He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. The passage says that they were utterly astounded. They really couldn't understand how Jesus could have fed the people previously, walked on the water, and then calmed the sea. Who was this man that they were following?

In my life, there are times when I am doing the things that I have always done (like fishing or sailing a boat for the disciples) and things go awry. It is like I can no longer function as I used to. Why? Perhaps Jesus wants me to see that He needs to be part of my everyday routine, the power in my sails. When He came into my life, He gave me a new power source, and He must teach me to use it! Trials (storms) seem to be the quickest way to learning these vital lessons about abiding in Him. Regardless of what I have to go through, He is in my boat saying those comforting words, Take heart, it is I, Do not be afraid. Is there really a need for me to hear those words when life is operating smoothly? No, I know that the difficulties are the path to the victories and the growth. I know that the trials make me realize the joys of having Jesus in my life.

Father,
Teach me more each day to call on Jesus during the mundane, everyday tasks. Help me to be constantly abiding in Him.
In Jesus name,
Amen

No Honor

Mk. 6:4-6

And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household. And he could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.

How hard it is to share the Lord with family and those who are close to me! They remember me as I was  before not as I am after Jesus has transformed me. It seems like the old family dynamic comes into play, and often my flesh and irritations surface instead of the love of Christ. Whatever the reason, it is very hard to share the Lord effectively. Strangely enough, this was the same for Jesus. In a way that should be an encouragement to me. If Jesus was hindered because of their familiarity and unbelief, I can expect no less. However in Jesus' hometown, he was able to heal a few sick people, but only a few. God had sovereignly decreed that those healings should take place. For me, if God sovereignly decrees it, then some in that familiar circle might hear and respond.

Jesus marveled because of their unbelief. Why? Their unbelief was preventing them from experiencing miracles not just conversation. They would rather go without than listen and participate. How sad! But what I need to remember is to respond to those people like Jesus did not in irritation or frustration. I need to trust God's sovereign plan to be worked out in His time. Their salvation and response doesn't depend on me. It depends on God. I share what God has done for me, but then I leave it in His hands and His timing. The problem for me is sharing anything at all. Many times I try and figure out if something will be effective, and if I don't see it working, then I don't share at all. How would I know? Am I a sovereign God? No, I don't need to take on God's job, I only need to share what He has done in my life.

Father,
Give me Your grace and power to share boldly with those who are difficult. Help me to be unafraid and expose my fear.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Who Touched My Garments?

Mk. 5:34

And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.

As Jesus was walking in the midst of a crowd, a woman who had been ill for 12 years reached out to touch Jesus. Even though her condition was dire since she had spent all she had on physicians who had not alleviated her disease at all, she had hope in Jesus because of the reports that she had heard. She didn't need his full attention nor did she need time to tell her story, she only wanted a touch. What faith! Immediately after touching Jesus her disease was healed. Could Jesus have noticed that small touch in a crowd so large? Yes, His first question was about the touch. He wanted to identify the person. Timidly, the woman came forward and fell down before Him. Now she had her one-on-one audience. Now she had time to tell her whole story. Jesus' response was not one of displeasure, but one of confirmation. He spoke to her saying, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease. Jesus recognized and rewarded her great faith with peace, with transformation, and with hope and healing. All of this was only from a touch! Have I sought Jesus for a touch, a touch in the passing moment when the need was great. I wouldn't need a great deal of time or even a quiet place. I would just quickly reach out for a touch. What a lesson to me! All through the day, I need to reach out for a touch, for a healing touch!

Father,

Take my life off auto pilot. Instead of muddling through, bring me to Jesus for the touch that I need. Change my mind and my thinking so that I remember to reach out for a touch. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Home and Tell Your Friends

Mk. 5:19

And He did not permit him but said to him, 'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.

A man who was controlled by an unclean spirit met Jesus. His condition was so bad that no one could bind him not even with a chain so he lived among the tombs.  Night and day he was crying out and bringing injury on himself. But when he saw Jesus, he ran and fell down before him. Jesus immediately commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, but the spirit answered Jesus saying that he was Legion or many. The voice of the spirits begged Jesus not to send them out of the country, but instead send them into a herd of pigs. So Jesus did just that and the pigs rushed down a steep embankment into the sea and were all drowned. The herdsman fled into the city and told the story, and the people came to see the demon-possessed man sitting clothed and in his right mind. They immediately became fearful and begged Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting in his boat, the man asked to go with him, but Jesus said no. Instead he was to tell all his friends what the Lord had done for him. Was he afraid to do that? No, he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and every one marveled.

