Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

In our childhoods, our fathers or mothers would do things with us that were so enjoyable that we would shout, “do it again, do it again”!  Remember?  We thought they hung the moon when we were young.  We thought they could anything.  But they were humans.  We are humans. We cannot do the impossible.  We cannot always “do it again.”

When will we get to that special growth point in our lives that we stop asking IF Jesus can do it to living life expectantly knowing without a doubt that Jesus will do it—again and again.  The only “if” to ask should be at the end of our prayers, “if it is your will.”  Jesus sees the conditions of our hearts.  Jesus knows exactly what we need when we need it most.  Jesus responds from a loving, compassionate heart.  Yes, He does, and He’ll do it again and again! 

After healing all those brought to Jesus from surrounding villages and towns for three days, in a remote place with no fast food nearby, The Bread of Life decided he “wasn’t finished with them” yet.  He looks around at all the people and meets their physical need of hunger.  Since they have seen Jesus bless food and watch it multiply, the disciples are not asking if but how because they now know He will.   They been there done that with Jesus.  They have seen enough of His glory at work previously to know!  Now, they offer bread and fish, the staples of the day, probably their own, and offer what they have to the One and Only who makes it more than enough.

Jesus’ question to them is profound, “What do you have”?  They give Him all they have.  Jesus makes it more than enough—again!

Matthew 15:32:39, The Message

But Jesus wasn’t finished with them. He called his disciples and said, “I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road.”

³³ His disciples said, “But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?”

^34-39 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they said, “plus a few fish.” At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted. It took seven large baskets to collect the leftovers. Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal. After Jesus sent them away, he climbed in the boat and crossed over to the Magadan hills.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When Jesus wants to use what we have to meet the needs of others he will ask, “what do you have”?  He is God, He already knows what we have, but He wants us to give account so we will know and realize the glory and power of God that is about to take place!  When we give all we have to the One who exponentially multiplies, Jesus miraculously makes it more than enough—beyond our wildest dreams enough! 

And that’s not all!  Jesus won’t just do it once in our lifetimes, He will do it over and over again!  I can testify to that!  See previous “Daily Manna” writings!  All to the glory of God!

Come let us worship our more than enough God!  And we’re singing…Do It Again by Elevation Worship…(Songwriters: Christopher Brown / Mack Brock / Steven Furtick / Matthew James Redman)

Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet

Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed me yet

I know the night won’t last
Your word will come to pass
My heart will sing Your praise again

Jesus You’re still enough
Keep me within Your love, oh
My heart will sing Your praise again
(Oh, yes, it will)

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains
And I believe I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe I’ll see You do it again

Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence
You’ve never failed

Oh, You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget
You’ve never failed me yet
And I never will forget…

Lord,

I will never forget your faithfulness to us.  I will never forget what you did for us.  I will never forget how you feed us daily through your Word and through your Holy Spirit.  You are more than enough, miraculously more than enough, for me!  I wait expectantly each morning for you to do it again!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

The disciples are annoyed. As Jesus sits in silence, they grow more smug. “Send her away,” they demand. The spotlight is put on Jesus. He looks at the disciples, then looks at the woman. And what follows is one of the most intriguing dialogues in the New Testament.

This reminds of a situation that happened to me not too long ago.  A relative of one of the church attenders needed help.  I was new on staff at this church but not new to ministry.  Know and realize that a church of any size and belief will get requests for help weekly.  Assuming we would help in some form, but still learning their protocol, I contacted the pastor who oversaw this area of caring service.  I was told, we help those “in the church” first, then if there are funds left over, we help others in real need.  Then I was sent a copy of their bylaws pertaining to this procedure.  Okay, but I now I must relay this information to the attender and their relative of the decision.  I’m the one put on the spot.  I would rather dig deep from my own finances and just give as much as I can.

We don’t like being put on the spot to make a decision that will affect a person’s life, do we?  Maybe that’s why this passage is challenging for us to read and understand.

Matthew 15, The Message

Healing the People

^21-22 From there Jesus took a trip to Tyre and Sidon. They had hardly arrived when a Canaanite woman came down from the hills and pleaded, “Mercy, Master, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly afflicted by an evil spirit.”

²³ Jesus ignored her. The disciples came and complained, “Now she’s bothering us. Would you please take care of her? She’s driving us crazy.”

²⁴ Jesus refused, telling them, “I’ve got my hands full dealing with the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ Then the woman came back to Jesus, dropped to her knees, and begged. “Master, help me.”

²⁶ He said, “It’s not right to take bread out of children’s mouths and throw it to dogs.”

²⁷ She was quick: “You’re right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table.”

²⁸ Jesus gave in. “Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well.

^29-31 After Jesus returned, he walked along Lake Galilee and then climbed a mountain and took his place, ready to receive visitors. They came, tons of them, bringing along the paraplegic, the blind, the maimed, the mute—all sorts of people in need—and more or less threw them down at Jesus’ feet to see what he would do with them. He healed them. When the people saw the mutes speaking, the maimed healthy, the paraplegics walking around, the blind looking around, they were astonished and let everyone know that God was blazingly alive among them.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus is Truth.  Jesus is Wisdom.  Jesus is Love, Mercy, and Grace. 

Jesus knows our hearts and our motivations for serving, helping, asking, and receiving.

