Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

The expression, “you can run, but you can’t hide” is a taunt made famous in 1941 when the infamous Joe Louis, a champion boxer, fought Billy Conn, a natural light heavyweight boxer.  Billy Conn was a superb, fearless boxer, who entered the ring on the evening of the fight weighing at least 25 pounds less than the Champion.

Conn fought brilliantly, landing punches but using his skills to stay away from Louis’ devastating punching power. In the 12th round, Conn landed several heavy blows and had Louis in trouble. At the close of the 12th round, Joe Louis trailed on the score cards of two of the three officials. He was being outboxed and beaten by the quicker, lighter Billy Conn. However, heartened by the effect of his punches on the Champion in the 12th round, Conn wanted to prove that he could trade punches with the Champion. When he came out for the 13th round, he abandoned his stylish boxing and began exchanging punches with the Champion. The result: Conn was knocked out by Louis with seconds remaining in the 13th round.

After World War II, in June, 1946, Louis fought a rematch with the challenger Conn. Remembering how close Louis had come to losing his Championship to Conn in 1941, boxing writers asked Louis how he would contend with the fast and cunning Conn. The Champion is said to have replied: “He can run, but he can’t hide.” Joe Louis was correct.  The second fight ended in the 8th round when the Champion knocked out Billy Conn for the second time.

So, now we know why these words were coined and are now used as a taunt by the bullies in our lives who tamper with our souls.  The taunt of the enemy contaminates our core being emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  The words are meant to produce fear in our hearts, paralyzing us with the inability to do anything against our foe. 

Jesus, our Champion, redefines Joe Louis’ words and counters with Truth (as always!):

You can run a scam of religiosity to others for your own benefit and promotion; but you can’t hide who you really are to the world.  Our hearts, sooner than later, will expose the core being of our existence and condition.  “Watch out,” says Jesus, by those with the “run and hide” disease who deliver blows to our being!  Don’t be contaminated by those who have this spiritual sickness!     

Luke 12, The Message

Can’t Hide Behind a Religious Mask

12 ^1-3 By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other’s toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.

^4-5 “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

^6-7 “What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.

^8-9 “Stand up for me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels?

¹⁰ “If you bad-mouth the Son of Man out of misunderstanding or ignorance, that can be overlooked. But if you’re knowingly attacking God himself, taking aim at the Holy Spirit, that won’t be overlooked.

^11-12 “When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus demands that our hearts are checked often to stay healthy and uncontaminated by false impressions of Truth.  Jesus tells his closest friends who follow him how to do what He says:

• Watch out!  Look for what and who is true, gives glory to God and run from what or who is not of God.
• Don’t be contaminated by the sickness of phony portrayals of goodness and the playacting of compassion as your way of living.  Run from this sickness!  Hide in the cleft of the Rock who protects us—Jesus!
• Run from teaching that sounds good to the pubic but is followed by whispered sarcasms about followers in a private staff meeting afterwards. 
• Ask for discernment for Truth.  God has already given us the gift of His Holy Spirit to help us! 

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.” John 16:13-14, NLT 

• If we preach “God is love” then we should be living a life of love verified by our behaviors. 
• If we tell others, “God will help you;” be willing, unreservedly, to tell how God helped us in times of trial and suffering.
• Call the bluff of religious bullies who demand and taunt us be like them and think like them.  They don’t own our souls, God does.  They can’t save our souls; only Jesus saves us!  Do not fear the bullies, the masked enemies of Jesus!  They will all be exposed sooner than later now and again when Jesus comes!

“There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” –Jesus

• Stand for Jesus as Jesus stands for us.  “The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.”

Wonderful words, beautiful words…wonderful words of life!  (Chorus of an old hymn that just came to mind.  “Wonderful words of Life”)

Lord,

Thank you for listening to our cries for help and for the cleansing of our core being.  We know that all our behaviors find their beginnings in our hearts.  So, cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy of your salvation consistently at work within me.  I run to you and hide in the shadows of your wings of protection and unfailing compassionate care.  Thank you for showing us Truth.  The Truth is, you love us far beyond our wildest imaginations and understandings.  I will fear no evil for you are with me. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

We are “not fancy like that” when our family comes together to celebrate a holiday over a meal of all kinds of food.  We decide on the meats and sides and everyone brings their contribution to the meal.  The main goal for us who come to our home is loving each other well and treating each other with kindness. As the grandkids would get into a squabble, it was soon crushed by parents and peace resumed.  We don’t always agree on the hot topics of the day, but we love each other even in disagreement.  I am grateful that love leads us. Not all follow Jesus yet, but prayer over our meals to the God who provides will always be said in our home.  Everyone who comes to the table knows that Truth lives in us as we work to live as redeemed people in Jesus.  We are certainly not perfect but perfectly forgiven.  Jesus is hard to argue with when He is the Way to Truth who gives Life.

