Never Look Back...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 37:21-38 / NT - Luke 9:51-10:12

"Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62

On February 19, 1916 Joseph T. Higgins of Holy Cross College gave away a victory to Dave Caldwell of Boston A.A. in the 1,000 yard invitation race. The loss was a true curiosity since Higgins was one of the country's top middle distance stars and the captain of the 1916 undefeated Holy Cross College track team. Why did he lose this race you may ask? Simple, he looked back...

When Jesus calls us to follow Him he means business. As the United States Marines put it, He's looking for "a few good men". Discipleship was never meant to be an easy path, but with full concentration on the Lord and His goals much can be accomplished for His glory. To achieve such a "win" in life every disciple must keep focused and never be distracted by looking back... 

Stay the course my friend. Plow the field for the glory of God and be faithful in all your labors. Run the race with your eyes always "looking to Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and set aside all that would get in your way. "Press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:14)  and never be found looking back...

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

The "Cutting Edge" ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 37:1-20 / NT - Luke 9:28-50

"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone..." - Luke 9:35-36

I have had knee pain for ages. Arthroscopic surgery has helped to some degree, but I still take a Glucosamine supplement. Before I refill the bottle, I usually take time and read about newer competitive products. It's always interesting to see how many additional ingredients are included that supposedly make the product "cutting edge". We never seem to be satisfied with the basics in life.

Peter, James and John had traveled with Jesus for three years. They experienced the teachings, miracles and abundant provisions of the Son of God. One would think that Jesus alone would be quite enough for these guys. But Peter, like so many down through the years, thought three would better than one. Then there was a word from the Father ...  “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” The message? Be satisfied with the basics in life.

Jesus is far more than just "basic" my friend. He is our all, and in all, according to Paul in Colossians 3:11. Jesus is... Alpha and Omega, Author of Salvation, Ancient of Days, Almighty, Bread of Life, Bridegroom, Bright Morning Star, Creator of all things, Cornerstone, Captain of Salvation, Chosen of God, Chief Shepherd, Days-man  Defender, Door of the Sheep, Day-star  Emmanuel, Firstborn, Fountain of Life, Good, Gracious, Great Physician, Head of the Body, Heir of all things, High Priest, Holy, The"I Am", King of Kings, King of the Ages, Lamb of God, The Life, Lily of the Valley, Light of the World, Lord of the Harvest, Lord of Lords, Love of God, Man of Sorrows, Merciful, Mighty God, Messiah, Master, Name above every name, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Passover Lamb, Redeemer, Rose of Sharon, The Resurrection, Righteous, Refuge, Rock, Root of David, Savior, Shepherd, Son of God, Shield, Sun, Star, The Truth, True Vine, Wonderful Counselor, Wisdom of God, The Way and The Word of God, just to name a few names and attributes. So,we really don't need more than Jesus alone. Let's get back to the "Basic One" of life... for Jesus is, and always will be "The Cutting Edge"!  

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 37:21-38 / NT - Luke 9:51-10:12

What's the Gain?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 36 / NT - Luke 9:7-27

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" - Luke 9:25 

Presidents die. Sports figures die. Actors die. Musicians die. Inventors die. Educators die. Artists die. Great heroes die. No matter how famous, successful or popular one becomes in this life, the day will finally come when they will die. The lingering thought still remains; while one may leave a huge legacy, what will they have in eternity? 

Jesus taught a great lesson in spiritual economics. Our lives are a stewardship with which to we can invest. We choose every day to invest in either earthly recognition or heavenly reward. There is a cost for both achievements, but the one of greater value calls for greater commitment. It all boils down to this; "whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it".