We are not Jesus.  We go and tell His story.  We give and serve for His glory where He leads. 

In our early days of ministry, Randy and I fielded many requests from passersby who needed money for food to get to a job interview in another town, money to fix a worn tire, money for food for their children, money for a meal, etc. You get the picture.  These requests came often because of the church’s location at the crossroads of two main highways.  Randy had no fund to draw from so he relied on God’s leading and the few dollars in our own bank account or in his pocket.  As a family of five, living from paycheck to paycheck, he knew how to make the most of what you have.  Randy began to teach those skills to those in need by helping them learn what he had learned. 

To the man who needed a new tire, Randy led the man to a salvage yard who specialized in acquiring tires that still had tread.  For just a few dollars, the man’s problem was solved.  The salvage yard owner even put the tire on for him at no charge when he realized what Randy was doing.  Instead of handing out money, Randy got involved and helped in ways that not many in our congregation realized.

But this conversation between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, though—is still challenging. 

Consider these comments from Max Lucado:

“I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel,” he says.

“Lord, help me!”

“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs,” he answers.

“But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ tables,” she responds.

Is Jesus being rude? Is he worn-out? Is he frustrated? Is he calling this woman a dog? How do we explain this dialogue?

Could it be that Jesus’ tongue is poking his cheek? Could it be that he and the woman are engaging in satirical banter? Is it wry exchange in which God’s unlimited grace is being highlighted? Could Jesus be so delighted to have found one who is not bartering with a religious system or proud of a heritage that he can’t resist a bit of satire?

He knows he can heal her daughter. He knows he isn’t bound by a plan. He knows her heart is good. So he decides to engage in a humorous moment with a faithful woman. In essence, here’s what they said:

“Now, you know that God only cares about Jews,” he says smiling.

And when she catches on, she volleys back, “But your bread is so precious, I’ll be happy to eat the crumbs.”

In a spirit of exuberance, he bursts out, “Never have I seen such faith! Your daughter is healed.”

This story does not portray a contemptuous God. It portrays a willing One who delights in a sincere seeker.

Aren’t you glad he does?

When you obey certain rules today, think through why you obey. “I don’t speed because . . .” “I don’t falsify expense reports because . . .” “I honor my parents because . . .” and the list goes on and on…  –Max Lucado, Study Bible

God knows the motivations of our hearts and responds accordingly.

Lucado goes on to write, “Matthew notes that Jesus says nothing at first. Nothing. He doesn’t open his mouth. Why? I think that he was admiring her. I think that it did his heart good to see some spunky faith for a change. I think that it refreshed him to see someone asking him to do the very thing he came to do—give great gifts to unworthy children.  How strange that we don’t allow him to do it more often for us.

Perhaps the most amazing response to God’s gift is our reluctance to accept it. We want it. But on our terms. For some odd reason, we feel better if we earn it. So we create religious hoops and hop through them—making God a trainer, us his pets, and religion a circus.  The Canaanite woman knew better. She had no résumé. She claimed no heritage. She had no earned degrees.

She knew only two things: Her daughter was weak and Jesus was strong.

Lord,

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong”—

These simple words to a childhood chorus leap to my memory this morning in praise to you!  Cleanse our hearts and make them pure.  We know you can and will.  I trust in you, dear Jesus!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

The month of June brought a wind of change in our air quality.  The polluted atmosphere was a result of out-of-control wild fires happening in Canada.  Living just below the Great Lakes, we were affected when this smoky air was pushed south by the winds that consistently swirl our globe. For weeks, going outside for a breath of fresh air was not possible.  My husband’s lungs, weakened by a past illness, had to stay inside because it was a challenge for him to merely breathe.  It was a challenge for all of us.  The air was so thick with smoke at times that it looked like an early morning fog that decided to stay around all day!  The “fog” blocked our sight and filled our lungs with what should not be there.

This pollution of smoke as since dissipated.  Rains came to wash and cleanse our world so all is well again.  Living with pollution that is out of control affects everyone.  Pollution becomes a clogged filter that hampers us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

And since all that happens around me produces a song within me…

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day…

Seriously though, pollution of our hearts, minds, and souls are more deadly than the changing winds.  Listen in as Jesus responds to the criticism of the “pollutants” of his day and turns the discussion into a lesson for all of us. 

Matthew 15, The Message

What Pollutes Your Life

^1-2 After that, Pharisees and religion scholars came to Jesus all the way from Jerusalem, criticizing, “Why do your disciples play fast and loose with the rules?”

^3-9 But Jesus put it right back on them. “Why do you use your rules to play fast and loose with God’s commands? God clearly says, ‘Respect your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.’ But you weasel around that by saying, ‘Whoever wants to, can say to father and mother, What I owed to you I’ve given to God.’ That can hardly be called respecting a parent. You cancel God’s command by your rules. Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:

These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
    but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
    but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
    for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”

^10-11 He then called the crowd together and said, “Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up.”

¹² Later his disciples came and told him, “Did you know how upset the Pharisees were when they heard what you said?”

^13-14 Jesus shrugged it off. “Every tree that wasn’t planted by my Father in heaven will be pulled up by its roots. Forget them. They are blind men leading blind men. When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch.”

¹⁵ Peter said, “I don’t get it. Put it in plain language.”

^16-20 Jesus replied, “You, too? Are you being willfully stupid? Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Bottomline:  What goes in comes out.