A Pharisee, who is a religious scholar and teacher and a prominent man in the community, has asked Jesus to come to dinner.  Jesus is gaining popularity and this fact alone boggles the minds of the religious who not only define The Law of God daily in their own ways but so they can also find more ways to push common men and women around who are not privy to the content of The Law.  It is for this reason that Jesus said yes to the invitation to dinner. 

But why invite Truth to dinner?  Probably the biggest reason of all is because Jesus is turning the heads of those who used to bow down to the Pharisee with empty flattery just so they would not be scolded or punished.  Jesus is taking away their “game”.

Jesus does not clean up his words upon being attacked for not ceremonially washing his hands.  He is direct and purposeful.  “Okay, let’s go there,” Jesus seems to say. Pharisees are debaters but Jesus is Truth who trumps all debaters’ arguments and suppositions.  Even though the following conversation is harsh, we must remember that God’s desire is that no one perish.  Since the Pharisee invited Jesus into his home, Jesus is trying to gain entrance into his heart…even though it seems hopeless.

The meal is over, it’s time to do the dishes…

Luke 11, The Message

Frauds!

^37-41 When he finished that talk, a Pharisee asked him to dinner. He entered his house and sat right down at the table. The Pharisee was shocked and somewhat offended when he saw that Jesus didn’t wash up before the meal. But the Master said to him, “I know you Pharisees buff the surface of your cups and plates so they sparkle in the sun, but I also know your insides are maggoty with greed and secret evil. Stupid Pharisees! Didn’t the One who made the outside also make the inside? Turn both your pockets and your hearts inside out and give generously to the poor; then your lives will be clean, not just your dishes and your hands.

⁴² “I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God’s love. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.

^43-44 “You’re hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You love sitting at the head table at church dinners, love preening yourselves in the radiance of public flattery. Frauds! You’re just like unmarked graves: People walk over that nice, grassy surface, never suspecting the rot and corruption that is six feet under.”

⁴⁵ One of the religion scholars spoke up: “Teacher, do you realize that in saying these things you’re insulting us?”

⁴⁶ He said, “Yes, and I can be even more explicit. You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You load people down with rules and regulations, nearly breaking their backs, but never lift even a finger to help.

^47-51 “You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed. The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay.

⁵² “You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won’t go in yourself, and won’t let anyone else in either.”

^53-54 As soon as Jesus left the table, the religion scholars and Pharisees went into a rage. They went over and over everything he said, plotting how they could trap him in something from his own mouth.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Ceremonial washing of hands did no make your hand physically cleaner than they were before.  At this stage in Jesus’ ministry, when the religious leaders were bent on destroying Him, why would a Pharisee invite Him to his home for a meal? If he had been sincerely seeking truth, he would have talked with our Lord privately. It seems obvious that he was looking for an opportunity to accuse Jesus, and he thought he had it when Jesus did not practice the ceremonial handwashing before eating.

Remember Mark’s gospel sharing these same accusations about ceremonial washing?  Let’s refresh our memories as to what Jesus said…

The Pharisees—Jews in general, in fact—would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they’d give jugs and pots and pans).

The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, “Why do your disciples brush off the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?”

Jesus answered, “Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull’s-eye in fact:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
    but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they are worshiping me,
    but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
    for teaching whatever suits their fancy,
Ditching God’s command
    and taking up the latest fads.”  Mark 7:1-8, MSG

Back to the dinner at the Pharisee’s house…Knowing what the host was thinking, Jesus responded by giving a “spiritual analysis” of the Pharisees basically in two words:  “You’re hopeless.” 

Let’s do the dishes—inside and out.  The basic error of the Pharisees (and our error, too, for all have sinned and fall short) was thinking that righteousness was only a matter of external actions and behaviors, and they trivialized their internal attitudes. They were very careful to keep the outside clean and presentable, but they ignored the wickedness within. They seemed to forget that the same God who created the outside also created the inside, the “inward parts” that also needs cleansing.  The Psalm of David would have been a great place to start for true cleansing…

“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.  Psalm 51:7-13, NIV

But instead, the Pharisees and other religious scholars plotted to disarm and destroy Truth (Jesus).  And that’s why Jesus called them “hopeless.”

Hypocrites do not want their sins exposed; it hurts their reputation. Instead of opposing Jesus, Messiah come as written by the prophets, these men should have been seeking His mercy. They deliberately began to attack Him with “catch questions” in hopes they could trap Him in some heresy and then arrest Him. What a disgraceful way to treat the Son of God.  “All show and no go” attitudes still happen today.  And Jesus called them “hopeless.”

Jesus is Hope.  Hope came to set us free from sins’ entanglements and deceptions.  Hope is the Truth of the matter at hand and at heart.  Hope rose again from the grave to defeat death forever!  Hope is with us always.  Hope is for all who believe Jesus as Truth.  We didn’t earn Hope nor do we deserve Hope but to all who believe we are given Hope.  Without Jesus, we are hopeless.

