Never a Waste ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 6:1-7:9 / NT - Matthew 26:1-30

"And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me." -- Matthew 26:8-10 

With the intention to evangelize the previously unreached Huaorani, five young missionaries began making regular flights over Huaorani settlements in September 1955, dropping gifts. After several months of exchanging gifts, on January 3, 1956, they established a camp at "Palm Beach", a sandbar along the Curaray River, a few kilometers from Huaorani settlements. Their efforts came to an end on January 8, 1956, when all five — Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming and Roger Youderian — were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. Some people at the time may have said, "Why this waste?"

This dear woman, Mary of Bethany as mentioned in John 12:3, poured out a personal sacrifice to honor the Lord. No matter what the sacrifice, great or small, Jesus sees it as a beautiful thing. It is never a waste when we give our all to worship and serve the Lord. He sees the value in a far different manner than others. The moments to serve pass quickly and the wise servant will redeem the moments for the Glory of God. Our sacrifices for Jesus are never a waste.

When you evaluate your efforts made for the kingdom of God and wonder if it was worth it, remember that his ways are higher than your ways and his thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9) and "He has made everything beautiful in its time." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) In retrospect, a number of those responsible for the above martyrdom became strong followers of Christ and powerful preachers of the Gospel. In addition, over the years, many young people were inspired to give their lives for Missionary work. No sacrifice for Jesus is a waste!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 7:10-25 / NT - Matt. 26:31-56

When He is Blessed...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 5:8-30 / NT - Matthew 25:31-46

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." - Matthew 25:40

Speaking as a father, I have always appreciated those who have been kind to my sons. There have been those who contributed assistance in moments of emergency and those who have opened their homes to provide encouragement and mentoring. From one degree to the other, when my family has been blessed, I have been blessed.

While Jesus spoke of kingdom issues in this passage, he also revealed His heart for His family. Another revealing moment was when the Lord appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:4. In response to Saul's persecution of believers, Jesus asked "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?" When the Lord's family is hurt, He hurts... and when His family is blessed He is blessed.

Be very careful how you treat the family of God my friend. Should you choose to offend or abuse a child of God, you may be certain that you are offending and abusing the Lord too. When you make a concerted effort to provide care, compassion and encouragement to a fellow believer, you are also doing it to the Lord. When His family is blessed, so is He.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 6:1-7:9 / NT - Matt. 26:1-30

The More You Invest ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 4:2-5:7 / NT - Matthew 25:14-30

^"So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." - Matthew 25:28-29

The late Christian motivational speaker Zig Ziglar told millions of readers and listeners that they can have everything in life they want if they will just help enough other people get what they want. While this is a rather encouraging and positive thought, a parallel concept is found in the teachings of Jesus with the words of Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." The simple kingdom truth is this; the more you invest in and for the Lord... the more will be gained.

The servants mentioned in the above passage differed from one another in one significant way. Two, out of faithfulness sought to benefit their Master and the other, out of fear sought to protect himself. Kingdom life is about sowing and reaping, not surviving and reserving. In the end the one who feared lost it all and the one who faithfully invested the most for His Master, gained the most.

Living for Jesus isn't a Wall Street experience, but He has given each one of us a stewardship of time, talents and treasures. How are you investing your stewardship today my friend? Are you willing to step out in faithfulness and give your all for the benefit of your Master? Remember, the more you invest in and for the Lord... the more will be gained.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 5:8-30 / NT - Matt. 25:31-46

The Reservation Book ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 3:1- 4:1 / NT - Matthew 25:1-13

"Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." -- Matthew 25:11-13

I stood in the foyer of a hotel some years ago and watched as a fellow traveler became quite animated when he was told that there was no reservation and no room for him. He was absolutely sure that he had a reservation, but the hotel had no record of such and they had no rooms available. No matter how sure he was, the record was clear... his name was not found.

"At midnight the cry came out: 'Here's the bridegroom'" The midnight cry is coming and we have no way of knowing when. The door will be open for all those who have reservations. But when it shuts, those left outside will be without hope. No matter how sincerely we believe that we have reservations, if we don't have the oil of salvation in the lamp of our souls, all we will hear are the words, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you". If we don't know the bridegroom (Jesus) in this life, our name won't be found in the reservation book.