• That cheeseburger and fries I had yesterday will eventually find it’s way to the toilet.  Was eating that with a sugary dessert afterward a good choice to keep my body healthy?  Probably not.  Why get frustrated then when I can’t seem to lose the unwanted pounds?  Mm.

• That movie I watched yesterday was full of foul language, abuse, and violence.  Why do I feel depressed afterward?  Why do I get angry at the little things in life that just happen?  Why can’t I get control of my ever-changing feelings?

• Why is it that I read my Bible but immediately look for ways to judge others with what it says with little to no thought about looking inward?  In fact, when I really dive deep, with this attitude, it is easy to think of more rules that will “help” people do better. 

• Why do I feel worse after yelling at company who didn’t do their job?  Was that me cursing?  I didn’t know I knew those words that came out of my mouth!

• I bought more than I needed and now I’m frustrated with the amount in my bank account.  What!?  You mean I must put money in to get money out?  I can’t spend more that I make?

“Jesus, could you make it plainer?”  Oh Peter, we get it, we just ignore it.

“What comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart”—Jesus

Whatever we feed our hearts, minds and souls is what will come flowing freely from our mouths and actions.  Our behaviors reflect what we truly believe—especially when pushed into a corner by frustration.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” writes the apostle Paul to the Romans and to us. (Romans 3:23)

But there’s hope for us!  That hope is Jesus!  Pause to reflect…

What we think about most is who or what we worship.  Who or what do I think about most?

What fills my heart?  What and how am I feeding my mind?  What refreshes my very soul? 

God’s gift of His Holy Spirit comes to live in us to help us.  He provides comfort, wisdom for living along with warnings of what is not good for us when we ask, seek and knock on God’s door. 

And remember earlier when Jesus talked about the treasure of knowing God?  When we seek God, we will find Him.  When we seek to live like Jesus, His Holy Spirit helps us.  What a priceless treasure.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”—Jesus (Matthew 6:21)

Lord,

Jesus, you are at the heart of it all.  Cleanse our hearts, renew and transform our minds, refresh and feed our souls and restore the joy of your salvation at work in us.  We know that peace comes as our minds become more and more focused and fixed on you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Ah…I can see clearly now…it’s gonna be a bright, bright SON shiny day!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I tried out for the cheerleading squad.  Yes, I really did that.  Why?  My best friend, excited about being on the squad, encouraged me to try out as her partner.  As a shy kid at that time in my life, this was monumental for me.  My parents were shocked when I told them, but they allowed me to go to all the practices after school before the tryout event.  I was comfortable trying out for all things related to music, but this? This was way out of my comfort zone.

Those who coached us encouraged my partner and me.  “You can do this, it will be fun,” they said.  Our mentors said we had what it takes—whatever that was.  As a junior high student, I wasn’t really sure what it took to gain the approval of judges but I did what our high school cheerleader coaches said to do.  They must know—they’re in high school!  We practiced our routines along with all the required jumps that were challenging but doable.

The day finally came:  Tryouts.  We were very nervous and excited at the same time.  My friend was more confident than I was.  My thoughts were many as I waited for our turn to tryout, but I remember one overwhelming thought; why, am I doing this?  Do I really want to be a cheerleader?  We were up next.

We got into position and gave it all we had.  I really wanted my friend to do well because she wanted it so badly.  She did her part, I responded with my part.  Then we were to end with the big jumps.  She jumped.  I froze.  I couldn’t make the jumps I had practiced successfully for weeks. 

I will never forget that frozen moment in time.  This snapshot moment of failure to jump actually turned into a guiding mantra for my life—at least jump, even if it is not the best jump—jump!  My partner, my best friend, did make the jumps and was picked for the cheerleading squad.  I was extremely happy for her.  My only regret was taking my eyes off the goal.

Matthew 14:22-36, The Message

Walking on the Water

^22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

^29-30 He said, “Come ahead.”

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

³¹ Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

^32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

^34-36 On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

First, think about what Jesus did. 

Jesus, still grieving the death of John, his cousin and brother in God’s mission to save the lost, has just miraculously fed thousands of people with a small amount of fish and bread.  Now, he hangs back with the physically full people while sending his tired disciples on ahead. 

Jesus finally gets His alone time with God, His Father.  He spends most of the night talking with Him.  Imagine that conversation!  “So, Father God, you blessed the food and together we fed thousands, wasn’t that fun?”  “Now that we are alone, my heart remembers and grieves the demise of John.”  “Be my strength.”  “May your will be done.”  I am only imaging the words Jesus would say to the Father, for sure, but based on the character of Christ, He would be praying for John’s family and the people he just fed that they might know God and abide in His love.

As God comforted and strengthened his Son as they talked, Jesus was readied for the next opportunity to declare the glory and power of His Father by walking on the water, across a tumultuous sea, to join his disciples!  Honest prayer with God brings extraordinary results.  (Yes, pause and read that again.) 

Now, let’s think about what others did as a result of what Jesus did.  What we do in obedience to the Father affects what others do.  Peter, is the first to respond to the glory of God at work on the water, “I want to do what you’re doing!”  “Come on,” says Jesus.

Peter jumped! Jesus’ squad looked on as Peter jumped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on water—until the waves overwhelmed his confidence in Christ.  Can you hear the shouts of his friends bouncing around in the boat in the storm?  “You’re crazy, dude!”  Friends can also be distracters, right? 

