Key Verse:
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Luke 11:9)
Central Truth:
Pray with shameless persistence.
BE BOLD
Jesus teaches His Disciples how to pray in this chapter. Father, hallowed be your name… He begins by praising God. This gives you perspective. When you pray, you are speaking to "The One True God," the "King of Kings." Hallowed means to be holy; in other words, we are praying that the name of the Lord always be regarded as holy or set apart.
Next, He asks God for daily provisions. He doesn’t ask for every little thing He wants right now. He trusts God to meet His needs daily.
Then Jesus tells us to ask God’s forgiveness for our sins as we are to forgive those who have sinned against us. Because we have been forgiven by God, we should forgive others who we have wronged us in some way. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Mt 18:35)
“And lead us not into temptation.” Jesus tells us to ask for God’s help in resisting temptation.
But Jesus doesn’t stop his lesson on prayer there. He also tells us to be BOLD. Jesus tells the parable of the man knocking on a friend’s door late at night asking for bread and not giving up even when he is told “Don’t bother me. The door is already locked and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.” (Luke 11:7) The man does not give up. He keeps knocking and asking with persistence until the friend gets up and gives him the bread. Jesus wants us to know that if we really want something we should keep praying. “[B]ecause of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” (Luke 11:8)
My Amplified Bible says it this way, “Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.”
It’s not that you have to keep reminding God of what you want or because He wants you to ask a few more times before He gives in and lets you have what you want. It’s because through persistence we change our own hearts. I once worked with a lady who drove me crazy. I knew that I should love her, but it was really hard because I just wasn’t feeling it. I prayed everyday for God to help me see her as He saw her. And you know what? It worked. God wasn’t changing her. He was changing me, changing my heart.
So keep praying. Be bold and persistent, and God will change your heart too.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
March 17, 2010, Luke 10
Key Verse:
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Luke 10:1-2)
Central Truth:
God is calling us to bring in the harvest.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:
There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.
Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.
How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.
You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.
Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”
All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and thKey Verse:
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Luke 10:1-2)
Central Truth:
God is calling us to bring in the harvest.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:
There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.
Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.
How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.
You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.
Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”
All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and the hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”
Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”
This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!e hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”
Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”
This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Luke 10:1-2)
Central Truth:
God is calling us to bring in the harvest.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:
There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.
Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.
How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.
You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.
Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”
All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and thKey Verse:
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Luke 10:1-2)
Central Truth:
God is calling us to bring in the harvest.
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL
Luke 10:1 tells us that far more than the original twelve had been following Jesus. A group of seventy-two was designated to go to a number of towns to prepare the people for his later visit. Jesus’ instruction to the group begins with, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Jesus spoke these words over two thousand years ago; yet it is still true today. Come with me, and take a look around:
There is the cashier at Kroger you see each week and sense her hopelessness.
Maybe your child’s best friend and family don’t go to church.
How about your coworkers you know are not saved just from overhearing their conversations.
You may have noticed a new family at church who are first time visitors. Maybe it’s even their first time ever coming to church.
Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful.” But, He then says something convicting. “The workers are few.”
All around us are opportunities to share the Gospel in our community, our school, our workplace, and even in our church. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of walking around with blinders on and getting caught up in our own little worlds. Our hearts fall out of alignment with the heartbeat of God. He watches with disappointment as we let the God-given opportunities pass us by. We must make a conscious effort to open our eyes and look for the lost and the hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”
Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”
This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!e hurting. In the book Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren says, “There are people on this planet that only you will be able to reach, because of where you live and what God has made you to be. If just one person will be in heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity.” These words of wisdom remind me of when I was in college majoring in Social Work. Whenever my Dad was asked what I wanted to do with my life, he would respond, “She’s wants to save the world!” And if I was there, I would follow-up with, “Just one person at a time!”
Will you join me and let God use you, right where you are, to change the world - even if it’s only one person at a time? Let us step out of our comfort zone, take our blinders off, and open our eyes. Let us take the opportunities to share the Good News in not only who we are but in what we do and what we say. It is our Christian duty to allow God to move our hearts for those around us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that all who believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”
This is the heart of God, and he needs us, His workers, to bring in the harvest! One person at a time!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 16, 2010, Luke 9
Key verse:
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
(Luke 9:20 NIV)
Central Truth:
It doesn’t matter what other people think about Jesus; what is important is that you know Who He is.
WHO'S THAT GUY ?