 Certainly, much had been done for this man, but much has been done for me too. In fact, Jesus is asking the same thing of me. I need to tell all my friends what Jesus has done in my life. I need to share about his great mercy in my life. Where was all this sharing and telling to be done? In his home...he didn't need to go far away or embark on a new journey. He was to go to his home where he was known and share the great news of what had happened in his life. I am sure that the people who had known him marveled at what had happened in his life. What an opportunity he had to share!

Father,

Give me Your courage and strength to share what You have done in my life as well. Help me to experience a daily transformation so that all will marvel at what You have done.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Despise the Word of the Lord

II Sam. 12:9

Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?

David's sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah demonstrated the truth of sin. Sin is not just a momentary lapse in judgment or a fleshly desire fulfilled. It is not based in humanity, instead it is based in the rejection of the word of God. Sobering! Would I even know my sin was sin without the word of God? Certainly not, but if I would change my thinking about sin and begin to think of it as despising the word of the Lord, I would see the true spiritual significance of my sin. Most often I think of sin as my flesh doing what is natural, of my human flaws and weaknesses, and of course, of my fleshly inability to do anything about it. But thinking of it as despising the word of God means I am not using the grace and strength that Jesus has freely offered me and that I am not appropriating the power of the cross and the sacrifice that Jesus made. It means at those moments I value my own foolishness over the love of God. How shameful that I would chose such a thing! But thankfully, the grace of God provides forgiveness for me. Thankfully, the blood of Jesus has made me clean in the eyes of God, and that is something that is life-changing. But still I need to realize the power of the word and use it to walk worthy of Jesus Christ.

Father,
I confess many times I have despised Your word. My heart is sobered and ashamed. Teach me to walk in Your power and grace and never trample the cross or the blood of Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Human Heart

Mk. 4:20

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty fold and sixty fold and a hundredfold.

Jesus taught this parable about the seed (the Word of God) that was sown in various places, and each of these places represented the human heart. In some hearts ( the ones along the path) the seed was sown, but Satan came and immediately took it. Other seed was sown on rocky ground, that is the heart that heard the word and received it with joy, but had no root. So they endured for a while but when tribulation or persecution came, they fell away. Other seeds were sown among the thorns. The thorns represented those hearts that hear but allow the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things to choke the word so that it proved unfruitful. Finally there are those whose hearts were good soil and when the seed was sown it flourished and produced fruit. What a great visual of the human heart! It makes me stop and consider what value I place on things in my heart. Thankfully, the word flourished in my heart and produced fruit.

Father,

Continue to work in my heart stripping away what shouldn't be there. Reveal to me anything that comes in the way of my fruit bearing.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pride Humbled

II Sam. 4:37

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the Kind of heaven, for all His works are right and His ways are just; and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.

As Nebuchadnezzar walked on his roof, he said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty? While the words were still hanging in his mouth, God spoke telling him that the kingdom had departed from him and his dwelling would be with the beasts for seven periods of time. Harsh! Immediately, Nebuchadnezzar ate grass, his hair grew long, his nails were like bird claws, and his body was wet with dew. At the end of that 7 years, he lifted his eyes to heaven and his reason returned to him. He blessed the most high praising him and honoring him forever. Amazingly, all was restored to him and still more greatness was added to him, but what a lesson to learn. God's ways are right and just and he will humble those who walk in pride!

What a powerful story! How revealing it is about the hearts of men! Even with God's great power revealed in nature and redemption, many men still believe they have accomplished so much. Many still believe that they alone are responsible for all of it and that God has nothing to do with it; sadly, even worse, many believe that God doesn't even exist. What huge pride! What is in my heart? Do I still try and take credit for God's blessings?

