Key Verse:
(21)Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to the mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and it will be done.(22)If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
(Matthew 21:21-22)
Central Truth:
Mountains in our path are God's way of refining our faith.
MOVING MOUNTAINS
As believers in Christ, we all know that mountains will be placed in our paths.
On October 31, 2006, a huge mountain was placed in my path. Life was moving along great when suddenly I had to make a decision about the path of my career. I had to decide if I was to continue doing the job that I had been doing for six years and was comfortable with or change to a completely new career. The only way I knew to get around this mountain was through prayer and faith in God. My prayer was not for me to get the new job, but for God's guidance and wisdom in making the decision. The verse states that all things will be given to you if you ask God and have faith. We are not to pray for our own selfish desires. Prayer is not a way to "get what we want" but is a way to seek God's will in our lives. During this time, God placed many people and opportunities in my path that pointed me in the direction that I felt that God was leading me. Without prayer and the faith in God during this time, I know that I would not have been able to move the mountain of confusion that was in front of me.
If we doubt God, we should not expect God to answer mountain moving prayers. When we doubt, we are doubting God's promises and His abilities. Faith must accompany your prayers because only God can move mountains.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Jan. 28, 2010
Key Verse:
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
(Matthew 20:34)
Central Truth:
Jesus “sees” the unseen and changes their lives. We are called to do the same.
WE JUST DON’T GET IT
I find myself repeating things, a lot. “Pick up those toys! Get your pajamas on! Stop fighting! JUST LEAVE EACH OTHER ALONE!!” I often become frustrated with how often I have to repeat simple instructions,
“I asked you to pick your books up off of the floor.”
“Books?”
“Yes, your books right there. Would you please pick them up?”
“Oh, I didn’t know you meant those books.”
I want to let out a loud, “AAAARRGGGHH!” I stifle this urge. I then find myself wondering if Jesus had (or has) to stifle the urge as well?
In the chapters leading up to Matthew 20, Jesus has been teaching his disciples about reward, grace, humility, and serving. Yet, the disciples are still arguing and vying for position within the Kingdom where they know the first shall be last! How many times must he tell them?! Good grief! James and John even have their mom doing their dirty work!
Jesus and the disciples are leaving Jericho with a large crowd of people following them. As they pass, Jesus is called by two blind men, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” These men are outcasts, unseen by many, if not all who walked by them. Needy, unable to work, they sat by the road begging for help. When they called out to Jesus, the crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet. Basically, the crowd reinforced the idea that these men had no value and were not worthy to have their needs met. Jesus looked at these two needy, blind and unseen men and asked them what they wanted. When was the last time these men were asked that? Asked anything?
“Jesus had compassion on them” and touched them. Wow! Who touches beggars on the street? “Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” Now, this is what Jesus has been talking about! This is serving! Through compassion Jesus met a physical need that carried into the men’s spiritual lives. He didn’t do it because it was the “right thing," because he had the means, or because he was obligated or felt guilty. These men followed Jesus because he served them out of the compassion of his heart, and it changed their lives.
Jesus has to repeatedly show us how to do this because we don’t always get it. There are unseen needs and people in our lives everyday. Unfortunately, I am often too busy or inwardly focused to see these needs. He showed us how to serve so we could see what serving looked like and follow his lead.
Where can you meet an “unseen” need? How can you and I touch someone with compassion? It may be little like changing a tire or cleaning a sick woman’s bathroom. It can be big like filling a pantry with groceries or giving someone a car. Filling unseen needs changes people’s lives, including our own. When done with compassion and humility it can also point people to Jesus.
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
(Matthew 20:34)
Central Truth:
Jesus “sees” the unseen and changes their lives. We are called to do the same.
WE JUST DON’T GET IT
I find myself repeating things, a lot. “Pick up those toys! Get your pajamas on! Stop fighting! JUST LEAVE EACH OTHER ALONE!!” I often become frustrated with how often I have to repeat simple instructions,
“I asked you to pick your books up off of the floor.”
“Books?”
“Yes, your books right there. Would you please pick them up?”
“Oh, I didn’t know you meant those books.”
I want to let out a loud, “AAAARRGGGHH!” I stifle this urge. I then find myself wondering if Jesus had (or has) to stifle the urge as well?
In the chapters leading up to Matthew 20, Jesus has been teaching his disciples about reward, grace, humility, and serving. Yet, the disciples are still arguing and vying for position within the Kingdom where they know the first shall be last! How many times must he tell them?! Good grief! James and John even have their mom doing their dirty work!
Jesus and the disciples are leaving Jericho with a large crowd of people following them. As they pass, Jesus is called by two blind men, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” These men are outcasts, unseen by many, if not all who walked by them. Needy, unable to work, they sat by the road begging for help. When they called out to Jesus, the crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet. Basically, the crowd reinforced the idea that these men had no value and were not worthy to have their needs met. Jesus looked at these two needy, blind and unseen men and asked them what they wanted. When was the last time these men were asked that? Asked anything?
“Jesus had compassion on them” and touched them. Wow! Who touches beggars on the street? “Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” Now, this is what Jesus has been talking about! This is serving! Through compassion Jesus met a physical need that carried into the men’s spiritual lives. He didn’t do it because it was the “right thing," because he had the means, or because he was obligated or felt guilty. These men followed Jesus because he served them out of the compassion of his heart, and it changed their lives.
Jesus has to repeatedly show us how to do this because we don’t always get it. There are unseen needs and people in our lives everyday. Unfortunately, I am often too busy or inwardly focused to see these needs. He showed us how to serve so we could see what serving looked like and follow his lead.
Where can you meet an “unseen” need? How can you and I touch someone with compassion? It may be little like changing a tire or cleaning a sick woman’s bathroom. It can be big like filling a pantry with groceries or giving someone a car. Filling unseen needs changes people’s lives, including our own. When done with compassion and humility it can also point people to Jesus.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Jan. 27, 2010
Key Verse:
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
(Matthew 19:26)
Central Truth:
With God all things are possible, even saving a terrible marriage.
IT IS POSSIBLE
There was a time divorce was bad. When the word was spoken it was whispered, "divorce" - sort of like "cancer." Today divorce is treated as an alternative to marriage. It is a simple "out" to an unpleasant situation. You can even start the process on the internet. I bet there is an app for that.
If divorce is not an issue with you right now, remember one thing: Divorce is not what God wants; it is a sin regardless of the situation.
In verse 6 Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” The sentence ends with a period. It does not say, "let man not separate unless your are unhappy or unless your spouse is a jerk or unless your spouse has been unfaithful."
The Bible does not give an out to a bad marriage. It gives an in for another marriage, if your spouse was unfaithful. That is a key point many couples unfortunately gloss over. God put you together; he wants you to stay that way.
"But, he cheated on me. I will never trust him again." "But, she does not respect me. I can’t live like that." Really???? On your own, probably not. Over 50% of married couples can’t do it on their own either. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mt. 19:26).
So what do you do? Get your Bible out, go to websites that will guide you, and see what the Bible says about Divorce, Marriage, Love, Faith, Trust. Let time pass, Learn what God wants you to do, seek Christian counseling, and let someone listen to your concerns and guide you. Is this guaranteed to save a marriage? No. My first marriage ended. But when it did, I knew God still loved me, and He would forgive me. Now, He has blessed me with a wonderful wife and daughter.
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
(Matthew 19:26)
Central Truth:
With God all things are possible, even saving a terrible marriage.
IT IS POSSIBLE
There was a time divorce was bad. When the word was spoken it was whispered, "divorce" - sort of like "cancer." Today divorce is treated as an alternative to marriage. It is a simple "out" to an unpleasant situation. You can even start the process on the internet. I bet there is an app for that.
If divorce is not an issue with you right now, remember one thing: Divorce is not what God wants; it is a sin regardless of the situation.
In verse 6 Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” The sentence ends with a period. It does not say, "let man not separate unless your are unhappy or unless your spouse is a jerk or unless your spouse has been unfaithful."
The Bible does not give an out to a bad marriage. It gives an in for another marriage, if your spouse was unfaithful. That is a key point many couples unfortunately gloss over. God put you together; he wants you to stay that way.
"But, he cheated on me. I will never trust him again." "But, she does not respect me. I can’t live like that." Really???? On your own, probably not. Over 50% of married couples can’t do it on their own either. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Mt. 19:26).
