Make a Choice ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 43 / 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. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three." - Luke 12:51-52

In the New York/New Jersey Metro area there are Yankee fans and Mets fans; Jets fans and Giants fans; Nets fans and Knicks fans; sports teams divide people. Life is full of division. There are shore people and mountain people, dog people and cat people, casual people and formal people. The bottom line is this: you have to make a choice.

Everyone thought that Jesus came to bring total world-wide peace. Their view of peace was, and is today a "let's get together" peace. The idea sounds great, but the Lord made it clear that no such utopia was going to happen in this age. He came to offer a new life with God which differed greatly from the way of the world. The message included repentance and consecration to Godly living. As a result, people have to make a choice.

Division is a sad truth my friend, but it is reality. While the good news that Jesus brought should bring an overwhelming peace and healing of the nations, it doesn't. Why, you may ask? Because not everyone wants a new life with God. They prefer to live for themselves and follow ungodly paths. Until the Lord returns, peace is a personal gift from God and with God. (Romans 5:1) But, you have to make a choice.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 44:1-8 / NT - Luke 13:10-35

Eternal Values ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 42:10-25 / NT - Luke 12:22-48

"And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing." - Luke 12:22-23

Clothing and food has gone through many changes in my lifetime. Styles of dress have changed more times than I can count and specialty restaurants have flooded the market. While there are many people who are living hand to mouth in our country and around the world, there are also a vast number who worry about dressing in style and what menu to serve upcoming guests. Don't they realize that life is more than that?

Jesus addressed the multitudes with words of comfort and guidance. He assured them that there was no need to worry over the mundane issues of life. God will faithfully meet the needs of His people, just as He feeds the birds and clothes the lilies. With this truth clearly presented we can redirect all our energy and wealth into seeking God's kingdom. Life is all about that.

Whether you are struggling financially or so well off you can't decide which color to wear today, this message is for you. There is a higher calling and priority for every child of God. When we simply trust in the Lord for the basics and focus on the bigger issues of eternal value, everything falls in place. Life is really all about that!

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 43 / NT - Luke 12:49-13:9

Coming to Light...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 41:21- 42:9 / NT - Luke 12:1-21

^"Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known." - Luke 12:2 

I remember the last time we had our carpets cleaned. A great deal of floor space was opened for the process to be done, but there were some places that needed to be uncovered. My office was one location that needed a chair mat to be removed before the cleaning began. I could have left the mat in place but the carpet would have remained unclean until someone else moved into that room. The dirt would eventually come to light.

Jesus warned his followers that a day of accounting would be coming. No matter how well our sins and trespasses may be hidden from others, it won't last forever. There are times when we believe that our lives are even hidden from the Lord Himself. We can sweep it all under the rug, but one day everything will be discovered. The dirt will eventually come to light. 

Is your faith only a surface experience my friend? Do you believe that the Lord only sees what you choose to reveal? Do you think if you ignore unconfessed sin long enough it will simply disappear? Have you swept more under the rug than you are willing to admit? Well, be aware that a day of accounting is coming. Whatever you haven't dealt with now, will most certainly come to light then!

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 42:10-25 / NT - Luke 12:22-48

Do Both...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 41:1-20 / NT - Luke 11:33-54

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others." - Luke 11:42

Life is full of choices. You can have vanilla or chocolate ice cream. You can use hot sauce or sweet sauce. You can have strawberry or blueberry pie. You can have a hot or cold drink with your meal. Then, we are often told that "you can't have your cake and eat it too!" In other words, you can do one or the other, but certainly not both.

There are some people who believe this must be the same in spiritual matters. They settle themselves by doing well in one Biblical area, but not any other. As Jesus rebukes these Pharisees, He addresses the issue of doing it all. He teaches us that we can and must do one and the other by doing both. 

In a phrase, are you a "holistic" believer my friend? Do you follow the tangible steps of tithing and various contributions, and at the same time find ways to show righteous support and loving care for those in need? We ought to do the first without neglecting the  latter. We don't have to choose one or the other, we can and should always do both.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 41:21-42:9 / NT - Luke 12:1-21

The Obvious...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 40 / NT - Luke 11:14-32

"As the crowds increased, Jesus said, 'This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.'" - Luke 11:29 

There are currently 40,517 members of the "Flat Earth Society". These people believe that the earth is a flat disk centered at the North Pole and is bounded along it's southern edge by a wall of ice, with the sun, moon, planets, and stars only a few hundred miles above the surface of the earth. This only goes to prove that there will always be people who refuse to believe the obvious.

When our Lord spoke to the multitudes they were filled with unbelief and sought more miraculous signs. He knew that no matter how many signs would be given, unbelief would prevail. In God's divine design, only one distinct sign would be given... the resurrection. And yet, in a later account that Jesus speaks of in Luke 16:31 we read, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead". There will always be people who refuse to believe the obvious. 

Just a little over a week ago we celebrated Resurrection Sunday.  The world simply recognized the day as a holiday known as Easter. They gave it no real credibility other than a time to give children Easter baskets with candy and goodies. Meanwhile, many people are still looking for a special miracle from God. But, the tomb is empty, He is Risen! What more does God need to do for anyone to believe? Why will you not believe the obvious? 

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 41:1-20 / NT - Luke 11:33-54

Never Give Up ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 76 / NT - Luke 10:38-11:13

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." - Luke 11:9-10

Practically every political discussion will include expressed distaste for those people known as lobbyists. These are those people who legitimately, but obnoxiously seek to persuade members of congress to enact legislation that will benefit their group. They will press their issue, maneuver and manipulate until they succeed. They never give up.

In a way, the Lord invites us to be lobbyists as well. When we pray, we come to the our Heavenly Father, the very King of the Universe and seek His blessing and provision. He loves us dearly and desires the very best for us, but the prayer experience is a faith stretching event. We are instructed to press the issue again, and again; asking, seeking and knocking. We must never give up.

As you "lobby", or to be more biblical, "pray", take this ministry seriously my friend. While those who lobby in Washington D.C. may be a pain to congressmen, the children of God are never a imposition to Him. Our Father in heaven is always open to bless and provide good gifts for His family. Just remember, never give up.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 40 / NT - Luke 11:14-32

What's Your "10-20"?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 38-39 / NT - Luke 10:13-37

"However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:20

A good many years ago my wife and I owned CB radios. They were popular for just about everybody on the road before there were cell phones. These archaic forms of communication served us in many ways. We would chat with each other when our schedules took us in different directions and we would share traffic information that would make our traveling easier. But, the most important information was our location.  This was given in answer to the CB slang "what's your 10-20?"

When the seventy-two evangelists returned from a successful outreach campaign they were overjoyed with the results. Miracles and spiritual victories were abundantly reported. The power of God thrilled their hearts and they couldn't say enough about His great provision. But the Lord redirected them to the most important of all works of God. He called them to rejoice in their names being written in heaven. The overshadowing question for every person should be this; when you leave this earth, what will be your "10-20"?

You might have already noticed that our Scripture of reference today is a 10:20 passage. I would have you take this to heart my friend. There will never be any spiritual accomplishment or personal gain on this earth that will compare to whether your name is written in heaven or not. At the end of life's journey, the only important question that will remain is ... "What's your 10-20?"

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 76 / NT - Luke 10:38-11:13