Father,
Reveal to me the hidden pride so that I might confess and get rid of it. Help me to live practically in the light of your sovereignty.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Fiery Furnace

Dan. 3:25
And he answered and said, But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

What a great account! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not worship the king even at the risk of their own lives. They replied to the accusations hurled at them, If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. What faith in a sovereign God! They totally believed that God had the power to deliver them, but if He chose not to, then they would not waver in their resolve. They were ready to accept God's will for them even if it meant death.

Secondly, their furnace experience was a great visual of how Jesus is beside me as I go through pain and trial. But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. Jesus was there in the fiery heat in a living demonstration of Mt. 11:29... Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. When I am yoked to Jesus, He will be with me regardless of the situation just as it was true for these men. In the midst of the hottest fire ever, there was peace because Jesus was there. He brings peace because He is peace.

Finally, this furnace experience became a huge witness to those around. After they came out of the furnace unscathed, Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants, who trusted in Him and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Trust and unfailing resolve are a very visible witness to the world. These men did not utter a word, but their lives rang true! Their choices told the story!

Father,
Give me Your grace that my trust and resolve would be strong as I go through fiery trials. Make my choices Yours. Unite my heart to fear Your name that I may walk in Your ways.
In Jesus name,
Amen

The Sinner's Savior

Mk. 2:17

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Jesus was criticized for eating with sinners and tax collectors, with those people that the self-righteous Pharisees shunned. Even though the Pharisees could not see and certainly not meet the needs of these people,  Jesus could. He didn't just blast those people with the saving message, but he ate with them. He related to them where they were, listening and sharing. It was in this setting of familiarity that He could call sinners to repentance. I can only imagine what it would be like to eat a meal with Jesus--what it would be like to have someone know You so completely that He could meet every need that you had and answer every question that you thought. He not only exposed and met the needs of these people, but He exposed the hearts of the Pharisees. Even as they questioned in their minds and hearts when He healed the paralytic and ate with lowly types, He responded to what was in their minds answering their questions without having been stated. How powerful He must have been! No doubt the Pharisees power and sway over people was drastically altered. And they did not like it! However, instead of responding to Jesus for salvation, they became hostile and eventually sought His life. What is my heart like to those who are different from me, to those who are outside of my comfort zone? Do I have a heart like Jesus did?

Father,

Help me to see clearly the hearts of those who need You most. Take out of my heart any Pharisaical condescension and self-righteous that would keep me from being Your vessel to use.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Early Prayer

Mk. 1:36

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.

Jesus was firmly committed to His time with His Father even though others were looking for Him and even though His schedule was tight, healing and casting out demons. He was definitely in demand! From an earthly point of view, this crush of events would be enough to wear Him out. Yet, still He did not waver on His time with the Father. He did not think that He needed to sleep in or take time for Himself, but instead He rose early while it was still dark and went out to a desolate place, a place of solitude with no interruptions. His resolve for fellowship with the Father outweighed the demands of others and His own physical fatigue. What an example for me! How easy it is to let the spiritual slide when other demands come crushing in! How easy it is to let the weariness of the flesh consume the needs of the spirit!

Father,

Help me always to seek Your grace and strength when I feel myself wavering in my commitment to You. Give me discernment to keep my priorities right.

In Jesus name,

Amen   

Immediately

Mk. 1:17-18

And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

I love two things about these verses. First Jesus made them to become fishers of men. It was not their human effort or evangelistic plans. It was all of God's sovereign plan that was executed through His grace. He makes me what I am to become as well! He works in my life to will and to do His good pleasure. And secondly, Simon and Andrew obeyed immediately. This is my part, to be willing and to unquestioningly obey. So cool how God works in my life! What is my heart like? When the Spirit leads me in an area that takes me out of my comfort zone, do I immediately obey? Do I question God's plan for me? Do I wonder why He leads me in such a way? Or do I relish His leading and follow His lead instantly? I imagine Simon and Andrew were not quite sure what it meant to be fishers of men. They were uneducated men who led a solitary life on the water, and now God wanted them to leave this life, to leave all that they had ever known, and begin to fish men. What a deal! But their response was immediate obedience. I want my responses to God to be immediate obedience as well.

Father,
Give me Your grace and power to obey and respond immediately. Help me to embrace wholeheartedly Your plan for my life, even the pain and the suffering.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Watch Out

Romans 16:17

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught, avoid them.