Lord,

Cleanse my heart, renew my mind by transforming my thinking, refresh my soul with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy of your salvation consistently at work within me where Truth must abide.  Thank you for your peace as a gift for obedience to seeking Hope…You.  I am so grateful for You.  I am no longer hopeless for Hope lives in me.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Sometimes I am interviewed by college and seminary students in religion courses.  I pray before each interview that God would lead me in ways that glorify Him.  I love telling the story of God and His Son, Jesus, who reconciled us back to God.  I love telling how my relationship with God through Jesus as grown and is still growing.  I also tell of the crossroads I have had in my life where I had to choose life or the world. 

Over the years, I’m asked the same questions, “Do you think the world is changing in their view of God?” This question is followed up with, “Is the church changing with the world?”  These questions are loaded with answers as we reflect and compare what the world in general thinks now to what the world vew of God was decades ago.  The heart of this generation in my lifetime, as well as generations past and present, are discussed.  Behaviors are analyzed.  What we thought as unacceptable behaviors “back then” are now seemingly applauded.  Christianity seems to be more and more a belief to be mocked as it is considered backward thinking.  Many want proof that Jesus was more than a good teacher.  But is this mood new?

At the heart of it all, the discussion seems to settle on the mood of this age with this question:  Is God’s church affected by the mood of our cultural society or are we affecting our culture with the Light of Jesus who shines in and through us in ways that draw people to Him?  What is the mood of this age?  Are our eyes open to see the shift in the mood of this age? 

Is society affecting who we are and say we believe more than we are affecting society with the Truth of Jesus?  What is the mood of this age?

Jesus, Son of God, who has the advantage to see and know the hearts of people while observing behaviors says, “The mood of this age is all wrong.”  The song, “looking for love in all the wrong places” comes to mind as we read what Jesus said to the crowd who were seeking yet another miraculous performance from Jesus.

Luke 11, The Message

Keep Your Eyes Open

^29-30 As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.

^31-32 “On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’

^33-36 “No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It’s put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they’re going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

First pause, pray, reflect. 

When asked, “what has changed in the world you live and how has it changed in you,” how would you respond?

What is the mood of this age?  How do we respond to this mood?  Do we hide what we know to be truth so that we may fit in without hassle or awkwardness? 

What is the mood of God’s church? Does the church think inwardly or outwardly?  Are we merely tantalizing people with smoke and mirrors of performance while avoiding the truth—all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and need a Savior?  Is the church open to change the mood of this age with different methods of delivery of the Truth with God’s wisdom to never change the Truth?

The mood of this age of our world is still wrong and highly unreliable. We cannot depend on our moods! That’s why God sent His Son to earth to saves us from our moody feelings that result in living the ways of selfishness, envy, pride, greed, sexual deviances, and hate—all that is not God.  When we rise above the darkness of our moods to see the light of Jesus dawn before us, we glow and bask in the light of His love with eyes wide open to see His glory at work!  Saying yes to Jesus changes everything about us—how we see, hear, feel, think, and act. 

We learn that we can trust in Someone who loved us first, died for our sins, rose again to life, and loves to be with us always!  He never changes in His love and compassion for us. 

The big secret to be shared is this: His Holy Spirit comes to live in us as a beacon of Light for the new path we walk. (Christ in us! Colossians 1:27) God’s Holy Spirit begins His work to transform our thinking from what the world thinks to His higher Kingdom thinking.  His Kingdom thinking begins to affect change in our behaviors.  His Kingdom thinking changes our mood.  We learn to no longer rely on our feeling but on His Holy Presence abiding in us.  His Kingdom of God thinking changes our relationships with not only God but with each other! The more we realize the love God has for us, the more we love each other! 

The Light of His love in us cannot be hidden.  Everyone will notice and be drawn to this light that daily changes our mood and sets us free to love without thinking of what we will get in return or how deservedly they are of our love.  We just love with the love of God in us.  New heart.  New life in Christ.  New mood!

Who or what is affecting our mood?  Is it God or this moody world?

Let’s keep our eyes open to see the Light!  “Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.” –Jesus

Lord,

We are a moody bunch of people!  Our feelings and our hearts deceive us at times.  The enemy loves it when we are distracted from the Truth who loves and saves us. I repent of the times when I allowed my feelings to affect my mood even for a few hours in a day.  I’m not at your best when I fall for feelings that hinder your best work in me.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our thinking, refresh our souls with your new mercies, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work in us.  Remove all that is not you from us that is dimming Your light in us.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

No one I know likes to live in limbo while waiting on a contract to go through on a house, a phone call saying you got that job, getting a yes to a new relationship or any other life-changing event.  What is living in limbo? If you say that someone or something is in limbo, you mean that they are in a situation where they seem to be caught between two stages and it is unclear what will happen next.  Living in limbo is very frustrating, especially to people like me who want to know the goal with a plan to reach that goal. 

Living in limbo actually happens in life and relationships all because a decision as not been made.  Yes—or no? Decide!  

While casting out yet another demon who has occupied a man’s heart, mind, and soul, keeping the man from making decisions, Jesus comes and changes everything.  As he is criticized for this miraculous healing by limbo living people standing around, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach about the greatest decision we will ever make and how to guard it with our lives!  Yes—or no?  Decide!

