Only one heart...

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 44:1-14 / NT - Luke 16:1-18

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”  - Luke 16:13

In some ways there are two types of professionals. There are those who have a career to provide and care for their family and those who have a family that make it easier to excel in their careers. One serves a loving family and the other serves a lucrative job. But whichever one you choose, you only have one heart to give.

In spiritual matters, Jesus made it clear: you have to choose. You can't serve more than one master at a time. In addition, when you serve one, your attitude toward the other is embittered. If you choose to serve money and temporal gain, you will despise God and eternal values. This sheds great light on our drift from the Lord when we prioritize our wealth because...  you only have one heart to give.

Who will you serve today? Who will receive your undying devotion? Will you choose the Lord and serve him with all your heart, soul and mind? Or will you serve yourself for the love of money? Remember...  you only have one heart to give.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 44:15-34 / NT - Luke 16:19-17:10

Celebrate!

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 43:15-34 / NT - Luke 15:8-32

" 'But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”  - Luke 15:32

Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings, retirements... and the list of reasons to celebrate can continue. We are ready to celebrate over almost anything that comes along. Our family will celebrate the day before, on the day and the day after, just to be certain that we did it right. Over time we just celebrate to celebrate and the reasons grow less and less. Have we lost the sense of what's really important and worthy of celebration? In the words of a contemporary film Hitch, "Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away."

Jesus tells a story that contrasts all the achievements and values of life with one great moment. That moment is the redemption of a lost soul. The father doesn't give a stern reproof or wisdom for future temptations on that day. He rejoices and leads the entire family in a huge time of celebration. His son was dead and is alive again. Every time I read "...he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (vs. 20), I am deeply moved. You see, the return of a soul to our Heavenly Father is worth celebrating because... it's a moment that takes your breath away!

The question I have for you today is: what have you celebrated of spiritual worth lately? When that little child or older neighbor trusted Christ last month, did you celebrate their new birth? Do we teach our children that moments of spiritual change and growth are tremendous occasions of joy? Consider a father, filled with compassion, embracing his wayward son, and remember... "Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away."

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 44:1-14 / NT - Luke 16:1-18

To Win...

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 43:1-14 / NT - Luke 14:25-15:7

"In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:33

Olympic swimmers wear very little when they compete. Their swim suits are designed for speed and competitive edge. They even wear caps to prevent their hair from hindering their progress in the water. They dress with one purpose in mind, to win.

The words found in the latter part of Luke 14 are hard and demanding for anyone who would be a disciple of Christ. Yet, the Lord's concern for those who follow him is to set aside anything that holds them back spiritually. The spiritual life is a demanding race for Christian disciples, and Jesus has one purpose in mind, to win.

Will you read this passage today with an open heart and mind? Will you take inventory of your life in light of Christ's demands? What's holding you back in the spiritual race today? As a disciple of Jesus "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1) Take your spiritual life seriously and have one purpose in mind, to win.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 43:15-34 / NT - Luke 15:8-32

Be Compelling!

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 42:17-38 / NT - Luke 14:1-24

"And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled." - Luke 14:23

Every day we are compelled to participate in some purchase or new financial plan. There is no end to those who would sell us the moon if given the opportunity. On one hand, some of these dear people really believe in their hype and then others are just in it for the monetary gain. But, whatever the reason, they are determined to fill their quota.

The Lord portrays the Kingdom of God as a banquet. The invitations are rejected by an ocean of excuses. Finally the direction is given to compel people from the highways and hedges to fill the house. This story has much truth to consider, but for the believer we are given a fresh call to invite others to accept our Savior's call. We believe the truth and it has given us great reason to compel others.

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."  Be encouraged afresh my friend to "compel" and "implore" your world on behalf of Christ. It's well worth the effort!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 43:1-14 / NT - Luke 14:25-15:7

His Way!

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 42:1-16 / NT - Luke 13:10-35

"Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”" - Luke 13:14

"Revival Here - Every Friday Night"! When you've seen such signs, what comes to mind? Do we really think the God of all creation will ever be tied to our schedules? We look for the Lord to do great things, but only on certain days and in specific ways. What makes us believe that God can be put in a box? God works miracles every day, not just Fridays... his way, not ours.

This synagogue ruler was driven by a misguided commitment to God's Sabbatical commandment. He was a strong believer in man-made additions to the Word of God. As a result, his expectations of God were terribly limited. He concluded that God would only do the miraculous six days a week. The irony of the story comes when this man sees a mighty, supernatural work of God before his very eyes, but is unmoved. By putting God in a box, he lost sight of the fact that God works miracles every day, not just six... his way, not ours.

Is your life so tightly scheduled that God has been given an appointment? In contrast to this synagogue ruler, do you expect revival only on Sundays? Will you allow God to do great things in your life, anytime and in any way? Look to Jesus today; he's doing great and mighty things, because he works miracles every day, not just Sundays... his way, not ours.   

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 42:17-38 / NT - Luke 14:1-24

Division...

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 41:37-57 / NT - Luke 12:49-13:9

"Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather  division." - Luke 12:51

It's been almost three weeks since Resurrection Sunday. This was a day of great celebration and rejoicing throughout the Christian community. A vast multitude gathered to lift up their voices in praise and worship of the risen Savior. Yet, while churches across the land were filled with believers, there were also a larger number who were unmoved. 

Every year on Resurrection Sunday, some have an empty tomb and a full life, and others have a full tomb and empty life. The empty tomb is THE watershed of history. Those who have received the risen Christ are transformed by his light and those who reject him are still trembling in the darkness. The empty tomb has given undaunted faith to the believer and unending fear to the unbeliever. There can be no greater division.

When you see the golden morning sun, lit up with great splendor, are you ready for a beautiful day? Then, as you see the Son of God, risen from the dead in all his glory, embrace Him as the Lord of life and rejoice. Many will take the low road of rejection to their sorrowful loss, but you my friend, choose the high road of faith and celebrate the One who brought division through an empty tomb!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 42:1-16 / NT - Luke 13:10-35

Rest in Him...

Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 41:15-36 / NT - Luke 12:22-48

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" - Luke 12:25-28

Over the years I have been put to sleep during various surgical procedures. Prior to the procedure I had thoughts about the process as well as the outcome. Will everything go alright? Will they discover anything serious? The next day I realized that all my concern amounted to nothing and was of no help to physician. I probably should have been put to sleep long before the surgery so I wouldn't worry. Just as the surgeon can do his best when we rest in his hands, the Lord does his best when we rest in him.

Occasionally Jesus shows us the silliness of our ways. How silly to worry about anything. Worry has never added or subtracted from the events of life. God is in control and he cares for his own with great precision and compassion. As the psalmist reminds us in Psalm 147:11, "the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love". God's "unfailing love" is his spiritual anesthesia for us in the midst of life's surgeries. When you know his love you will rest in him.

Lay your heart on the pillow of God's love today and let him do what he does best. When the anxiety rises within, remember how much more the Lord cares for you than the lilies and rest in him.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 41:37-57 / NT - Luke 12:49-13:9