I am to avoid those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine in the Word. Why? The first concern is that discord among the brothers is a serious issue. If the brothers constitute the body of Christ, then discord would be disturbing His body and His gospel, that for which He died. Secondly, this passage explains that those who create discord are serving their own appetites and not Jesus. They have reduced the body of Christ to a fleshly thing, one that feeds and glorifies self. Their methods include smooth talk and flattery, and their goal is to deceive the hearts of the naive. Finally, Paul explains how to combat these people. I am to be wise to what is good and innocent to what is evil. How is this accomplished? There is only one way to be wise to the good and that is to go to the source of all good, the Word. If I am saturated in the Word, then I will know when something is evil. I will be able to spot the wrong doctrine as well as the wrong people and avoid it and them!

Father.
Keep me pure and loving what is good and avoiding evil. Nurture my spirit so it will be sensitive to these issues.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Proclaim

Ps 71:17-18

O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generations, Your power to all those to come.

What a glorious prayer and one that I should pray every day! He has performed great and mighty things in my life, things that I should never forget. It is not enough that I just realize His great power personally, but He has called me to share His deeds with others. Amazingly, I am to share Him with the generation that is to come. In our culture, the old and the young are often separated; in fact, the young think that the old know little of worth. But in God's economy, the old are to share their walk with Jesus with the young. They are to teach them of the might and power of God that they have seen and experienced all throughout their years. It is a testimony to them that God still works in them even when they are old.

I should also pray, Be my rock of refuge, to which I may continually come...For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth...Do not cast me off in the time of old age, for sake me not when my strength is spent. (v. 1, 5, 9). What is my response to all this great care, love, and mercy?

My praise is continually of You...my mouth is filled with Your praise, and with Your glory all the day. But I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more...My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge...I will also praise you with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to You with the lyre, O Holy One...My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also which you have redeemed...All throughout this glorious psalm, I am repeatedly told to praise Him, for everything  constantly. This is what I am to tell the generation to come, His praises!

Father.

Teach me more about praise so that my words will always glorify You and share You with those yet to come and those You have placed in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Love Does No Wrong

Rom. 13:10

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. How important is love! No wonder Jesus said that His disciples would be known by their love. In addition to fulfilling the law, all the other commandments [You shall not murder, steal, covet, commit adultery] can be summed up in this concept of love. Love does no wrong to another because it does not envy, boast, and is not irritable or resentful. It is patient and kind, not insisting on its way, and not rejoicing in the wrong but in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things, and hopes all things. When this kind of love fills a person's life, then it can't do wrong. How does a love like this come from a flawed and selfish human being? It seems to be humanly impossible, but with God all things are possible, even a selfless love. The Holy Spirit who indwells me is the One who can transform my sinful selfish desires into love for others. The more I love Jesus and want to emulate Him, the more I will love like He did.

Father,
Teach me to love like Jesus did. Help me to think of others first and then to act on those thoughts. Give me You grace and strength to obey You even in this command.
In Jesus name,
Amen

A Living Sacrifice

Rom. 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How would it be accomplished? First, it is by the mercies of God. Only in His mercy could I ever come into His presence or be an acceptable sacrifice. It is through the blood and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that God can see me without my sin interfering. I must keep the cross and Jesus' sacrifice constantly in the forefront of my thinking to that I never forget the great love and mercy of God. Secondly, it must be a spiritual worship, a total giving of my life and priorities to God. Thirdly, I must not be conformed to this world but instead love only the things of God not the things of this world. (The pride in possessions, the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the eyes) Going in a complete opposite direction, I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. How is this accomplished? It must be by saturation in the Word so that its unbelievable power can change me from the inside out. Once the Word is filling my thoughts, spirit, and even my fleshly appetites, then my mind can be renewed. Of course, all of this is done in the power of the Spirit. I am what I am only by the power of the Spirit who lives and dwells in me. Finally, I am a living sacrifice when I endure the testing that will surely come, enduring not in my own strength, not by having a stiff upper lip and using all the will power I have, but in the power of the Spirit. In His power I can prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. To be a living sacrifice means a total change in the way I think and approach life. It means total dependence and reliance on His grace to live each moment. It means praying through every mundane thing that I have to do.