“Who’s that guy? Where did he come from? Who’s that guy? Where can I get one?” This is one of the lines from a song from the movie Grease 2. Yes, sad I know, but many of you were singing this with me as you read it! The thing is, this is what everybody wants to know about Jesus. Who is he?
Jesus asked Peter who the crowds thought He was. The answers were sketchy: John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. Our culture shares a little of the same view as Peter’s did. He’s labeled as a good man, prophet, lunatic, or even a fairy tale or mythical character. The Bible gives many different names for Jesus such as "I Am” (John 8:58), “Image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4), “Immanuel” (Mt. 1:23), “King of the Jews” (Mt. 27:11), “King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), and Lamb of God (John 1:29) - to name a few.
How did Jesus describe himself? Jesus often refers to himself as "the Son of Man." The title “Son of Man” implies Jesus’ humanity and also connects him with the prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14 announcing the Second Coming of the Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is very exclusive. He didn’t claim to be “a” way or “a” truth or “a” life, but the one and only of all of those. He also claims to be the only way to get the God. Pretty big words for a carpenter
The thing I tend to cling on though, is when Jesus turns to Peter and asks “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Jesus is personal, relational, and gut-wrenchingly to the point. At the end of days you and I will have to answer this question. Our very lives depend on our answer and what we’ve done with it in our heart. It’s really not enough to just believe and label Jesus as the Son of God according to James2:19 andMatthew 7:22-23. We must really know Him, intimately. How do you get to know someone intimately? You spend time with them, talk to them, listen to them, and enjoy their presence.
How do you honestly answer this question? If Jesus were to look straight into your eyes and into your soul, how would you respond? Is He a “good man” or a children’s Sunday school character? Is He just someone to talk about on Sundays in front of your church friends or community group? How real is He to you? How you answer this question determines how you spend eternity. Who do you say He is?
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
(Luke 9:20 NIV)
Central Truth:
It doesn’t matter what other people think about Jesus; what is important is that you know Who He is.
WHO'S THAT GUY ?
“Who’s that guy? Where did he come from? Who’s that guy? Where can I get one?” This is one of the lines from a song from the movie Grease 2. Yes, sad I know, but many of you were singing this with me as you read it! The thing is, this is what everybody wants to know about Jesus. Who is he?
Jesus asked Peter who the crowds thought He was. The answers were sketchy: John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. Our culture shares a little of the same view as Peter’s did. He’s labeled as a good man, prophet, lunatic, or even a fairy tale or mythical character. The Bible gives many different names for Jesus such as "I Am” (John 8:58), “Image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4), “Immanuel” (Mt. 1:23), “King of the Jews” (Mt. 27:11), “King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16), and Lamb of God (John 1:29) - to name a few.
How did Jesus describe himself? Jesus often refers to himself as "the Son of Man." The title “Son of Man” implies Jesus’ humanity and also connects him with the prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14 announcing the Second Coming of the Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is very exclusive. He didn’t claim to be “a” way or “a” truth or “a” life, but the one and only of all of those. He also claims to be the only way to get the God. Pretty big words for a carpenter
The thing I tend to cling on though, is when Jesus turns to Peter and asks “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Jesus is personal, relational, and gut-wrenchingly to the point. At the end of days you and I will have to answer this question. Our very lives depend on our answer and what we’ve done with it in our heart. It’s really not enough to just believe and label Jesus as the Son of God according to James
How do you honestly answer this question? If Jesus were to look straight into your eyes and into your soul, how would you respond? Is He a “good man” or a children’s Sunday school character? Is He just someone to talk about on Sundays in front of your church friends or community group? How real is He to you? How you answer this question determines how you spend eternity. Who do you say He is?
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15, 2010, Luke 8
Key Verse:
"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
(Luke 8:16 NIV)
Central Truth:
What blows out your little light?
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
Do you remember singing this Christian Hymn: "This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna let it shine. Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Of all the parables told in Luke Chapter 8, nothing brings back such sweet childhood memories than holding up our little finger as if it were a candle and singing our hearts out on Sunday mornings in the church in which we grew up. Shouting “No!” after a bushel and pretending to “blow” out our finger candle as if we were Satan trying to blow out the light of the candle. What is so ironic to us now, is we can’t really remember ever reading Luke 8:16. We just knew that little song, each and every little word, not to mention the hand motions and blowing. We just knew that the “light” was not to be hidden under anything and never allowed to be blown out. The light of our little finger candle was to remain shining brightly. We also knew the light represented the light of Jesus, His goodness, and His love for us. We knew that, as children of God, we were expected to try to be like Jesus by being kind to our friends, loving Jesus, telling others about Jesus, and loving our families.
