Making Progress?

Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 32 / NT + Proverbs 9

"Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning." - Proverbs 9:9

When Pablo Casals reached 95, a young reporter threw him a question: “Mr. Casals, you are 95 and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice six hours a day?” And Mr. Casals answered, “Because I think I’m making progress.” Those who are truly wise are those who are making progress.

When we come to Christ, our lives are changed forever. We have new hearts and the presence of the Holy Spirit to give us guidance. What more do we need? In answer to this question Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Spirituality is a forward movement of growing wiser every day. The righteous continually add to their learning and make progress.

What are you doing to add to your Biblical understanding? What are you reading this week that will improve your spiritual qualities? When was the last time you took a book of the Bible apart piece by piece to gain Godly wisdom? Be wise by making progress.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 33 / NT +  Mark 7

Too Familiar?

Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 31 / NT + Mark 6

"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened." - Mark 6:47-52 

It's spring again. Just a month ago we were brushing off our winter boots, getting ready for another storm. Now the flowers are blooming, the trees are budding and the weeds are growing. We're so caught up with getting the outdoor gear ready for warm weather that we're oblivious to the miracles around us. Spring is amazing, and if we're not careful we'll miss the beauty and wonder of it because our familiarity and busyness has hardened our hearts.

Imagine the disciples walking with Jesus every day, watching him perform miracles again and again. They saw such wonderful works of God and yet they missed the point and didn't understand. How could this be you might ask. How could anyone participate in feeding five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, having twelve baskets of food left over, and be oblivious to the miracle? Familiarity and busyness can harden the heart.

God is doing tremendous things in your life right now. He's performing miracles moment by moment and if you're not careful, you're going to miss it. Stop and look at the flowers bloom today. Slow down and feel the breeze across your face. Watch the grass sprout up with new color and fresh life. Step back and watch the Spirit of God mold your life into the likeness of Jesus. Don't be so familiar and busy that you harden your heart.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 32 / NT +  Proverbs 9

Personal...

Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 30:18-33 / NT + Mark 5

"After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat." - Mark 5:40-43 

We read about an amazing new medication that will rock the world of health. We read all the testimonies about unbelievable results from many people who have been helped. We're convinced that this treatment will bring hope and healing to a loved one but... it's not available to the public. We need the powerful to become personal.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. This coming Sunday we will celebrate his resurrection with joy and singing. We will study the Biblical account of the Lord's miraculous victory over death. We will be reminded that the resurrection of Christ is the very foundation of our faith. But hearing and singing about it won't bring a change until it comes home. When the risen Savior brings new life to a loved one or friend... the powerful becomes personal.

While resurrection day is yet future, it begins when the Lord brings us from death to life, from darkness to the light, from bondage to freedom. We need the Lord to come home in our hearts before we can be at home in heaven. As Job said in Job 42:5... "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."  The wonderful truth about the risen Christ is... the powerful became personal.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 31 / NT +  Mark 6

Beauty...

Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 30:1-17 / NT + Mark 4

"But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” -- Mark 4:20

Spring is upon us and with this season many will be busy planting new flowers and nurturing their gardens. As we walk through our neighborhood we already see the early signs of some large, some not so large and some rather simple gardens. Yet, each one will have their own beauty.

In the same way the gospel seeds will be planted throughout the world today. As usual, many will reject the message as nothing more than foolishness. Yet, there will be a select few that will receive the truth with great joy. Their lives will be changed and in the years ahead they will produce a wonderful spiritual harvest. Large, medium or small, each one will have their own beauty.

What kind of soil are you today my friend? Has the gospel story fallen upon your heart and produced a great crop of thirty, sixty or even a hundred fold? Or has this message passed from your memory like the morning dew? May the good news about Jesus change your life and deliver you from the fruitless pursuit of worldly gain and unending worries! Rejoice and yield your heart to the work of the Lord in your life as He brings about His own beauty.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 30:18-33 / NT +  Mark 5

Open Hearts...

Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 29 / NT + Mark 3

"He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." - Mark 3:5 

“The millennium is at hand. Man has invented everything that can be invented. He has done all he can do.” These words were spoken by a bishop at a church gathering in 1870. Someone commented, “I think man will learn to fly.” The bishop replied that this was blasphemy. “Don’t you know that flight is reserved for angels?” The bishop was Rev. Milton Wright, father of Orville and Wilbur. Only open hearts can fly.

Jesus found the very same attitude among the religious elite of his day. God had broken into their lives and they were closed to the possibilities. They had reached the point where they worshiped their traditions more than God. If the miraculous couldn't fit into the traditional setting, it was rejected. The stubborn heart distressed Jesus because he knew that only open hearts could fly.

Are you ready for God to do the miraculous in your life today? Will you allow him to break into your life in ways that may challenge your traditions? When you pray for the Lord's intervention are you prepared for the change he might bring? Remember, only open hearts can fly.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 30:1-17 / NT +  Mark 4

The Great Physician...

 Today's Readings: OT - Isaiah 28 / NT + Mark 2

"Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” - Mark 2:3-5 

One afternoon, during my college years, I broke my ankle while trail riding on my motorcycle. I was quite a distance from the road and a hospital. My friend, who was riding with me, took me out of the brush on his motorcycle and to another friend's house. From there they took me to the hospital, transported in the back of an old Volkswagen Bug. The rides were creative and bumpy, but they got me to the physician.

Bringing people to the Lord can be just as difficult. The paralytic in this passage was blessed with four friends who were determined to bring him to Jesus. They were willing to do anything necessary to make this happen. With a little creativity and hard work, four men succeeded in bringing their friend to the Great Physician.

Every day the Lord uses creativity and hard work to bring people to himself. Are you ready and willing to be one of those who will bring others to him? Do you know someone who needs the Lord today? Will you make the effort to carry your friend or neighbor out of the brush and down the road to the Great Physician?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 29 / NT +  Mark 3 

It's about the Heart...

 Today's Readings: OT - Hosea 13-14 / NT + Mark 1 

"Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey." - Mark 1:6

We have all seen the commercial that tells men "You're going to like the way you look." Then the counsel is often given to "dress for success". Or, a visit may come from two TV personalities to show you "What not to wear". It's simple; in the eyes of the world, you are what you wear.

If the above quotes are really true, then what was John? And if his attire spoiled his credibility how was it that God used him in such a successful manner? The Baptist was all about his message as he prepared the way for his Savior. His dress was simple and his preaching was clear, without complication or distraction. It wasn't the hair of the camel, but the heart of conviction that marked John.

Are you preoccupied with what you should wear to church or elsewhere my friend? Do you believe people will only listen to your testimony if you "dress to kill"? Or do you only listen to those who dress according to your guidelines? Whether you're all about suits, ties and formal dress or casual and down to earth, it's never about the outer appearance. Remember the words of the Lord in 1 Samuel 16:7, "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." It's never about the hair of the camel, but always about the heart of conviction.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Isaiah 28 / NT +  Mark 2