Tag: Devotional

Revive Us (John 15:4 / Psalm 80 Daily Devotional)

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Revival, above everything else, is a glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the restoration of him to the centre of the life of the Church.

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

John 15:4 (also Read Psalm 80)

We have a few trees and plants in our yard that have run wild. When we moved in we didn’t know anything about them nor about how to care for them. They have had a few years to run in their own direction. They were a mess with branches running every which way, bugs, and blight. Our trees and plants needed some sort of revival. Leaving them to themselves didn’t provide an abundant carefree existence. It caused them to become eye sores, sickly, and overgrown. The sort of revival these trees/plants needed wouldn’t happen unless someone stepped in to care for them.

A few years ago I did a little research on our trees/ plants, bought a few sharp instruments for cutting, and watched a few pruning masters at work. I stepped in and applied my newfound skills on our trees and soon enough they all came roaring back to life in all the right places. (It was interesting to note that at first it looked like I had killed the trees because they were in such a drastic need of pruning, but later in the spring/ summer they all came to full blossom/fruit!)

In the same way, the nation of Israel needed revival. It had run too long in its own direction! They need the Lord to step in if they were to ever flourish again. In Psalm 80, Asaph calls out to God to send a man who will be that instrument of flourishing. One whom God will use to revive dying people and bring them back to a place of brilliance and worship.

We know that the Son of Man (Psalm 80:17) is Jesus! He is the only one who can bring flourishing back to floundering souls. He is the only one who can restore the hope of a broken-down nation. He is the only one who can cause hope to shine in the darkest of nights. He reminded us that He is the Vine and we are the branched, apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:4)! 

Have you run too long in your own direction? Find yourself in need of revival? Come to Jesus today and ask him for revival in your life! Invite him to prune the things that distract you from following Him (Hebrews 12:1), immerse yourself in His word (Psalm 1:2-3), and draw near to God (James 4:8). Go back and do the things you did when you first fell in love with Jesus (Revelation 2:5).

Father, Your word is true and good. How simple and profound is this word today. All my living comes from you, apart from you I can do nothing. When left to my own will I’ll run all over the place but won’t produce fruit. I know I need to remain in you and your word in me so that I might reach my full potential. You have free reign in my life today. Please remove the things in my life that keep me from knowing and loving you. Help me to grow in my relationship with you and be nourished in you today.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

When Did Church Become About You and Your Preferences? (Revelation 2:4-5)

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We are never nearer Christ than when we find ourselves lost in a holy amazement at His unspeakable love. – John Owen

Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place–unless you repent.

Revelation 2:4-5, NKJV

I don’t think that anything is sadder than when two people who used to be so in love can’t seem to agree on anything anymore. I’ve worked with people to save their marriages. I’ve been on my face before God praying for couples who couldn’t seem to make things work out. I’ve interviewed numerous husbands and wives who seem like they aren’t “in love” anymore. It’s heartbreaking.

A common thread that runs through couples in this condition is simply this. They stopped worrying about what would make their spouse happy and started complaining that their spouse seldom did anything to make them happy. They had stopped delighting in delighting their spouse.

How sad is this commentary on a prestigious first-century church? Ephesus had been a hotbed of activity. The church had turned the city upside down. The first converts burned all their magic books, the silversmith idol trade was about to collapse, and the gospel was going out to the surrounding countryside! This church boasted that it had the Apostle Paul as a pastor, and later his young protege, Timothy. They also possibly had the Apostle Peter as a pastor for a while, and then of course the Apostle John. This church seemed to have it all. Their doctrine was in order… but their heart wasn’t.

Before we are too hard on the church at Ephesus, we have to note that many churches today have left their first love. They have forgotten what it is to serve Jesus and so they end up serving themselves. They turn on each other and split hairs over meeting times, what to wear to church, music preferences, the version of the bible to read, and even decorations… When a church loses sight of loving and serving Jesus it won’t be long before it’s in decline.