Why isn’t it that simple for us today as adults? There are many times our little light is simply hidden from our co-workers, bosses, friends, family, and sadly even our children. Sometimes our little light even feels blown out. Our prayer for you today is that you may always strive to let your little light shine, no matter what!
http://www.biblestudycharts.com/CH_This_Little_Light_Of_Mine.html
(music set to This Little Light of Mine…..just in case you need to sing it!)
"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.
(Luke 8:16 NIV)
Central Truth:
What blows out your little light?
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
Do you remember singing this Christian Hymn: "This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna let it shine. Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
Of all the parables told in Luke Chapter 8, nothing brings back such sweet childhood memories than holding up our little finger as if it were a candle and singing our hearts out on Sunday mornings in the church in which we grew up. Shouting “No!” after a bushel and pretending to “blow” out our finger candle as if we were Satan trying to blow out the light of the candle. What is so ironic to us now, is we can’t really remember ever reading Luke 8:16. We just knew that little song, each and every little word, not to mention the hand motions and blowing. We just knew that the “light” was not to be hidden under anything and never allowed to be blown out. The light of our little finger candle was to remain shining brightly. We also knew the light represented the light of Jesus, His goodness, and His love for us. We knew that, as children of God, we were expected to try to be like Jesus by being kind to our friends, loving Jesus, telling others about Jesus, and loving our families.
Why isn’t it that simple for us today as adults? There are many times our little light is simply hidden from our co-workers, bosses, friends, family, and sadly even our children. Sometimes our little light even feels blown out. Our prayer for you today is that you may always strive to let your little light shine, no matter what!
http://www.biblestudycharts.com/CH_This_Little_Light_Of_Mine.html
(music set to This Little Light of Mine…..just in case you need to sing it!)
Friday, March 12, 2010
March 12, 2010, Luke 7
Key Verse:
"Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon the Pharisee, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with water from her tears and wiped them with her hair'."
(Luke 7:44)
Central Truth:
We can be forgiven.
BIG FAT HAIRY ONES
I lived most of my elementary years in the thrill-a-minute town of Byron. "Lost Vegas" we called it, as my friends and I "matured" into teenagers. It actually was a wonderful town to live in during those years. One of my fondest memories is walking with my friends across the school ball field to Mr. Vinson's drug store after school most days. Like many drug stores of that time, it had a soda shop in one end of the building. We would always sit at the table in the corner, enjoy a snack, and talk about anything....and anyone.
I have no recollection of how this topic came up, but we one day began to categorize sins into three levels: "bad, badder, and baddest." As we named off various sins, we began calling the worst sins "big fat hairy ones." Something like cheating on a test fell into that category. The conversation became hilarious. We hated when it had to end, and we, one-by-one, headed home.
As we mature and unfortunately lose the innocence of our youth, light-hearted conversation of sin can turn into actually committing sins that damage our lives forever. Inevitably, others are also harmed by our actions. The prostitute in Luke 7 had clearly lived a life that left her overcome with regret and grief. This, along with a powerful admiration of Jesus, prompted her to attend the meal at Simon the Pharisee's home. This was no public meal. It was a private party, and she was not on the guest list. While it was not uncommon for uninvited guests to attend such functions, Simon was clearly offended that a prostitute was present. However, to sooth her soul and express her grief over the choices she had made, she absolutely had to spend time with Jesus.
Many of us are burdened and emotionally torn with regret of past sins - infidelity, cruelty, abandonment, business fraud, or whatever the action might have been. By opening our regretful hearts to God, though, we can be forgiven. Jesus forgave the prostitute. He knew she was genuinely remorseful and needed to be freed of the yoke of sin that she was carrying. The same will be done for us if we truly desire forgiveness. God knows every crevice of our heart and soul. Allowing Him to mend our lives will remove the weight of regret that He does not want us to carry. He is ready when we are.
"Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon the Pharisee, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with water from her tears and wiped them with her hair'."
(Luke 7:44)
Central Truth:
We can be forgiven.