So what do you do? Get your Bible out, go to websites that will guide you, and see what the Bible says about Divorce, Marriage, Love, Faith, Trust. Let time pass, Learn what God wants you to do, seek Christian counseling, and let someone listen to your concerns and guide you. Is this guaranteed to save a marriage? No. My first marriage ended. But when it did, I knew God still loved me, and He would forgive me. Now, He has blessed me with a wonderful wife and daughter.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Jan. 26, 2010
Key Verses:
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child to him and placed the child among them. Then he said, I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:3-4)
Central Truth:
The path to find spiritual greatness is through humility, not worldly pride.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
I can just envision the disciples strutting up to Jesus with their chest bowed out, asking, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?“ Much to their dismay, Jesus’ answer wasn’t the disciple who had the biggest boat, the designer fishing pole, or even the one who had caught the most fish. His answer was simple. A child.
This lesson in humility reminds me of the childhood game, “King of the Mountain” that my brothers and I use to play on a pile of sand behind our house. The object of the game was to fight to get to the top of the hill to be declared “king” of the backyard kingdom. Once someone became king, the others would gang up on the new king and knock him off his throne. This was a constant, ugly cycle that usually ended with all of us piled at the bottom with scraped knees and mouths full of sad. So much for greatness!
One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is about King Nebuchadnezzar who was the king of his own mountain in Babylon. One day, he was hanging out in his palace admiring the greatness of his kingdom. He declared that Babylon’s greatness all came to pass by his own might and for his own glory. “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Dan 4:29) Before King Neb had finished his gloating, God stepped in and knocked him off his royal mountain. “While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you.'” (Dan 4:31) Ouch! Next thing old King Neb knew, he was eating grass with the oxen.
I must admit that my old childhood game has crept into my adult life many times. Like the disciples and King Neb, I have often been consumed with my earthly kingdom and getting to the top of society’s mountain. Worldly pride has tempted me to lose sight of God’s divine purpose. God’s purpose is for me and for you to be totally consumed with Him and not with status or stuff. He is calling all of us to put aside our childish pride and to have child-like humility.
In his book, Humility: True Greatness, C.J. Mahaney describes the world’s definition of greatness as, “motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursuing selfish ambition for the pursuit of self-glorification.” In the words of our Savior, Jesus describes greatness with the simplicity of a child. “Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:4)
My prayer is that this biblical truth will break us of worldly pride. I pray that you and I will seek greatness through humility to show the world the glory of God.
The disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child to him and placed the child among them. Then he said, I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:3-4)
Central Truth:
The path to find spiritual greatness is through humility, not worldly pride.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
I can just envision the disciples strutting up to Jesus with their chest bowed out, asking, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?“ Much to their dismay, Jesus’ answer wasn’t the disciple who had the biggest boat, the designer fishing pole, or even the one who had caught the most fish. His answer was simple. A child.
This lesson in humility reminds me of the childhood game, “King of the Mountain” that my brothers and I use to play on a pile of sand behind our house. The object of the game was to fight to get to the top of the hill to be declared “king” of the backyard kingdom. Once someone became king, the others would gang up on the new king and knock him off his throne. This was a constant, ugly cycle that usually ended with all of us piled at the bottom with scraped knees and mouths full of sad. So much for greatness!
One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is about King Nebuchadnezzar who was the king of his own mountain in Babylon. One day, he was hanging out in his palace admiring the greatness of his kingdom. He declared that Babylon’s greatness all came to pass by his own might and for his own glory. “Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Dan 4:29) Before King Neb had finished his gloating, God stepped in and knocked him off his royal mountain. “While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you.'” (Dan 4:31) Ouch! Next thing old King Neb knew, he was eating grass with the oxen.
I must admit that my old childhood game has crept into my adult life many times. Like the disciples and King Neb, I have often been consumed with my earthly kingdom and getting to the top of society’s mountain. Worldly pride has tempted me to lose sight of God’s divine purpose. God’s purpose is for me and for you to be totally consumed with Him and not with status or stuff. He is calling all of us to put aside our childish pride and to have child-like humility.
In his book, Humility: True Greatness, C.J. Mahaney describes the world’s definition of greatness as, “motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursuing selfish ambition for the pursuit of self-glorification.” In the words of our Savior, Jesus describes greatness with the simplicity of a child. “Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:4)
My prayer is that this biblical truth will break us of worldly pride. I pray that you and I will seek greatness through humility to show the world the glory of God.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Jan. 25, 2010
Key Verse:
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
(Matthew 17:20)
Central Truth:
Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is all we need in today's world. He alone will get us through everything that is put in our path.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES ?
Jesus tells His disciples that they could not drive out demons because they were relying on their own ability, not God's ability. How often do you feel that you can handle things on your own? How often do you get upset and angry when things don't go your way? Well, if you are like me--it happens more often than you would like to admit. This does not make us "bad people." But, just think how much more we could accomplish knowing that Christ was in the middle with us.
The Webster's Dictionary definition of faith is "belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence." That is, believing in things that have not been seen or proven.
One of my daily readings, From the Edge, my mission trip journal for Matamoros, Mexico, was entitled "Not by Sight." The overall theme was what if, instead of letting what we see determine what we do, we let our faith be what drives our actions? God wants us to walk by faith and not by sight. God has an amazing adventure for all of us. But how much of this adventure have we missed because we chose to look at a situation with our own human eyes rather than eyes of faith? We need to trust God's promises more than we trust ourselves.
Today, try to expand your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Spend some time praying and asking God to increase your faith. Turn over all of your cares and worries to Him knowing that He will take care of them. And let FAITH be what determines your thoughts, words and actions. What mountains are you allowing to stand in your way because of your lack of faith?
Prayer: Lord, I pray for boldness to be faithful to you always. God give me the faith to turn over my fears, problems and insecurities to you and to know that You will walk through the storm with me and never leave my side. Thank you Lord Jesus for always being there to carry me. Help my faith in you grow so that I may share it with others and someday maybe help them move their mountains.
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
(Matthew 17:20)
Central Truth:
Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is all we need in today's world. He alone will get us through everything that is put in our path.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES ?
Jesus tells His disciples that they could not drive out demons because they were relying on their own ability, not God's ability. How often do you feel that you can handle things on your own? How often do you get upset and angry when things don't go your way? Well, if you are like me--it happens more often than you would like to admit. This does not make us "bad people." But, just think how much more we could accomplish knowing that Christ was in the middle with us.
The Webster's Dictionary definition of faith is "belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence." That is, believing in things that have not been seen or proven.
One of my daily readings, From the Edge, my mission trip journal for Matamoros, Mexico, was entitled "Not by Sight." The overall theme was what if, instead of letting what we see determine what we do, we let our faith be what drives our actions? God wants us to walk by faith and not by sight. God has an amazing adventure for all of us. But how much of this adventure have we missed because we chose to look at a situation with our own human eyes rather than eyes of faith? We need to trust God's promises more than we trust ourselves.
Today, try to expand your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Spend some time praying and asking God to increase your faith. Turn over all of your cares and worries to Him knowing that He will take care of them. And let FAITH be what determines your thoughts, words and actions. What mountains are you allowing to stand in your way because of your lack of faith?
Prayer: Lord, I pray for boldness to be faithful to you always. God give me the faith to turn over my fears, problems and insecurities to you and to know that You will walk through the storm with me and never leave my side. Thank you Lord Jesus for always being there to carry me. Help my faith in you grow so that I may share it with others and someday maybe help them move their mountains.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Jan. 22, 2010
Key Verse:
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."
(Matthew 16:25)
Central Truth:
True living is only found through a life in Christ.
LOSING LIFE IN ORDER TO FIND LIFE
There is a tremendous difference between existing and living. On the surface, that sentence states a very obvious fact. Living a fulfilling life is certainly better than living an unfulfilling life. What is the definition of "living" though? That depends on whether we take a worldly viewpoint or we look to Christ for our answer.
Our key verse today, Matthew 16:25, states that "whoever wants to save his life will lose it." Jesus is not referring to physically saving ourselves. Instead, he is speaking of our tendency to make decisions from the standpoint of searching for ease and comfort for ourselves only. When we do that, we lose what makes life worthwhile. Jesus states that people who reach outside themselves and take risks for Him are the ones who actually find true life.
God is probably not going to call us to sell our possessions, quit our jobs, and jet overseas to do foreign mission work. That is His plan for some but not most. We already live on fertile ministry ground. God's call for us to reach outside ourselves and live for Him could lead us to places such as our church, our community, or even our families. He wants our hearts and souls to be completely centered in Him so that we are constantly aware of His leading and direction for our lives, wherever that may take us.