Don’t you love that Jesus didn’t give Peter a lecture or watch him drown.  Instead, “Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand.”   

After saving Peter, Jesus gave him a faith reminder.  Peter’s experience affected all the students in the boat who did not jump.  Peter’s experience will be used to teach others later of the importance of focus. 

The glory of God demonstrated through Jesus prompted their immediate praise, “You are God’s Son for sure!” Ah, the confidence in Christ returns to the disciples who are consistently learning. (As are we…)

As failing to jump affected my life, Peter’s failure to walk on water successfully taught him a lesson that would affect his ministry given to him by Jesus—for the rest of his life!  Here are a few excerpts of what Peter learned and taught others from being with Jesus…

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are! —will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”  1 Peter 5:8-11, MSG

^“I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.”              2 Peter:1, MSG

“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God.” 2 Peter 1:3, MSG

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.” 2 Peter 1:5-9, MSG

“So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11

“We couldn’t be more sure of what we saw and heard—God’s glory, God’s voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You’ll do well to keep focusing on it. It’s the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19-21, MSG 

MAKE THE JUMP!  Believe and be saved.  Repent of all sins and be set free from the entanglements of thinking about a past life.  Jump into a new life with Jesus!  Begin the adventurous walk with God in the unforced rhythms of His grace.  Be overwhelmed only by His love that goes deeper than the deepest sea.  All of me for all of you, dear Jesus.

Lord,

I have no regrets of coming to you, no regrets since believing you, no regrets for obeying you instead of others and no regrets for abiding in you.  The only regret I have is not coming to you sooner or turning my eyes on you when troubles overwhelm me. 

Through all the transitions of life, from childhood to adult, you are with me and you teach me.  When I am distracted, you draw my attention back to who you are and what you want to do in and through me.  When I fall, you pick me up, brush me off and then teach me another life lesson.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Continue to daily cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh, and feed my soul while restoring the joy of your salvation at work within me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

Many years ago, my uncle was working alongside other men from the church, mowing and cleaning the grounds on a hot summer day in Oklahoma.  My dad, was close by his brother, when my uncle fell to the ground in pain.  He suffered a severe heart attack that a few days later would complete his life on earth.  He never woke up from the initial attack on his heart.  Our family quickly gathered in the hospital room to wait with my aunt.  My cousins were called and told they needed to come home.  They lived a few states away.  The doctors told my aunt that he would not recover.

As we gathered in the emergency waiting area to keep watch with her, I noticed my aunt being a helper out of habit to others waiting as their loved ones were being treated.  Church people brought some snack foods and placed them in the waiting room.  My aunt made sure that others waiting on their loved ones were welcome to what was provided. 

On day three of our wait, tired and weary, and full of her own grief, my aunt noticed a woman crying in the far corner of the room.  She got up from her chair and walked shakily over to her, gave her a hug while asking if she could pray with her.  As a young adult believer, wife and mom, I learned some very important lessons:

• Grief is hard.  Losing a loved one, even though you know their destination is with Jesus, it’s still very hard to let go of the vibrant person who was once part of your daily life.  Watching a servant of God slowly slip from this earth to heaven’s gate at a seemingly early age of 49 years old was hard to understand at the time but I knew God knew.
• God provides a way in our grief to help each other which in turn comforts and helps us.  There is no doubt in my mind that God helped my aunt rise from her chair with her own aching heart to walk over to another woman grieving who needed someone to care.  It was in my aunt’s DNA as a believer to serve and help others.  We turn to what we know when we are grieving and feel a loss of control.  It’s part of the grieving process.
• When you are aching, God draws even closer to us. When circumstances make it seem like God is distant, He is intimately close, waiting with His supernatural comfort. Grief is physically crushing, emotionally draining, and can make even the strongest believer question God’s goodness. But He is there, full of compassion and comfort. In your weakness, God can be your strength. Even when you think you can’t make one more decision or face one more reminder of their absence, God will meet you in your grief.
• Jesus has the words to pray when we do not.  When you don’t know what or how to pray, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding on your behalf!
• Mourning without fear comes from leaning fully on God.  While the Bible doesn’t say “do not mourn” (when appropriate), a recurring theme is “do not fear.” So while we are anticipating death, physically aching over a loss, or mourning a life that never came, we can do so without being afraid.  In grief, there is fear that things will never be the same. There is fear that you’ll never laugh again. There’s fear that the heaviness will never lift. Allow God’s comfort and truth meet these fears.

I heard an ancient legend about the prayers of the grief stricken.  The legend said that when a person dies, all the people in a community would come with prayer requests to give to the person grieving over the loss of their beloved.  Why? Because at that moment in time, in the middle of grief, it was believed and assumed the one grieving was closer to God than anyone else.  I’m not sure of the validity of the tale, but I know God provides His strength, comfort, and peace that goes beyond human thinking that helps us rise up from our grief with expectant hope as we continue to do life dependent on Him.    

In this passage, Jesus is grieving the death of his cousin John, the one who “prepared the way” for Jesus’ own mission from God to “seek and to save” lost people who do not know God. 

Jesus retreats in grief but it isn’t long until He is back to serving even while grieving. 

Matthew 14, The Message

The Death of John

^1-2 At about this time, Herod, the regional ruler, heard what was being said about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead. That’s why he’s able to work miracles!”