BIG FAT HAIRY ONES
I lived most of my elementary years in the thrill-a-minute town of Byron. "Lost Vegas" we called it, as my friends and I "matured" into teenagers. It actually was a wonderful town to live in during those years. One of my fondest memories is walking with my friends across the school ball field to Mr. Vinson's drug store after school most days. Like many drug stores of that time, it had a soda shop in one end of the building. We would always sit at the table in the corner, enjoy a snack, and talk about anything....and anyone.
I have no recollection of how this topic came up, but we one day began to categorize sins into three levels: "bad, badder, and baddest." As we named off various sins, we began calling the worst sins "big fat hairy ones." Something like cheating on a test fell into that category. The conversation became hilarious. We hated when it had to end, and we, one-by-one, headed home.
As we mature and unfortunately lose the innocence of our youth, light-hearted conversation of sin can turn into actually committing sins that damage our lives forever. Inevitably, others are also harmed by our actions. The prostitute in Luke 7 had clearly lived a life that left her overcome with regret and grief. This, along with a powerful admiration of Jesus, prompted her to attend the meal at Simon the Pharisee's home. This was no public meal. It was a private party, and she was not on the guest list. While it was not uncommon for uninvited guests to attend such functions, Simon was clearly offended that a prostitute was present. However, to sooth her soul and express her grief over the choices she had made, she absolutely had to spend time with Jesus.
Many of us are burdened and emotionally torn with regret of past sins - infidelity, cruelty, abandonment, business fraud, or whatever the action might have been. By opening our regretful hearts to God, though, we can be forgiven. Jesus forgave the prostitute. He knew she was genuinely remorseful and needed to be freed of the yoke of sin that she was carrying. The same will be done for us if we truly desire forgiveness. God knows every crevice of our heart and soul. Allowing Him to mend our lives will remove the weight of regret that He does not want us to carry. He is ready when we are.
March 11, 2010, Luke 6
Key Verses:
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
(Luke 6:46-49).
Central Truth:
Change your life and your future by developing good biblical practices now!
In the month of February, I led a series with the high school kids called "Developing Habits that Will Change Your Life." In this series we looked at great biblical principals that God instructs us to practice. Principals such as: hanging out with God, having an accountability partner, passionately getting into his word, and so on . . . These principals, if the students should grab hold of them now, can serve as an incredible foundation that will help them mature as adults and as believers. A foundation that could very well change the direction of their life!
However, as I'm studying this subject matter, I can't help but think about all of the adults that have missed out on building this incredible foundation in their own life. Too often I've seen many adults who have built their "home" on the shifting sand. They have built their lives based on earthy principals inspired by their culture and their environment. And consequently, they have been in one disastrous drama after another.
BUT.....GUESS WHAT! I've got some incredible news! Our God is a God of GRACE and MERCY who offers second chances. We CAN start over. It's not too late to restart that foundational rebuild and make some great changes in your life. Sure, it may be harder. We may even need to dig a little deeper before we hit solid ground. But, I'm reminded of Philippians 4:13 where Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." You see, if you have trusted your life to the Mercy King, nothing is impossible. Change your life now. Rebuild on solid ground. Rebuild with Jesus.
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
(Luke 6:46-49).
Central Truth:
Change your life and your future by developing good biblical practices now!
In the month of February, I led a series with the high school kids called "Developing Habits that Will Change Your Life." In this series we looked at great biblical principals that God instructs us to practice. Principals such as: hanging out with God, having an accountability partner, passionately getting into his word, and so on . . . These principals, if the students should grab hold of them now, can serve as an incredible foundation that will help them mature as adults and as believers. A foundation that could very well change the direction of their life!
However, as I'm studying this subject matter, I can't help but think about all of the adults that have missed out on building this incredible foundation in their own life. Too often I've seen many adults who have built their "home" on the shifting sand. They have built their lives based on earthy principals inspired by their culture and their environment. And consequently, they have been in one disastrous drama after another.
BUT.....GUESS WHAT! I've got some incredible news! Our God is a God of GRACE and MERCY who offers second chances. We CAN start over. It's not too late to restart that foundational rebuild and make some great changes in your life. Sure, it may be harder. We may even need to dig a little deeper before we hit solid ground. But, I'm reminded of Philippians 4:13 where Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." You see, if you have trusted your life to the Mercy King, nothing is impossible. Change your life now. Rebuild on solid ground. Rebuild with Jesus.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March 10, 2010, Luke 5
Key Verse:
"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets for a catch."
