Tag: bro. Jonathan

Day 31: Luke 22-24 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Luke 22-24 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

Peter knew better than Jesus… or at least he thought he did (22:31-34). Jesus told Peter what would happen, but Peter didn’t believe it. He thought he knew better than Jesus, but Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself and He knew that Peter would return.

What gives me hope, is that Jesus had already prayed for Peter (22:32).  He spoke plainly to Peter that even though he would deny Jesus three times (22:34), that Peter would indeed return to Jesus and be in a place to strengthen his brothers.

We will see in the days a head as we read through the book of Acts, that there were roughly 50 days between the Crucifixion and the day of Pentecost. Which means that there were roughly 50 days between Peter’s denial of Jesus and preaching the greatest sermon of his life.

Sometimes we feel like when someone has sinned in a grievous way that they should suffer for it for a long time before they are restored. While it is wise to seek and evaluate to see if genuine repentance has taken place, we see Jesus restoring Peter in a matter of days and empowering him to preach the gospel in less than two months. There is a scandal there if I ever saw one. Don’t be fooled though, the scandal isn’t with how quickly Jesus restored Peter, it’s how powerful the cross is! The biggest thing that took place between Peter’s three-time denial of Jesus and Peter’s restoration was the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus!

I think sometimes we can be guilty of preaching the power of the gospel without believing it! God’s grace is really that big! His love is really that wide! And His forgiveness is really that powerful.

FATHER, thank you for loving for me. Thank you for your grace! I stand in awe of the power of the gospel to transform lives. I thank you for Peter’s testimony and it’s implications. I pray that I would be quick to forgive people in my life. I pray for my friends today who feel like they have to suffer before they can enjoy restoration. I pray that they would find freedom in you today. I pray for those who are nursing grudges. I pray that they would find the grace and ability to forgive as you forgive. I pray for those who have fallen to be restored. Thank you for the grace of leading your people. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 30: Luke 19-21 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Luke 19-21 follow the link provided hereto read the ESV online.

How do you handle your wealth? Today’s reading begins with a rich man who hears the words of Jesus and repents to the point of restoring all those whom he has defrauded and giving half of his wealth to the poor (19:1-10). Zacchaeus had been a taker, but after Jesus transformed his heart, he became a giver. He didn’t need money for security he had something greater. Is Jesus more precious to us than our money and stuff?

The account of Zacchaeus’ change is followed up with a story about the Minas (19:11-27). Ten servants were charged to be faithful with what the master had given them. At least two went out and earned more for their master and at least one we know did not do anything with his. The ones who earned a profit were blessed with even more, the one who didn’t do anything was stripped of what he even did have. We are reminded to do what you can, with what you have, while you have it for the kingdom of God.

There is also the story of the poor widow who didn’t have much to give, just two little pennies (21:1-4). Jesus said that she gave more than the rest, not because of the extravagance of her gift, but because of her complete poverty.

FATHER, thank you that you teach us about money and possessions in the Scripture. I pray that we are faithful with everything you have given us. I pray that we are generous towards others and faithful in the small things. Thank you for all you have entrusted to us and thank you for the grace of talking about money in your word. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 29: Luke 16-18 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Today’s reading comes from Luke 16-18 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

The older I get the more I realize that most critics of the Bible have never actually read the scriptures. Do you see the portrait of Jesus here? Taking on Pharisees. Healing the sick. Welcoming the Children. Speaking words of warning and comfort.  Counseling a rich man to go all in for God. Speaking up for the helpless. That was just three chapters in the middle of Luke.

The gospel of Luke is so counter cultural it’s not funny. Have you noticed all the stories about rich men? The rich young ruler, the rich man and Lazarus, and from yesterday, the poor brother who wasted his inheritance (yes he wasted it just like a drunk on booze) and the other brother who never left home. There is a two fold theme opening up here… God accepts those who have nothing to offer and those who have lots of money often have the hardest time seeing there way to God because of it (16:14). Either way, you can’t love money more than God (16:13).

The big take away for me today was the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14). There is really only one way to approach God and that is to be humble. Often, it is easier to see the sins of others and miss my own sin. To be humble is a gift of God’s grace. To know your sin before a holy and a righteous God, while uncomfortable, it ultimately the most profitable thing that can happen in your life.

FATHER, I pray that you would guard my heart from loving anything more than you. I pray that our hearts would always be humble. I ask that our consciences would be sensitive to you and that you would guard our hearts from idols. Thank you for the grace of leading your people. Convict us of sin and bring healing to our souls. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 28: Luke 13-15 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Luke 13-15 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

Imagine being the younger son in Luke 15, rehearsing your speech and making the final turn to approach the house. You’re not sure if you will be accepted. Then you see him. Running to meet you. It’s your dad! You’re running through the speech one more time in your head. You are practiced, you are ready, but as the words leave your mouth you hear him say, “kill the fatted calf, we are going to have a feast tonight. My son who was dead is now alive. He is home.”