^3-5 Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.

^6-12 But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias’s daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: “Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer.” That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John’s head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus.

Supper for Five Thousand

^13-14 When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.

¹⁵ Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”

¹⁶ But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”

¹⁷ “All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.

^18-21 Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus grieves as the Son of Man and the Son of God.  Jesus shows us His example with how to deal with grief in the best way.  We can get away for a time to take it all in as we remember our beloved, but God shows us that is unhealthy to camp in the grief, allowing it to guide our next steps on the journey. 

Jesus was overcome with grief over John’s demise, but seeing the people around Him, “he was overcome with pity and healed their sick”—And then He provided a meal out in the middle of nowhere for thousands of hungry people with a few loaves and a couple of fish.  Jesus saw beyond His own needs and had compassion for others.

Jesus served while grieving.  Jesus called upon God for help and miraculous help was indeed given to His obedient Son. 

Question for reflection:  When are we closest to God?  When life is good or when life is challenging? 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Based on Jesus’ example our response:

• To those grieving, we have the God of all comfort nearby.  Mourn fully, but without fear. He is good and faithful, and can empathize wholly with your sorrow.
• To those walking alongside the sorrowful, be gentle and faithful.  Offer God’s words with our quiet presence.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” –Jesus, Matthew 5:4

Lord,

Your Word is Life to us!  You teach, you show us by example, how to live life to the full.  I am so grateful for this teaching that guides us on the road less traveled.  Your Word is wisdom, conviction, and comfort all at the same time and is truly a Light for the path with You.  So, cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work in us daily.  For that is who you are—Savior and Lord of our lives.

In Jesus Name, For your Glory, Amen

To raise some cash while also letting go of things collected that we no longer need, we had garage sales.  What a lot of work!  What we considered throwaways were deemed treasures by those who would come to browse.  To those in real need, the price came down quickly.  However, there were those who cruised garage sales for a living and were not the nicest people to do business with.  I would rather give to someone who really needed it than barter with those who complained about what you had along with the price.  Seriously, how do you lower the price of something you priced at a quarter anyway?  Garage sales bring out the worst and best in people.

After teaching for many years, God called both Randy and I into even more intense full time ministry in a different state.  That meant letting go of stuff.  I had collected, created, and bought a plethora of teaching aids and supplies with my own cash.  (It’s what teachers do.)  So, we had a giant garage sale, selling not only things we didn’t want to move but of my teaching supplies.  Many “dealers” didn’t see the treasure of these supplies and said so as they tried to “take it off my hands” for a low price.  I will confess, their words hurt my heart because of the memories these hard-earned supplies meant to me.  So, I prayed.  God, you know my heart, help me to let go of these treasures to a person who really needs them, sees the value, and will use them for their work.  Send someone, please.

God answered that prayer that day!  A young teacher who was the daughter of a teacher friend who I hadn’t seen in years, pulled up in the driveway.  She had heard of the sale by a teacher.  She walked quickly over to the tables of teaching materials and said, “Oh, I want it all!”  Then she told her story.  She recently answered the call to be a missionary to Russia and would be teaching English as a second language.  She related that my first grade teaching aids would be perfect!  Her story took my breath away!   We loaded her car to the brim with materials and books.  When she asked the price while loading, I told her, “Your faith and testimony has paid the price.”  We both shed a few tears of joy with hugs and prayers for each of our journeys.

Matthew 13, The Message

The Curtain of History

³⁶ Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, “Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field.”

^37-39 So he explained. “The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.

^40-43 “The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?

⁴⁴ “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.

^45-46 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.

^47-50 “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.”

⁵¹ Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”

They answered, “Yes.”

⁵² He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”

^53-57 When Jesus finished telling these stories, he left there, returned to his hometown, and gave a lecture in the meetinghouse. He stole the show, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise, get such ability?” But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “We’ve known him since he was a kid; he’s the carpenter’s son. We know his mother, Mary. We know his brothers James and Joseph, Simon and Judas. All his sisters live here. Who does he think he is?” They got all bent out of shape.

⁵⁸ But Jesus said, “A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family.” He didn’t do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Throwaway or treasure?  It’s our choice who we want to be.  I want to be God’s treasure.  How about you?

God guides us to His treasure of salvation that is priceless because His Son has already paid the price.  The “price” we give is in our believing, really believing that Jesus is not only is our Savior but the Lord of our lives.  When we find Jesus, we have found the treasure we have been seeking all along. 

God wants us.  God loves us.  God wants us to love Him back completely and unreservedly.  Jesus is the only Way to God.  Jesus is the Truth, He cannot lie for He is also God.  We live in world where lying is a second language and it hard to tell truth from lies.  Jesus is Truth.  Jesus is Life.  Believing in Jesus, asking for forgiveness, trusting and obeying what He says with hearts fully committed to Him, gives eternal life. We give all we have for a treasured relationship with the One who is worthy and loves us most and will never stop loving us.  God gave His Son to die in our place for our sins so that we will not perish but have everlasting Life!  Priceless!

