Our Level...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 9:22-57 / NT - Matthew 5:31-48

"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:48

I level everything in our house. We have a wide variety of levels to do the job right, even a small pocket level if I'm on the run. The principle is simple... you move the object or adjust one side or the other until the little bubble falls in the very center. If you want something straight, you never go by eye; you need a level.

Jesus gives thorough counsel on the depth and demand of Biblical living. He knows that many people will make a concerted effort and be satisfied if they are just a little better than the next person. So, He provides a divine reference point for Biblical living... our Heavenly Father. If you want to live Biblically you can't do it by eye, you need a Level.

When you stop and take inventory my friend, how does your Biblical living appear? Do you pat yourself on the back because you're doing way better than that Deacon or the Preacher? Jesus never said be perfect (or "mature" or "complete") like your friend or Christian leader. We don't ever need to go by eye when we have our heavenly Father as our Level.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 10 /  NT - Matthew 6

Love and Prayer...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 9:1-21 / NT - Matthew 5:17-30

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. ... But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" -- Matthew 5:21-22, 44 

We are surrounded with the age of anger and rage. Everywhere we turn we see people venting their anger on one another. The condition is so prevalent that "anger management" has become a regular prescription for the condition. While there is such a program to help diffuse anger, is there any way to reverse the attitude?

From two of the Lord's lessons we find a word of rebuke and a word of instruction. He allows no room for believers to nurture and express anger and he calls for an opposite response. The answer to reverse anger and rage is quite simple: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". 

As a believer, have you found complete victory over your anger and rage my friend? If not, why does this attitude visit you so frequently? It could be that you have left an open door for such feelings to enter. Why not take care and lock the door with the padlocks of love and prayer? 

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 9:22-57 /  NT - Matthew 5:31-48

Blessed...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 8:22-35 / NT - Matthew 5:1-16

"Blessed..." -- Matthew 5:3-11

"Happiness is a Choice" is a title for at least two contemporary books; one secular and the other evangelical. The underlying premise is caught in the title, as the eternal pursuit for happiness is ultimately an individual choice. Many people seek happiness by choosing possessions, positions, or achievements as the source. But such happiness is fragile at best and quickly slips away at the slightest change of circumstance. Can anyone find a happiness that runs deep and forever?

Jesus began the "Sermon on the Mount" with the above word repeated nine times. The word can be fairly translated "happy", but in a much deeper sense than we usually understand. As you follow his teaching you come to realize that this word, or experience, is a fruit of spiritual growth. In the sincere choice and consistent pursuit of qualities such as humility, righteousness, mercy, purity, and peacemaking you will find happiness. Yes, happiness is a choice, but more significantly, it is a result.

We spend our lives in the pursuit of the intangible. We want to be happy, but when we arrive, we are most often disappointed. Has this been your experience altogether too often? Take a good close look at the Lord's teaching and finally realize, my friend that happiness comes from a chosen lifestyle. Happiness was never meant to be an end in and of it. Happiness that runs deep and forever is a result... of Godly living.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 9:1-21 /  NT - Matthew 5:17-30

Fishers of men...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 8:1-21 / NT - Matthew 4

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him." -- Matthew 4:18-20

I will always remember Bill Scevior with tremendous gratitude. Bill led me to the Lord. He had been converted himself sometime earlier and was excited about his faith. He looked for every opportunity to tell others about Jesus. One Sunday morning in the Spring of 1964 he showed me the way to trust Christ as my personal Savior and that day I was born again. Bill was a "fisher of men".

Jesus called the disciples from every walk of life. He gave them a new purpose as they followed him. Their training wasn't focused on religious jargon or theological arguments. The Lord set them apart for a far greater goal in life. They were to reach out to people and lead them Jesus. The disciples were called to be "fishers of men".

No matter what your spiritual gift my friend, the Lord has a greater purpose for every believer. He is in the work of drawing a great catch from the deep. We are called to join him in this effort of bring others to the knowledge of him. The ocean of life is full of souls, floundering around looking for hope and we are sent out to be "fishers of men." ... When was the last time you had a catch?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 8:22-35  /  NT - Matthew 5:1-16

The Hand of God?

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 7 / NT - Matthew 3

"John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." -- Matthew 3:4-6 

I think I have heard the strangest thoughts from pastoral search committees over the years. Here are two; "We can't consider him because ..." he's so skinny the wind could blow him over" or "He'll never fit because... he talks like a policeman".  Then there was the church that was quite impressed because the pastor under consideration wore a tie to the search committee meeting. Apparently God can only speak through men of proper weight, who speak eloquently and wear ties. What about the hand of God on his servant?

When we sit back and talk about those great TV preachers or make judgment calls on the latest sermon we heard, on what are we focused? The Pharisees and Sadducees were curious, but John knew that they were unwilling to accept him and were critical  of his preaching. He didn't dress like them and he wasn't eloquent like them. To these religious elite, this preacher was nothing more than a "country bumpkin".  What about the hand of God on his servant?

When God chooses you to speak for him, your dress, looks or smoothness are not the most important issues. When God chooses to speak to you through his servant, none of the above should turn you away either. Ultimately, all that really matters is the hand of God on his servant... is there a Word from the Lord?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 8:1-21  /  NT - Matthew 4

Follow His Directions...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 6:28-40 / NT - Matthew 2

"When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written" -- Matthew 2:4-5

Instruction booklets are great when we actually follow their directions. I can't remember how many times I have read one of those booklets, choosing to follow my own plan, and ending up in a big mess. These booklets were not written for our reading pleasure. Directions are only as good as they are followed.

As a group of foreign dignitaries inquired concerning the birthplace of the Messiah, the answer came quickly. The Biblical Instruction Booklet was immediately opened and the answer was found. The priests and teachers were avid readers of the Scriptures. They knew right where to look for direction, but while others quickly followed, they were satisfied in just knowing. Directions are only as good as they are followed.

What have you learned from your Biblical Instruction Book my friend? Are there steps to take that you have put aside for another time? Have you shared such steps with others, so they might find their way spiritually? Don't just read the Bible this year... don't just know the Bible... determine to follow its leading as well. Remember, directions are only as good as they are followed!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 7  /  NT - Matthew 3

He always Keeps His promises...

 Today's Readings: OT - Judges 6:11-27 / NT - Matthew 1

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."" -- Matthew 1:22-23

Promises, Promises... how often are we given promises that never come to pass? Promises made by our parents, promises made by our friends, promises made by our employers and promises made at the wedding altar are often broken. Over time we become quite cynical about promises and we accept them with a grain of salt. Is there anyone who still fulfills their promises?

The birth of Jesus is the most amazing fulfilled promise in the world. The promise was made time and again, over thousands of years, with considerable detail. God never forgot, and as Paul put it in Galatians 4:4, "... when the time had fully come, God sent his Son". The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, among many other things, tell us that... the Lord always fulfills his promises.

Do you think the Lord has forgotten his promises lately? Have you become cynical and doubtful of his keeping his word? Just remember the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time." The Lord is never late and he never fails to fulfill his promises.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Judges 6:28-40  /  NT - Matthew 2