For some, the midnight cry is expected with great anticipation. What about you? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as the only means for your salvation? If you have done so, you have been filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit and your lamp is ready for the wedding banquet.  Don't wait until the last moment to come knocking at the shut door. Make sure that your name is found in the reservation book.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 4:2-5:7 / NT - Matt. 25:14-30

Timeless ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 2 / NT - Matthew 24:32-51

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." - Matthew 24:35

Homes are no longer illuminated by candlelight or kerosene lamps. We no longer cool our food in an "icebox", which used fresh ice blocks to do the job. We no longer travel to church in horse drawn carriages or heat the sanctuary with a coal burning furnace. All of the above have given way to modern development, but every week people join together to hear the Word of God preached. God's Word is timeless.

As Jesus spoke of His coming again on a day far into the future, He made it clear that many events and people will pass by the boards, but His Word will remain steadfast and sure. He spoke of events that have not yet occurred, moments that demand patience and great faith from God's people. Yet, he encourages every reader from every generation to be confident and alert. What the Word of God reports will surely come to pass. As then, so today, God's Word is timeless.

Does the Word of God speak to you today my friend? Are you reassured every day that Jesus is coming again? Do you find fresh insight and understanding as you pour over the pages of this ancient writ? The Scriptures are more unique than any book ever written. They make the past live and breath while bringing the future within reach of every reader. We know that Jesus is coming again because the Bible tells us so and that Bible is, and always will be timeless.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 3:1- 4:1 / NT - Matt. 25:1-13

Judgment Day ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:21-31 / NT - Matthew 24:15-31

"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be." - Matthew 24:21 

From my earliest years, I remember seeing people walking up and down city streets with signs that warned of the impending end of the world. The years have passed and there seems to be no end in sight.  Yet, every year there seems to be a new harbinger of world devastation which convinces some people and further hardens others into unrepentant skepticism. The lingering question remains: will there ever be a judgment day?

The answer is clear and sobering as it comes from the lips of our loving and compassionate Savior. He never carried a sign or encouraged the building of survivalist bunkers. Jesus just told it like it would be and left the warning waft in the air of time and space. A time is coming, "such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be".  Yes, my dear friend, there will be a judgement day.

The greater question is, "how then shall we live?" Our Lord placed no set time for that moment, just the factual account of its coming. Just because that day has not yet arrived, should not lull us to sleep my friend. Be alert and busy about the Lord's work, for our time is short. While the present family of God will be delivered from that hour (1 Thessalonians 5:9), we need to be watchmen that sound the alarm. In the words often used by the nineteenth century preacher Charles Spurgeon, "Turn or Burn" for  Judgement day is coming.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 2 / NT - Matt. 24:32-51

As He Planned ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:1-20 / NT - Matthew 24:1-14

"Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."" -- Matthew 24:1-2

Since 1650 there has been a vital gospel ministry in London called the Tabernacle Fellowship. Through the years such men as Benjamin Keach, John Gill and C.H. Spurgeon served as pastors. The Tabernacle of Spurgeon's day was burned down in 1898, and then rebuilt only to be burned down a second time during World War Two. The ministry continues to this day as a viable ministry of God. Buildings come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

As the disciples marveled at the great buildings of the Temple, Jesus pointed out their eventual destruction. In fact, in 70 A.D. the Roman Military Commander Titus Flavius Vespasianus led a 143 day siege with 30,000 troops and destroyed the Temple buildings and burned Jerusalem to the ground. While Jesus spoke of this horrific destruction, he continued to foretell of many more prophetic events, including his second coming. Buildings will come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

As we take this passage under consideration my friend, stop for a moment and consider the building in which you worship. Are you caught with its splendor or historic characteristic? Do you think that the gospel ministry taking place in this building depends on the edifice? Remember, buildings come and go, but the work of God continues just as He planned.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 1:21-31 / NT - Matt. 24:15-31