No Ignoring God!

Today's Reading: Romans 10:1-13

God is who he says he is. He is everyone’s Lord. There is only one way to heaven. That way is God and his plan includes going to his Son and having faith that who he is will set us free from sin forever. You either believe Jesus is who God says he is or you do not. 

This seems harsh to the world. But simple to me. Believe, Repent, Be Baptized. I like it simple. 

The answer is everywhere in the Bible and we must take this answer to this world in a loving way but there is no way around it. Paul writes, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Never is a powerful promise. No matter what I do, in Christ, I have no shame by following and believing in him. 

Then we find right after that passage, “The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” We are all eternal heirs if we believe. It all starts with belief. We all have a decision to make. God is all around us and he demands attention. 

Will we ignore his call on those who we must invite to make a decision? I hope not. 

Eternity is in the balance and we have the simple and best answer. Jesus!

- Craig Mundy

Who is that behind those Raybans?

Today's Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

A preacher friend of mine described attitude as a collection of thoughts that affect our behavior. It sounds simple but the more I think about it, the more profound it gets. Behaviors don't just happen. They come from somewhere. They are based on experience or what we believe or how we think about things. Our attitude becomes the lens through which our behavior responds to everything that crosses our path.

Some days I wake up and my first thought is that it's gonna be a great day! Other days...well, not so much. Funny, how I always end up being right. However I think that day is going to turn out just about always comes true. When I put on the proverbial rose-colored glasses, my attitude is brighter and my behavior is positive. When I choose the pair with the blacked out lenses, my attitude turns dark and my behavior follows in a hurry.

Today's scripture reading talks about the attitude of Christ, who although He was in His very nature God, He didn't think equality with God was His to hold. Rather He took on the nature of a servant, came to earth as a human, and then became obedient to death on a cross. Wonder if the end of the story would have been different if Jesus came here begrudgingly? What if He thought He shouldn't have to die to save us? What if He wondered why God didn't pick someone else? How would that have affected His behavior?

I'll speak for myself and say that sometimes my attitude just gets in the way. Why do I have to be the one doing...? Doesn't anybody else ever...? How come I always...? It's awfully hard to be a servant wearing those glasses.

But when we put on the same glasses that Jesus wears, our attitude shifts. And when our attitude changes, our behavior will too. So choose your glasses carefully...are they the same ones Jesus is wearing?

- Holly Barrett

Closing The Gap

Today's Reading: Matthew 8:5-13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

I love the part in this passage where Jesus says, “Shall I come and heal him?”  As if he didn’t know what the man desired.  But Jesus wanted to hear him say it.

Here's a very successful Roman soldier, probably unafraid of anything, and yet... he seems to be quite nervous about asking for help.  As he hems and haws, the LORD closes the gap by having mercy on this man and asking the question for him.

We know the rest; the centurion had no faith problem, rather, it was just a matter of bringing himself to "bother" the Master.  I struggle with bothering the Master too, but it’s important to remember that the LORD is ultimately benevolent.  And He knows what we need even before we ask.  But He still wants us to have faith... and come to Him with our requests.

Nervous about turning things over to Him?

Approach Him in faith, and watch Him close the gap...

- Brandi Risley

The Sovereign God

Today's Reading: Acts 17:22-31

Have you ever said, "There must be something more...?"

The ancient Greeks were obvious in their actions, that they were looking, and Paul answered decisively:

"So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. 'It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you're dealing with.'"  

This is a very bold and courageous move by the apostle and demands our own bold and decisive embodiment of the philosophy of this great mind and teacher. Three dominate traits were Paul's that I strive to employ:

1. God is everywhere and all-powerful.
2. God is supreme and totally in charge.
3. We cannot invent, change or duplicate God or his actions.

Basically, God is supreme and sovereign. He does things His way, and not ours! He is the Boss!

The sooner I succumb to this in my life, the better off I will be!

- Hal Gross

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall...

Today's Reading: John 17:1-5

One of the most famous rooms int he world is located in the French palace of Versailles, outside of Paris. It's called the Hall of Mirrors. It was built by one of the wealthiest kings that has ever lived. Imagine a whole room that extends for over 50 yards and the only decoration utilized are mirrors! He thought everyone who entered this room would love it, because they could look at themselves.