Opening ourselves to total obedience and service to God takes practice -- and nerve. We naturally fear what His call for us might be. Who are we, though, to think that we can carve a life for ourselves that is superior to the great plan our Creator has for us? He loves us beyond our earthly comprehension. Allowing God to achieve His plan through us will lead us to joy, contentment, and true fullness of life.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."
(Matthew 16:25)
Central Truth:
True living is only found through a life in Christ.
LOSING LIFE IN ORDER TO FIND LIFE
There is a tremendous difference between existing and living. On the surface, that sentence states a very obvious fact. Living a fulfilling life is certainly better than living an unfulfilling life. What is the definition of "living" though? That depends on whether we take a worldly viewpoint or we look to Christ for our answer.
Our key verse today, Matthew 16:25, states that "whoever wants to save his life will lose it." Jesus is not referring to physically saving ourselves. Instead, he is speaking of our tendency to make decisions from the standpoint of searching for ease and comfort for ourselves only. When we do that, we lose what makes life worthwhile. Jesus states that people who reach outside themselves and take risks for Him are the ones who actually find true life.
God is probably not going to call us to sell our possessions, quit our jobs, and jet overseas to do foreign mission work. That is His plan for some but not most. We already live on fertile ministry ground. God's call for us to reach outside ourselves and live for Him could lead us to places such as our church, our community, or even our families. He wants our hearts and souls to be completely centered in Him so that we are constantly aware of His leading and direction for our lives, wherever that may take us.
Opening ourselves to total obedience and service to God takes practice -- and nerve. We naturally fear what His call for us might be. Who are we, though, to think that we can carve a life for ourselves that is superior to the great plan our Creator has for us? He loves us beyond our earthly comprehension. Allowing God to achieve His plan through us will lead us to joy, contentment, and true fullness of life.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Jan. 21, 2010
Key Verse:
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'"
(Matthew 15:11)
Central Truth:
What is in my heart is reflected in my speech. I need to choose words and topics that are encouraging and reflect Jesus.
THE MOUTH TRAP
As a young person, I attended Sunday School every Sunday morning, and I paid attention most of those Sundays. I'm sure that many times I remembered my lessons and my Bible verses for a few days after hearing them, but there is only one lesson that I can still recall to this day.
Our teacher, Mrs. Betty Carroll, gathered a our group of pre-adolescent 5th grade girls around a table in the center of the room. She handed one of us a tube of toothpaste and instructed her to squeeze out as much as she could onto a napkin on the table. The girl took great delight in squeezing the tube, and we all laughed as she made designs (and a big mess) with the blue goo. "Now," she told us, "put the toothpaste back in the tube and clean up the mess." We looked at her and at each other and back to the big pile of snakey goo. "There's no way!" we protested. It was impossible to get more than just a drop or two of the toothpaste back into the tube. "This is what it's like when you gossip," Mrs. Betty said calmly. "What goes out of your mouth can never be put back in."
In this scripture, Jesus says that what comes out of the mouth is a reflection of what is in the heart. He lists some of the "big" sins (the ones we think are so far beneath us): murder, adultery, sexual immorality, and theft. Maybe those don't resonate with you, but he also includes false testimony and slander - definitely from the mouth and definitely a reflection of an unclean heart. Ouch. A little closer to home.
Let what comes out of your heart and mouth reflect Jesus today. To be able to do that, your heart has got to reflect Him. What fills your heart will be what comes out of your mouth. Invite Christ to fill your heart. Then, ask Him to lock your jaw shut when it comes to passing along that "interesting" office rumor or the juicy tid-bit about the room mom. Use your words to encourage and build-up your children and your friends. Whatever comes out of your mouth today can never be inhaled back in. Make the most of it.
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'"
(Matthew 15:11)
Central Truth:
What is in my heart is reflected in my speech. I need to choose words and topics that are encouraging and reflect Jesus.
THE MOUTH TRAP
As a young person, I attended Sunday School every Sunday morning, and I paid attention most of those Sundays. I'm sure that many times I remembered my lessons and my Bible verses for a few days after hearing them, but there is only one lesson that I can still recall to this day.
Our teacher, Mrs. Betty Carroll, gathered a our group of pre-adolescent 5th grade girls around a table in the center of the room. She handed one of us a tube of toothpaste and instructed her to squeeze out as much as she could onto a napkin on the table. The girl took great delight in squeezing the tube, and we all laughed as she made designs (and a big mess) with the blue goo. "Now," she told us, "put the toothpaste back in the tube and clean up the mess." We looked at her and at each other and back to the big pile of snakey goo. "There's no way!" we protested. It was impossible to get more than just a drop or two of the toothpaste back into the tube. "This is what it's like when you gossip," Mrs. Betty said calmly. "What goes out of your mouth can never be put back in."
In this scripture, Jesus says that what comes out of the mouth is a reflection of what is in the heart. He lists some of the "big" sins (the ones we think are so far beneath us): murder, adultery, sexual immorality, and theft. Maybe those don't resonate with you, but he also includes false testimony and slander - definitely from the mouth and definitely a reflection of an unclean heart. Ouch. A little closer to home.
Let what comes out of your heart and mouth reflect Jesus today. To be able to do that, your heart has got to reflect Him. What fills your heart will be what comes out of your mouth. Invite Christ to fill your heart. Then, ask Him to lock your jaw shut when it comes to passing along that "interesting" office rumor or the juicy tid-bit about the room mom. Use your words to encourage and build-up your children and your friends. Whatever comes out of your mouth today can never be inhaled back in. Make the most of it.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Jan. 20, 2010
KEY VERSE
Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith.” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
(Mathew 14:31)
CENTRAL TRUTH
In the mist of every storm God is standing right there saying “don’t be afraid for I am with you.” Yet we still have that lack of faith he desires from us.
FAITH. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO HAVE IT?
We all would probably like to think that we have tons of faith, right? I know I would love to think that I am a woman of total faith. However, time and time again in this Chapter, when put face to face with faith, a person's faith is shaken. In verses 22-33 it talks about Peter and the disciples who were out in the stormy oceans when Jesus came to them walking on water. They were scared and didn’t believe it was Him. So He said to them “it’s alright.” “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” But that wasn’t enough. They wanted Him to prove it. They told Jesus that, if it was Him, he should let Peter walk on water to meet Him. So Jesus said, “come.” Then Peter starts walking on water and just for one second takes his eyes off of Jesus and looks at the storm around him. And, then guess what? His faith is shaken, and he starts to sink - only for Jesus to have to pull him out. All of this even after Jesus had just performed a miracle on land with the disciples by feeding over five thousand men and women with five loaves of bread!
I read all of this, and it stuck out so much for me. I would love to be able to truly say that my faith is never shaken, but the truth is that God puts miracles in front of us everyday. It might not be taking five loaves of bread and feeding five thousand or walking on water, but miracles are all around us. I look at my three amazing children, and I see a miracle. I look at people coming to know Christ, and I see a miracle. Everyday we all wake up and see the sunrise and set, and that too is a miracle made only by God! Still time and time again, when the storms come, and they do come. We take our eyes off of Christ, and our faith is shaken. Even though God promises us, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” We look around at our stormy surroundings and like Peter we begin to worry. Have fear. We begin to doubt. Reading this passage was like God just looked me in the eye and said, “You don’t have much faith.” “Why did you doubt me?” Faith is not an easy thing to have. It is a choice you must make day after day, storm after storm. However, when you do step out in faith, God never under-delivers on his promise. He is with us always!
Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith.” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
(Mathew 14:31)
CENTRAL TRUTH
In the mist of every storm God is standing right there saying “don’t be afraid for I am with you.” Yet we still have that lack of faith he desires from us.
FAITH. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO HAVE IT?
We all would probably like to think that we have tons of faith, right? I know I would love to think that I am a woman of total faith. However, time and time again in this Chapter, when put face to face with faith, a person's faith is shaken. In verses 22-33 it talks about Peter and the disciples who were out in the stormy oceans when Jesus came to them walking on water. They were scared and didn’t believe it was Him. So He said to them “it’s alright.” “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” But that wasn’t enough. They wanted Him to prove it. They told Jesus that, if it was Him, he should let Peter walk on water to meet Him. So Jesus said, “come.” Then Peter starts walking on water and just for one second takes his eyes off of Jesus and looks at the storm around him. And, then guess what? His faith is shaken, and he starts to sink - only for Jesus to have to pull him out. All of this even after Jesus had just performed a miracle on land with the disciples by feeding over five thousand men and women with five loaves of bread!
