The Rain Must Fall ...

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 6 / NT - Matthew 5:31-48

"... For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." - Matthew 5:44-45 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote "In every life a little rain must fall". Such words of wisdom were put to music some years later by the "Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald. Whether writers or singers, soldiers or salesmen, young or old, we all understand this great truth. So why do we ask... "Why me Lord?"

The knowledge that God brings a little rain into every life is a good place to start when we face discouragement. While James tells us to count it all joy when the rain comes, he quickly says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) Rather than asking "why me Lord?", the better question "what can I learn?"

The Lord also makes His sun to rise on every life, and every child of God will find that - "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23) Before we grieve over too much rain, may we ask for wisdom to make sense of it all and look with great expectation for the morning when "the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." (Malachi 4:2)

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 7 / NT - Matthew 6

Taught or Caught?

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 5 / NT - Matthew 5:17-30

"Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:19

Being a mentor or life coach is quite the rage today. Principles are taught and guidance is provided along with potentially wise counsel. Eventually the student becomes a reflection of the coach, much like a child grows to be like the parent. Change and growth is expected, but no matter what may be taught, more is caught.

The passage before us presumes that all followers of Jesus are to be mentors, or life coaches. This truth centers on the expectation that every believer is in the process of passing on the faith to someone. Lessons may be abundant along with hours of insightful counsel, but whatever may be taught, more is caught.

As children mimic their parents, students will always mirror the practice of the teacher. While you are wholly committed to communicating Biblical truth, remember to be a mentor that does, as well as teaches. After all, more is caught than taught.

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 6 / NT - Matthew 5:31-48

No More Secrets ...

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 4 / NT - Matthew 5:1-16

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

A number of years ago, Sen. Bernie Sanders, wrote to the head of the National Security Agency demanding  to know if the agency secretly gathered intelligence on members of Congress. Hmm... could this mean that there are secrets in congress? The general idea of electing congressmen is to have someone who will openly express the concerns of the constituency. Representatives were never intended to do business in secret.

We are representatives of the Kingdom of God. As "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20)  we have been sent forth to be a light in our world. As Jesus taught, we are to let our light shine openly so others will see and glorify God. To be a hidden Christian is a contradiction of terms and goes against the general idea of our calling. Representatives of Christ were never intended to do ministry in secret.

As you move forward into the New Year, do you have plans to "Tell the World that you're a Christian"? Are people aware of your faith in the work place, classroom, neighborhood and family? Does your conduct and conversation shine for Jesus? Would it take an N.S.A. investigation to  discover that you represent the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 5 / NT - Matthew 5:17-30

Profit... or Loss?

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 3 / NT - Matthew 4

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” - Matthew 4:8-10

From 1989 until its collapse in 1995, "The Foundation for New Era Philanthropy" raised over $500 million  from 1100 donors and embezzled $135 million. Most of the money was stolen from Christian organizations, including more than 180 evangelical groups, colleges, and seminaries. The scheme promised an incredible return on investments and even the most spiritual minded ministry leaders were led astray. The profit was tempting, but the loss was traumatic.

The tempter offered our Lord the whole world on a silver platter. The only string attached was a slight bend of the knee to worship the god of this world. The answer was short and to the point; "worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve". The choice was simple, choose the world for a tempting profit, but with that world would come a traumatic loss from a deceptive god.

Jesus gave further insight on two other occasions. "You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24) and  "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36) Yes, you can choose the tempting path to quick and promising profit, but when that pursuit leads you away from a life devoted to the Lord, your loss will be traumatic. As you enter a new year, choose wisely my friend.

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 4 / NT - Matthew 5:1-16

Repentance...

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 2 / NT - Matthew 3

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand ... Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham." ~ Matthew 3:2, 8-9

A sin-sick world has ways to soften every possible transgression or evil action. Adultery is an "affair", lying is to "misspeak", stealing is "misappropriation". So it seems, the less offensive the wrong appears, the less correction is needed, if at all. The popular preference is redefinition, rather than repentance. 

The world of John was no different than our world. Even the religious elite had ways to redefine their conduct and pose as righteous people. John saw through their charade and called them to a visible change from being vipers to becoming virtuous. Spiritual fruit would only come from true repentance. 

Paul the apostle was commissioned by the Lord ... "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’" (Acts 26:18) Becoming a Christian doesn't come from terms of redefinition, but from turning to God in repentance. 

" We cannot simply say a prayer or walk down an aisle and use that to claim that we have been saved if our lives give no evidence of having been changed by God and if we have not repented of our sin and given them up." ~ William Law, A Serious Call 

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 3 / NT - Matthew 4

Signposts...

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 1:13-31 / NT - Matthew 2

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him ... When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.  ~ Matthew 2:2, 10-11

Whether we use our electronic GPS, printed maps or local street signs, they are all a great help as we travel. All of these are intended to keep us on tract, and if we pay close attention we won't lose our way. But, we'll never get to where we're going if we camp out at the signposts. 

The Magi were "Wise Men" indeed. Their goal was crystal clear... "to worship HIM". They had no intention to worship the star, nor further explore the insight of the chief priests and scribes. They followed God's directions while avoiding distractions; they didn't camp out at the signposts.

How is it possible for God's directions to become distractions? "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." ~ (John 5:39-40). Be wise my friend, and follow the directions "to worship HIM". Don't camp out at the signposts. 

"Often the work of the Lord itself may be a temptation to keep us from that communion with Him which is so essential to the benefit of our own souls." 

- George Muller 

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 2 / NT - Matthew 3

Wake Up!

 Today's Readings: OT - Genesis 1:1-12/ NT - Matthew 1

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him...“   ~ Matthew 1:24

Waking up in the morning can be an exciting and hopeful experience. When we walk with Lord there’s an unending expectation for what He has planned. His presence and promise give us all that we need to conquer the unconquerable and achieve the unachievable. But it all begins with our stepping out with purpose to follow God’s leading.

Joseph ended the day with a troubled heart. But, after thoughtful consideration and a word from the Lord, Joseph woke up to a new day. He entered with clarity and crisp direction. While the path would be challenging and often quite difficult, the Lord’s presence and promise was sufficient. Now it was time to step out with purpose to follow God’s leading.

You may or may not have ended the year of 2023 with a troubled heart my friend. You may be unsure of what 2024 will bring your way. Yet, if you choose to walk with the Lord, His presence and promise will be all yours and much more. It’s a new day and New Year my friend, so wake up! And step out with purpose to follow the Lord’s leading.

“The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good, acceptable and perfect.” 

― Jim Elliot, martyred missionary

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Genesis 1:13-31 / NT Matthew 2