There is no neutral ground. Decide! Our very lives depend on making the right decision to no longer live in limbo!

Luke 11, The Message

No Neutral Ground

^14-16 Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. “Black magic,” they said. “Some devil trick he’s pulled from his sleeve.” Others were skeptical, waiting around for him to prove himself with a spectacular miracle.

^17-20 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Any country in civil war for very long is wasted. A constantly squabbling family falls to pieces. If Satan cancels Satan, is there any Satan left? You accuse me of ganging up with the Devil, the prince of demons, to cast out demons, but if you’re slinging devil mud at me, calling me a devil who kicks out devils, doesn’t the same mud stick to your own exorcists? But if it’s God’s finger I’m pointing that sends the demons on their way, then God’s kingdom is here for sure.

^21-22 “When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons? Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered.

²³ “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.

^24-26 “When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.”

²⁷ While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!”

²⁸ Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The most important decision in our lives, a matter of life or death, stands in front of us.  Our decision will tear down or build up our lives and relationships with others.  Our committed decisiveness has two results:

We will continue to live in a limbo state of mind with wavering beliefs and spontaneous behaviors characteristic of changing winds and shifting sand on the surf—

OR we will solidify our beliefs and behaviors, securing us on the Solid Rock of Truth.

“Decide,” says Jesus. “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.” 

Jesus explains the danger of neutrality living (limbo living).  He illustrated this danger by telling the story of the man and the demon. The man’s body was the demon’s “house”. For some unknown reason, the demonic tenant decided to leave his “house” and go elsewhere. The man’s condition improved immediately, but the man did not invite God to come and dwell within. In other words, the man remained neutral. What happened? The demon returned with seven other demons worse than himself, and the man’s condition was abominable.

Indecisiveness makes life worse than it was before!  So, yes—or no?

• Say yes to Jesus!  Believe and be saved now and for eternity. 
• Leave limbo living.  Stay in communication with God in Jesus Name.  Ask for wisdom to live life to the full.  God loves and “delights” in the all the details of our daily living!  Ask for help!  He loves to give it.
• Know God.  Know Jesus.  Know the Helper—God’s Holy Spirit who lives in those who have decided to follow Him. 
• Know the real enemy—it’s not each other!  Our war is with the fallen angel, Satan who seeks to distract, deceive and destroy our faith, hope and love in our Father—the One who created us, knows us and fights for us.  (See Ephesians 6:12-20)

Decide now.  “…blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!” –Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus

No turning back, no turning back.

Lord,

I have indeed decided.  I am not perfect but I know I am perfectly forgiven.  You are still transforming my thinking as you solidify my belief and faith in you.  I see your work of salvation in me as you daily cleanse my heart, remove what does not belong, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy and peace in my being no matter what is happening around me.  I love you because you loved me first.  I adore you because you loved me enough to save me from living in limbo that leads nowhere.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Can’t be what we can’t see
Can’t speak if we can’t breathe
Can’t dance if we don’t move our feet
It’s a blur tryin’ to keep pace
Days running like we’re in a race
Can’t move if we’re in our own way
I guess the crisis is
We’ve just one life to live
And no one knows what happens next…


So what are we waiting for? What are we waiting for?
Why are we wasting all the time like someone’s making morе?
What are we praying for? What are wе saving for?
What if we could be the light that no one could ignore?
What are we waiting for?
Waiting, oh, waiting for, waiting for…

[For King and Country, Chorus: Joel Smallbone]

“What are we waiting for, let’s just ask Him,” said one of his disciples.  Jesus, teach us to pray.  Are his followers beginning to understand where His power originates as He loves, heals, encourages, and forgives?  One thing is evident, they have learned enough about Him to know that His habit of stealing away by Himself to a quiet place to commune with His Father keeps Him determined and focused on why He came to earth.  But, they wonder what He and His Father in Heaven talk about.  What is Jesus asking?  What is God telling Him?

Luke 11, The Message

Ask for What You Need

11 One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

^2-4 So he said, “When you pray, say,

Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”

^5-6 Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’

⁷ “The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’

⁸ “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.

⁹ “Here’s what I’m saying:

Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open.

^10-13 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The greatest argument for the priority of prayer is the fact that Jesus was a man of prayer. To be like Jesus, we pray.  Jesus prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), before He chose the Twelve (Luke 6:12), when the crowds increased (Luke 5:16), before He asked the Twelve for their confession of faith (Luke 9:18), and at His Transfiguration (Luke 9:29). Jesus was consistently in communion with the Father who sent Him, asking “what’s next, Father”, with a heart of obedience, trusting the outcomes to God.  Jesus is the perfect example of how to relate to our Father in Heaven in a prayer conversation of asking and listening for God response to us.

The disciples knew that He often prayed alone (Mark 1:35), and they wanted to learn from Him this secret of spiritual power and wisdom. If Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, had to depend on prayer while He was here on earth (Hebrews 5:7), then how much more do you and I need to pray! Effective prayer is the provision for every need and the solution for every problem.  Most importantly in the asking is trusting God for the outcomes.  We pray. He works.  God is always at work, always with us, always for us. Who better to ask than the One who created all and knows all?