I read all of this, and it stuck out so much for me. I would love to be able to truly say that my faith is never shaken, but the truth is that God puts miracles in front of us everyday. It might not be taking five loaves of bread and feeding five thousand or walking on water, but miracles are all around us. I look at my three amazing children, and I see a miracle. I look at people coming to know Christ, and I see a miracle. Everyday we all wake up and see the sunrise and set, and that too is a miracle made only by God! Still time and time again, when the storms come, and they do come. We take our eyes off of Christ, and our faith is shaken. Even though God promises us, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” We look around at our stormy surroundings and like Peter we begin to worry. Have fear. We begin to doubt. Reading this passage was like God just looked me in the eye and said, “You don’t have much faith.” “Why did you doubt me?” Faith is not an easy thing to have. It is a choice you must make day after day, storm after storm. However, when you do step out in faith, God never under-delivers on his promise. He is with us always!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Jan. 19, 2010
Key Verse:
“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand’”
(Matthew 13:13)
Central Truth:
Jesus used stories to speak to our hearts. Our lives, also, are a story; each one part of a larger story that God is writing. A story of grace and love, and an epic battle that is underway for our hearts.
DID I MISS SOMETHING?
“For most of us, life feels like a movie we’ve arrived at forty-five minutes late.”
- John Eldredge, Epic
Have you ever done that? Have you ever shown up to a movie once it has already started? I remember my wife and I taking our kids and a couple of their friends to go see the VeggieTales movie The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. We were running a little behind, so she took the kids into the theater while I waited in line to get the snacks. By the time I got into the theater, the movie had started, the Pirates were already off on an adventure, and I didn’t know why.
Our lives feel like that sometimes, don’t they? Like we were dropped into the middle of some story, the adventure has already begun, and we are frantically trying to figure out what’s happening and why. As Frodo and Sam near Mordor in The Lord of the Rings, Sam remarks: “I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?” Sam realizes that there is a larger story than the one he has always known and that he has been swept up into it. Chances are, you know there’s a larger story too. A story filled with danger and beauty. A story where the hero is willing to do whatever it takes to rescue your heart from the villain who is literally hell-bent on destroying it. Oh yes, your heart is at stake here. Your heart is the reason this story even exists.
Stories, when you think about it, are like that. They speak to your heart. I mean, what man, at some point while watching Braveheart or Gladiator, didn’t want to know that he had what it took to be William Wallace or Maximus? Think of Eowyn and Arwen from The Lord of the Rings, Rose in Titanic, or even Cinderella. Ladies, can you tell me that your hearts are not drawn to these women in one way or another? Stories of courage and rescue, intimacy and love, strength and beauty; these all resonate within our hearts.
Jesus knew this. He knew that if He just showed us stuff, we wouldn’t get it. If He just sat down and told us a bunch of facts, there would be no way we would truly understand Him. But if He told us stories . . . ahh, now that’s the way to our hearts. And our hearts, after all, are what He is after.
“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand’”
(Matthew 13:13)
Central Truth:
Jesus used stories to speak to our hearts. Our lives, also, are a story; each one part of a larger story that God is writing. A story of grace and love, and an epic battle that is underway for our hearts.
DID I MISS SOMETHING?
“For most of us, life feels like a movie we’ve arrived at forty-five minutes late.”
- John Eldredge, Epic
Have you ever done that? Have you ever shown up to a movie once it has already started? I remember my wife and I taking our kids and a couple of their friends to go see the VeggieTales movie The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything. We were running a little behind, so she took the kids into the theater while I waited in line to get the snacks. By the time I got into the theater, the movie had started, the Pirates were already off on an adventure, and I didn’t know why.
Our lives feel like that sometimes, don’t they? Like we were dropped into the middle of some story, the adventure has already begun, and we are frantically trying to figure out what’s happening and why. As Frodo and Sam near Mordor in The Lord of the Rings, Sam remarks: “I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?” Sam realizes that there is a larger story than the one he has always known and that he has been swept up into it. Chances are, you know there’s a larger story too. A story filled with danger and beauty. A story where the hero is willing to do whatever it takes to rescue your heart from the villain who is literally hell-bent on destroying it. Oh yes, your heart is at stake here. Your heart is the reason this story even exists.
Stories, when you think about it, are like that. They speak to your heart. I mean, what man, at some point while watching Braveheart or Gladiator, didn’t want to know that he had what it took to be William Wallace or Maximus? Think of Eowyn and Arwen from The Lord of the Rings, Rose in Titanic, or even Cinderella. Ladies, can you tell me that your hearts are not drawn to these women in one way or another? Stories of courage and rescue, intimacy and love, strength and beauty; these all resonate within our hearts.
Jesus knew this. He knew that if He just showed us stuff, we wouldn’t get it. If He just sat down and told us a bunch of facts, there would be no way we would truly understand Him. But if He told us stories . . . ahh, now that’s the way to our hearts. And our hearts, after all, are what He is after.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Jan. 18, 2010
KEY VERSES:
But I say to you, that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, "I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice," you would not have condemned the innocent.(Matthew 12:6,7)
For whoever does the will of My father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.
(Mattherw 12:50)
CENTRAL TRUTH:
Religion vs Christianity
-Religion is man's attempt to relate to God through works and to gain his love and forgiveness. "Me" focused.
-Christianity (Gospel) is God's answer to how man can relate to Him in a right love relationship based only on what He did. "Christ" focused.
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR HEART
I was pretty young when I sensed a spiritual stiring inside of me. My family was Catholic and we attended "Mass" every Sunday. I grew up witnessing my parents "practicing" Catholcism/Christianity with much sincerity through their good deeds and religious obedience. I did not witness a love relationship with God through Jesus.
As I grew older and went through the "traditions" of First Communion & Confirmation, I began to feel the pressure and guilt of a performance-based faith/relationship with God. It was completely "me" focused and motivated by my desire to "earn" God's love & forgiveness, even though I truly believed that He loved me and sacrificed His only Son on the cross for my sins! Again, in my mind it was not enough or complete without my perfect performance of Godly attitudes & deeds. The roller coaster of highs when being "good" and the lows when being "bad" was a moment by moment exercise of guilt managemen, which often left me beat down & defeated in my Christian walk. I have been a Christian for 38 years and still find myself in this battle!
Why is it so difficult to simply accept God's love, compassion, acceptance & forgiveness . . . ??? Is it because it was His idea, His innitiative, His sacrifice, His way & only way and Not "ours" . . . ? Pretty bold & arrogant of Him!
When I look at this Chapter, I think that's why the Pharisee's had such a difficult time accepting Jesus and His placing more importance on the simple truths of love, kindness, compassion, etc. Their pride and self-centered obsession with knowledge and obedience to the Law and their religious traditions would not allow it!
The problem, frustration, & emptiness with a "performance-motivated" relationship with God is the simple fact that we know and understand the righteous & holy standard that Jesus set! We also know that we can't meet, much less, maintain His standard!
Only when I totally accept this simple fact am I able to fully accept, embrace, & run torward a moment by moment "dependence" & trust in Him! Period! Then I am free to "perform", "obey" and "pursue" His likeness with a totally different "motivation!" My motivation, then lies completely in the humility, gratitude & brokeness for what "He" did on the Cross! Period!
I look at this Chapter and see a self-centered & prideful mindset among the Pharisees. I often see the same mindset in myself . . .
Jesus is Excellent! Jesus is Enough! Jesus Expects us to be Empowered through simple love Excercised toward others and Encouraged by His Exceeding love, forgiveness & acceptance of us(specifically, you & me!).
Friday, January 15, 2010
Jan. 15, 2010
Key Verse:
"Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
(Matthew 11:6)
Central Truth
Sometimes life throws you a curve, and it's easy to get angry and walk away. However, Christ proclaims that blessings are to follow for those who remain faithful...regardless of their outcomes.
GOD'S WILL vs. MINE
What an interesting chapter! Here you have the one that spent time in the desert "preparing the way" for Jesus asking the question if Jesus is the true Messiah. You see, John's in a pickle and is about to be beheaded because he confronted King Herod and Herodias about their sin. Herodias and her daughter want John's head on a silver platter as a favor for some evil things they had done for Herod. Despite Herod's desire not upset the people (because they all loved John), he grants them their wish.
So, here is John hearing about the great things Christ is doing and wondering, "Jesus when are you coming to help me? I mean, I did 'prepare the way' for You. I also baptized You for goodness sake. Jesus, what's the delay? Are you truly the Messiah, or are you just stuck in Camel traffic? Are you waiting on the check at a really slow Pueblo Cafe? What is the deal?! I'm dying here...REALLY!"