You’re accepted. You are welcomed. You enter the party with full confidence that you have your father’s unmerited favor. ..

Then imaging the older brother in Luke 15. (Remember, this story is about two brothers.) You’ve been loyal, you work the farm, you do what you are told and never once has your old man thrown a party for you. When you come home you are furious to find that your brother is home and the old man has thrown him a party. You feel slighted somehow. You feel edged out. Somehow the fact that your father would accept your stupid younger brother makes you angry. You don’t enter the party. The father has to come out to invite you in… in the end we are left wondering if you will ever go in?

This is the scandal of Amazing Grace that God would love sinners who repent and find their way home. Sometimes we think that people need to suffer a little because of where they have been and the choices they have made. But that’s not the way God welcomes sinners. The road to repentance is an open road that he looks down, waiting and expecting.

FATHER, thank you for the scandal of Amazing Grace. Thank you that you welcome repentant sinners. I rejoice with those who have trusted in you as Lord and Savior. I lift up those who have wandered far from home and are living in the far country. I pray for the salvation of friends and family. I pray for repentance that leads to rejoicing. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 27: Luke 10-12 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Luke 10-12 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

In Luke 12, Jesus preaches hard against hypocrisy! What a gift it is for Him to expose our hearts. There are days where we might be prone to just go through the motions, put on a good exterior and sail through, but not today. Today, we come to the hard task of examining our lives. There is nothing that is truly hidden that God doesn’t know (12:2). We might fool each other for a while, or even fool ourselves into thinking it doesn’t matter, but it does.

Sometimes we are more afraid of what others will think of us than we are of offending the Lord. Jesus teaches us to fear God more than people. We fear on the one hand because He has the power and authority not only to demand our lives, but to cast us into Hell. On the other hand though, we should tremble, because He cares so much for us (12: 4-7). Anything that He beckons us to do, even to the point of giving up our lives, isn’t to hurt us, but to help us. So while trusting him may seem difficult, it is the best thing. He knows our worst and still offers grace and forgiveness in Christ.

Sometimes we are hesitant to confess or confront secret sins because we are afraid of how we will be perceived by other people. We let the fear of others rob us from the freedom of confession and repentance. A secret sin can fester in our hearts and cause us to by hypocrites in every area of our lives. We can place on a holy hat and try to side step the real sin issue that is eating us alive and in doing so we side step every issue down the line.

The best thing is for us is to be honest about the condition of our souls.  If we are to be made more and more into the image of Christ, we can’t play at being holy.  We must commit every area of our life to Him.  We must deal with reality. What a grace it is for Jesus to expose our hypocrisy now, because he gives us an opportunity to repent.

FATHER, thank you for the grace of hard words that cut right to our hearts. Thank you for caring for us enough to point out our secret sins. Thank you for the grace of repentance. Thank you that we don’t have to fear others and what they might do to us for following you, but that we get to follow you unashamedly. I pray that we would be bold in our witness today. Thank you for the grace to lead others. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 26: Luke 7-9 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Today’s reading comes from Luke 7-9 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

In the gospel of Luke we often find faith in unsuspecting places. The faith of the centurion to recognize that Jesus has the authority to heal from afar is one of those places (7:1-10). Jesus had just spoken in his hometown about their apparent lack of belief and that even in Old Testament times that God sometimes chose to do works among those who were outside of the covenant nation of Israel (4:25-27). As we keep reading, we will see a faithful response from those you wouldn’t expect. Today in the same chapter we saw the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) who interrupts a party to clean Jesus’ feet. While she was probably a Jewish woman, she was certainly out of her social context.

Along the lines of the woman who washes Jesus’ feet, I thought it was profound that Jesus uses this as a teaching moment for Simon (the host) about forgiveness. I think it is always easier to see someone else’s sin.  The human heart is prone to gawk, make fun of and demand repentance for the wrongs that we see others commit.  We seldom ever like to take the time for honest self-evaluation of our own hearts. If I’m not careful I will see the sins of others and in my mind be way too harsh, not thinking or realizing that I have sin that has to be dealt with too. Those who have come to Jesus by grace through faith need to extend the same grace we have received to others.

Forgiveness is one of those things that is easy to do on paper, but hard in real life. Forgiveness for me is often a process and seldom ever is it a single event. I continually need to be reminded to forgive other for offenses big and small in the same way that I have been forgiven.