I am reminded of the old gospel song my parents used to sing, 

I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray

I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

When we pray “may your Kingdom come” asking for “His will be done” we receive God’s greatest gift—a relationship of love, mercy, and grace that does not quit and never gives up on us! 

When we ask for forgiveness and He not only forgives, He forgets the sins we regretfully remember.  God will free us from the bondage of remembering so we can move forward as we pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

When we ask for His help when tempted by the evil one; God responds with the power of His Holy Spirit working within us to help us grow in His character in ways beyond our human abilities. 

When we ask, in Jesus Name, and trust the outcomes to God; God is standing by ready to provide all we need to grow in His love.  Ask, seek, knock.  Jesus, our advocate before God, hears and opens the door to the greatest relationship we will ever have with our Father in Heaven! 

So, what are we waiting for?  What are we praying for?  To be light in the darkness!

Heavenly Father,

Hallowed is Your Name. Great are you, Lord!  May Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in every detail of our lives on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day all you know we will need to live our lives for you in ways that make you smile.  And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil and evil’s schemes to distract and deceive us with intentions of destroying our relationship with you.  For you have all power.  May your power flow through us.  To you be the glory, honor, and praise forever and ever! 

In Jesus Name, Amen!  Yes!

Next week is Thanksgiving!  Today is Saturday and we have a plan.  As the mom of three adult children who are married with children, our grandchildren, I have already mapped out a plan for preparation.  I have learned over the years that a plan (with a backup plan) outlining all the details for preparation allows Randy and I to “pace” ourselves in preparing for the arrival of seventeen loved ones.  Experience teaches that we cannot do it all at once or it becomes too overwhelming.  We must allow for margin, making corrections as we go, when a detail is forgotten and something goes wrong at the last minute.  Am I a Martha?

This plan includes cleaning our home, a few tasks each day, while rearranging furniture to accommodate more than the two people who normally live here.  We do this to make people feel comfortable so we can talk and listen as we catch up on each other’s lives of dreams and achievements.  Randy and I do as much work as we possible can ahead of time so we can enjoy each other’s company.  Am I a Martha?

The roasted turkey might be the star of the meal around which side dishes are prepared by others who contribute to the meal, but the main course consists of hearts, minds, and souls who gather to offer thanksgiving to God for each person who pulls up the table as a family.  When our hearts aren’t focused, chaos ensues, and we become merely Marthas who are tense and unyielding.  So, who is Martha?

Martha wanted Jesus to come to her home.  Bear in mind, she welcomed the thought of being able to serve the Master Teacher who was becoming quite popular in the community.  Martha believed in who Jesus was and wanted Him to feel “at home.”  Putting a spontaneous meal together for Jesus and his followers took a lot of effort on her part, especially in those days!  It was an “all hands-on deck” moment to pull this together in Martha’s mind. The physical meal and the determination to be the hostess with the mostest drove Martha a bit crazy. 

Mary, who just sat there listening to Jesus, was on Martha’s last nerve … admit it, we’ve all been there.

Luke 10, The Message

Mary and Martha

^38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

^41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I admit, the organizational Martha gene is in my DNA.  Ask anyone who knows me.  But what I have learned over the years is this; Jesus loved Martha and Mary. Jesus loves me with these God-given gifts and abilities.  I am not ashamed of who God made me to be but I am ashamed when doing overrides being.

Martha’s “make it happen” gene leaped into action as she served her Friend and His Followers; but her heart lagged.  Therein lies the trouble. Her heart-lagging caused her hurried mind to be overly consumed with “must-do” details of her making.  This led to blaming Mary who whose heart was on target, forgetting what it took to serve a meal.  Martha was probably a bit jealous of Mary who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus.  Martha is torn between what is good and what is best.  Jesus gently leads her heart back to Him. 

Martha, Martha, chips and dip will do, come sit with Me.  In my thoughts just now, I can see her shoulders drop and feel her tender heart as she realizes Jesus is right.  Jesus would rather be with her for Jesus “did not come to be serve, but to serve.”  Wow, what a thought!  Pause for a minute and take that in. I am.

I have not arrived, as Paul writes to the Philippians, but I am learning that it is good to have and to hold the traits of both Martha and Mary.  I have a heart to serve.  I have a heart for Jesus.  I’m learning, and still perfecting the art of being a Martha with Mary’s heart by God’s grace. I pray consistently for God to keep me focused on the “main course” of sharing His love and compassion with graciousness. 

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14

Mary and Martha loved Jesus greatly.  We learn, then, that our response to Jesus is a correlation to what or who drives our hearts.  If our grateful hearts are focused on the “main course” —Jesus; His peace rules in our hearts in all we do.  Be then do.  Be with Jesus then do what He says.  Being is more important than doing.  Whoever is in our hearts generally guides our behaviors.  When the human details or people-pleasing traits take priority, the focus fades. 