But this was Christ response:
4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
What has just happened here? In a nutshell, Christ sends the message back to John saying, "I'm not coming for you." And then he adds that John will be blessed if he chooses not to fall away because of this.
You see, God had a plan for John the Baptist. Christ knew exactly what the outcome for him would be. He knew John's faith had been shaken. He knew John was going to loose his life. But, He also knew that GOD'S WILL was to be fulfilled - not John's will.
The same is true in our lives. Sometimes, though it may sound crazy and weird, God's will for us may be for us to walk with Him through a desert. It may call for us to be hated by those in "authority." It may even require us to be in some of the most uncomfortable or undesirable positions of our lives. But, Christ says, "Be faithful. Remain true because I have remained true. And for this, you will be BLESSED!"
"Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
(Matthew 11:6)
Central Truth
Sometimes life throws you a curve, and it's easy to get angry and walk away. However, Christ proclaims that blessings are to follow for those who remain faithful...regardless of their outcomes.
GOD'S WILL vs. MINE
What an interesting chapter! Here you have the one that spent time in the desert "preparing the way" for Jesus asking the question if Jesus is the true Messiah. You see, John's in a pickle and is about to be beheaded because he confronted King Herod and Herodias about their sin. Herodias and her daughter want John's head on a silver platter as a favor for some evil things they had done for Herod. Despite Herod's desire not upset the people (because they all loved John), he grants them their wish.
So, here is John hearing about the great things Christ is doing and wondering, "Jesus when are you coming to help me? I mean, I did 'prepare the way' for You. I also baptized You for goodness sake. Jesus, what's the delay? Are you truly the Messiah, or are you just stuck in Camel traffic? Are you waiting on the check at a really slow Pueblo Cafe? What is the deal?! I'm dying here...REALLY!"
But this was Christ response:
4Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
What has just happened here? In a nutshell, Christ sends the message back to John saying, "I'm not coming for you." And then he adds that John will be blessed if he chooses not to fall away because of this.
You see, God had a plan for John the Baptist. Christ knew exactly what the outcome for him would be. He knew John's faith had been shaken. He knew John was going to loose his life. But, He also knew that GOD'S WILL was to be fulfilled - not John's will.
The same is true in our lives. Sometimes, though it may sound crazy and weird, God's will for us may be for us to walk with Him through a desert. It may call for us to be hated by those in "authority." It may even require us to be in some of the most uncomfortable or undesirable positions of our lives. But, Christ says, "Be faithful. Remain true because I have remained true. And for this, you will be BLESSED!"
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Jan. 14, 2010
Key Verse
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Matthew 10:39)
Central Truth
God loves us and cares about every detail in our lives. He wants us to love and serve our friends and family. But God must always come first in our lives.
GOD COMES FIRST
In this chapter, Jesus calls his disciples to go out and spread the gospel. He gives them the authority to heal sickness and drive out demons. He warns them of the persecution that they will face. And He reminds them, “Freely you have received, freely give”.
What does that mean to me? How can I apply this concept to my daily life?
God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, beautiful children, a warm safe place to live, and everything that I need. Because I have been so richly blessed, I need to be a blessing to others. I need to serve others as though I were serving God himself.
God loves me more than I can imagine. “And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Mt 10:30-31.
Most people have heard their parent or Sunday school teacher tell them that God counts each one of their hairs, but have you ever stopped to really think about what that means? God knows and cares about every single detail of your life. He loves you completely. So much so, that He sent his only son to die on the cross for you.
What does he ask in return? He wants you to follow him. He wants to be your first priority. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”. Mt. 10:37-38.
Following God is not always easy. Just as the disciples suffered persecution, so will we. Devotion to God can lead to rifts between friends and loved ones. Differences in values and beliefs will sometimes cause conflict. We need to love and care for others, but God must always come before everything else.
Today, I challenge you to be a blessing to those around you and to always put God first.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Matthew 10:39)
Central Truth
God loves us and cares about every detail in our lives. He wants us to love and serve our friends and family. But God must always come first in our lives.
GOD COMES FIRST
In this chapter, Jesus calls his disciples to go out and spread the gospel. He gives them the authority to heal sickness and drive out demons. He warns them of the persecution that they will face. And He reminds them, “Freely you have received, freely give”.
What does that mean to me? How can I apply this concept to my daily life?
God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, beautiful children, a warm safe place to live, and everything that I need. Because I have been so richly blessed, I need to be a blessing to others. I need to serve others as though I were serving God himself.
God loves me more than I can imagine. “And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Mt 10:30-31.
Most people have heard their parent or Sunday school teacher tell them that God counts each one of their hairs, but have you ever stopped to really think about what that means? God knows and cares about every single detail of your life. He loves you completely. So much so, that He sent his only son to die on the cross for you.
What does he ask in return? He wants you to follow him. He wants to be your first priority. “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”. Mt. 10:37-38.
Following God is not always easy. Just as the disciples suffered persecution, so will we. Devotion to God can lead to rifts between friends and loved ones. Differences in values and beliefs will sometimes cause conflict. We need to love and care for others, but God must always come before everything else.
Today, I challenge you to be a blessing to those around you and to always put God first.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Jan. 13, 2010
Key Verse:
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
(Matthew 9: 37-38)
Central Truth:
Many want to know Christ; they just need someone to SHOW them Christ.
JUST ASK
So, if you just stopped and read all of Matthew 9 you are probably thinking, "Why did she pick that verse?" Ok, Ok, I know the entire chapter is about healing and the miracles Jesus performed. I am truly in awe of the amazing ways Jesus chose to heal people as he traveled. I have heard of actual healings like this done on the mission field, and I've even seen healing done right here in my neighborhood. I have also seen God choose to allow healing to take place not on this earth but in heaven. Even in the latter, the faith and belief of the ones praying for healing were beyond truthful and strong. As believers, we are asked to just pray, trust, and believe.
In our Key verse, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" Jesus is talking to his disciples. I think he is trying to say that so many want to give their hearts to Christ, but they need someone to SHOW them Christ. I truly believe this is true. Just look at the many of thousands of ways people are trying to fill the void in their life. I think we could all make a very long list. As Christ followers, we too fall into this trap. We have a huge opportunity sitting right in front of us to share the amazing message of Christ. I am not necessarily talking about dropping everything, grabbing your Bible, and preaching on a street corner. Just look at the next verse..."Ask the Lord of the harvest" ASK... Did you hear me? ASK!
I so have the desire to be a witness of the gospel. I just don't always know how. My community group just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I highly recommend it if you are really ready to grow and be challenged. The resounding theme is to get out of yourself, make some changes, and start living a passionate and crazy life for Jesus. Chan gives lots of examples of how to do this, so many that it can almost make you a little neurotic. Am I supposed to sell my house and car and take my family to the mission field in Africa? Am I supposed to adopt orphans from Somalia? Am I supposed to never shop for me again and give all of my money to the poor? (Now I am getting a little closer to home.) What does crazy for Christ look like? How can I SHOW people Christ through my words and actions? My question is, "How does God want ME to show Christ to others?" So, with that question I will ASK my Father to use me as a vessel to serve his kingdom with love, grace and compassion, and as a result, SHOW people Jesus. I am letting God know I am ready and willing. I just need him to open the doors! Are you ready? Then ASK!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Jan. 12, 2010
Key Verse:
He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.
(Matthew 8:17)
Central Truth:
God accepts us and loves us even when we don't deserve it.
GOD'S HEALING TOUCH
Matthew 8 takes us on a journey where we truly see Jesus' miraculous powers. In this passage, Jesus is walking down from His Sermon on the Mount into the valley below and enters a crowd. A man who is a leper approaches Him. Leprosy is a severe skin disease which causes the nervous system to break down. People afflicted with the disease lose the ability to feel and touch. Sometimes their limbs may even fall off. In these times, a person with the disease would often become an outcast — even to their family — for fear the community would contract the disease.
The leper is so excited to see Jesus. He decides to ask Jesus to heal him. The leper dared not touch Jesus; so Jesus reaches out to Him. The leper is healed and free to rejoin society.
Wow! As I read this passage, I am humbled and amazed. Jesus, who is the cleanest and purest human, touches an unclean and diseased man. Don't you know the crowd was shocked! I can just see their faces and hear their rumblings. It makes me think of present day when we sometimes choose to judge others and their actions.
