October 28, 2011
"And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone." Luke 8:37
A few months ago I grew tired of the guilt I experienced each time I passed the face of a homeless person without stopping to offer assistance (although in this case I am certain I felt more conviction than guilt). To appease my convicted heart I packed resealable bags with jars of peanut butter, crackers and a booklet-sized version of Rick Warren's book, A Purpose Driven Life, titled, What On Earth Am I Here For? (you can buy 10 of these booklets for $12 at Christianbook.com . . . I'm just sayin'). I placed the bags inside a box which resides in my car.
On our way home from the store today the girls and I passed a man who held a sign that read, "Homeless, please help." As Satan would have it, due to a recent trip in which we needed every ounce of available space inside the car (you with multiple kiddos understand the dilemma), my box of supplies laid at home. Determined not to simply pass by this man without extending him a glimmer of hope, I drove home, retrieved the bags, and returned to the store parking lot. (The mommy who likes to stick to a schedule would like to mention that at this point it was well past nap time . . . for all of us.) The girls and I located our man and as I drove near I rolled down my window so that he could see I had something to give to him. Cars stacked up behind me. Sensing a lack of desperation in his face I decided to ask, "Would this help?" to which he examined the contents of my bag, wrinkled his nose and said, "Nah, no thanks. But thanks anyway."
Interesting.
Perhaps he's allergic to peanut butter. Maybe he's more of a PB & J type of guy. At least he had manners. I tried to reason to myself.
Then in crept the bitterness.
I got a nose crinkle! How dare he claim to be in need but reject my offering of free food and a good read.
Then it hit me.
How many times have I been in need but rejected the One who offers to feed me the bread of life?
The food I offered the homeless man might have sustained him for a few hours. Jesus offers us food which sustains us throughout all eternity. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never
be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
"Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). God's promises sustain us more than any four-course meal. The Son of God enters our life and fills us with the power to live as more than conquerors in every situation through Him. Yet how many times have I said to Him and His Ways, "Thanks, but no thanks."
That's exactly what the Gerasenes said.
In Mark 6 we read of a man possessed by evil spirits. Upon His arrival the spirits immediately recognize Jesus and beg Him for mercy. Jesus casts the spirits into a nearby herd of pigs, and the pigs run into a lake and drown. Did the crowd erupt with a wave of cheers? A man possessed by taunting spirits now stood healed! Nope. No attaboy's for Jesus. Instead, the crowd asked Him to leave. "Thanks Jesus, but no thanks. Your ways are too much for us. You're not quite what we were looking for."
We're all in need of a Savior. The life-sustaining power of Christ and His Word awaits. His arm rests extended from the widows of Heaven. Will you accept His offering?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Meeting Needs
October 25, 2011
"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord
of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will
pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!'" Malachi 3:10
What about that rainy day? Isn't it prudent to save up for hard times?
Like the ant we are wise to store up food for the winter (Proverbs 6:6 and 30:25). But the earth is God's and everything in it. God owns it all--even our emergency funds.
God makes us rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion. God gives us
our wealth as well as the ability to earn wealth. Romans 12:6 says that
in His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things
well. All we have, all that we are . . . comes from Him. God is the owner, we are the steward. When it comes to meeting needs the answer is simple: ask the Owner how He would have us invest His resources--His money, the time and very breath He gives us, the abilities with which He has empowered us--to meet the needs of others.
Remember the boy who offered two fish and a few loaves of bread to feed 5,000 men? I'm certain those men scoffed at the boy's contribution. But in the hands of Christ there proved more than enough to go around.
What if God asks me to give it all away?
God loves a generous giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). "To
those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and
they will have an abundance" (Matthew 25:29). "'Bring your tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord
of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will
pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!'" (Malachi 3:8) God will never let you out-give Him.
Scripture clearly calls us to meet the needs of others. I
challenge you to ask God how He would have you meet the needs of the
world around us, and ask Him to give you the courage to obey. As the holiday season approaches, "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord
of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will
pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!'" Malachi 3:10
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . . Everywhere you go you'll find store shelves increasingly stocked with Christmas treasures (you can thank me later for placing that jingle in your head). Each year the arrival of the holiday season seems to usher in a fresh awareness of needs . . . as well as the pressure to say "yes," and feelings of guilt for saying "no." As requests for support begin to flood our mailboxes, churches and hearts, how do we keep from growing bitter and resentful or overwhelmed by all the needs? By turning to the One who owns all things.
