The Lord is Coming to Town

Though Jesus knew the fate that was to come He was compelled to go anyway. It was because of His great love and compassion for us that moved him without complaint. Gently, humbly, and patiently he rode a donkey into town and all the people said, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in the highest heaven!" but no mercy was shown to those who set themselves against God as Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and rebuked the leading priests and elders for their self-serving actions. Though He humbled himself He was still Lord of the heavens!

As a follower of Christ Jesus we are called to live a life that does not belong to us and though times are few I can see down the road to what might come many of those times my flesh resists. Many times the thought of wanting to run enters my mind but a voice from deeper inside tells me, "Stand." For I know not what God has in store but I do know I want to be found faithful and wanting for nothing, except for what my Lord provides. On Christ alone do I stand, for all other ground is sinking sand and what He chooses for me is up to Him alone.

A Fork in the Road

Lord, you have my attention, I recognize your authority in my life and I submit to You. I like my world well controlled and when something outside that control happens I seem to come unglued but I know you use that to teach me where I need more of You. Forgive me for not turning to You first in every situation, like I know I should. Please help me keep the commitments I have made to You including my roll as husband, father, church member and employee and help me invest in real relationship with people around me. Give me discernment so that I may know which things have eternal value, for time is like money in that You have given me a limited supply and help me to resist the enemy when he comes to discourage me, it is those times I know I'm on the right path. Thank You for loving me enough to correct me and for giving me your Holy Spirit that I may know You. Your mercy is great and your grace sufficient for me. In Jesus' name, amen.

To be like a child

(Matthew 18) "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Jesus. Humility and faith are two things we lose as we grow up to become adults. In becoming adults we are taught to be self-reliant and therefore we sacrifice the very things God says are necessary for us to enter His Kingdom. Before we head off in search of our own life we pass through the gate of accountability and for those who don't live in America where there is a church on every corner God has provided His creation as His first witness, where much is given much is required. For me that time came at the age of nine and apparently the decision was easily seen by those whom God appointed because I remember one of my church youth leaders asking me if I wanted to pray after a youth function. I know it was God directed because he took me out of the crowd and we ended up praying in the restroom, for God knew what I needed to make this important decision, by nature I am a private person. Now since becoming a Christian I have made many decisions out of self-reliance but each time I do God is faithful to bring me back to His side and at the times I am closest to my Savior faith and humility are present. For those who don't accept Jesus they have no other place to turn except to themselves, which only pushes humility and faith further away. No wonder Jesus said in tomorrow's reading, (Matthew 19:23-24 NLT) "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!'"

Lord, thanks for this life you have given me. May I always be aware of your presence and your gracious love for me. Please keep my heart soft and open before you and teach my children to do the same. I know as teens and pre-teens they begin to think they can do many things better than dear old dad but let that not turn into self-reliance. Lord you know I love them and it's because of this love you placed in me for them I pray that you will allow them to know their own weakness so that they may turn to you and continually have "child-like" hearts for you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Too Familiar

Have you ever thought you could know someone too well and your own misconceptions kept you from really know them? Jesus' own disciples eat, walked, worked, ministered along side the Savior but like everyone else saw all that was done with a slant on it. When forced to think about it they knew Jesus was the Son of God (Mat. 14:33) but somehow that kept getting pushed to the sidelines and each time something miraculous was done they were astonished. Even more important some reverence was lost as they did life together, that's why Jesus said, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family." (Mat. 13:57). Today I read that Jesus was transformed before Peter, James, and John and a glimpse of His glory was shown to them as He stood with Moses and Elijah. Peter was quick, like always, to speak and wanted to make three tabernacles for each of them but then a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from heaven began to speak. With great fear they fell on their faces, realizing they were in a holy place and something was happening that they did not understand but what I got out of it was that even though they heard the Father speak from heaven that day they had been living with God since the day they decided to follow Jesus. One thing I've learned from reading the Bible is that many times it seems, at first glance, chapters and verses seem to talk about many different things and we read them as if they are all separate but in fact when looked at closer the chapters and verses are placed as they are because there is one main idea and that is true in Matthew chapter 17. We see the disciples become too familiar with the person of Jesus but forget that He is God and at the end of the chapter we see their faith is lacking. No wonder Jesus said in verse 17, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?" Jesus loved them but He wanted them to see more than they were willing to believe. The disciples and the people lacked faith when they saw that the boy was not healed, not realizing that God was with them whether it was Jesus praying or His disciples.

Pressing In

Today I read about a woman who cried for help but Jesus "did not answer her a word" (Mat. 15:23). Seems strange doesn't it? There must be something deeper than what appears to be happening on the surface. The Bible said Jesus "withdrew" to parts of Tyre and Sidon after healing, teaching, and feeding a large crowd of people. No one knew what He had in mind but only one encounter was recorded, as if that was His main purpose for going there. So why did he seem to look the other way when this woman asked for her daughter to be healed? Jesus' disciples saw that the woman was persistent and that Jesus seemed to be bothered by her begging but I think Jesus used this situation to shape his disciples hearts for He knew their thoughts. How many times have actions spoke louder to us than words? I believe Jesus wanted His followers to understand that He came not only to deliver Israel but the world and that others needed a Savior also, He was increasing their vision! Not only that but Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit of God when He tested the faith of this mother. He knew that if He pushed too hard she might walk away but He also saw her desperation and determination. Even still had she not pressed in this great opportunity would be lost. It was her faith that compelled her to continue even though it looked as if her Savior had other plans.

I Know You Are Here

Lord, we need you tonight. Come Holy Spirit and meet us in our desperation for we know you are the only real hope we have. Lord capture our anxieties and replace them with your peace. It's in the silence, after the crowds have gone home, that we can feel you near and the remaining stillness reveals your presence and our fears also but you are with us and you've been here all along. You make us to lie down in green pastures and you lead us beside still waters. So Lord be with those who weep tonight and make sure their feet so they don't fall, remind them of the foundation on which they stand and cause your light within to push back all fear so that you may be in the forefront of our minds and we see you clearly once again so that we might worship you O, Lord not because of what you have done but because of who your are.

You are loved

You who belong to Jesus have been adopted by a great King, the King of Kings and you are loved more than you could ever imagine! When Jesus heard about John the Baptist being beheaded, in sadness, he left the people to go be alone and pray but when the people heard where He was going they met him there and as He got out of the boat He could have turned them away but instead He had compassion on them. Jesus laid down His needs for the needs of the people and today He does the same for us. Does that mean we no longer feel pain? No, we all have known pain but He is with us when we do, for He will not leave us in our hour of need. There are many questions why that we cannot answer, it is simply not for us to know but ours is to only trust and obey Him. He is the Good Father and we are but His children. I know one day this race will be ran and we will see Him face to face and our ears will hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Take courage traveler for God is with you and one day the race will be ran. So run withholding nothing because this is your time to know the depth of your Savior’s love. Soon there will be a homecoming feast beyond comprehension! (Luke 13:29 MKJV) And they will come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and will recline in the kingdom of God.