I believe that the healing of the leper is a story with a dual meaning. Yes, the miracle was healing a disease. However, the leper was also an outcast of society. Jesus heals the leper thus showing us a BEAUTIFUL picture of acceptance and love. Sin is also an incurable sickness — and we ALL have it. Only Jesus' healing touch can take away our sins. But we have to be humbled like the leper and ask Jesus for His help to be whole again. If we fail to ask Jesus for his help, we will not be free from sin, isolation, anxiety, and lack of peace. The healing that Jesus gives is quite the opposite. He offers us wholeness, acceptance, and peace.
Jesus' greatest commandment is to love one another. When we have experienced the healing touch of Jesus we want to share it with others. We should look for and even pray that God would bring people into our paths that need acceptance and love. We should point them to Jesus. Sometimes this may mean reaching out of our comfort zone. God welcomes EVERYONE into his Kingdom - even the leper, the adulterer, the thief, and, yes, the murderer. How many times do we shy away from social outcasts for fear of what others will think of us? It is not about us. It is about Jesus and His love.
In my own life I have experienced isolation, anxiety, and a feeling of being unworthy of God's love. There have been some really, really dark days. Because I felt so isolated, I prayed that God would give me Christian friends who I could be accountable to. I have been overwhelmed with the people that God has put into my life that have given me confidence and believed in me. Will you be that person for someone? Will you step out of your box and possibly change some one's life forever just by telling them about God's gift for their lives?
He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.
(Matthew 8:17)
Central Truth:
God accepts us and loves us even when we don't deserve it.
GOD'S HEALING TOUCH
Matthew 8 takes us on a journey where we truly see Jesus' miraculous powers. In this passage, Jesus is walking down from His Sermon on the Mount into the valley below and enters a crowd. A man who is a leper approaches Him. Leprosy is a severe skin disease which causes the nervous system to break down. People afflicted with the disease lose the ability to feel and touch. Sometimes their limbs may even fall off. In these times, a person with the disease would often become an outcast — even to their family — for fear the community would contract the disease.
The leper is so excited to see Jesus. He decides to ask Jesus to heal him. The leper dared not touch Jesus; so Jesus reaches out to Him. The leper is healed and free to rejoin society.
Wow! As I read this passage, I am humbled and amazed. Jesus, who is the cleanest and purest human, touches an unclean and diseased man. Don't you know the crowd was shocked! I can just see their faces and hear their rumblings. It makes me think of present day when we sometimes choose to judge others and their actions.
I believe that the healing of the leper is a story with a dual meaning. Yes, the miracle was healing a disease. However, the leper was also an outcast of society. Jesus heals the leper thus showing us a BEAUTIFUL picture of acceptance and love. Sin is also an incurable sickness — and we ALL have it. Only Jesus' healing touch can take away our sins. But we have to be humbled like the leper and ask Jesus for His help to be whole again. If we fail to ask Jesus for his help, we will not be free from sin, isolation, anxiety, and lack of peace. The healing that Jesus gives is quite the opposite. He offers us wholeness, acceptance, and peace.
Jesus' greatest commandment is to love one another. When we have experienced the healing touch of Jesus we want to share it with others. We should look for and even pray that God would bring people into our paths that need acceptance and love. We should point them to Jesus. Sometimes this may mean reaching out of our comfort zone. God welcomes EVERYONE into his Kingdom - even the leper, the adulterer, the thief, and, yes, the murderer. How many times do we shy away from social outcasts for fear of what others will think of us? It is not about us. It is about Jesus and His love.
In my own life I have experienced isolation, anxiety, and a feeling of being unworthy of God's love. There have been some really, really dark days. Because I felt so isolated, I prayed that God would give me Christian friends who I could be accountable to. I have been overwhelmed with the people that God has put into my life that have given me confidence and believed in me. Will you be that person for someone? Will you step out of your box and possibly change some one's life forever just by telling them about God's gift for their lives?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Jan. 11, 2010
Key Verse
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
(Matthew 7:11)
Central Truth
God loves us! Of course He wants us to be fulfilled today.
VICTORY IS OURS
This chapter is the finale of Jesus' well known and quoted Sermon on the Mount. He wraps up with a number of important statements about how we are to treat others. In verse one, He tells us not to judge others, which in today’s context is pretty much a politically correct tenet. He goes on to say that this is important because the measure we use will be used against us. This is the amazing thing. When we begin to become judgmental, we use a faulty standard. We use a standard that is irrelevant in the presence of a Holy God. By expecting others to meet this standard, we are rejecting the sacrifice that was made on our behalf to fulfill that gap between us and the perfectness of a Holy God.
God has called us to do something hard. He says in verse 13 that the easy way leads to destruction. If being a Christ follower were easy, we wouldn’t see Christians that struggle with addictions, attitude, selfishness or any of the poor behaviors left over from our sinful nature. Conquering these things are definitely within our grasp - even though they are not easy. Having been released from the sinful nature that has trapped us into a life of failure, we can have victory over our sin. Also remember in verse 7 Jesus tells us that if we ask, it will be given to us. If we ask for victory over that thing that gets between us and our Father, surely He will grant us the victory. He has already granted us forgiveness. Why would He not grant us victory over sin in our life today?
Now read verse 11 again. With those words fresh on your mind, do you wonder whether your Father will give you victory over your sin? He offered his Son, to be sacrificed on a cross, dejected, and despised. He was freely offered for you. Is there anything that would move you to a closer relationship with Him that He would not freely give you? You can have victory today. I’m sure as you have read this today, you know that there is something in your life that falls short of the mark. If you’ll pray now that God will give you victory over this sin, you’ll have it. You’ll have it today. Remember that the journey is not easy. It is hard, but God wants us to experience victory in our lives today.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.
(Matthew 7:11)
Central Truth
God loves us! Of course He wants us to be fulfilled today.
VICTORY IS OURS
This chapter is the finale of Jesus' well known and quoted Sermon on the Mount. He wraps up with a number of important statements about how we are to treat others. In verse one, He tells us not to judge others, which in today’s context is pretty much a politically correct tenet. He goes on to say that this is important because the measure we use will be used against us. This is the amazing thing. When we begin to become judgmental, we use a faulty standard. We use a standard that is irrelevant in the presence of a Holy God. By expecting others to meet this standard, we are rejecting the sacrifice that was made on our behalf to fulfill that gap between us and the perfectness of a Holy God.
God has called us to do something hard. He says in verse 13 that the easy way leads to destruction. If being a Christ follower were easy, we wouldn’t see Christians that struggle with addictions, attitude, selfishness or any of the poor behaviors left over from our sinful nature. Conquering these things are definitely within our grasp - even though they are not easy. Having been released from the sinful nature that has trapped us into a life of failure, we can have victory over our sin. Also remember in verse 7 Jesus tells us that if we ask, it will be given to us. If we ask for victory over that thing that gets between us and our Father, surely He will grant us the victory. He has already granted us forgiveness. Why would He not grant us victory over sin in our life today?
Now read verse 11 again. With those words fresh on your mind, do you wonder whether your Father will give you victory over your sin? He offered his Son, to be sacrificed on a cross, dejected, and despised. He was freely offered for you. Is there anything that would move you to a closer relationship with Him that He would not freely give you? You can have victory today. I’m sure as you have read this today, you know that there is something in your life that falls short of the mark. If you’ll pray now that God will give you victory over this sin, you’ll have it. You’ll have it today. Remember that the journey is not easy. It is hard, but God wants us to experience victory in our lives today.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Jan. 8, 2010
Key Verse:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:21)
Central Truth:
God captures the hearts of those who seek Him.
HEART SURGERY:
I used to worship my job. People say things like that a lot, but I really did. My career had supreme power to jerk out tears of sadness, catapult me onto cloud nine, or compel me to sacrifice whatever was required to serve it. (Yeah, well… ok. So maybe LSU Football fits that description too. But that’s not the point here). At 12 years old, I firmly decided to become a successful electrical engineer. And over the next 12 years, I aggressively pursued that goal until it eventually became the defining purpose of my life. And I did it, and I loved it, and it was good.
But I guess you might say that God proved to be the ultimate engineer. Apparently, God was not content with allowing me to settle for an identity other than the one He designed- even if I was. So He masterfully designed and coordinated, through a series of people and circumstances and events, fundamental changes in me. It happened more and more as I honestly pursued Him.
Over the past few years, I have been learning who I really am- what my true identity looks like. I’m a child of God, adopted and embraced by the Creator of the universe, and paid for with a price infinitely more precious than any accolades I may earn in my short stay here on earth. I am a part of the Body of Christ.