"The whole earth is mine and everything in it," says the Lord (Psalm 50:12). Recognizing ourselves as stewards--not owners--of God's resources is the key which unlocks the door to a generous heart.
I recently asked my small group to consider where they would place themselves on a scale of 1-10; 1 representing the utmost struggle to recognize that all we have comes from the Lord (after all, we work hard for our stuff, don't we?) and 10 representing the firm belief that everything we have comes from Him. I didn't force anyone to answer aloud (what kind of teacher would I be?!?). However, I did profess that most of the time I am hard-pressed to place myself at a "10." My head recognizes that all I have comes from Him but my heart tends to disagree.
God's ownership over all things can best be demonstrated by the parable of the three servants found in Matthew 25. A man leaves for a long trip. While away he entrusts his money to three servants. The first servant receives 5 bags of silver. He invests them and earns 5 more. The second servant receives 2 bags of silver. He invests them and earns 2 more. The third servant receives 1 bag of silver. Afraid of loosing what little he was given, the third servant simply hides his bag of silver in the ground. When the master returns he replies to the first and second servants, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have
been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many
more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!" (Matthew 25:21, 23) To the third servant the master responds, "That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like
that! . . . Get rid of
this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into
utter darkness" (Matthew 25:26-30, The Message).
The master responds a little harshly to the third servant, don't you think? It's not as if the third servant squandered his master's money; he simply held on to it for a rainy day. Cast into utter darkness? Why?
What about that rainy day? Isn't it prudent to save up for hard times?
Like the ant we are wise to store up food for the winter (Proverbs 6:6 and 30:25). But the earth is God's and everything in it. God owns it all--even our emergency funds.
God makes us rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion. God gives us
our wealth as well as the ability to earn wealth. Romans 12:6 says that
in His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things
well. All we have, all that we are . . . comes from Him. God is the owner, we are the steward. When it comes to meeting needs the answer is simple: ask the Owner how He would have us invest His resources--His money, the time and very breath He gives us, the abilities with which He has empowered us--to meet the needs of others.
Remember the boy who offered two fish and a few loaves of bread to feed 5,000 men? I'm certain those men scoffed at the boy's contribution. But in the hands of Christ there proved more than enough to go around.
What if God asks me to give it all away?
God loves a generous giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). "To
those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and
they will have an abundance" (Matthew 25:29). "'Bring your tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the Lord
of Heaven’s Armies, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will
pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!'" (Malachi 3:8) God will never let you out-give Him.
Scripture clearly calls us to meet the needs of others. I
challenge you to ask God how He would have you meet the needs of the
world around us, and ask Him to give you the courage to obey. As the holiday season approaches, "let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
Sunday, October 9, 2011
He's Calling You
October 9, 2011
"So they called the blind man. 'Cheer up,' they said. 'Come on, He’s calling you!'" Mark 10:49
Bartimaeus was a poor, blind man. His physical limitations forced him to depend on others for even the most basic of needs. Unable to actively embrace the beauty of this world we find Bartimaeus perched along the side of the road. Hopeless. Forgotten. Doubting his significance in life. Questioning, "Is there any purpose for me?"
Then enters the Savior. The Christ. The One of whom it was foretold that when He should come, "the eyes of the blind would be opened" (Isaiah 35:5).
Satan whispers, "He doesn't want you, Bartimaeus. You're nothing but a blind beggar. What would the Christ have to do with you? You were born blind; your father was blind. It runs in your family. Don't you know there's no hope for you?"
But Bartimaeus dismisses the enemy's lies. Bartimaeus has heard rumors of the healing power of the Christ. Bartimaeus' ears capture the rumblings of a crowd. Seated on the ground Bartimaeus begins to feel the vibrations of a stampede of footsteps which follow the Healer. Could it be Him--the Christ? Should I ask for help? What if He turns me away? Desperate for hope, Bartimaeus shoves doubt and fear aside. As God in flesh approaches, Bartimaeus stands in faith and cries, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!" (Luke 10:48)
Time stood still for Bartimaeus. How would the Holy One respond to the cries of a poor, desperate beggar? Would Bartimaeus be cast away in shame or welcomed with open arms? Truth be known, we struggle with similar doubts.