Churches are made up of people. When a whole church heads this way it’s often not the work of one individual. This lack of fervor/ love is noted by the lack of desire to do the things that a church in love with Jesus does. If we want to see revival, we must examine our own hearts. “Dear Jesus, have I let my love of you grow cold? Am I more worried about my will that I’ve stopped looking for your will? Am I more interested in complaining than coming to you?” Let’s examine our hearts today. We don’t want to be those who have all the right things but harbor the wrong loves.

Father, Your word is true and good. I am grateful for how you love me. I am grateful for all the influences you have placed in my life. I am blessed to have so many resources and people to help me understand and apply your word. These study bibles, devotionals, sermons, and podcasts are all helpful in getting to know you, but help me not to lose sight of you in all the fray of things. Let my heart and motives always be pure. Let my heart be satisfied in you alone today. May you be glorified in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Readers are Leaders: Where to Start (Saturday Edition)

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It cannot be that the people should grow in grace, unless they give themselves to reading. A reading people will always be a knowing people. A people who talk much will know little. – John Wesley

On Saturdays, I’m going to do something a little different. I’ll be giving you a peek behind the curtain on how I read the bible. I’ll share some of the tips and tricks I’ve used throughout the years that have helped me perceive what a passage is saying and how to apply it to my life. I hope it is a help and encouragement to you as you seek to read and study God’s word on your own. 

The first tip to reading the bible is simple… just read it! Read a passage of scripture. Then read the next passage of scripture and then the next.  Start one book of the bible. Read it chapter by chapter verse by verse until you get to the end of the book. Then read the next book of the bible and read it the same way. 

You will be amazed at how much you learn when you read through your bible. I have a Gideon New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs in it and I read through it about every 3 months. This helps keep all of God’s word fresh on my mind. Often when I am pressed for time, I will find a way to read more than I usually do. One time at youth camp, I read the entire New Testament (minus the gospels) in 5 days of an intense camp schedule. 

Write in your bible as you read. I’ve made several of my bibles into my own personal study bible. As I read one passage it will remind me of a different passage and so I will write in corresponding passages as I go along. Reading like this helps you get a big picture of what is going on. It provides context for understanding what may be going on in a given passage. 

For example, I am going to preach on Ephesians in the next few months so reading the New Testament this time around I was reminded of how the church at Ephesus had started under the Apostle Paul’s ministry recorded in the book of Acts. I was encouraged to see the link to his young protege Timothy. I noted that Jesus spoke to this church in Revelation. Knowledge of these other passages has helped me unpack and understand the book of Ephesians in a broader context.  When you read the bible like this you see how interconnected everything really is. I’ve been reading the bible for years and I still make connections I never have before. (Just this week I linked Psalm 80 with Jesus’ statement in John 15, “I am the vine, you are the branches, etc.”)

If you are scared to attempt reading the bible through… try just reading the New Testament. Don’t get me wrong, it is important to read the Old Testament, but if you are just starting out, the New Testament is smaller and is explicitly about Jesus, whereas the Old Testament is larger and foreshadows Jesus. 

Father, Your word is true and good. Give me great grace and wisdom in understanding your word as I read today. Help me to know you better through your word. Please reveal yourself to me as I read today. May you be glorified in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Here are few resources to help you out in your reading”

Come Unto Me (Matthew 11:28-30)

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I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.

Augustine of Hippo

“Come to Me, all [you] who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke [is] easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

Jimmy, and his son, Davey, were playing in the ocean down in Mexico, while his family — his wife, daughters, parents, and a cousin — were on the beach. Suddenly, a rogue riptide swept Davey out to the sea. Immediately Jimmy started to do whatever he could to help Davey get back to the shore, but he, too, was soon swept away in the tide. He knew that in a few minutes, both he and Davey would drown. He tried to scream, but his family couldn’t hear him.

Jimmy’s a strong guy–an Olympic decathlete–but he was powerless in this situation. As he was carried along by the water, he had a single, chilling thought: My wife and my daughters are going to have to have a double funeral.

