Hearts Can Fly...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 27 / NT - Mark 2:18-3:12

"He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." - Mark 3:5 

“The millennium is at hand. Man has invented everything that can be invented. He has done all he can do.” These words were spoken by a bishop at a church gathering in 1870. Someone commented, “I think man will learn to fly.” The bishop replied that this was blasphemy. “Don’t you know that flight is reserved for angels?” The bishop was Rev. Milton Wright, father of Orville and Wilbur. Only open hearts can fly.

Jesus found the very same attitude among the religious elite of his day. God had broken into their lives and they were closed to the possibilities. They had reached the point where they worshiped their traditions more than God. If the miraculous couldn't fit into the traditional setting, it was rejected. The stubborn heart distressed Jesus because he knew that only open hearts could fly.

Are you ready for God to do the miraculous in your life today? Will you allow him to break into your life in ways that may challenge your traditions? When you pray for the Lord's intervention are you prepared for the change he might bring? Remember, only open hearts can fly.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 9:1-10:4 / NT - Mark 3:13-35

The Great Physician...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 9 / NT - Mark 2:1-17

"Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:3-5 

One afternoon, during my college years, I broke my ankle while trail riding on my motorcycle. I was quite a distance from the road and a hospital. My friend, who was riding with me, took me out of the brush on his motorcycle to another friend's house. From there they took me to the hospital, transported in the back of an old Volkswagen Bug. The rides were creative and bumpy, but they got me to the physician.

Bringing people to the Lord can be just as difficult. The paralytic in this passage was blessed with four friends who were determined to bring him to Jesus. They were willing to do anything necessary to make this happen. With a little creativity and hard work, four men succeeded in bringing their friend to the Great Physician.

Every day the Lord uses creativity and hard work to bring people to himself. Are you ready and willing to be one of those who will bring others to him? Do you know someone who needs the Lord today? Will you make the effort to carry your friend or neighbor out of the brush and down the road to the Great Physician?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 27 / NT - Mark 2:18-3:12

He Prayed ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 7:10-8:14 / NT - Mark 1:21-45

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." - Mark 1:35 

I have known a good number of people who rise early in the morning. Some get up before  dawn to get ready for work. Others get up to fish and still others get up to golf. While there are many reasons to beat the sunrise, there has never been a better reason than the one listed in the above passage.
Take a moment and consider the following list of godly men who devoted themselves to early prayer:

"The men who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for him, have been men who spent so much time with God as to make it a notable feature of their lives. Charles Simeon devoted the hours from four till eight in the morning to God. Mr. Wesley spent two hours daily in prayer. He began at four in the morning. Of him, one who knew him well wrote: “He thought prayer to be more his business than anything else and I have seen him come out of his closet with a serenity of face next to shining.” John Fletcher stained the walls of his room by the breath of his prayers. Sometimes he would pray all night; always, frequently, and with great earnestness. His whole life was a life of prayer. “I would not rise from my seat,” he said, “without lifting my heart to God.” Luther said: “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” He had a motto: “He that has prayed well has studied well.” - E. M. Bounds in Power through Prayer

Work, fish or golf may be worth the effort, but prayer alone can make a lasting difference in your world. Why not "beat" the sunrise tomorrow and "greet" the Son of Righteousness?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 9 / NT - Mark 2:1-17

The Heart...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 6:1-7:9 / NT - Mark 1:1-20

"Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey." - Mark 1:6

We have all seen commercials that tell men "You're going to like the way you look." Then the counsel is often given to "dress for success". Or, a visit may come from two TV personalities to show you "What not to wear". It's simple; in the eyes of the world, you are what you wear. 

If the above quotes are really true, then what was John? And if his attire spoiled his credibility how was it that God used him in such a successful manner? The Baptist was all about his message as he prepared the way for his Savior. His dress was simple and his preaching was clear, without complication or distraction. It wasn't the hair of the camel, but the heart of conviction that marked John.

Are you preoccupied with what you should wear to church or elsewhere my friend? Do you believe people will only listen to your testimony if you "dress to kill"? Or do you only listen to those who dress according to your guidelines? Whether you're all about suits, ties and formal dress or casual and down to earth, it's never about the outer appearance. Remember the words of the Lord in 1 Samuel 16:7, "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." It's never about the hair of the camel, but rather the heart of conviction.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 7:10-8:14 / NT - Mark 1:21-45

Do Not Fear...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 5 / NT - Matthew 28

"But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay ...  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” -- Matthew 28:5-6, 10

I have a fear of heights. I remember having a job years ago that required my climbing to the top of a natural gas tower in times of emergency. Thankfully no such occasions ever came, because I found that half way up the stairs I froze and was unable to move forward and was almost unable to back down the stairs. I am living proof that fear is a power that can seriously cripple someone.

In light of the power that fear had over the women, the angel and Jesus quickly spoke to the issue. "Do not fear" was the message and the resurrection of our Lord was all that anyone needed to trade fear for courage. It's just not enough for someone to say "Do not fear", but when all the evidence around you gives hope and security you can be brave. This is what the risen Savior offers to everyone who comes to him... courage.

I have found that I can be confident at any height when I am standing on firm footing surrounded by a protective wall. Fear disappears when we have something or someone in which to trust. Jesus is that someone my friend, because he is the risen Savior. Step out of the dark and hear his words to you today... "Do not fear".

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 6:1-7:9 / NT - Mark 1:1-20

Draw Near...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 4 / NT - Matthew 27:45-66

"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." - Matthew 27:51

Everywhere we turn, we hear about fences and walls. Some are built to provide simple privacy for quiet family and social occasions. Others are built to protect properties from vandalism and theft. But, no matter the reason, such obstructions are meant to keep people out at all cost. Only those with permission are allowed entrance.

Of all the events that surrounded our Lord's crucifixion, the torn curtain may hold the most significant message. Throughout the ages sinful man has been refused entrance into God's Holy presence. Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden and a sinful world has been shut out ever since. Throughout the ages, the only means of entrance was found in an annual atoning blood sacrifice. But, on this day, the curtain was torn by God, from top to bottom, and  through the shed blood of Jesus, permission was given to enter.

Our God is Holy, Holy. Holy and we are sinful in more ways than we can count. The wall is rightly placed between sinful people and a Holy God. But the words of Hebrews 10:19-22 point us to the torn curtain... "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Child of faith... you now have permission to enter, so draw near my friend, draw near.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 5 / NT - Matt. 28

Persecution ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 2:6-3:15 / NT - Matthew 27:27-44

"They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said." - Matthew 27:28-29

In February, 2015, 20 Coptic Christians were killed by the Islamic State in Libya. Their bodies were finally returned to Egypt in May, 2018.  It was reported that they were killed simply for the fact that they were Christians. There are many believers who might ask why would God allow such persecution?

In the face of such martyrdom we might step back and consider the events recorded in today's reading. Our Lord was humiliated and mocked, even before he suffered the agony of scourging and crucifixion. Concerning this experience our Lord said in John 15:20, "Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." 

Never believe that God's children are meant to live a well received and respected life in this world my friend. No matter how much we try, at the end of the day those who follow Jesus will be mocked and humiliated just as He was. While God allows such persecution, He also provides the strength and grace to say "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Amos 4 / NT - Matt. 27:45-66