Jesus’ followers asked him to explain the deeper meaning to the stories He had been telling over the past few days.  His disciples were learners which is the real meaning of the word disciple—”one who learns.”  As an educator, I love that!  May we continue to learn as His disciples!  Be still and know God.  Be still and know.  Be still.  Be.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” says Jesus.  Listen to God’s voice as we seek what He has to say with hearts ready to obey.  Let go, throwaway, what is not of God and cling to what we really need—Jesus!  Allow the Holy Spirit to teach us as we read His Word—priceless treasure!   There are many facets to the Treasure that we seek!

Jesus will always take the time to answer our questions…don’t you love that about Him?  Nothing is hidden—when we seek, we will find. 

So, our response?  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” –Jesus, Matthew 7:7-8

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Jesus, Matthew 6:33

Lord,

You are the Master Teacher.  You are Savior and Lord!  You are all I need to be and do all you want me to be and do with joy unspeakable and full of your glory!  May we continue to walk in the unforced rhythms of your grace.  You are the pearl of great price, the bright and Morning Star, the lover of my soul and the provider of all I need. All I am and all I have is yours.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

And we’re singing… “You Are My All in All” by Dennis Jernigan

You are my Strength when I am weak.
You are the Treasure that I seek.
You are my All in all.
Seeking You as a precious Jewel,
Lord to give up I’d be a fool.
You are my All in all!

Jesus, Lamb of God,
worthy is Your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
worthy is Your Name.

Taking my cross my sin my shame,
Rising again I praise Your Name.
You are my All in all.
When I fall down You lift me up.
When I am dry You fill my cup.
You are my All in all.

Definition:  A plot twist is a literary technique that introduces a radical change in the direction or expected outcome of the plot in a work of fiction.  Plot twists are designed to disrupt things in a story that the audience thinks they already know or have figured out. The author achieves this “twisting” of the plot by providing a huge shock or surprise, one that is either completely unexpected, or was perhaps foreshadowed through earlier details or events.

We humans are intrigued by stories with a surprise ending or a twist in the plot that our minds were predicting.  Stories make us think unless they are so predictive that we hardly listen, much less ponder.  Randy and I love to analyze what and why something happened in the dramas we watch.  We love a good story!  We wonder what the writer was thinking as he wrote the story.  As we watch a drama series, we study the characters and predict what they will do based on their past actions and reactions.  “See, I told you…” we say out loud as we follow the storyline with peaks, valleys, and twists in the plot.  A great story always has a “plot twist” and teaches us that things are not always as they appear.

Jesus uses plot twists with every story because the world has heard certain things about life that are not of God.  God’s people have twisted God’s storyline so Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, comes to help people get the Story right.  Many times, throughout the gospels, Jesus begins with, “you have heard it said, but I say unto you” … as His way to draw their attention back to God—the real, True Story of our lives.  (See Matthew 6-8)

Jesus tells more stories that pertain to real life but with plot twists that jolt their predictive thinking until people can see and hear God again for who He really is with how He wants us to think and behave. 

Listen and learn from Jesus who tells real life stories that teach us to live as Kingdom of God thinkers and doers.  Look for the plot twists and rejoice that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to save us from our sins so that we would have life forever with Him!  Believe the Story—Believe Jesus!

Matthew 13:24-35, The Message

^24-26 He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too.

²⁷ “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’

²⁸ “He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’

“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’

^29-30 “He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.’”

^31-32 Another story. “God’s kingdom is like an acorn that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge oak tree, and eagles build nests in it.”

³³ Another story. “God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread—and waits while the dough rises.”

^34-35 All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy:

I will open my mouth and tell stories;
I will bring out into the open
    things hidden since the world’s first day.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus is the epitome of the plot twist!

Jesus was born unexpectedly while on a trip to Bethlehem with his humble parents.  Even though Mary was “great with child,” they obeyed the current government demanded everyone to register in a census.   Jesus, Messiah, was not born in a palace “fit for a King,” but born in a cave where farm animals were kept corralled.  With no rooms left in the local inns, because of other travelers registering for the census, these young adults find themselves alone in the cave, the only place left to lay their heads.  But they know that God is with them because God talks with them. 

As Mary laid down in the hay to begin the process of bringing new life into the world, suffering from the normal, excoriating pains of birth; Joseph kneels by Mary with words of loving encouragement for her.  This is probably all he knows to do.  Then, in the next moment, they worked together to deliver the Son of God who would later deliver them!  Wow, talk about a plot twist!  God’s people had waited for the promised Messiah for centuries, but never dreamed He would be born in a cave full of animals.  But this birth fulfilled what Scripture said.

Jesus grew in “stature and in wisdom” with devoted Jewish parents on earth in all the places foretold in scripture by God’s prophets.  Bethlehem, Egypt and Nazareth—all mentioned four hundred years earlier!  The prophets not only told where Jesus would be born but they also told how He would live on earth, teaching and healing, before offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world—yours and mine. 

Mm.  So, is it a really a twist in plot or is Jesus telling stories to bring the people back to the original plot of the story of God?

More tomorrow!  Stay tuned!

Lord,

You came to teach us with real talk about real life.  Thank you for all you said and did to teach us—to set the Story right.  Thank you for laying your life down for me, taking my place for the punishment I so deserved.  What kind of love is this?  Your deep love for us is the plot twist that many are not expecting.  Use us to spread the word of your unfailing love for us!  I’m yours.  I love to tell your Story!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen  

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

Nothing beats a good story that we can all relate to with understanding.  As we listen to others, we are usually thinking; “Yeah, I get that, I’ve had a similar experience in my life.”  This is one of many reasons we tell stories.  Stories are ways to connect to each other.  Stories reveal who we are as share what has or is happening in our lives along with our response to these situations.  To those who are learners, we also share what we gained in knowledge and wisdom from our experiences!