I still get a kick out of working on important projects. But my career doesn’t define who I am. The job is just an outward expression of who I am. It’s a role I play. It’s a passing reflection of my eternal identity. But my soul is still being carved and sculpted to reveal God’s original design.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21. God knows that I love my work. That was part of His design. He just loves me too much to let me become so fascinated with His gifts that I mistake them as a substitute for Him. As I honestly sought God, He convinced me that He is better than any substitute I could dream up.
What is your “substitute” treasure today? Where does it lie? Keep pursuing God, and let Him show you what real treasure feels like.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:21)
Central Truth:
God captures the hearts of those who seek Him.
HEART SURGERY:
I used to worship my job. People say things like that a lot, but I really did. My career had supreme power to jerk out tears of sadness, catapult me onto cloud nine, or compel me to sacrifice whatever was required to serve it. (Yeah, well… ok. So maybe LSU Football fits that description too. But that’s not the point here). At 12 years old, I firmly decided to become a successful electrical engineer. And over the next 12 years, I aggressively pursued that goal until it eventually became the defining purpose of my life. And I did it, and I loved it, and it was good.
But I guess you might say that God proved to be the ultimate engineer. Apparently, God was not content with allowing me to settle for an identity other than the one He designed- even if I was. So He masterfully designed and coordinated, through a series of people and circumstances and events, fundamental changes in me. It happened more and more as I honestly pursued Him.
Over the past few years, I have been learning who I really am- what my true identity looks like. I’m a child of God, adopted and embraced by the Creator of the universe, and paid for with a price infinitely more precious than any accolades I may earn in my short stay here on earth. I am a part of the Body of Christ.
I still get a kick out of working on important projects. But my career doesn’t define who I am. The job is just an outward expression of who I am. It’s a role I play. It’s a passing reflection of my eternal identity. But my soul is still being carved and sculpted to reveal God’s original design.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21. God knows that I love my work. That was part of His design. He just loves me too much to let me become so fascinated with His gifts that I mistake them as a substitute for Him. As I honestly sought God, He convinced me that He is better than any substitute I could dream up.
What is your “substitute” treasure today? Where does it lie? Keep pursuing God, and let Him show you what real treasure feels like.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Jan. 7th, 2010
Key Verse:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
(Matthew 5:13)
Central Truth:
We are called to be the salt of the earth. Are you salty?
AM I SALTY?
This key verse precedes the familiar verse that tells us that we are to be the light of the world, and we hear about that, talk about that, even sing about that, but in the same section, with the same emphasis, Jesus tells us to be salty.
What does that mean? First, I looked at the characteristics of salt. It is used for seasoning, it is recognizable, it makes you thirsty, it can help heal, and it is a common substance. So, what point was Jesus trying to make?
Salt heightens or improves flavor: Am I heightening or improving the "flavor" of life for those around me?
Salt makes you thirsty: Do I live my life in such a way that makes others want what I have? Do my choices make others "thirst" to know more of my Jesus?
Salt helps heal: Do I accept people for who they are and where they are and help them heal from the wounds that life has brought upon them?
Salt is a common substance: Do I intentionally pursue relationships in my life with those outside of the "Christian bubble?" Am I investing in the lives of others that aren't just like me?
When I look at the characteristics of salt, I have to admit that I fall short sometimes (many times). One area I need to work on is living joyfully, focusing on the many ways God has blessed me and sharing that with others in a way that helps them recognize how good our God is and that makes life a little more "flavorful" for them. So, my question to you would be, are you salty?
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
(Matthew 5:13)
Central Truth:
We are called to be the salt of the earth. Are you salty?
AM I SALTY?
This key verse precedes the familiar verse that tells us that we are to be the light of the world, and we hear about that, talk about that, even sing about that, but in the same section, with the same emphasis, Jesus tells us to be salty.
What does that mean? First, I looked at the characteristics of salt. It is used for seasoning, it is recognizable, it makes you thirsty, it can help heal, and it is a common substance. So, what point was Jesus trying to make?
Salt heightens or improves flavor: Am I heightening or improving the "flavor" of life for those around me?
Salt makes you thirsty: Do I live my life in such a way that makes others want what I have? Do my choices make others "thirst" to know more of my Jesus?
Salt helps heal: Do I accept people for who they are and where they are and help them heal from the wounds that life has brought upon them?
Salt is a common substance: Do I intentionally pursue relationships in my life with those outside of the "Christian bubble?" Am I investing in the lives of others that aren't just like me?
When I look at the characteristics of salt, I have to admit that I fall short sometimes (many times). One area I need to work on is living joyfully, focusing on the many ways God has blessed me and sharing that with others in a way that helps them recognize how good our God is and that makes life a little more "flavorful" for them. So, my question to you would be, are you salty?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Jan 6th, 2010
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”
(Matthew 4:1)
Central Truth:
Being tempted doesn’t mean we have to lose. It is our chance to finally show true conviction that changes our choices and actions. And when we’re tempted, do whatever it takes to MOVE. Move out, move away, just keeping moving. Walk in baby steps when you can’t run. Just don’t stand still!
LED "BY THE SPIRIT" TO BE TEMPTED???
My kids are playing the Wii right now (a mom’s version of “quiet time!”), and I was just praying before I read His Word that the Lord would speak to me about what I should write. It’s rare that God stops me in my tracks on the first verse! I read the rest of the chapter, but my heart was beating fast because I knew, for whatever reason, I was supposed to dig deeper into verse one. I often hear people ask, “Does God tempt us, or the devil?”. It invokes deep thoughts. But here, the Truth says that even Jesus was led BY THE SPIRIT to be tempted by Satan! (By the way, my mom, Mardi Bass, taught me a long time ago that when you see “Spirit” with a capital “S” in the Bible, it is referring to the “Holy Spirit”.)
So, why would He literally have His Holy Spirit lead me, guide me, walk side-by-side with me SMACK into temptation? Ok, so now my heart’s beating really fast, and I’m curious! I’d like to share with you what I found, so you and I can stand strong when this happens (not if!).
First, be on guard. If Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted (and surely the Spirit knew He would not falter!), then surely we will be too.
Secondly, I found in my Life Application Study Bible notes, “a person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey.” So that means this is our chance! If I say I am a Christ Follower, truly believing in Him, then when my temptation comes, I have a chance each time to show real, genuine obedience to His commands! Wow. Okay that’s a little overwhelming. I have not had a lifetime of hardship like many of those I love, but the last two years have been more trying, painful, and challenging than I would have ever thought I could walk through. I don’t understand everything, but that’s not my job. I have to walk (when I can’t run) out of the temptation to say, “WHY??????” and know that He is there, and He is working on something in my or others’ character.
Third, I need to remember that Satan is real, and his temptations are real. Some things that tempt you, don’t tempt me. But my temptations are real for me, and they will not be easy to overcome without calling on His name.
Lastly, I want to remember that I'm led into these temptations BY the Holy Spirit . . . . So, He’s right there with me, cheering me on, believing I can look into the face of the dark, scary, and unknown . . . and fight . . . and win! I don’t need to look for God around me. The Bible says He’s there. I don’t have to understand. I don’t even have to like it or be happy about it. I have to see that through giving into temptation, I may just be blocking God’s amazing purposes for my life, or the life of someone around me.
So I’m putting on my armor. It’s on!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 5th, 2010
Key Verse:
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
(Matthew 3:4)
Central Truth:
God gives you pieces, but you have to read the directions.
GOD WANTS ME TO DO WHAT ?
John the Baptist demonstrated a raw faith that very few people seem to have these days. John was willing to move to the desert and sacrifice any comforts that he had to further the word of Jesus Christ. God challenged John to be different than others. God needed John to play an integral part in preparing those around him for the coming of Jesus. God challenged John to be a leader, no matter what others around him thought, and John stepped up to the plate.
Erwin Raphael McManus refers to John's faith as a Barbarian Faith (The Barbarian Way, 2005), and he challenges every Christ follower to seek this type of faith. As a so-called 'normal guy', I don't necessarily see God leading me to move to the desert and eat locusts. I haven't heard God call me to be a preacher, or start a church, or build an ark for that matter. So how am I supposed to demonstrate this type of faith? How will I be ready for the challenges that God puts before me? I believe that it is a daily journey for each of us. You have probably heard the saying that you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. As a Christian, I can't expect my faith to be as strong the day after I accepted Christ as it will be when I complete the New Testament Journey that we are working through now. God challenges us in small, everyday ways, so that when he is ready to call on us in a big way, we are fully prepared to carry out the work he sets before us.
