Getting to Heaven...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 61-62  / NT - Luke 23:26-49

"Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”" - Luke 23:42-43

In 1969 I worked in a computer office with a system that filled the room. It was complex and huge. Today, the world is inundated with touch-screen tablets that have far more memory than the old room sized computer. They are easy to use and small enough to carry anywhere. Technology has come a long way to simplify things for the end user. Religion on the other hand has complicated matters of the soul continually throughout the centuries. Getting to heaven has become a real complex trip.

In the last hour of our Lord's earthly life he encountered a repentant criminal. In this exchange we discover the truth about forgiveness and eternity. The simplicity of "touching" Christ with a heart of faith opened the world of heaven without complexity. As a result of trusting Jesus, this man was transported to glory that day, and not a moment later. Getting to heaven was a real simple trip.

Walking with God in this life and into the next life has always been quite simple. Adding to the picture just makes things more confusing and less achievable. Jesus said, the life of faith is easy to live and small enough to carry anywhere; "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30) and at the end of the journey... getting to heaven will be a real quick trip.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 63:1-14 / NT - Luke 23:50-24:12

How Then Shall You Live?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 60  / NT - Luke 23:1-25

"He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will." - Luke 23:25

In March, 2012, Spc. Dennis Weichel of the Rhode Island National Guard substituted his life for the life of a little Afghan girl. According to Lt. Col. Denis Riel of the Rhode Island National Guard, a 16 ton Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle was moving toward  the child at a breakneck speed. Weichel saw the massive truck bearing down on the girl and grabbed her out of the way; in the process, the armored truck ran him over. The little girl was fine, but Weichel died of his injuries a short time later.

At the time of his release, Barabbas hardly understood the significance of this exchange. His life was saved through the crucifixion of Jesus. This is the gospel in a pictorial nutshell. Jesus substituted His life for far more than one insurrectionist. He took our deserved payment for sin, so that we might walk away free of guilt and condemnation. This is called the substitutionary atonement of Christ. He died in our place.

Dennis Weichel was honored with a posthumous promotion. The greater honor would be for the little Afghan girl to live her life in the most productive and compassionate way possible. What are you doing with the life that Jesus gave you my friend? How are you honoring Him for the sacrifice He made on the cross? Don't just take the gift and run; embrace it and live for Jesus in the most productive and compassionate way possible.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 61-62 / NT - Luke 23:26-49

The "Look"...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 59  / NT - Luke 22:54-71

"Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly." - Luke 22:60-62

When I was a little guy, life was pretty simple. I knew all was well, or not, by the look in my mother's eyes. If I was behaving as I should, her look was pleasant and assured me that all was well. But if I was getting into mischief, mom could look across a crowded room and I knew I was in trouble. I never wanted to see "the look".

On most days, Peter enjoyed pleasant looks from Jesus, as they walked and talked along the road. But this was not one of those days. Peter had been so sure of himself, and then he denied the Lord, not just once, but three times. Fear and doubt had gotten the best of him and he distanced himself from the Lord. But the distance was not enough to escape "the look".

I believe the look Peter received that day was one of disappointment. When we disobey the Lord, Paul says we grieve his Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30) Simply put, when we fail the Lord... we break his heart. As you turn to the Lord today, will you be met with a look that is pleasant and assures you that all is well? Or will you sense the Lord's disappointment as you're met with "the look"?

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 60 / NT - Luke 23:1-25

He Always Cares...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 57:14-58:14  / NT - Luke 22:31-53

"But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him." - Luke 22:51

Would you ask a grieving widow who just lost her husband yesterday to drive you to a doctor appointment? Or would you ask someone who just lost their home in a tornado to make an encouraging nursing home visit? In most cases the answer to both questions would be an emphatic no. Moments of personal pain and sorrow are rarely occasions to show concern for others.

As you read this passage in Luke 22, take time to consider the Lord's emotions and personal trauma. He has been betrayed, turned over to be beaten and crucified, soon to be completely abandoned by His closest friends. And yet, He stops everything to reach out and heal a servant's injured ear. Nothing in His life would deter Him from caring for others.

Have you ever refrained from pouring your heart out to the Lord my friend? Did you think that He might be too busy or that your problem was much too insignificant for His involvement? Learn from this event in the passion of our Lord that there is never a day or hour that He doesn't tremendously care for you and every problem in your life.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 59 / NT - Luke 22:54-71

Give Thanks ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 56:1-57:13  / NT - Luke 22:14-30

"And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves... And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" - Luke 22:17, 19

We are inundated with ways to find happiness. The path to "good times" is wide and well traveled by more than one can count. When any occasion comes to express gratitude most people focus in on the bounty and blessings of life. Rarely is thanksgiving given for stressful and sorrowful days.

Jesus knew the path that He was taking and the suffering that He was about to experience. The pain would be excruciating and the darkness would be overwhelming. Yet, recognizing the approaching cross, He lifted the cup and bread and gave thanks. Our Lord knew the way to the crown passed through the cross, and He was grateful for both.

What are you grateful for today my friend? Can you only find happiness in sunshine and lollipops? Or have you found joy in Jesus as you experience the "good and the bad and the ugly"? Does your faith identify with God's orchestrating every event in life for your good? Isn't that what we embrace with the words of Romans 8:28? "And we know that for those who love God ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  Maybe this was on Paul's mind when he wrote 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 57:14-58:14 / NT - Luke 22:31-53

The Unexpected ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 54-55  / NT - Luke 21:29-22:13

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:34-36

I always had fun with my Dad. He was one of those guys that would let life so preoccupy him that he walked around in his own world. How could I pass up the opportunities to jump out of his closet or from behind a bush in the garden and scare the daylights out of him? Thankfully, he would just laugh it off and drift back into his world of thought. Dad was always unprepared for the unexpected.

The Lord will come for his Church and then after a time of world-wide judgment he will return to set up his kingdom. Both occasions will occur unexpectedly for most. When people become preoccupied with the pleasures and anxieties of life, they tend to drift into their own little world. Thoughts of the Lord's coming slip away and they're unprepared for the unexpected.

In truth, the Lord's return is expected. The time of his coming is unknown, therefore unexpected. Are you living in light of his return? Or have you allowed the pursuits of this life to lead you into your own little world? Even a believer can drift and be embarrassed when the Lord returns. "Be always on the watch" and pray for the daily strength to be prepared for the unexpected.

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 56:1-57:13 / NT - Luke 22:14-30

The Joy of Giving ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 52-53  / NT - Luke 21:1-28

"And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." - Luke 21:3-4

In the competitive world of politics every candidate is put under the magnifying glass. Whenever an election year rolls around the public suddenly becomes concerned with integrity, morality and charitable generosity. One area of interest is the pattern of church donations made by such wealthy personalities. When their abundance is carefully considered, the size of their gifts often seem to fade.

Jesus gives us a clear lesson on sincere, selfless, spiritual stewardship. The gift is only as significant as the the heart that gives. It's not how much we share as how much we sacrifice. Giving should never be about appeasing our conscience, it should always be about loving the Lord. 

The IRS received an anonymous check some years ago with a note that read: "Enclosed is ten dollars of back taxes I failed to pay; if I still can't sleep, I'll send you the rest". Do you give to the Lord so you can sleep at night my friend? Try giving because you love Him with a heart of gratitude. Yes, your giving will go up till it hurts, but your joy will be even greater and God's blessings will be overwhelming... read Malachi 3:10 

 Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 54-55 / NT - Luke 21:29-22:13