Jesus stops.
"Tell him to come here."
The crowd rejoices. Because if there's hope for Bartimaeus, there's hope for them too.
“Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!”
Only Heaven knows the hope that lies in those three little words.
He's calling you.
We do not call Him first. We can call upon Him because He first calls us (John 15:16).
How will you respond to His call?
"Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus."
come to Him, are great encouragements to our hope, that we shall speed
well if we come to Him, and shall have what we come for. Let the guilty,
the empty, the tempted, the hungry, the naked, be of good comfort, for He calls them to be pardoned, to be supplied, to be succoured, to
be filled, to be clothed, to have all that done for them, which their
case calls for (Matthew Henry Commentary on Mark 10).
If you find yourself beside a lonely road, take note of His footsteps. Listen for His voice. He's calling you. Call upon Him. Tell Him exactly what you need (Philippians 4:6).
"So they called the blind man. 'Cheer up,' they said. 'Come on, He’s calling you!'" Mark 10:49
Bartimaeus was a poor, blind man. His physical limitations forced him to depend on others for even the most basic of needs. Unable to actively embrace the beauty of this world we find Bartimaeus perched along the side of the road. Hopeless. Forgotten. Doubting his significance in life. Questioning, "Is there any purpose for me?"
Then enters the Savior. The Christ. The One of whom it was foretold that when He should come, "the eyes of the blind would be opened" (Isaiah 35:5).
Satan whispers, "He doesn't want you, Bartimaeus. You're nothing but a blind beggar. What would the Christ have to do with you? You were born blind; your father was blind. It runs in your family. Don't you know there's no hope for you?"
But Bartimaeus dismisses the enemy's lies. Bartimaeus has heard rumors of the healing power of the Christ. Bartimaeus' ears capture the rumblings of a crowd. Seated on the ground Bartimaeus begins to feel the vibrations of a stampede of footsteps which follow the Healer. Could it be Him--the Christ? Should I ask for help? What if He turns me away? Desperate for hope, Bartimaeus shoves doubt and fear aside. As God in flesh approaches, Bartimaeus stands in faith and cries, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!" (Luke 10:48)
Time stood still for Bartimaeus. How would the Holy One respond to the cries of a poor, desperate beggar? Would Bartimaeus be cast away in shame or welcomed with open arms? Truth be known, we struggle with similar doubts.
Jesus stops.
"Tell him to come here."
The crowd rejoices. Because if there's hope for Bartimaeus, there's hope for them too.
“Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!”
Only Heaven knows the hope that lies in those three little words.
He's calling you.
We do not call Him first. We can call upon Him because He first calls us (John 15:16).
How will you respond to His call?
"Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus."
“'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked."
"'My rabbi,' the blind man said, 'I want to see!'”
"And Jesus said to him, 'Go, for your faith has healed you.' Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road" (Mark 10:50-52).
come to Him, are great encouragements to our hope, that we shall speed
well if we come to Him, and shall have what we come for. Let the guilty,
the empty, the tempted, the hungry, the naked, be of good comfort, for He calls them to be pardoned, to be supplied, to be succoured, to
be filled, to be clothed, to have all that done for them, which their
case calls for (Matthew Henry Commentary on Mark 10).
If you find yourself beside a lonely road, take note of His footsteps. Listen for His voice. He's calling you. Call upon Him. Tell Him exactly what you need (Philippians 4:6).
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
By First Giving Thanks, There Is Always Enough
October 4, 2011
"So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then He took the
seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave
them to His disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food." Mark 8:6, 8
Last night my husband and I had one of our quarterly-ish budget meetings. Hashing out our finances proves almost as much fun as a root canal (no offense, honey--it's the topic of discussion, not the company!). Once again it seems we need to tighten our purse strings.
Fear and doubt become frequent (and unwanted) visitors during hard economic times. When I feel tempted to fret I must turn to the One who promises to supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19).
Each of the four gospel writers included the account of Jesus feeding 5,000-plus people with only a few loaves of bread. What I find most intriguing about this story is that by first giving thanks to God for what He had, God supplied His Son with with more than enough food to feed the crowd.
