Tear down or build up?

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 3 / NT - Matt. 12:1-21

"But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him... a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory" - Matthew 12:14, 20

Adolf Hitler and Mother Theresa both made a dramatic impact on their world. One brought death and the other life. One was all about domination while the other was all about submission. One spewed out condemnation and the other compassion. One was filled with hate while the other was driven by love. One tore his world down while the other built hers up.

The New Testament world was impacted by the Pharisees and the Lord Jesus. The one was a group of powerful religious men and the other was the Son of God. The most profound difference is found in the fact that the Pharisees were selfish leaders and Jesus was a selfless leader. The Pharisees were filled with hate while the Lord was driven by love. The one tore others down, while the Other built them up.

Looking at such a contrast, how do you seek to make an impact on your world my friend? Are you all about power or pardon, malice or mercy, hate or love? You can choose to impact men by the ways of men or the ways of Jesus. One will tear others down and one will build them up. Which will you choose?

    Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 4 / NT - Mark 3:1-21

No Middle Ground ...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 2:12-36 / NT - John 5:19-47

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned." -- John 5:28-29

We go through school and receive grades according to our academic performance. The more we study, the better our grade. Then comes that frightful day when we take the road test for our driver's license. We don't get a better grade if we study more. We don't get an "A", "B" or "C" license; we either pass or fail by our actions. It's one way or the other, there's no middle ground.

The entrance exam for eternity is one of those tests that one either passes or fails. It's all a matter of choice in this life. If we choose life in Jesus and are changed into righteous people, we will pass into eternal life. On the other hand, should we choose to embrace evil throughout life, we will fail into eternal condemnation. It's one way or the other, there's no middle ground.

There are many people who expect their eternal destiny to be determined on a graded scale. You may figure that enough good works will bring a good grade and a well deserved place in heaven.  But the simple truth is, we pass or fail by our action of choice. Jesus is the only way, there's no middle ground. How will you choose?

    Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 3 / NT - Matt. 12:1-21

At Once ...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 1:21-2:11 / NT - John 5:1-18

"One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years... Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked." -- John 5:5, 8-9

Down through the years there have been many charlatans who have offered dramatic changes for those in need. They put on a great show and often include amazing examples. People come from great distances to be quickly and permanently healed or delivered from various conditions. But when the dust settles very little is changed and the crowds move on to seek someone else who might have that special answer for their need.

As we consider the above passage we notice that when the Lord enters the picture there is great and miraculous change. No one could just rise up and walk after thirty-eight years of inactivity... except someone who is touched by the Son of God. No matter how severe the condition, when Jesus brings change, He overcomes all obstacles and lasts forever.

Why seek change from those who are limited at best and are powerless to bring lasting change to meet your need. Don't waste years and energy seeking help from empty sources that promise much and deliver little. Turn to Jesus my friend and find out what it means to experience change "at once" and for good.

    Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 2:12-36 / NT - John 5:19-47

In the box?

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 1:1-20 / NT - Mark 2

"And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" - Mark 2:16-17

While I was in college, I worked as an assistant to the campus baker. We made everything from biscuits to wedding cakes. Apart from all the specialty items, our ovens were most often used to bake bread. Bread requires the inclusion of yeast and the yeast must permeate the dough or the bread will never rise. But yeast never works while it sets in the box.

In a way, Jesus was like yeast is to bread. He knew that those who needed to "rise" out of their sin-sick lives needed a Savior. They needed to meet the Lord and be exposed to the Gospel. If Jesus simply stayed in an upper room or some worship center with His disciples, He would never permeate the lives of the lost. The Gospel never works while it sets in a box.

Which are you like my friend? The Pharisee that keeps the knowledge of God to yourself or the Lord who gets out among sinners and spreads the Good news? Like bread, the sin-sick need to be permeated by the presence of the Lord or they will never "rise" out of their bondage to sin. Remember, the Gospel never works while it sets in a box!

    Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 1:21-2:11 / NT - John 5:1-18

Simplicity ...

 Today's Readings: OT - Ruth 4 / NT - John 4:46-54

"The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies." - John 4:49

I stood in the hospital hallway with our family physician. His discussion concerning my father's condition was chock full of medical mumbo-jumbo. I finally stopped him and asked that he just give me the bottom line. Sometimes the best way to deal with life is in simplicity.

An official traveled over 20 miles to appeal for the life of his son. As he approached the subject, Jesus made a point that people would not believe without miraculous signs. At this moment the man could have responded with a detailed defense and argument. Or he could have been offended enough to walk away, but he didn't do either. This father just gave Him the bottom line... "come down before child dies". Sometimes the best way to deal with life is in simplicity.

After you have exhausted every other resource and you come to Jesus, what do you ask? Is your prayer a long detailed explanation about the situation, including all the reasons why you came to the Lord last of all? Do you feel that your words need to be many or the Lord will not be convinced enough to help? Well my friend, remember to whom you are speaking and give Him the bottom line. Sometimes the best way to seek the Lord is in simplicity.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 1:1-20/ NT - Mark 2

Stay the course...

 Today's Readings: OT - Ruth 3 / NT - John 4:16-45

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." -- John 4:34-35 

Having lived in old houses all our married life has given our family an appreciation for the ongoing work that is needed. The list of jobs is never-ending and it keeps you going from one spare moment to the next. At times you might think the work is finished, but then you open your eyes and there is much more to be done. Some responsibilities take a lifetime and more.

Jesus was focused on a pressing task and all other pursuits came afterward. He was totally committed to finish the task assigned by the Father. At the same time he points out the ever present harvest of souls standing before us, if we will only open our eyes. The responsibility of reaching the lost and helpless multitude with the gospel is never truly finished. The task will take a lifetime, only to be passed on to the next generation.

Open your eyes my friend, and what do you see? Is it your neighbor, friend, fellow worker, classmate or family member? Do you see the crowds on your way to work or while you're shopping? How many of them are lost and helpless, in need of the Savior? The harvest will take a lifetime, and must be passed on to the next generation. Stay the course and never give up!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ruth 4 / NT - John 4:46-54

Satisfied!

 Today's Readings: OT - Ruth 2 / NT - John 4:1-15

"Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'"  - John 4:13-14

When my boys were younger we would spend many summer days at the beach. Those were the days of a local convenience store's "Big Gulp"... 52 ounces of cold, tantalizing, thirst-quenching liquid. One would think such a huge drink would last for days, but not true. My guys would pass through these barrels of beverage in record time and be thirsty again. There never was enough to satisfy.

When our Lord interacted with the woman at the well, He spoke of spiritual thirst rather than physical thirst. While there were many spiritual "Big Gulps" around, they were always running dry and leaving one thirsty. Jesus offered a drink that would never run out and always satisfy.

Things have never really changed my friend. People are still looking for the ultimate "Big Gulp" that will totally quench the greatest thirst. But, no matter where we turn there is no thirst quencher that will meet our need like the Lord's spring of living water. Remember, only Jesus can satisfy your soul!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ruth 3 / NT - John 4:16-45