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

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