But, we still love mirrors today, don't we? You literally see mirrors everywhere. Just try to count how many mirrors that you have in your own home. It seems like you kind find a mirror in every restroom, bedroom and even in some living rooms.

Have you ever noticed someone walk past a mirror and take a glance at it? Many people are drawn to look at a mirror whenever they see one. Just a quick glance to see if our hair is out of place or if we look ok. We like mirrors because they provide us with a reflection of ourselves. We have this desire to see ourselves.

Jesus' prayer takes this whole idea and flips it around. He doesn't want to find a mirror to look at himself...he wants to be the mirror! Instead of focusing attention on himself, he wants to be a mirror in this world to reflect his father's image.

Jesus is demonstrating for us a key foundational element of what it means for us to be a Christian. Instead of focusing attention on our own wants, we need to focus on becoming more Christ-like. Instead of focusing on what I don't have, we should be praising God for what he's given us. Instead of focusing on my own problems and worries, we need to have more faith in God's promises. It's suppressing self to glorify and reflect God to others. It's realizing that I am on this earth for a purpose and that purpose is to be Christ to this world. Just as Christ wanted to be the reflection of God, we are now called to be the reflection of Christ in this world.

Next time you walk past a mirror, ask yourself if you are being the mirror for Christ to everyone around you.

- Blair Bryan

We are the Family of God

Today's Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

 ¹ Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

   ⁵ “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’

   ⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

When we start reading Matthew 23 Jesus is talking to the crowds and his disciples. Verses 2 and 3 say “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you . . .” If there were Pharisees in the crowd can you imagine how “puffed up” they would have become at those words from Jesus, the man they knew very little about and understood even less. The one thing they did know was that they wanted to get rid of him and here he is standing in front of the large crowd and his followers saying, “. . . So you must obey them and do everything they tell you . . .” They may have been so proud at that moment they may have missed his next words and had to have them repeated by someone standing close by. Jesus, continued, “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach . . . Everything they do is for man to see.” Jesus goes on to talk about how they dress to bring attention to themselves, how they love to sit in the most important seats in the synagogues, and how they love titles. 

Are we very different from that today?  As a servant of God we’re to serve in a way that God shines through, not ourselves. In verse 8 Jesus tells us “. . . you are all brothers.”  We’re all brothers and sisters in Christ, isn’t it wonderful to be a part of such a large family? Jesus tells us that we have one Father and he is in heaven and we have one teacher and he is Christ. He ends this section with “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

I can’t explain the feeling I get when I stop and think, “I’m part of the family of Jesus Christ and he loves me, just as I am.” Max Lucado says that “Jesus loves us just like we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way.” The Old Testament has a lot of black and white laws to follow, laws to tell you exactly what to do but in the New Testament God changed all of that. He still wants our obedience, but he also wants our heart, a relationship with us; he wants to be our FATHER. When we humble ourselves before God, he takes us in his arms, tells us how much he loves us – so much that he allowed His one and only Son to die on the cross for us – then he says “you are my good and faithful servant.” Can anything be greater than that?

- Kathy Bannister

Got Scars?

Today's Reading: John 20:24-31

In John 20:24-30 we learn of one disciple's doubt. He has come to be known as “Doubting Thomas.” Doubt is defined as a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Thomas embodies that definition when he says, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” That pretty much solidifies Thomas’ lack of conviction (doubt) that Jesus had indeed been resurrected.   

But what I love about this passage is that Jesus didn’t discount Thomas’ doubt. Jesus knew that Thomas needed to touch and see his scars to believe the resurrection. He said, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."  And when Thomas did, he said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”  And Thomas was forever changed.

Jesus’ scars convinced one disciple of God’s promise. How many of us have scars? Some of the scars may be where everyone can see them and some scars may lie deep within our hearts. I suggest we shouldn’t be ashamed of our scars and try to hide or cover them up.  Scars show evidence of healing.  God sent Jesus to heal us and just as he did with Thomas he will meet us where we need him to be. Go out and share your story to the lost, the hurting and the doubtful. Show your scars and wounds and declare the healing power of Jesus Christ so those who doubt will believe and proclaim with you, “My Lord and my God” and also be forever changed.

- Jennifer Stansfield

Great Faith!