The big take away for me today was 8:18. We must be careful in how we hear. God’s word wasn’t meant for the purpose of information alone. It was meant for transformation. I know all about how to diet. Believe it or not, I have read books (that’s right plural) on dieting, exercising and losing weight. My problem is I haven’t done anything with what I know and my waste-line shows it. For all of that information to profit me anything I have to DO it. It’s the same with God’s word. Knowing how to forgive and forgiving are two different things. Those who do God’s word, get more from it than those who merely read it… What a challenge that was to read today! Are we hearing God’s word to transform our lives?

Finally, I wonder what it must have been like for the Gaderene demoniac to be healed of his demon possession and sent then home to tell others about what the Lord had done for Him? Here is a man who was ready to leave it all behind and jump in a boat and follow Jesus (8:38). This is the kind of disciple that Jesus was hard pressed to find. Yet here he finds one and his command isn’t to go to the darkest streets of Jerusalem, or even to go to the utter most parts of the earth. Jesus instead says, go home and tell those people what I’ve done for you (8:39).

He was already where God was calling him to go. He needed to be a sign and a witness of God’s faithfulness among his own people.  God had placed him in that area for a purpose.

Have you ever wondered that you might have that goofy brother-in-law for a purpose? That you might have found that family doctor for the sake of the gospel conversations you’ll have in the midst of being sick? Have you contemplated that God might want to use you to reach that child that is always hanging out at your house with your son or daughter?

FATHER, thank you for the grace and forgiveness that I have found in Jesus Christ. Help me to never forget the love and forgiveness that I have received. Help me to see my sins honestly before you and be quick to repent. Give me grace to be quick to forgive others when they sin against me. Help me to look for opportunities to share my faith with those that you have already put in my life. Thank you for the privilege of shepherding your people. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 21: Mark 10-12 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Today’s reading comes from Mark 10-12 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

Entrance into the kingdom of God is given to those who come simply like children (10:15). You can’t trust in your own riches or own strength to get you in (10:24b). It seems impossible that anyone would humble themselves in this way. It certainly isn’t the natural default of sinful men. But what seems impossible with men is possible with God (10:27).  Indeed, no one comes to God in their own strength or power, but like a blind man calling out for Jesus to have mercy, we receive mercy (10:47).

The way of the Kingdom of God isn’t to jockey for position, but to serve others (10:43-44). We are not to hold personal grudges but are  called to forgive others for the things they have done to wrong us (11:25-26). If you have ever found it difficult to forgive someone for something they have done to you, it is helpful to know that this command comes in the context of faith and prayer that can move mountains (11:22-24). It is helpful to know that our faith isn’t in our ability, but in God (11:22). 

It is interesting to note the dialogue between the Pharisees and Jesus over taxes (12:13-17). In church on Sunday we just talked about not making any images to worship God, because we were made in his image. Here Jesus calls us to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and give to God the things that are God’s. We are to give ourselves back unto the Lord.  

Here is how I am praying through this Passage today:

FATHER, Thank you for continuing to reveal yourself through your word. Thank you for providing the way of humility and trusting Christ to find salvation in you. I pray that we all follow you today and walk in humble obedience. I pray that we are those who forgive others who sin against us. Thank you that the power to forgive and ask for other great things in prayer. I pray that you would have all of my life. Thank you for the great grace that you have blessed me with in being able to shepherd and lead your people. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 20: Mark 7-9 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Mark 7-9 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

The Pharisees were professionals at praising God with their lips, but having their hearts set against him. It’s a terrible thing to live so completely and fully for yourself while proclaiming God’s kingdom with your lips.

In this world their is a great temptation to profess a love for God with our lips and change the rules (7:9-13).  We seek to make God in our image, to assume what He would say or how He would feel about something simply because that is the way we feel about it. Many people capitalize on the fact that God is a “loving” God and then turn around and define love in some other way than God defines it. They end up removing the jealousy of God, and maybe even forgetting His wrath.

Keep reading though. Read the words of Jesus. Don’t use the love of God to say that their is no Hell. Hell is real and people go there. Jesus said better to fight sin than go there (9:42-48). Justifying your sin will surely send you there no matter how much you profess the love of God.

The Pharisees had the same issue. They said that honoring your parents was more of a suggestion and if you wanted to pledge your money to the temple instead of supporting your parents in their old age, that you were righteous for doing it (7:9-13). But they were wrong. They were dead wrong.  They were not near to God with their hearts. Their jaws moved, their gums smacked, but their heart wreaked of the foulest things (7:21-23).

You have a bad heart when you just want to justify your sin under the love of God. Sure God forgives, but not without repentance. Repentance isn’t just acknowledging what you’ve done, but agreeing with God about what you’ve done and turning away from it.