Lord,

May your love in us guide our every thought and action.  May we serve others and You by your love in us.  Faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.  You first, then others.  May all that motivates us is our longing for others to know you, too.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Tell me the story of Jesus…write on my heart every word…

A priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan walk into Jerico.  It sounds like the beginning of a comedian’s set up for a joke, right?  But Jesus is setting up yet another great story that teaches Truth.  Truth is Who we know.  Truth guides how we behave because of Who we know.  Confused? 

Let’s go deeper…

A religious scholar, looking for loopholes around Truth because he really doesn’t know the Person of Truth with whom he is debating, asks, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”  Can you imagine the eagerness of Jesus to tell a story to parallel the real Truth of the matter.  We can almost hear Jesus think out loud, “I’m so glad you ask!  Have I got a story for you that will help you know exactly who your neighbor is with how to relate to them!”

There was a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan…

Luke 10, The Message

Defining “Neighbor”

²⁵ Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”

²⁶ He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”

²⁷ He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

²⁸ “Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”

²⁹ Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”

^30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

^33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’

³⁶ “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”

³⁷ “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

This story Jesus told must have blown the mind of the inquiring religious scholar who, like most Jews, hated Samaritans.  Samaritans were from the “other side of town” and judged unworthy to walk alongside.  Why, then was a Samaritan the hero of the story? 

I’m so glad you asked…

By using a Samaritan as the hero, Jesus disarmed the Jews, for the Jews and Samaritans were enemies (John 4:9; 8:48). It was not a Jew helping a Samaritan but a Samaritan helping a Jew who had been ignored by his fellow Jews! The Samaritan loved those who hated him, risked his own life, spent his own money (two days’ wages for a laborer), and was never publicly rewarded or honored as far as we know. 

The prophet Micah shares God’s heart in this and helps us to understand Jesus’ story even more…

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  Micah 6:8

What the Samaritan did helps us better understand what it means to “show mercy,” and it also illustrates the ministry of Jesus Christ. The Samaritan identified with the needs of the stranger and had compassion on him. There was no logical reason why he should rearrange his plans and spend his money just to help an “enemy” in need, but mercy does not need reasons.

Who we believe and follow reflects our behavior toward all people.  And all people matter to God! 

Be a neighbor, says Jesus.  Look closely at the actions of the Samaritan;

• He saw the man’s condition and his heart went out to him.
• He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds.
• Then he lifted him onto his donkey,
• And led him to an inn, and made him comfortable.
• Then paid the bill in full!

Isn’t this like what God did for us?  God saw our condition.  His heart of compassion went out to us.  Because of His deep love for all of us, God sent His Son to earth to heal our wounds and save us from all sins.  God offers comfort as we recover from brokenness to wholeness in Him.  Jesus then paid our debt in full, trading His life for ours!

Jesus redefines this noun, “neighbor,” as a verb of action. The one who is a neighbor is one who acts justly, shows mercy, and walks humbly with God.

Oh Lord,

I get it!  I’m grateful that the scholars of your days on earth asked the hard questions, because your answers are perfect and clarify our Godly response to you and to others.  I love that all are welcome into your Kingdom.  I understand that all have sinned and fall short of your glory.  I celebrate that all who believe are redeemed.  All are accepted.  So help us to be more aware of others and be a neighbor to all as you have taught us so well.  Help us to be aware of others’ conditions, show compassion and mercy minus judgement, with a willingness to give what we must to lift, encourage, comfort, as we lead them to you. 

In Jesus Name, Amen

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

With seventy-two years logged in on earth, God has taught me many lessons through a rich heritage of faith displayed by others in my growing up years.  Even in their imperfections, they taught me perfect forgiveness that is ours through repentance to Jesus.  But the next important lesson from God was this; God calls, equips and then sends people out into the world to tell His story of salvation through His Son, Jesus—in that order.  He does not seem call those already equipped (because they might do the work without His leading) but I have watched him equip His called who have willing, humbled, obedient hearts ready to do what He says. 

I have had many opportunities to see how God works.  God gave me several great examples in my life probably because I am a slow learner! He put people all around me to show me what God can do through a life dedicated and committed completely to Him.   I was privileged to observe God work through my parents, grandparents, youth leaders, uncles, teachers, and a few pastors who were led by God leading them. These believers were the “on your knees” kind of people who consistently asked God for direction knowing they did not have all the answers.  I thank God for all these people in my life who lived the faith out loud for me to hear and see so I could learn to imitate Jesus in them.

Jesus called (selected) seventy.  By God’s leading, Jesus equips the seventy with specific directions with warnings of what might happen with how to deal with certain circumstances along the way! Jesus even trains them in a few “social graces” they are to have hospitality is provided to them!  I love it! 

Then the Seventy are sent!  Read what happens next…

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Luke 10, The Message

Lambs in a Wolf Pack

10 ^1-2 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

³ “On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.

⁴ “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.

“Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.

^5-6 “When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.

⁷ “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.

^8-9 “When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’

^10-12 “When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

^13-14 “Doom, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had been given half the chances given you, they’d have been on their knees long ago, repenting and crying for mercy. Tyre and Sidon will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you.