Philippians 4:6 reads, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."
When fear says, "You'll never have enough," God says, "Do not worry. Tell Me what you need. Thank Me for all I have done."
Matthew 6:33 reads, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
When the world says, "If it's going to be it's up to me," God says, "Seek Me first. I will give you all you need."
When my husband lost his job last year my dad sent us a sizable check "just in case." Thankfully, after a few months we were able to return the check to my dad uncashed. Matthew 7:11 reminds me, "If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Though my earthly father loves me dearly, my heavenly Father loves me even more. Though my earthly father could afford to supply us with the resources to cover several months worth of living expenses, my heavenly Father's resources are glorious and unlimited (Ephesians 3:16).
I fail to understand how He does it. Our budget almost never works on paper but somehow we've always had more than enough.
What are you in need of today? Money? Faith? Hope? Patience? Endurance? Peace?
Seek His kingdom first. Tell Him what you need. Thank Him for what He has given. Then you'll experience more than you'll ever need.
"So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then He took the
seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave
them to His disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food." Mark 8:6, 8
Last night my husband and I had one of our quarterly-ish budget meetings. Hashing out our finances proves almost as much fun as a root canal (no offense, honey--it's the topic of discussion, not the company!). Once again it seems we need to tighten our purse strings.
Fear and doubt become frequent (and unwanted) visitors during hard economic times. When I feel tempted to fret I must turn to the One who promises to supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19).
Each of the four gospel writers included the account of Jesus feeding 5,000-plus people with only a few loaves of bread. What I find most intriguing about this story is that by first giving thanks to God for what He had, God supplied His Son with with more than enough food to feed the crowd.
Philippians 4:6 reads, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."
When fear says, "You'll never have enough," God says, "Do not worry. Tell Me what you need. Thank Me for all I have done."
Matthew 6:33 reads, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
When the world says, "If it's going to be it's up to me," God says, "Seek Me first. I will give you all you need."
When my husband lost his job last year my dad sent us a sizable check "just in case." Thankfully, after a few months we were able to return the check to my dad uncashed. Matthew 7:11 reminds me, "If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him." Though my earthly father loves me dearly, my heavenly Father loves me even more. Though my earthly father could afford to supply us with the resources to cover several months worth of living expenses, my heavenly Father's resources are glorious and unlimited (Ephesians 3:16).
I fail to understand how He does it. Our budget almost never works on paper but somehow we've always had more than enough.
What are you in need of today? Money? Faith? Hope? Patience? Endurance? Peace?
Seek His kingdom first. Tell Him what you need. Thank Him for what He has given. Then you'll experience more than you'll ever need.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
He Comes to Us
October 1, 2011
"He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling
against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them . . .. Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped." Mark 6:48, 51
I am unsure of which part of the aforementioned Scripture I find more fascinating--the fact that Jesus noticed that His disciples were in trouble, or the fact that He went to them.
Friends, we have a Savior who "hems us in from behind and before" (Psalm 139:5). He stands very much aware of the trials we face. Indeed, the very circumstances in which we find ourselves had to first pass through His sovereign hand. Though we may not understand why God allows trouble to come our way we know He has promised, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
Jesus saw that they were in serious trouble.
He sees.
Jesus came toward them.
He cares.
Jesus climbed into the boat with them.
He comes alongside of us amidst our circumstances.
And the wind stopped.
And His presence calms even the mightiest storm.
In what "boat" do you find yourself?
Will you allow Jesus to climb in?
"He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling
against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them . . .. Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped." Mark 6:48, 51
I am unsure of which part of the aforementioned Scripture I find more fascinating--the fact that Jesus noticed that His disciples were in trouble, or the fact that He went to them.
Friends, we have a Savior who "hems us in from behind and before" (Psalm 139:5). He stands very much aware of the trials we face. Indeed, the very circumstances in which we find ourselves had to first pass through His sovereign hand. Though we may not understand why God allows trouble to come our way we know He has promised, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
Jesus saw that they were in serious trouble.
He sees.
Jesus came toward them.
He cares.
Jesus climbed into the boat with them.
He comes alongside of us amidst our circumstances.
And the wind stopped.
And His presence calms even the mightiest storm.
In what "boat" do you find yourself?
Will you allow Jesus to climb in?
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