Here is how I am praying through this passage today:

FATHER, Thank you for your word and where it brings conviction. I pray that we wouldn’t be like those in chapter seven who deceived themselves into thinking they were right with you, but really were far from you. I pray that we would not be ashamed of you, but that we would pick up our crosses and follow you. I thank you for the privilege of being a father and leading my family. I pray that I lead them all well. Thank you for the grace of shepherding your people. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 19: Mark 4-6 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Mark 4-6 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

Today I was struck by the parable of the seed growing (4:26-29).  So many times we wonder at what God is up to in our life or the lives of people around us. We proclaim the gospel and it seems like no one is listening. We tell others of God’s love for us and our desperate need for Him but wonder if it is having any impact.

Then there is growth. In the quiet, in the stillness, after all the striving and all the needless fret on our part, the seed grows. In the silence, pushing against the darkness, reaching up to the light a plant is formed. Drawing strength from the earth, water and sunshine provided the plant continue to reach heavenward, spreading it’s leaves, embracing the sunlight and finally giving back fruit according to it’s purpose. Then comes the harvest.

Sometimes we are impatient to see the harvest. The one thing we often forget is that the harvest is determined by the planting. Are you planting to see the kingdom of God expanding in your life, in your community and around the globe. Plant much, harvest much.

I am also reminded that Jesus took naps (4:38). When I was younger, I didn’t think that naps could be spiritual,  but the older I get there are several times I’ve realized that the most godly thing I could do was take a nap. Depending on what you have been through or are headed into, a nap can sometimes be helpful in focusing on the mission that God has us on. Naps indicate that we believe God is the one in control (Psalm 127:2). Don’t get it wrong, Jesus isn’t lazy, he’s often at the point of exhaustion in these chapters,  the point is, in his humanity, he took naps when he needed them and we would be well served to to do the same.

Jesus casts a bunch of demons out of a guy and into a heard or swine. Rather than being amazed and worshiping God, the people plead with Jesus to leave (5:17). Jesus was bad for the economy. The regular Jewish folks wouldn’t have minded so much about the pigs because they were an unclean animal, but the folks in that region were probably selling them to the Romans to make a profit. So they wanted him to leave. Rather than leave those folks without a witness though, Jesus challenges this man to say and tell of what Jesus had done for him throughout the region (5:19).

It appears as though Jesus moves around a lot in the gospel of Mark. The distance between places isn’t as great as you would think, just a few miles in several instances. Sometimes a visual is helpful to put all the pieces together. Here is a diagram that shows the different places Jesus traveled in the sequence that Mark records things.

Here is how I am praying through this passage today:

FATHER, Thank you for giving us your word! I pray that many seeds of your gospel are planted today that will germinate in fertile hearts and grow. I thank you for what you do in our lives to produce growth, trust, and dependence on you! I pray that we will be witnesses in our own families and communities today as well as those around the world. Thank you for the grace to lead and shepherd others. I pray that you would multiply ministry today. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Day 18: Mark 1-3 (NEW TESTAMENT 90)

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Today’s reading comes from Mark 1-3 follow the link provided here to read the ESV online.

You may have noticed that Mark covers a lot of the same ground as Matthew, but he does it in a little quicker fashion. Mark also provides a few more details that we don’t necessarily see in Matthew.

Jesus goes to a solitary place to pray well before daylight (1:35). I’ve heard some folks use this as an argument that we should all do our devotions in the morning. I don’t know that that is the case. I am not as much of a morning person as I would like to be, but I am generally more focused late at night. I’m generally in God’s word both times. The more important thing I think is that Jesus needed alone time to pray and if he needed it, I probably need it even more. 

Another thing was how he named disciples and trusted them with some pretty big tasks (3:13-19).  Jesus knew that for his mission to be successful he had to not only share the burden of ministry but empower the disciples to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. If there was anyone who could do it better it was Jesus, yet rather than take the ministry back, he gave it away. Things have not changed that much in the church over 2000 years. We are still called to call new disciples, equip them and challenge them to take the gospel to the corners of the globe, this is how ministry multiplies.

There is a subtle theme emerging from Mark’s perspective. Jesus is being charged as a Sabbath breaker because he heals on the Sabbath (3:2). But we often see Jesus withdrawing and taking time to pray alone in ways that I doubt those charging him ever did. Jesus demonstrates what a real Sabbath looks like.

The application for me today is to make sure that the busier I get, the more time I find to slip into communion and fellowship with God.

What did you take away from today’s reading? What are your thoughts or questions? Feel free to comment below and enter the discussion.

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Hey I’ve Blogged through the book of Mark nearly 10 years ago! Go back and see some my older posts that share a little more detail!