(Luke 5:5 NIV)
Central Truth:
God honors obedience, even when He asks us to do something "crazy".
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
So Simon (Peter) and his buddies have been fishing all night, with no luck. And they aren't just messing around out on the water - they are professionals. And they aren't catching a thing. And here comes Jesus, a carpenter by trade and a teacher by divine appointment. And he tells Simon to let the nets down (again) for a catch.
At this point, I probably would have suggested to Jesus that I (being all-knowledgeable about fishing since it was, in fact, MY boat), know best, and that there is no sense in casting out our nets, just to heave them up empty once again. But unlike me, Simon (Peter) "gets it." So WHY did he do it again? "Because (Jesus) said so"! No second-guessing, no arguing, no personal agenda. Only because Jesus "said so," they threw out their nets again. And what happened next? Fish! Loads and loads of fish! So much it nearly sank their boat! No wonder Simon (Peter), James and John left everything and followed Him!
Reading this passage made me think about a time that I ignored my own instinct, desire, and yes, common sense, and really obeyed God. It was a situation that, should I have acted on my own, I could have completely messed up my life and several others. Instead of doing what Aimee thought Aimee should do, I determined to follow God - to sell myself out completely to what He had in store for me. It took me down a crazy path. I did and said things I never thought I'd ever do or say. They were completely out of my own nature and against what my flesh would have me to do and say. And yet, the peace that fell on me when I would take those baby steps of obedience overwhelmed me and gave me the assurance that I was surely doing what GOD would have me to do because AIMEE would certainly would have done or said none of that! Why did I do it? Because God "said so," and I wanted, and desperately needed, to follow Him.
And the outcome of my situation, just like with the fishermen, was that God completely and totally blessed me. If I hadn't followed Him, if I hadn't relied on Him for every breath and every baby step, if I had allowed my own plan and my own instinct to take over, I would have missed it. I would have missed the tremendous blessings that followed and still flow to this day as a result of decisions I made during that intense period of life-changing obedience.
Yes, Lord, because you SAY SO, I will follow you. It may sound crazy some times, but I know the blessings that follow obedience. Help me to have the wisdom to know what You would have me to do, and give me the strength and courage to do it.
"Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets for a catch."
(Luke 5:5 NIV)
Central Truth:
God honors obedience, even when He asks us to do something "crazy".
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
So Simon (Peter) and his buddies have been fishing all night, with no luck. And they aren't just messing around out on the water - they are professionals. And they aren't catching a thing. And here comes Jesus, a carpenter by trade and a teacher by divine appointment. And he tells Simon to let the nets down (again) for a catch.
At this point, I probably would have suggested to Jesus that I (being all-knowledgeable about fishing since it was, in fact, MY boat), know best, and that there is no sense in casting out our nets, just to heave them up empty once again. But unlike me, Simon (Peter) "gets it." So WHY did he do it again? "Because (Jesus) said so"! No second-guessing, no arguing, no personal agenda. Only because Jesus "said so," they threw out their nets again. And what happened next? Fish! Loads and loads of fish! So much it nearly sank their boat! No wonder Simon (Peter), James and John left everything and followed Him!
Reading this passage made me think about a time that I ignored my own instinct, desire, and yes, common sense, and really obeyed God. It was a situation that, should I have acted on my own, I could have completely messed up my life and several others. Instead of doing what Aimee thought Aimee should do, I determined to follow God - to sell myself out completely to what He had in store for me. It took me down a crazy path. I did and said things I never thought I'd ever do or say. They were completely out of my own nature and against what my flesh would have me to do and say. And yet, the peace that fell on me when I would take those baby steps of obedience overwhelmed me and gave me the assurance that I was surely doing what GOD would have me to do because AIMEE would certainly would have done or said none of that! Why did I do it? Because God "said so," and I wanted, and desperately needed, to follow Him.
And the outcome of my situation, just like with the fishermen, was that God completely and totally blessed me. If I hadn't followed Him, if I hadn't relied on Him for every breath and every baby step, if I had allowed my own plan and my own instinct to take over, I would have missed it. I would have missed the tremendous blessings that followed and still flow to this day as a result of decisions I made during that intense period of life-changing obedience.
Yes, Lord, because you SAY SO, I will follow you. It may sound crazy some times, but I know the blessings that follow obedience. Help me to have the wisdom to know what You would have me to do, and give me the strength and courage to do it.
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