Monday, October 31, 2011
October 31, Day 304
"Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. (Mark 10:29, 30 NLT)
I have tended to want Christ to give me the first part of these verses, but without the persecution. The more I think about it, even the first part doesn't fit with my worldview. Houses can mean staying with friends who provide a room. Family can mean fellow servants of His. How could someone who had no place to lay His head be talking about earthly mansions that keep me separate from the pain of the world?
Sunday, October 30, 2011
October 30, Day 303
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: `I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! (Luke 18:11 NLT) Isn't this the same attitude I portray when I live as if I don't need God? It's painful to consider!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
October 29, Day 302
It took me a long time to accept the idea that Jesus' tears at Lazarus' grave were simply compassion for the people He loved. Today I read it again with new eyes. I noticed the description of Jesus' anger at their unbelief. Martha said that she believed Him to be Messiah, but their unbelief was incompatible with that statement. Could it be that Jesus tears really were a deep spiritual anger because they had seen so much, yet believed so little? If that's so, how much have I seen and how little have I believed? Ouch!
Friday, October 28, 2011
October 28, Day 301
The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!
"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, `Come in and eat with me'? No, he says, `Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.' And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, `We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'" (Luke 17:6-10 NLT)
So, part of faith is to do what He assigns us without expecting credit. This is really speaking to me today.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
October 27, Day 300
I noticed today the context of Luke 14 and 15. Jesus was addressing the religious leaders. Their piety was such that they would do anything to keep from being stained by the world. That included the erection of invisible walls between themselves and the "sinners". Jesus came along and refused to live within those walls. Then He spoke about true humility, about the cost of true discipleship and about His compassion for the lost. Somehow we must figure out how to take His love to the people trapped in the muck and the mire without being sucked into it.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
October 26, Day 299
"So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. (Luke 12:32 NLT) The kingdom of God is in us. He delights to give it to us and to show it through us. It's what we were created for!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October 25, Day 298
Jesus' command to , "pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields…" has become part of my daily prayer life. He has been pulling my blinders back and allowing me to see the vast needs of the world. Workers are needed in the kingdom!
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