Meanwhile, his cousin, who understood something about the ocean, saw what was happening. He walked out into the water where he knew there was a sandbar. He had learned that if you try to fight a riptide, you will die. So, he walked to the sandbar, stood as close as he could get to Jimmy and Davey, and then he just lifted his hand up and said, “You come to me. You come to me.” (John Ortberg, in the sermon, The Way of Wisdom)

The Lord is so good to us. He knows that we were never made to do it in our own strength. We need Him! He doesn’t chide or criticize us for being weak and heavy-laden, He simply beckons us to come to Him!

Nobody sets out to get stressed and in over their head. There was one particular season of life that almost did me in. In a matter of a month, two of my mentors had passed away. Due to Covid issues, I didn’t feel like I could even go to their funerals. Our community was being hit hard by the virus and I had just done a couple of funerals for people I really knew well. I was cycling through my own grief, mourning the loss of friends, and it never seemed to let up. Then I got sick with the virus and had a really hard time with it.

The week I went into the hospital with Covid I felt like I was caught in the undertow of life. I needed to be in the hospital physically… I wasn’t pulling in enough oxygen and the doctor wasn’t so sure I’d make it… but to be honest I needed that hospital stay both emotionally and spiritually as well.

At the time I was fried. Sitting in an isolated room with very little contact with the outside world, with only my bible and a phone, was one of the biggest blessings in my life. There alone, I was able to come to Jesus for just me. Somewhere in it all I had been trying to carry everyone else’s burdens and I was burnt out. I just needed to come to Jesus.

The nurses noted a difference in my room around mid-week. They commented on how peaceful my room was compared to all the other rooms. I had made a commitment to only read the scripture, pray, listen to worship music and check in with a few folks via my phone each day. That rhythm brought me to a greater place of dependence on God. There were families that I would have liked to have been physically present for during their struggles, but I found through my isolation, a way to pray and really trust the Lord to provide (and he did!)

I hate that it took something so drastic to get me to see how frazzled I had become and to remind me to line up behind Jesus. The promises of Jesus are true and good! His yoke is easy and the burden is light. Today I am reminded that I cannot pull the burdens of life alone, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Father, Your word is true and good. I pray I never find myself so frazzled that I look forward to a hospital stay. Thank you for loving me enough to bid me to come to you. Thank you that you care for me enough to put your yoke on me. Thank you for the grace you show me in everyday life. I am grateful for your kindness and patience with me. I continue to be in awe of how you use even the hardest circumstances of my life to show me more of who you are and draw me closer to you. I pray that you will be glorified in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Remedy for Worry is Worship (Devotional – Matthew 6:31-34)

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No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. Never load yourself so.

George MacDonald

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble.

Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV

It’s only natural that stressed-out people eat more desserts, because “stressed” spelled backward is “desserts.” Okay so maybe that’s not why, but for many people (like me), sweets can become a coping mechanism to deal with the stresses of life. I don’t know the psychology of it all, but it probably goes something like this, “stress and worry are making me feel bad. This dessert tastes good and helps me feel good.” But of course, sweets don’t really solve our stress/ worry problems and often they make things worse (That bite of cake spends but just a moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips… or so I’ve been told).

When you are stressed you might reach for a different coping mechanism. You might go for cigarettes, judge other people, clean the house or even head to the gym for a workout (I wish those last two were my main coping mechanisms). There is so much you can not control, a coping mechanism is something you can control, even people who are taking substances to help them “lose control” are in a sense trying to control how they go out of control… If you think about it, we’re all control freaks. We stress and worry over the things and outcomes we can’t really control.

The truth is that while we cannot control some things that cause us stress, God is in control of all things, and that should give us real peace! In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminds us that there are many things beyond our control that we don’t have to worry about (like food and clothes)! There is only one thing we really need to focus on: His Kingdom and Righteousness!

The remedy for worry (and the anxiety/ stress associated with it) is worship! When we worship in the face of worry, we are reminded of how big God is and how he cares even for all of our needs. Our worry seems like such a small thing. We know that where God guides us, he will provide for us.

