My Savior...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Hosea 1:1-2:13 / NT - Luke 1:46-66

"And Mary said, 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior'" - Luke 1:46–47

History serves us well, as long as we keep personalities in perspective. Great men and women of the past may be portrayed as heroes and heroins. They may have performed significant feats that qualify them as such, but the fact remains that they were just as human and frail as the next person. As David reminds us in Psalm 103:14, "For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust". No pedestal of fame can change this fact.

Biblical history serves us well too. We will find a pantheon of spiritual giants as we skim through the Scriptures. They include those who were strong leaders, bold heralds of truth and skilled builders of God's kingdom. Among these personalities is the woman that gave birth to Jesus. Her name was Mary and she was blessed with great privilege. But her own words testify of a basic truth: she needed a Savior, and God met the need. Even Mary believed what David wrote in Psalm 14:3, "...there is none who is good, not even one." No pedestal of fame can change this fact.

If we learn anything from history, we understand that all people are sinners, in need of a Savior. If Mary, the mother of Jesus, rejoiced in God her Savior, everyone has the same need. No one is so heroic, strong, bold or skilled that they are not equally dust, without true goodness and God in this world. (Ephesians 2:12). There is no pedestal of fame high enough to lift you above the need for a Savior.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Hosea 2:14-3:5 / NT - Luke 1:67-2:7

Let it Be as He Wills...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 48 / NT - Luke 1:26-45

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'" - Luke 1:38

When I was young, every guy in the neighborhood played sandlot baseball. I wasn't very good at the game, but I played every weekend. The reason I got to play was because I showed up early and played anywhere they put me. Someone has said that success is 10% skill and 90% showing up. That may be an oversimplification but it does emphasize the real issue of effective ministry. Those are most used who "show up" when needed.

Mary was a true and successful servant of the Lord. She showed up when called and was willing to serve in any way the Lord asked. No matter how embarrassing or demanding, the simple response to God's direction was, "let it be to me according to your word." Most believers would find greater joy and fulfillment if they would just be willing to show up and play wherever the coach put them.

How about you my friend? Are you serving in the way the Lord has called you? Or have you complicated matters by inserting your plans over and above God's will? Why not take the simple path of happiness and success by starting every day with the prayer, "let it be to me according to your word."

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Hosea 1:1-2:13 / NT - Luke 1:46-66

In His Time...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 31 / NT - Luke 1:1-25

"And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years ... But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John' ...' 'Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.'” - Luke 1:6,7, 13, 25

Does it pay to live righteously? Are the godly always blessed with good things? Are their prayers always answered quickly with abundant and joyful results? Is God's timing always the best? Such questions occasionally haunt even the most faithful believer. 

As we look at the experience of Zechariah and Elizabeth today we see a very relieved couple. Their "reproach" and "prayer" has finally been addressed. But for years they had been faithful to the Lord with an empty nest. In their day being barren was seen as a really bad thing. Was God displeased with them or did He have a very different plan?

Blessed are those who wait on the Lord my friend. And as you wait, be faithful. Be assured that your prayers are heard and your heartache is felt by the very "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). May you find rest in the fact that He makes all things beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) ... "And you will have joy and gladness" (Luke 1:14).

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - Psalm 48 / NT - Luke 1:26-45

How Then Shall We Live?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 30 / NT - Mark 16

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,  just as he told you.’ ” - Mark 16:6-7 

Job said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." (Job 42:5) The occasions that I have been told something and forgotten the information is legendary. As well, I am always amazed how often we announce events at our church that are never heard. As my Dad would often say, "some things go in one ear, and out the other." 

The day that Jesus rose from the dead was an amazing morning. To the disciples though, it was an unexpected event, but how could that be, since they were told time and again by our Lord? He had taught so much and the most important truth was his promised resurrection. While the followers of Jesus could have lived from Friday to Sunday with great expectations, they were saddened with overwhelming hopelessness. What Jesus had said about rising again, went in one ear, and out the other.

Jesus is coming again. There is no doubt in my mind, because he said he would. If we have heard and read this, do we live in expectation? Or do we live with a hopeless Friday to Sunday outlook? Jesus will meet us in the air, just as we've been told. How then shall we live? May this great truth go in one ear... and change our lives.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 31 / NT - Luke 1:1-25

The Curtain Torn...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 29 / NT - Mark 15:21-47

"And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." - Mark 15:37-38

On November 17, 1558, Mary Tudor died. That moment brought the end of a bloody reign of persecution which caused the death of some 300 protestants. The passing of this volatile queen opened the door for a new queen and the English Protestant Church. The curtain was finally torn.

Such was the day of our Lord's crucifixion. As He breathed His last, the days of legalism and ritualism were ended. A new day of grace and mercy had arrived for all who would embrace the finished work of Jesus. All who were religiously weary and burdened would find spiritual rest for their souls. The curtain was finally torn.

Why labor for that which has already been purchased my friend? Why carry the load of religious trappings and stained glass rituals when the door to spiritual freedom has been opened? Take the hand of the One who breathed His last for you and walk into the light. The curtain has been torn and it's a new day.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 30 / NT - Mark 16

Against the Current ...

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 18:1-8 / NT - Mark 15:1-20

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." - Mark 15:15

It is said that the comedian Milton Berle had his mother sit in the front row when he performed. She would laugh loudly and heartily when a joke fell flat and usually the audience followed. In this scenario each person would respond to the actions of others in complete contradiction to their own feelings. The influence of the majority has often led to wrong decisions that were regretted later. It takes courage to swim against the current.

Pilate was a significant political leader in his time. He was entrusted with serious and demanding responsibilities. Yet, in his leadership role, he was torn between what he knew was right and what he knew was politically correct. He fought hard, but eventually caved into the cries of the crowd. Filled with fear and political pressure, attempting to avoid further conflict, Pilate lost his courage to swim against the current.

Are you willing to stand alone with Jesus? Or does the crowd play a large part in your choices and conduct? Who do you strive to please from day to day? Are you led by God or by man? The day that you accepted Jesus as your only means of salvation, you stood apart from the crowd. As a follower of Christ today, will you be courageous enough to live the right way and swim against the current?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Chron. 29 / NT - Mark 15:21-47

Do We Care?

Today's Readings: OT Year 3 - Isaiah 27 / NT - Mark 14:51-72

"Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept." - Mark 14:72

Emotions greatly differ. Some people rejoice at weddings and others cry, some weep at funerals and others grow quiet, some rejoice at the moment of salvation and others shed tears. No matter how we show emotions, there are moments in life when our souls are touched to the core. The heart that cares is always moved in times of joy or pain and sorrow. The question is: Do we care?

Peter was quite confident that he would never betray his Lord. He followed Jesus to the courtyard and watched as the trial began. He was recognized and in fear he denied the Lord three times, just as Jesus predicted. Peter's emotions were moved at his failure and he wept because he cared.

Does betrayal of the Lord move your heart and emotions? Are you deeply saddened when you sin? Take a closer look at Peter today and then consider your own heart. Have you become so familiar with the process of sin and forgiveness that you no longer feel sorrow when you fail the Lord? We grieve the heart of God whenever we sin (Ephesians 4:30)... Do we care?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT Year 3 - 2 Kings 18:1-8 / NT - Mark 15:1-20