¹⁵ “And you, Capernaum! Do you think you’re about to be promoted to heaven? Think again. You’re on a fast track to hell.

¹⁶ “The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.”

¹⁷ The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune!”

^18-20 Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”

²¹ At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. “I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

²² “I’ve been given it all by my Father! Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is. The Son can introduce the Father to anyone he wants to.”

^23-24 He then turned in a private aside to his disciples. “Fortunate the eyes that see what you’re seeing! There are plenty of prophets and kings who would have given their right arm to see what you are seeing but never got so much as a glimpse, to hear what you are hearing but never got so much as a whisper.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God calls, equips, and then sends us to tell the story of redemption through Jesus. 

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,^[d] so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, NLT

The message is simple: “Come back to God, Jesus made the way!”  God equips us with His authority to show and tell that Jesus is the Way back to God.  Jesus embodies the Truth of God.  All who believe Truth are assured Life eternal through Jesus! 

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6 

Jesus saves us from our sins.  The saved point the Way to Jesus!

The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune!” Victory is ours all because of Jesus! 

When Jesus calls—simply obey.

As Jesus equips—listen and trust what He is saying and doing in us.

When He sends—Go! 

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms. 

Lord,

Thank you for all the people who lived before me who did helped me know you more while pointing the Way to you as the perfect example to follow.  I am so grateful for all those who showed your love in them to me without conditions.  Thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for changing my heart and transforming my mind.  Thank you for daily refreshing my soul with your new mercies fresh each morning from your word. Thank you for teaching me and leading me on level ground.  I’m yours.  I believe.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.

“Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

“Ah, you came so close…” How many times have we heard that in our lives while in pursuit of getting the job we wanted most, of winning a game we love to play, of going the extra mile to win the race or achieve a goal we set for ourselves? 

In my youth, I remember hearing slick, carnival barkers shout, “ah, you came so close, try again” as they lured us to play their games of chance at the state fair.  The games were rigged in ways to allow you to come close to winning so that it kept you playing the game. (Mm, our enemy plays those games with our minds, too!)

As we work hard to achieve the life goals we set for ourselves, using all the resources we have at hand, leaning on others to help and encourage us, we do not want to hear, “ah, you came so close”.  Rather, we want to achieve our goal.  It’s what humans do, right?  But are missing the point of life?  Are we coming close but not quite getting it?

Luke 9, The Message

Your Business Is Life

^43-44 While they continued to stand around exclaiming over all the things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Treasure and ponder each of these next words: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands.”

⁴⁵ They didn’t get what he was saying. It was like he was speaking a foreign language and they couldn’t make heads or tails of it. But they were embarrassed to ask him what he meant.

^46-48 They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.”

⁴⁹ John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.”

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.”

^51-54 When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem. He sent messengers on ahead. They came to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for his hospitality. But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality. When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, “Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?”

^55-56 Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!” And they traveled on to another village.

⁵⁷ On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

⁵⁸ Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”

Jesus said to another, “Follow me.”

⁵⁹ He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.”

⁶⁰ Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!”

⁶¹ Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

⁶² Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus presents a new perspective concerning the “business of life.”  Jesus teaches new ways of thinking and behaving in a race He sets before us, a race we will win if we follow what He says as our “life coach.”  “Follow Me,” Jesus simply says, “no turning back, just follow Me.”  No, “yeah, buts,” just follow.  Life eternal is the end goal. (Maybe “reverse engineering” might help.)

Jesus teaches The Twelve, and others who want to follow, a valuable lesson that is a matter of life or death.  “Treasure and ponder each of these next words:  The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands,” says Jesus to his beloved.  But, how did they respond? –With a quarrel over who is the greatest!  Ah, guys, you came so close…

They didn’t get what Jesus was saying and didn’t ask questions.  Instead, they chose ignorance as a backup plan and argued like children over who would be the greatest in God’s Kingdom.  There is a distinct difference in being childish and childlike in our faith and Jesus makes that point clearly with a child He takes by the hand.  Ah, you came so close…  (Sigh.) 

Friends, do we do this?  Do we miss the point by not asking questions about what we do not understand?  Do we decide to fall back on our own ways of getting ahead in the world?  Are we too lazy to take time to ponder and treasure the very words of Jesus to us?  We must admit; we are “famous” for procrastinating Jesus’ message of being and doing with God first because it seems hard so we ignore it all together.  (Ouch)

Blame games with other childish behaviors easily surface when we come close to following Jesus but make excuses to not follow so that we can accomplish our own will as opposed to His will. 

“I’ve got to take care of business first.”

“That other guy is doing stuff but he is not one of us.”

“That town was rude to us, let’s incinerate it!”

“I’ll be right there…after the funeral business.”

Jesus responds, “Your ‘business’ is Life.” I am reminded a beautiful, comforting conversation between Jesus and His closest followers recorded in the gospel of John.  Thomas begins the conversation, not so much doubting, but with a compassionate cry of his heart to know more.  Jesus’ disciples have put aside self to seek truth and ask questions seeking understanding.  Listen in on the conversation…

“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 6:5-14, NIV

Our response?