In Matthew 14, Peter dared to get out of the boat and walk on water at just the word of Jesus! He was fine walking on water when his focus was on the Lord, but when we lost sight of Jesus is when worry and fear jumped in and threatened to drown him! It’s easy to worry when our eyes aren’t on Jesus, it’s hard to worship when your eyes are on worry.

Father, thank you for your word. There are so many things in my life that I want to control, but the truth is that I can’t. Help me to trust that you are in control. Let my focus be on your kingdom and righteousness. Give me the grace to live my life right in the middle of your will. Don’t let me try and control my way out of your will, but let me be wholly submitted to you! In Jesus Name, Amen.

God in The Everyday Waiting (Devotional – John 4:1-42)

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Waiting is, for me, one of the most difficult disciplines of life. Yet true faith is able to wait for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in God’s time. But, while we are waiting, we must also be obeying. – Warren W. Wiersbe

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and [then] comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!

John 4:35, NKJV

Divinely ordered encounters are often framed by boring days and long waits. Several years ago, I remember grumbling to God about having to get my truck fixed, and as I sat waiting in the waiting room another young man came in. Through the course of conversation, he opened up about his life and it became apparent to me that God had placed me there in the waiting room to help this young man place his faith in Christ.

A similar thing happened when our truck (a different vehicle) broke down at the beach. I waited on a tow and had to wait for the long ride home. But as I got to talking with the driver, I realized that perhaps the very reason my truck broke down was to sit next to this man and share the hope I had in Jesus Christ! The moments that I thought were inconveniences were actually divine appointments!

In this passage, Jesus is simply waiting by the well and He steps into a divine encounter with this woman. In a sense this wasn’t planned, but also in a sense it was divinely orchestrated. Jesus can share the gospel with this entire Samaritan village because he waited by the well and then had a conversation with one woman.

I can’t imagine that for all of our skill and organization, we could have developed a better plan to reach the whole community. All that was really needed for Jesus to reach this town was to reach this woman. He redeemed the time that he had alone while the disciples were out getting lunch.

I marvel at how much God is already at work in people’s lives when I come along as a pastor. I often get to be there when God does something cool, but the amazing thing is that God is already at work. I just happened to be there at the right time waiting on his work.

As I read this encounter again today, my prayer was that I would redeem the time I spent waiting today, not by playing games on my phone or checking out social media, but by focusing on the Lord and the people he has placed around me.

Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for this encounter that reminded me that you are already at work in the world around me. You often put me in the paths of others intentionally. I pray that I am a good steward of the time you have given me to wait, may it be time well spent and that brings glory and honor to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Take Time to Be Holy (Luke 10:38-42)

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“Perhaps the greatest challenge facing the church in America today is the shallowization of the church” – Max Anders in his book Brave New Discipleship.

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42, NKJV

No one sets out for mediocre. No one sets out for tired and boring. No one sets out to ruin a marriage or lose contact with their kids. No one hopes to pile on enough debt to go bankrupt. No one hopes to have a panic attack. No one sets out to sink the ship. But somehow we get there. We get there through choices big and small.

I never set out to be overweight. I always envisioned that I would be muscular, fit, and able to run for miles. However, I’m NOT muscular, fit, and able to run for miles (yet!), because along the way I didn’t make choices that would put me in that position. Instead of choosing the gym, I chose to sleep in. Instead of getting out and running, I put it off. Instead of eating healthy, I chose what was the most convenient. I didn’t want to get fat, but I got there because of my choices. Taken in isolation, none of those choices were bad choices… they just weren’t the BEST choices.

The same thing is true of the choices we make to help us or hurt our spiritual growth. People don’t intentionally set out to drift away from God. They end up there through a series of small choices. They aren’t choices between good and evil, but choices between good uses of time and the best use of their time.

In the gospel passage we’re looking at today two sisters both choose how they will spend time when Jesus is in the house. One sister listens to Jesus, while the other chooses to serve Jesus. Neither choice is a bad choice. They both seem good. But we are told that one choice is better than the other, or as some versions translate it, “Chosen the good portion.”

