Will You be a "Ten"?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 19:1-13 / NT - Luke 17:11-37

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”" - Luke 17:15-18

As summer approaches you will probably be invited to a wedding or two. Gifts will be given or sent and then the months will pass before your kindness is acknowledged. Maybe it will be sooner, but then again, you just received a thank-you note yesterday for the wedding gift you gave last May. What's so hard about saying thank you for the many blessings we receive in life? On a scale of one to ten, very few ever get a "ten".

Jesus was disappointed when only one out of ten returned to give praise to God for their healing. Furthermore, the one who returned wasn't even taught in the Scriptures; he was a Samaritan! It doesn't take a wealth of Bible knowledge to know how to say thanks to God for his goodness. As the years have passed, the Church has fine-tuned worship and praise services. Certainly more than one out of ten will return to give thanks to God this week, but sadly... very few ever get a "ten".

Has God blessed you lately with his goodness? Have you received his provision for your daily needs? Were your prayers answered for healing, for a job or money to pay a bill? Will you be in church this coming Sunday with your thank-you note? The question is... will you be a "ten"?

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 19:14-19 / NT - Luke 18:1-17

Life or Death...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 18:9-37 / NT - Luke 16:19-17:10

"And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house — for I have five brothers — so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’" - Luke 16:27-28

Everyday we are given new warnings about health endangering food or medicine. The details are announced with great emphasis and vivid illustrations are given of those who have suffered from the products. Our emotions are greatly pressed to avoid the stuff all costs. After all, our very lives depend on the shared knowledge of these professionals.

Jesus gave warning after warning to those who would listen. He spoke with factual details as well as illustrations of those who were suffering. Our gracious Lord spoke more on the subject of hell as the eternal condemnation for unrepentant sinners than any other new testament writer. He did so because He is gracious and knows the ultimate sorrow and agony of hell. These are the words of the One who rose from the dead... the very Lord of life, Jesus Christ. After all, our very lives depend on the shared knowledge of more than a professional.

I trust that you have repented and trusted Jesus Christ alone to be your only means of salvation my friend. I hope that heaven will be your home when you breath your last on this earth. But what about your "brothers" or those in your "father's house"? Listen to the cry from hell and warn them. Point them to the One who rose from the dead, the risen Savior. This is more important than any health endangering food or medicine; this is a matter of eternal life or eternal condemnation!

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 19:1-13 / NT - Luke 17:11-37

Only One Heart ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 48 / 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. Those who have a career to provide and care for their family and those who have a family to 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.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 18:9-37 / NT - Luke 16:19-17:10

Moments to Celebrate...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 46-47 / 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 recent 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."

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 48 / NT - Luke 16:1-18

One Purpose...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 45 / 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.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 46-47 / NT - Luke 15:8-32

Compel Them...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 44:9-28 / 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 week we are encouraged to participate in some condo purchase or new financial plan. There is no end to those who would sell us the Brooklyn Bridge 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 systematically rejected with 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!

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 45 / NT - Luke 14:25-15:7

No Day Off...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 44:1-8 / 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

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away and many light-years ago family Doctors were available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I know this to be true because I was raised in such a galaxy. When, as a young man, I suffered a head gash on a Sunday afternoon, the family Doc had me come directly to his office and he took care of my injury, right then and there. There was no day off for those in need.

The Lord often made it clear that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27) Yet, religious legal eagles restricted compassionate care for others to any other day than the Sabbath. Fundamentally, this group placed God in a box and refused to believe that He would work outside their man made limits. Little did they know that with God... there is no day off for those in need.

You may not be a strict Sabbatarian my friend, but do you ever place God in a man made box? Do you expect God to only work within your parameters and theological confines? Is it possible for the Lord to perform the miraculous as He chooses, when He chooses? Is it just possible that the Great Physician might be available twenty-four hours, seven days a week in the most unimaginable set of circumstances? Could it really be, that with God... there is no day off for those in need?

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 44:9-28 / NT - Luke 14:1-24