Do you ever wonder what will be written or said about you when you "check out" my friend? What's more, have you considered how quickly you will be forgotten by this world? If all you do is invest in the "here and now", it will all be lost in the "then and gone". Be wise and labor for that which will be waiting for you in eternity! (1 Peter 1:3-5)

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 37:1-20 / NT - Luke 9:28-50

Great Expectations...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 34-35 / NT - Luke 8:40-9:6

"Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him." - Luke 8:40

In the words of one sports commentator, March Madness may be best described as the "Super Bowl" of college sports. According to "Latestcost.com", the "Final-Four" face value lowest ticket cost is $500.00 per seat. In addition, distracted employees cost businesses a loss of approximately $4 billion dollars per year. The fans follow these games with great expectation.

There was a day when large crowds gathered to hear the Lord speak and see Him do great works of healing. They knew the occasion would be rewarding and quite memorable for the rest of their lives. The results of each encounter were unknown but people knew that only good things could come from Jesus. The people always waited with great expectation.

What about today my friend? As you rise each morning, the Lord is ready to do amazing things in your life. Every week as we gather at church, He has tremendous plans for all who attend. But, will we welcome Him like the crowds at the Georgia Dome received their favorite basketball players last night? Do we wait for the Lord each morning and every week with great expectation?

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 36 / NT - Luke 9:7-27

Continuous Thanksgiving ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 33 / NT - Luke 8:19-39

"'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him." - Luke 8:39

There seems to be a general perception that ingratitude prevails in our world. At least Genghis Khan thought so, as he stated on his deathbed, "My descendants will wear gold, they will eat the choicest meats, they will ride the finest horses... and they will forget to whom they owe it all." The old adage puts it well... "How soon we forget".

Jesus performed a profound, life changing work in the life of this man. This demoniac had been bound by evil "for a long time", and now he was free. While his first thought was to follow the Lord, he was told to spread the news. True gratitude is a lifestyle, not just a moment in time. When we consider to Whom we owe it all... we too should tell our world "How much He has done!"

While we are called to follow the Lord my friend, our lifestyle should always be one of incredible gratitude. May the world constantly hear our words of thanksgiving for the great blessings that God has given. In this way, we become "living epistles" as we proclaim "How much He has done!"

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 34-35 / NT - Luke 8:40-9:6

"SON" Shine ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 32 / NT - Luke 8:1-18

"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light." - Luke 8:16

On this day, April 7, 1959 radar from Stanford, California bounced off the Sun for the first time. While radar can give us an average sun-to-earth distance, it isn't needed to verify the sun's existence. Every morning this mighty God created star greets us, even on a cloudy day. The truth of the matter is this: the light of the sun regularly shines in the face of the world!

Every believer has received the Light of Jesus and has become a shining light as well. Our Lord never hid His light and He sends us out to let our light shine in the same way. No one should ever need radar to detect our spiritual light. Jesus never intended for our light to be hidden; He wants it to regularly shine in the face of the world.

Every day is a new opportunity for us to enjoy the light of God's radiant sunshine. At the same time every day is a new opportunity for our neighbors, family and friends to enjoy the light of God's radiant SON shining through us. Don't hide your light my friend, let it regularly shine in the face of the world.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 33 / NT - Luke 8:19-39

Love Them Like Jesus...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 31 / NT - Luke 7:18-50

"And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." - Luke 7:22-23

For years, a team of men and women from our church would spend one night a month at the local city mission. They would meet together and plan this night to share in music, testimony and Bible message. The men they reached were broken, beaten down and without hope. The mission was the last stop to nowhere. Yet, like our Savior, my dear brothers and sisters would reach out to those men with the love of Christ.

Such was the ministry and calling card of our Lord. He embraced the down-trodden, war-torn and social rejects. He brought them love, hope and good news from heaven. There were many who were disturbed over this fact, but there was great blessing to all those who were not offended by our Lord's compassionate care.

This is what Christ-like ministry is all about my friend. If you have been led to believe ministry is all about big crowds and palatial buildings, you have been misled. Stop and look around and you will see people who are hurting in every possible way. They need hope. They need love. They need compassionate care. They need Jesus and you may be the only "Jesus" they will ever meet. Love them like Jesus my friend, love them like Jesus.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 32 / NT - Luke 8:1-18