If you had to pick who was doing something wrong here you might pick Mary, especially if you looked through the eyes of Martha. Mary looks lazy while Martha is busy working. Who would condemn Martha for working hard and serving others?  She isn’t breaking a law. She’s not committing murder or adultery, she’s not neglecting her children, she is actually being very vigilant. She’s making sure that everything and everyone is taken care of. She is pouring herself out… She is serving.

But this good thing like serving can become a bad thing when it seeks to become the main thing. Martha forgot that hearing from Jesus was more important than serving Jesus. So in the midst of her serving, she even interrupts Jesus and tries to get Him to chide Mary…. Get that, she is so distracted that she interrupts Jesus!

Jesus speaks soothingly to Martha. He says her name twice. He tells her that she is distracted with much serving. Martha will remember what she did that day, but Mary will remember what Jesus did. The serving that Martha did, will have to be done again when others come through, but what Mary learned at the feet of Jesus can never be taken away from her.

Do you remember the old Hymn, Take time to be Holy… We don’t sing it as often as we used to. It’s a good hymn because it reminds us to take time for what’s important. In order to bless others, it’s a good thing to take time to have our cup filled. I challenge you to take time to be Holy today and read in God’s word.

Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for this story that reminds me that the choices I make about spending time with you will have an input on my character. I don’t want to become so busy serving you that I forget to hear from you. Help me to focus on your will and purpose for my life. Sometimes I feel like I try and run ahead of you, give me the patience to wait on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

  1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
    Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
    Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
    Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
  2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
    Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
  3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
    And run not before Him, whatever betide.
    In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
    And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
  4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
    Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
    Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
    Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

It’s Hard to Be a Good Neighbor When You Are In A Hurry (Luke 10:25-37)

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“The health of our bodies, the passions of our minds, the noise and hurry and pleasures and business of the world, lead us on with eyes that see not and ears that hear not.” – William law

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading [of it]?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead. “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. “Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. “So he went to [him] and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. “On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave [them] to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37, NKJV

In research done by Darley and Batson at Princeton in 1973, a group of theology students was told that they were to go across campus to deliver a sermon on the topic of the Good Samaritan. As part of the research, some of these students were told that they were late and needed to hurry up. Along their route across campus, Darley and Baston had hired an actor to play the role of a victim who was coughing and suffering.

Ninety percent of the “late” students in Princeton Theology Seminary ignored the needs of the suffering person in their haste to get across campus. As the study reports, “Indeed, on several occasions, a seminary student going to give his talk on the parable of the Good Samaritan literally stepped over the victim as he hurried away!”

Source: Marshall Goldsmith, “Goal 1, Mission 0,” Fast Company (August 2004)

Amazingly, sometimes we can study God’s word and fail to apply it to how we live. The seminary students we just read about had probably parsed the Greek verbs in the good Samaritan passage and would have told you with passion what the Levite and Priest should have done… yet presented with the same circumstances, they found themselves doing the very same thing.

Oh, what a difference hurry makes. Take time to read and really hear God’s word today. Find a way to apply this passage to your life. Make sure you don’t hurry past the application, but sit with it long enough to pray through your day. It’s hard to be a neighbor when you’re in a hurry.

Father, thank you for your word. I don’t want to be the guy who reads your word and knows what to do, but forgets to do it because I’ve gotten in such a rush. Help me to be a good neighbor to those who need one today. Let me be on time for the appointments that you place in my path. Let me recognize where you are at work and where you might use me for your kingdom and glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.


How do Men Like Judas Become a Betrayer? (Mark 14:1-11 Devotion)

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After two days it was the Passover and [the Feast] of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put [Him] to death. 2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.” 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured [it] on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 “She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard [it], they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

– Mark 14:1-11 (NKJV)

There were those who were seeking to put Jesus to death. These men were ready to silence Jesus for good. In their perverse minds there was only one way to bring the public ministry of Jesus to a close… murder. They were careful though, they didn’t want a public uproar so they had decided that when the opportunity presented itself, they would do it privately. The scene is set. If anyone, such as Judas were to betray Jesus, there is opportunity.