Believe and be saved. 

Ask questions when we do not understand and receive answers from the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

“Ponder and treasure” what He says to us for His words give Life and set us free from the bondage of sin with discernment to avoid the slick traps of evil.  Peace comes, the kind only Jesus can give. 

Trust and obey for there’s no other way…

Ah, now we get it!  The closer we get to Jesus, the closer we come to thinking and responding to life like Him who is Life!  To God be the glory!

Lord,

Thank you for showing us the Way to Truth that give Life every single day. Thank you for saving our souls by cleansing our hearts.  Thank your for being the answer to all our Life questions.

In Jesus Name, Amen

As church leaders, we are highly encouraged to go to events that teach us methods of successful ministry in the work of God’s Kingdom.  We attend grand seminars, local workshops, along with denominational gatherings eager to learn the best ways to reach more people.  We hear from those who do the work well.  These men and women have accomplished attendance goals, created great programs of ministry, and have the latest and best ideas about how to do the work.  These professionals tell of the “must have” resources that will take us to the “next steps” of greater ministry.  After a few days of energetic presentations, we are convinced. 

Then we walk down the mountain, to the front lines of what God has given us to do at home.  It seems all that we learned we cannot mimic much less apply to where we are.  We are discouraged.  We think we will never be “good enough” to do what others have done.  Why?  The enemy loves it when we in this position of comparing ourselves to others in ministry but Jesus has the answer!  Jesus steps in and brings us back to who and what is Truth!

Luke 9, The Message

^37-40 When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them. A man called from out of the crowd, “Please, please, Teacher, take a look at my son. He’s my only child. Often a spirit seizes him. Suddenly he’s screaming, thrown into convulsions, his mouth foaming. And then it beats him black-and-blue before it leaves. I asked your disciples to deliver him but they couldn’t.”

⁴¹ Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring your son here.”

^42-43 While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the foul spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The disciples tried to heal by copying what Jesus did.  They probably said what Jesus said while making the same moves as He did, but they did not have the same results.  So, what went wrong?

Jesus tells them.  They somehow left God out of the equation!  Jesus exclaims, “No sense of God—no focus on God!”  Ouch. 

If they were paying attention more to the habits of Jesus than they did His results, they might have picked up on the God in Jesus.  Jesus never did and said anything without first going to God, His Father.  Jesus consistently got away by Himself to ask for God’s will concerning all things in His earthly ministry! 

Ah, the secret sauce…seek God first. Be still before Him.  Be still.  Be. While in the humbled posture of “being” before God, we ask what HE wants.  “May your Kingdom come; Your will be done” as the beginning conversation.  Then we listen.

Seek God first.  Believe what God says.  Trust and obey His direction and His timing. We become anxious, tired, discontented, and discouraged in the work when we do not.

What are those things that Jesus consistently told his disciples?  (“How many times do I have to go over these things?”)  How about this for starters? —

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  Matthew 6:31-33

I know what you might be thinking… but to attract people who don’t know Jesus, we need…(the list is endless) great, powerful resources.  I agree—but first God!  We must go to God first and focus on what God says about when and how to do it!  God will decide and provide where He guides. 

Do we really think God doesn’t know what will attract people to His relentless love, unchanging compassions, and faithful promises?  He knows.  And get this, most times, God uses our lives (not our stuff) lived in front of people to draw them to Jesus who lives in us! 

When God is the details of our lives—it shows!  We are different and live differently when led by God.  THIS is what attracts people to God in us, who lives in us, because of the work Jesus did for us!  “SHINE, make ‘em wonder what you’ve got…”

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” Colossians 1:27, NLT

After many years of workshops and seminars while called to be and do God’s Kingdom work, it has become crystal clear to me—God first. God in the middle of it all. God in every detail.  God leading us in the race “to the finish.”  (Even as I write this, I pray, “God lead me” with every word…)

Jesus also said that our greatest resource is our strong attachment to The Vine!

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 5:4-8, NLT

The Holy fruits, that please God, being produced in us are, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” – some of the traits of God’s character!  (Galatians 5:22-23)  Our “goodness” come from God who is Good.

People are more attracted to God’s character growing in us, after the gatherings in His Name, because of their daily need of a Savior and Lord.  They watch to see what we do who say we believe.  Living God’s way, by His Holy Spirit leading, while attached strongly to Him, is what makes us different and stand out to a dark world in need.  But, remember it is God who heals the broken hearted, mends troubled minds, and fills seeking souls—we merely point the Way to God through Jesus our Savior.

The disciples learn a hard but detrimental lesson in faith and following. And we have, too.  Seek, focus, listen and obey God. He knows what He is doing. 

Believe and be saved.

Lord,

Thank you for these thoughts that center our being once more.  We haven’t arrived and still need the work of your salvation in us.  Lead us, Lord.  All day long and into the night may your will be done.

In Jesus Name, Amen