Father,
Thank You for the blood of Jesus that covered my sin so that we could be reconciled. Teach me to walk as Your living sacrifice. Keep my mind and spirit constantly seeking You.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Blessed Be God

Ps. 66:20

Blessed be God because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!

How exactly do I bless God?

1. Shout for joy to God, sing the glory of His name, give Him praise. (v. 1) When have I ever shouted for joy to God? I have been joyous, but as far as shouting, I don't think so. Singing His glory is wonderful praise.
2. Say to God, How awesome are Your deeds! (v. 2) How cool that this psalm tells me exactly what to say. His deeds are truly awesome.
3. Come and see what God has done. (v. 5) I need to take time to reflect on how God has worked in my life, to see His glorious deeds. They need to be the topic of my conversations.
4. Bless our God...who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. (v. 9) I need to bless Him for each breath that I take and the fact that He holds me securely in His hand.
5. For You have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You have brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our heads; we went through the fire and water, yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance. (v. 11-12) How hard is it to praise Him for the trials and the painful times! Yet at the end of the worst times, His grace is still there with us strengthening us! His grace is our place of abundance! Praising Him for the pain makes the grace that much more a reality!
6. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul. (v. 16) I need to share with other believers what God has done in my life. This sharing praises His name as well.
7. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. (v. 18-19) Living without sin enables my prayer connection to be viable and relevant. If I want to bless God, I can not be indulging in sin. My confession will bring praise to God since it means that I love God more than any sin that plagues me. Prayer is also a way that I praise God!

Blessed be God because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!

Father,
Teach me more each day how to bless You in the practical areas of my life. Help me see Your sovereign hand behind everything that happens in my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Chosen by Grace

Rom. 11:5

So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

My choosing to be a child of God is of grace and is not dependent on what I have done or what I am. Since it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. Historically, Israel rejected Jesus and their rejection meant my reconciliation to God. I am the wild olive shoot that was grafted in among the others, and now I share in the nourishing root of the olive tree. Even though Israel rejected and experienced God's severity, I must remember that God is kind to me provided I continue in His kindness. God has the power to graft in again Israel and to cut off from the olive tree that which is wild. God's sovereign power rules over all so no one has cause for pride. Salvation is all of grace!

Father,
Thank You for choosing me by Your amazing grace. Teach me to live in Your kindness and mercy everyday.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Salvation

Rom. 10:13
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

How glorious is this salvation! Jesus is only a call away. Confessing with the mouth and believing in the heart that God has raised Him from the dead equals salvation. But why confess His resurrection? Jesus' resurrection is the power that makes us alive. Thus believing in Christ's resurrection is essential. Without it there would be no newness of life, no new creature in Christ, and no power to live this new life. Not only is there new life in resurrection power, but there is no shame, no shame at the moment of salvation and no shame forever. Christ's salvation is abundant in new life forever.  It is once for all 100% complete forever!

Father,
Thank You for this great salvation. Keep teaching me about this resurrection power and how important it is in my life. Teach me to access it every minute of each day.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Mercy and Compassion

Rom. 9:15

...I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy.

All life, including people and events, is for the express purpose of accomplishing the will and purpose of God, even to the point of vessels being formed for either honorable or dishonorable purposes. How hard to understand! On one hand should man answer back to God and say why have you made me this way? Does what is molded answer back to the molder? Has the potter no right over the clay? When I am talking about clay and pots, it sounds fine, but when I am talking about human life, it seems somewhat different. Why is that? Is it because of human pride and accomplishment, that I think I am worth something and should be rewarded as such? Do I think I should have the power over my life and the right to control my life? Perhaps pride is the issue that God is revealing. Even when I remember Pharaoh and the fact that his heart was hardened against God, I wonder why. For this purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth. So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills. I have to get beyond thinking in just this earthly realm and look to the sovereign will and purpose of God that extends throughout all time. I must trust Him with His decisions over my life, over all life, the good and the bad. Even if I don't understand why, I must rest in Him and trust His promises. I must only be concerned with His name being proclaimed in all the earth. What a huge separation is caused by the pride of man! How hard it is to vanquish it from my thinking and my actions!

Father,
Help me to see Your sovereign plan and purpose in all the details of life. Teach me to accept whatever You have for me in loving obedience without questioning.
In Jesus name,
Amen