Today's Reading: Matthew 15:21-31

Jesus had gone to Tyre and Sidon for a short ‘vacation’ to rest and to teach his disciples. During this time, a Canaanite woman came to him, begging for help for her demon possessed daughter. Jesus did not answer her. His disciples urged him to send her on her way as she was annoying them. The woman was very persistent, not taking no for an answer. She kneels down and gets in Jesus’ face, pleading for help. “Lord, help me!” [Matt. 15:25 MSG] He continues to ignore her and put her off before saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” [Matt. 15:28 MSG] She disagrees, saying, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” [Matt. 15:27 MSG] The Canaanite woman seems to have passed Jesus’ "test." He says to her “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” [Matt. 15:28 MSG] And her daughter was healed at that very moment. 

I think Jesus was trying to get the woman to understand his true identity and meaning. He wanted to make sure she was putting her child’s needs over all others. She recognizes that he is real, he is Jesus. She knew this before the disciples asked her to leave. She refuses to give up, believing her daughter’s possession is just as important as Jesus’ mission to Israel. She believes Jesus can do his work in Israel and still be able to heal her daughter.  She knows he is that powerful. Jesus responds to this strong faith by healing her daughter.  I’m sure the woman was not only overjoyed and thrilled over this, but also a little smug as well. She knew Jesus was capable of this, she just had to prove it to him and herself. 

We can all relate to this. We cry out to God when we need Him. Whether it’s because there is a bill to be paid and money is tight, to heal a loved one, or asking guidance in a difficult situation. Sometimes we think one prayer will do because we believe He "can do it all." Maybe we need to be like the Canaanite woman and beg, plead and persist in our prayers. Having strong, determined faith is what He wants to see. He wants to and will provide for us. We just have to be willing to get on our knees and show Him that we believe in Him and in the amazing power of his healing.  

- Kourtney Sells

Peace in the Presence of the Master

Today's Reading: Matthew 8:23-27

From Peace with God by Billy Graham:

I heard about a man some years ago who was rolling a wheelbarrow back and forth across Niagara River on a tightrope. Thousands of people were shouting him on. He put a two-hundred pound sack of dirt in the wheelbarrow and rolled it over, and then he rolled it back. Then he turned to the crowd and said, “How many of you believe I can roll a man across?”

Everybody shouted! One man in the front was very excited about his professed belief. The man pointed to this excited professor and said, “You’re next!”

You couldn’t see the man for dust!...he said he believed it, he thought he believed it-but he was not willing to get in the wheelbarrow. 

Just so with Christ! There are many people who say they believe on Him, who say they will follow Him. But they never have gotten into the wheelbarrow…

There are many people who ask, “Well, how much faith does it take?” Jesus said only the faith as small as “a grain of mustard seed.”

Others ask, “What kind of faith?” …  There is only one kind, really. It is the object of the faith that counts. What is the object of your faith? The object of your faith must be Christ. Not faith in ritual, not faith in sacrifices, not faith in morals, not faith in yourself – not faith I anything but Christ!

The storm came upon the disciples because they obeyed, unlike Jonah who disobeyed! I love ACTION/ADVENTURE movies, how about you! Are you ready to live one out, but have the peace of the sleeping Jesus?

- Brad Childers

Protected by His Presence

Today's Reading: Psalm 31:14-24

A number of David’s psalms are written about one of the several particular trying times in his life:  he is in great distress, his friends and sometimes his health has left him, and he is at the point of despair unto death. But in the midst of his travails, he considers God. He remembers God’s love and faithfulness to him in the past, and he has faith – he KNOWS, beyond any doubt  – that God will redeem him.  

Psalm 31 is one such psalm.  Verses 9 – 13 graphically describe the worst of times. Such words as distress ... sorrow … anguish … affliction … and terror appear. But David trusts in God.  “You are my God.  My times are in your hands,” he says in vv. 14-15. These words are not spoken as though he has given up hope, but rather as though God is by his side right then, protecting him and delivering him from his enemies. You can almost see David standing behind God, watching as his enemies are routed. You can almost hear David shouting with joy in vv. 17-18, now triumphant over the forces of evil. Then in vv. 19-22 he praises God for His goodness, for the protection He provides simply by His presence for all who take refuge in Him. He keeps us safe from both evil deeds and evil words.  

The last two verses are addressed to us: “Love the LORD … (He) preserves the faithful. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Here and throughout the psalm, the name translated as LORD is YHWH – “I AM” -- the One Who protects us by His presence.  

- Bill White