In the middle of the festivities Jesus and his disciples recline at a table for dinner and as they do a woman pours a costly vial of perfume on Jesus’ feet. It is an extravagant show of honor and hints at worship. This is where the signs of division appear. Some (Judas) see that what the woman did was a waste. They suppose the money could have been better spent on the poor. There is a difference of opinion.

Can that be true? Is money spent on the honor of Jesus a waste? Is it better spent on the poor? Is that our mission, to feed the poor?

Jesus interjects. He defends the woman. She was right. He won’t always be around. Her sacrifice is appreciated. There will always be poor people until Jesus comes. The primary focus should be on Jesus. (the church should learn well from this, even in our benevolence the aim is to honor Jesus). There is a mild rebuke.

This is where Judas should have fallen on his face in repentance. This is where he should have noted that they will always have the poor. This is where he should have thanked Jesus for the mild rebuke and correction. This is where the story could have been different but it isn’t because sin had grabbed hold of Judas’ heart. He was like Cain in Genesis chapter 4 when the Lord rejected his sacrifice. His heart was hardened and evil entered his heart like never before. Judas leaves out the door to betray Jesus.

We like to be shocked at Judas. We wonder out loud about who could do such a thing, but the truth is that we are all capable. Like Cain and Judas, we all are capable of taking offense when someone corrects our ideas of worship. We all have the capacity to want to worship God in our own terms and in ways that WE think are appropriate. We have the capacity to be master craftsmen in our fallen logic and presume the guilt of those who are worshipping Jesus honestly.

We should examine our hearts when our logic is confronted with loving truth and mild rebukes. These things are given us for our good. It’s when our hearts fail to receive loving correction that we realize we aren’t really seeking Jesus after all. How do you receive mild correction?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for those you place in our lives who point us to your truth. We are grateful for the many wonderful examples we see of your truth lived out among us. We are grateful for teachers and role models who help us grow in our faith. Guard our hearts from pride, error, and narcissism that would seek to hijack our offerings and ideas of worship to make it more about us than it is about you. Let us love you freely and truthfully with all of our hearts that we might glory in good, sincere, right, and true correction. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Watch! (Mark 13:32-37 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “[It is] like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning– 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!“

– Mark 13:32-37 (NKJV)

When I was little my dad used to take me hunting with him for pronghorn, or we’d call them antelope. In parts of Eastern Montana, if you had good eyes, you could see them from a mile away! I thought I had good eyes and so I’d help my dad scan the horizon for pronghorn in the hopes of shooting one. I was restless looking all over hoping to see some movement. But there were times where, after a morning of looking, I’d slowly fall into a daze and just stare off into a day dreaming. I’m almost convinced that a pronghorn could have walked up to me in one of those dazes and I wouldn’t have noticed.

The word used for “watch” in verse 33 has the idea of “hunting” and “sleep” mixed together. The idea is that you are restless. You look for sleep, but haven’t found it yet so you keep looking. The other word used for “watch” in verses 35 and 37 carry a little different connotation. It has the idea of a night “watch.” Which emphasizes being alert, vigilant, and not groggy or slumbering. You put them together and they paint a picture of watching with eagerness while being diligent to avoid sleep. Scan the horizon and be alert for Jesus could return at any moment.

Such a posture of watchfulness requires some effort on our part. It’s easy to drift off when we don’t see him coming immediately. It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of “he’s not coming today,” and live like he isn’t coming back. We are called to live in the sober reality of Jesus could come back at any moment.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. You could return at any moment. Give us grace to be watchful and ready. Show us how to live with preparedness to go at any moment. Help us not to hold the things of earth so dear that we forget to scan the horizon and pray for your “kingdom to come.” Let us long with watchfulness for the coming of the day of the Lord. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.