You have to choose...

Today's Readings: OT - 1 Chron. 1:28-54 / NT - Luke 11:14-32

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Luke 11:23

On the field of play the team distinction is quite simple. There are those on one team and those who are not. On the field of battle the distinction is the same. There are those who are patriots and those who are not. Apart from horseshoes, there are very few situations in life where "almost" is accepted.

As Jesus points out, spiritual matters are the very same way. No one can be on both teams or in both armies at the same time. If you are not with the Lord, you have chosen to stand against Him. If you are not gathering for the kingdom, you have chosen to scatter. When it comes to eternity, "almost" doesn't exist.

The world in which you live would like to be "gray" and ride the fence my friend. But the Lord is looking for those who will choose Him above all else. It is so stated in Ezekiel 22:30, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land..." The Lord desires those who will stand in the gap with Him. All others are not almost, they are simple against Him. The choice is yours... but you have to choose.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Chron. 2:1-15 / NT - Luke 11:33-54

Context...

Today's Readings: OT - 1 Chron. 1:1-27 / NT - Luke 11:1-13

"Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come... And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" - Luke 11:2, 9

Context! Our constitution provides us with freedom of speech. Yet, we can find ourselves in court for the crime of slander. We have the right to speak our heart whenever and wherever, but we have other laws that call for certain veracity in our claims and accusations. This is simply freedom in context.

Jesus invited us to ask, seek and knock. He promised that our requests would be granted. But we find that things don't always go the exact way that we pray. We often wonder why this occurs. The answer is found in one word... "context". When the heart is in tune with our heavenly Father and we desire nothing less than His holiness and kingdom work, our requests are made with greater precision. Then it will be given, found and opened. This is simply prayer in context.

As you begin each day my friend, take time to be tuned to your heavenly Father's heart. Make your one and foremost desire to live for the holiness and kingdom work of God. Then as the needs arise, ask, seek and knock with confidence. When Biblical truth is practiced in context, great blessing will always follow.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Chron. 1:28-54 / NT - Luke 11:14-32

One thing ...

Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 21 / NT - Luke 10:21-42

"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:41-42

Every season has the potential to overwhelm a person with stress. Particularly on Easter, many families will come from miles around for food and fellowship. In addition to this, special programs will often be planned at church or school. As the calendar begins to fill up, there just doesn't seem to be enough hours and days to get it all done. If we're not very careful, we will become "anxious and troubled about many things."

When the above words of counsel were given, do you think that Jesus was suggesting that food was not necessary? Or was He encouraging Martha to slow down and follow the example of Mary? Being sure that we have quality time to sit at the feet of Jesus makes every day so much easier. When we put the Lord first, everything else falls in place in just the right way.

"One thing is necessary"! In simple words my friend, let's keep the main thing, the main thing. Martin Luther put it this way, "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day." Life must go on... but it always goes best when we start with Jesus.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Chron. 1:1-27 / NT - Luke 11:1-13

What really matters...

Today's Readings: OT - Psm. 16, 19 / NT - Luke 10:1-20

"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20

Have you ever noticed when a NASCAR race is won the driver is given the greatest attention? The car may be a superior vehicle with a well built engine. The tires may be the finest make available and the pit crew highly skilled. But at the end of the day, it's simply the name of the driver that really matters.  

In a way, our spiritual life is very much the same. We might have a super gifted life with ministry skills galore. Our accomplishments may fill a list a mile long, but the real issue is who and whose we are. The famous and not so famous still face the same question: Is your name written in heaven?

Be careful not to put so much importance on your accomplishments my friend. The most important day in your life was when you became a child of the King. And the next most important day will be when you shall see Him face to face because your name is written in heaven. Sometimes life is just that simple.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psm. 21 / NT - Luke 10:21-42

Follow HIM...

Today's Readings: OT - Psm. 10, 14 / NT - John 10:1-21

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." -- John 10:4

Do you remember some trip or special occasion when you were somewhere unfamiliar? The most secure moments were when you heard familiar voices. You found great assurance when you were surrounded by your traveling companions. Being all alone can be frightening.

Life is a journey into the unknown. We need someone who will go ahead and lead the way. We need someone who calls us His own and calls us by name. We need a voice that will set us at ease and calm our fears. That someone is Jesus.

When moments press in and bring unfounded fear, where do you turn? To whom do you look when you feel lost and unsettled? Turn your eyes upon Jesus my friend, and listen to His voice as He speaks softly from His Word. As He leads the way, He calls you by name and reminds you that you're His. Follow Him and fear not.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psm. 16, 19 / NT - Luke 10:1-20

Only TODAY...

Today's Readings: OT - Psm. 9 / NT - John 9

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." -- John 9:4

Every morning, Monday through Friday, parkways across this land are jam packed with people headed to work. Then, as evening approaches, those same people make their way back home after a a busy day. While time passes and progress leads to great change, the work day remains much the same. The majority of people work "as long as it is day".

Some have called it the "Puritan Work Ethic", but the idea of working hard was embraced by our Lord long before there were Puritan Divines. He came to do all the work given by the Father in heaven while it was day. He led a focused life of productive effort accomplishing the tasks assigned. The Lord knew that night was coming "when no one can work."

How diligent are you in the work of the Lord? Have you a clear sense of his purpose for your life? Time flies for everyone of us and the night is coming. Will you be able to say that you made the most of the "day" you were given to accomplish the task assigned to you by the Lord? Work hard my friend, because "TODAY" is the only promise you have.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psm. 10, 14  / NT - John 10:1-21

Future Vision...

Today's Readings: OT - Psm. 6, 8 / NT - John 8:48-59

"Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." - John 8:56

Some years ago I received a pair of binoculars as a birthday gift. As a result I no longer needed to pay a fee to use the ones at the park and seaside. It is always a joy to have a closer look at God's creation and these simple optical aids make that possible. 

When we consider the great patriarchs of the Older Testament, we often wonder what they understood about God's future plan. Were they only aware of a few details that needed to be connected over time? Or were they given spiritual optical aids to see the future more clearly? This passage tells us that they knew a great deal about the future and it brought them reason to rejoice.

Through faithful study of the Scriptures you too can have a view of the future my friend. God has provided spiritual optical aid through a vast number of prophetic writings. Why is it important that we read them you might ask? Consider the joy that Abraham had when he saw the future coming of Messiah. This joy can also be yours when you envision His second coming and Kingdom reign.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psm. 9 / NT - John 9