After Jesus’ first story about planters who produce harvests, His guys ask him, “Why stories?”  What does Jesus do?  He answers by telling them another story, followed by another…I love it!  Why?  Because I love to tell stories, too!  Most of all I love to tell the story of Jesus!

Matthew 13:10-23, The Message

¹⁰ The disciples came up and asked, “Why do you tell stories?”

^11-15 He replied, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it. I don’t want Isaiah’s forecast repeated all over again:

Your ears are open but you don’t hear a thing.
    Your eyes are awake but you don’t see a thing.
The people are stupid!
They stick their fingers in their ears
    so they won’t have to listen;
They screw their eyes shut
    so they won’t have to look,
    so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face
    and let me heal them.

^16-17 “But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.

The Meaning of the Harvest Story

^18-19 “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

^20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

²² “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

²³ “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Great teachers and speakers have learned how to use and apply Jesus’ technique for storytelling “…to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening.  A good story gets the attention of our audience because it relates from  where they are and acts as a vehicle to drive them where you want them to be with what you want them to do.  Jesus is truly the Master Teacher who is the great example of opening ears to hear and eyes to see Kingdom of God thinking and behaving!

Because He is God in flesh, Jesus tills, stirring up the soil of our hearts and gets us ready for planting seeds of His love with understanding of the way to truth and eternal life.  His seeds go deep and take root in the good soil of our acceptance. Within His seeds are the DNA of His character traits that develop within us to eventually bear His beautiful Holy Fruit as evidence of His Spirit living in us.  See Galatian 5:22-23 for the list of the fruits we will produce!

How do we respond to Jesus’ stories of readiness?  We worship, believing in the One and Only who died for our sins in our place and gave us life!  We ready ourselves by coming to Him in gratitude and thanksgiving. We listen with understanding and the  willingness to trust and obey what He says.

How will we respond to His call to multiply the harvest “beyond our wildest dreams”?  The fruit He produces in us contains the seeds of salvation to plant in someone else!  This is how God works!  We tell His story for His Glory so others will know Him, too!  It’s the God-math of God’s work of His Kingdom working in and through us.  And the beauty of it all? —We are given the opportunity to join Him in the Kingdom of God harvest work. 

So, are we “soil ready” for planting and reproducing?  Are we ready to go and tell?  I pray that we are!  It’s in our DNA as a new creation in Christ!

I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

Lord,

Plant your seeds.  I’m ready to grow in your love, mercy and grace.  I’m willing to be nurtured as a grow in trust and faith in you.  I’m your harvest hand who tells your story to others. Help me make the most of every opportunity. 

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

One More Thought—

I have learned over the many years of my life that the more I tell the story of Jesus, the more my own love, joy, and peace for Him multiplies in my own story. 

“Because He lives, all fear is gone,” I have sung with others so many times. So, I ask myself in those fearful times of the unknown, coupled with my anxious thoughts—Are the words of our songs truly reflecting the God of our stories of the blessed assurance of all that we do not see?  And do we trust and obey God even if we don’t understand it all? 

Seek Him first and with readiness to really hear what He has to say without deciding first what we want to hear and then we will find Him.

Believe Him, really believe Him, and watch the fear, worry, wondering, and anxious thoughts fall away.

Let’s worship the Savior Jesus and the Lord of our story!  And we’re singing…“Fear Is Not My Future” by Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music

Let Him turn it in your favor
Watch Him work it for your good
‘Cause He’s not done with what He started
He’s not done until it’s good

So let Him turn it in your favor
Watch Him work it for your good
He’s not done with what He started
He’s not done until it’s good

Hello, peace
Hello, joy
Hello, love
Hello, strength
Hello, hope, it’s a new horizon!

It’s just a new horizon
It’s a new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new prayer

Fear is not my future
You are, You are (You are)
Sickness is not my story
You are, You are (You are)
Heartbreak’s not my home
You are, You are (You are)
Death is not the end
You are, You are (You are)

Hello, peace
Hello, joy
Hello, love
Hello, strength
Hello, hope, it’s a new horizon!

“Have I got a story for you!”  I used this exclamation as I greeted my first grade students each morning as they filed into class.  It put a smile on their faces because they knew I would follow through with a story that would make them giggle as they learned.  This teaching technique was given to those who love to teach by Jesus, the Master Teacher.  Jesus loved to tell stories or parables from real, relatable life that paralleled what his “students” needed to know about living a Kingdom of God life.

So, “what do you make of this?”  We begin a series of stories that will relate to us as we also learn to live Kingdom of God thinking and behaving!

Matthew 13, The Message

A Harvest Story

^1-3 At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.

^3-8 “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.

⁹ “Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus left one place of ministry for another—the beach!  But He wasn’t there long before a crowd gathered.  Truth delivered with real love draws people.  “There’s just something about him…” we can almost hear them say.  Jesus, as Son of Man sits on the beach to collect Himself after a full day of preaching.  But Jesus, Son of God will not miss an opportunity to tell a listening crowd who God is with how to love God back.  So, Jesus tells a story (parable) about a farmer that explains the importance of planting seed—another relatable way to reach a world full of people who God loves and wants to save.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Jesus also taught Kingdom of God perspectives through parables in order to clear up wrong ideas. Many explanations in the Gospels show that the kingdom of heaven (or kingdom of God) means we must recognize God’s authority and work to do his will.