Today's challenge for you might be setting aside 15 minutes to read this devotion and pray;
today's challenge for you might be saying a blessing at lunch with co-workers when that isn't the normal thing to do; today's challenge for you might be to share a Bible verse that has inspired you with a friend who doesn't know Jesus; today's challenge for you might be to pray with a family member who doesn't know Christ but is looking every where to fill a void; or today's challenge for you might be to eat a locust with a little honey on it.
No matter what challenge God may present you with today, remember, the journey is much easier if you walk faithfully with Him.
John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
(Matthew 3:4)
Central Truth:
God gives you pieces, but you have to read the directions.
GOD WANTS ME TO DO WHAT ?
John the Baptist demonstrated a raw faith that very few people seem to have these days. John was willing to move to the desert and sacrifice any comforts that he had to further the word of Jesus Christ. God challenged John to be different than others. God needed John to play an integral part in preparing those around him for the coming of Jesus. God challenged John to be a leader, no matter what others around him thought, and John stepped up to the plate.
Erwin Raphael McManus refers to John's faith as a Barbarian Faith (The Barbarian Way, 2005), and he challenges every Christ follower to seek this type of faith. As a so-called 'normal guy', I don't necessarily see God leading me to move to the desert and eat locusts. I haven't heard God call me to be a preacher, or start a church, or build an ark for that matter. So how am I supposed to demonstrate this type of faith? How will I be ready for the challenges that God puts before me? I believe that it is a daily journey for each of us. You have probably heard the saying that you have to learn to crawl before you can walk. As a Christian, I can't expect my faith to be as strong the day after I accepted Christ as it will be when I complete the New Testament Journey that we are working through now. God challenges us in small, everyday ways, so that when he is ready to call on us in a big way, we are fully prepared to carry out the work he sets before us.
Today's challenge for you might be setting aside 15 minutes to read this devotion and pray;
today's challenge for you might be saying a blessing at lunch with co-workers when that isn't the normal thing to do; today's challenge for you might be to share a Bible verse that has inspired you with a friend who doesn't know Jesus; today's challenge for you might be to pray with a family member who doesn't know Christ but is looking every where to fill a void; or today's challenge for you might be to eat a locust with a little honey on it.
No matter what challenge God may present you with today, remember, the journey is much easier if you walk faithfully with Him.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Jan. 4, 2010
Key Verse
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
(Matthew 2:13 - New International Version)
Central Truth
An important step in being a protective and guiding parent is to prayerfully seek God’s will and His guidance and dutifully obey, as Joseph did.
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN
As we read and reread Matthew Chapter 2, even reading in different translations, the words in this chapter just impressed upon us how then is not that much different than now. We as parents are like Mary, Joseph, and even the Wise Men. As we are blessed with three sons, we can only sense and feel an inkling of what Mary and Joseph must have felt in protecting their only son from DEATH. In today’s world, we do not have to protect our children from that certain death. However, we do have to protect our children from influences, situations and evilness in our world, and yes, sometimes even protect them from death by wrong choices.
As we thought back to when our three sons were each infants, we started to understand better how each phase of a child’s growth brings with it different levels of parental guidance and protection. For us, they have also brought worry and stress. We have a 9, 12, and 15 year old. Thus far, infancy has been the easiest phase. Early adolescence has been the most challenging. As we reread Matthew 2:13, it does not say Mary and Joseph were worried or stressed. Joseph simply listened and obeyed when the angel of the Lord appeared. You know those quiet moments when we shut out the world, and truly seek God’s will and guidance not ours? With God’s will comes guidance, peace, comfort and, yes, answers. What we as parents have to do is listen to the Lord, read his word, and act upon His word. Just like Joseph and Mary acted to protect their child, Jesus. So with the New Year of 2010 just beginning, our prayer is to seek God’s will much more frequently in raising our children.
Central Truth
An important step in being a protective and guiding parent is to prayerfully seek God’s will and His guidance and dutifully obey, as Joseph did.
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN
As we read and reread Matthew Chapter 2, even reading in different translations, the words in this chapter just impressed upon us how then is not that much different than now. We as parents are like Mary, Joseph, and even the Wise Men. As we are blessed with three sons, we can only sense and feel an inkling of what Mary and Joseph must have felt in protecting their only son from DEATH. In today’s world, we do not have to protect our children from that certain death. However, we do have to protect our children from influences, situations and evilness in our world, and yes, sometimes even protect them from death by wrong choices.
As we thought back to when our three sons were each infants, we started to understand better how each phase of a child’s growth brings with it different levels of parental guidance and protection. For us, they have also brought worry and stress. We have a 9, 12, and 15 year old. Thus far, infancy has been the easiest phase. Early adolescence has been the most challenging. As we reread Matthew 2:13, it does not say Mary and Joseph were worried or stressed. Joseph simply listened and obeyed when the angel of the Lord appeared. You know those quiet moments when we shut out the world, and truly seek God’s will and guidance not ours? With God’s will comes guidance, peace, comfort and, yes, answers. What we as parents have to do is listen to the Lord, read his word, and act upon His word. Just like Joseph and Mary acted to protect their child, Jesus. So with the New Year of 2010 just beginning, our prayer is to seek God’s will much more frequently in raising our children.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Jan. 1, 2010
Key Verse
Matthew 1:3
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Central Truth
Jesus is proud to have the broken in his linage.
JESUS' NOT SO HIDDEN RELATIVES
Hi and welcome to The Journey 2010. I believe that this year will be an exciting one as we read the scripture together.
Have you ever wondered why Matthew starts off with a listing of Jesus’ family tree? Matthew starts his story listing the earthly pedigree of the Son of God. Some pedigree.
Being the King of Kings, you might expect it to be a pedigree of royal and important people. There are some influential folks like King David in the list of names. It was foretold that the messiah would come out of the line of David, and Jesus fits that prophecy. But what caught my eye is the number of people who would have been left out of most people's list.
You see this geology is of the male side of Jesus. It follows the dads and sons; mothers are not included. However, this lists includes a couple of mothers, and not the kind you would want to brag about. The first mother listed is Tamar. Every Jew reading this genealogy would know who Tamar was. Her story in the Old Testament is well-known and very graphic. Sexual abuse, deception and prostitution are all a part of her story. She is not the kind of girl you want to brag that you are related to; yet God list her as a relative of Jesus. A few other women are on this list. One is Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute.
Here is my point. God did not hide the “ugly” people in Jesus' linage. Instead, He paraded them out. He talked about them when there was no reason to. It is as if God want us to know that these are the people that Jesus came for. Jesus didn’t come for the pretty and perfect, but for the broken and sinful.
I am so thankful that God was not ashamed of the “ugly” people in Jesus’ past, but proud to let us know that they are a part of His coming. That lets me know that I have a chance for God to be proud of me too, for I am a member of the “ugly” crowd. Today, know that God is proud of you regardless of your past and that He is ready to help you move forward to something better. Even if you are a member of the “ugly” crowd.
Matthew 1:3
3Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Central Truth
Jesus is proud to have the broken in his linage.
JESUS' NOT SO HIDDEN RELATIVES
Hi and welcome to The Journey 2010. I believe that this year will be an exciting one as we read the scripture together.
Have you ever wondered why Matthew starts off with a listing of Jesus’ family tree? Matthew starts his story listing the earthly pedigree of the Son of God. Some pedigree.
Being the King of Kings, you might expect it to be a pedigree of royal and important people. There are some influential folks like King David in the list of names. It was foretold that the messiah would come out of the line of David, and Jesus fits that prophecy. But what caught my eye is the number of people who would have been left out of most people's list.
You see this geology is of the male side of Jesus. It follows the dads and sons; mothers are not included. However, this lists includes a couple of mothers, and not the kind you would want to brag about. The first mother listed is Tamar. Every Jew reading this genealogy would know who Tamar was. Her story in the Old Testament is well-known and very graphic. Sexual abuse, deception and prostitution are all a part of her story. She is not the kind of girl you want to brag that you are related to; yet God list her as a relative of Jesus. A few other women are on this list. One is Rahab. Rahab was a prostitute.
Here is my point. God did not hide the “ugly” people in Jesus' linage. Instead, He paraded them out. He talked about them when there was no reason to. It is as if God want us to know that these are the people that Jesus came for. Jesus didn’t come for the pretty and perfect, but for the broken and sinful.
I am so thankful that God was not ashamed of the “ugly” people in Jesus’ past, but proud to let us know that they are a part of His coming. That lets me know that I have a chance for God to be proud of me too, for I am a member of the “ugly” crowd. Today, know that God is proud of you regardless of your past and that He is ready to help you move forward to something better. Even if you are a member of the “ugly” crowd.
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