The crowd knew the backbreaking task of planting seeds for harvest!  They knew that even though every seed would not produce, as Jesus pointed out, you still plant the seeds and pray for enough harvest to support your family, right?  You pray for rain and trust God for the harvest.  If you have ever got down and dirty in the soil to plant seed in the hot sun and then waited and watched over what you have planted while chasing the birds away from your crop of seeds, you get it! 

But, “are you listening, really listening?” says Jesus.  In other words, are you listening to what I am really saying to you right now?  Do you understand the meaning behind the story?  Do you realize what I’m saying about planting seeds of salvation in the lives of those who need to hear it? 

Some seeds of the knowledge of God sown will take root in the hearts, minds and souls of hungry souls and grow in Kingdom thinking.  But some seeds sown will be tossed aside, eaten up, or blown away by a people easily distracted and eventually destroyed by the enemy who does not want the world to be saved by God. 

Sow the seeds anyway.  Let God do the rest!

“Don’t we need a reminder today? We, at times, fear the smallness of Jesus’ story. Our fears might keep us from seed sowing. Can this Sunday school account of Jesus hold its own in the Ivy League of the world? Do terms like sin, salvation, and redemption stand a chance in this sophisticated day of humanism and relativism?

Apparently they do! Where are the Romans who crucified Christ? The Epicureans who demeaned and debated Paul? The Gnostics who mocked the early church? And the great temples of Corinth? They dwarfed the infant church. Do worshipers still sacrifice to Zeus?  No, but they still sing to Jesus.

God does uncommon works through common deeds.”  (Excerpt from Max Lucado’s Study Bible)

Lord,

Thank you for the reminder to keep sowing the gospel seeds to hungry and thirsty souls.  Thank you for your stories that explain simply what pleases God most as we live as Kingdom thinkers.  May our lives today reflect the beauty of living redeemed and free in the unforced rhythms of your grace. Thank you for saving my soul.  Thank you for all the people who planted your seeds of salvation in my life!  May we retell your stories for your glory so that many more souls would not perish but have eternal life, too!

In Jesus Name, Amen

But wait!  There’s more to this story…tomorrow!

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey

Oh, Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go
Never fear, only trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey…

By John H. Sammis

I can still hear Grandpa Lacuement’s voice leading us joyfully in this song of praise.  He always chose “Trust and Obey” to sing at baptisms to affirm the candidates’ decision and commitment to Christ.  My mom or aunt played piano.  I grew up in a church filled with relatives who loved God.  I admired their faith and commitment to serve. I served right beside them from a young age. 

After baptisms, the candidates stood in front of the church in dry clothes and wet hair as we all left our seats, still singing, to “offer the right hand of fellowship.”  We also gave hugs to these new believers with words of encouragement whispered in their ears.  The church was filled with smiling faces in these moments of celebration because these new believers now were part of the family of God.  Yes, there is a song for that as well.  Those of you at a certain age are probably now humming that song!

Members of the “family of God” were not only taught the Word but our elders lived the Word in front of us.  I look back at the rich heritage of good examples of discipleship and I praise God for them even now.  Many of these beloved people have gone to be with Jesus and now I am one of the “olders” who still believe and live for Jesus.  I’m not perfect, I have not arrived, but “I know whom I have believed” (another hymn of my past) and I know I am redeemed, perfectly loved and completely forgiven of my sins.

But as loving and tightly woven together as our family by blood was, we were tested and tried when God led us away from what was our university of faith building.  God called Randy and I to move from family to do His will and ministry in a place about a thousand miles away.  Do we stay to be with and take care of family or do we trust and obey? 

Even though this move broke our parents’ hearts, (the very people who ironically taught us to always follow God’s will and plan); we trusted and obeyed God’s Holy Spirit who said to go.  This was not an easy decision but in faith believing, trusting, and obeying with each step on the journey, God worked all things out for good.  God still clears the path of all obstacles as we trust and obey.  He always has and always will.  And our family?  God helped them come around to accepting His will for us.

Family.  Who are they really?  “The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” –Jesus  

We discovered that our number of “family relationships” grew exponentially because obedience is indeed thicker than blood.  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus…

Matthew 12, The Message

Obedience Is Thicker than Blood

^46-47 While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.”

^48-50 Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Listen to what Jesus is saying, then do it.  Trust and obey.

• There’s no other way to God!
• There’s no other way to connect to God and grow in relationship with Him.
• There’s no other way to live joyfully expectant.
• There’s no other way to the Hope of eternal life.
• There’s no other way to truly enjoy His gift of abundant of living right now with freedom from sins!
• There’s no other way to fully know and experience God’s unconditional love, new mercies each day with His generous grace freely given unless we trust and obey.
• There’s no other way to peace, not as the world gives, but the peace of Christ.

Lord,

I have decided.  I will trust and obey.  I know the enemy will try to distract me from this decision and commitment but I also know that “greater are you in me than he that is in the world.”  That is a promise from you that I can trust.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Be our strength, wisdom, and song all day long and into the night. 

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen