Month: November 2010

Read Matthew 8.18-34

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm… (Matthew 8.23-24)

THIS IS NO MYSTICAL VACATION

What a deal! It only cost Deb and me twenty bucks to fly from Dover, Delaware, to Izmir, Turkey on a military transport! Only one problem: the military reserves the right to change the flight plan at any time. So we landed in Incirlik. After two days on a hand full of pita bread, a 14-hour bus ride halfway across Turkey, and the wonderful feeling that you may not survive this “great vacation”, we made it to Izmir. But we had been adequately warned that the flight could change at any time. I wonder if we‘re warning people about the real costs associated with being a disciple. Jesus did. He warned people, “…if you follow Me, you’re going through some tough places and tough times“. We know that ultimately following the Master is worth the price. But let’s tell folks the truth: this not a mystical vacation!

Read Matthew 8.1-17



This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.” (Matthew 8.17)



STILL THE GREAT PHYSICIAN 
 


Do miracles still happen? A dear friend of mine was praying that Jesus would deliver me from my neurological disease and yet she was battling an intestinal disorder and serious problems with her pituitary gland. How selfless! What do you think God thinks about that? Well let me tell you! She was completely and miraculously healed of both. The doctors were dumbfounded and admitted that it was nothing short of a miracle. Faith, Hope, and Love are a powerful mixture. We often attribute these as gifts from God – and they are. But when He sees us leveraging them for the sake of others, it moves Him. I believe my healing will come in His time, but it‘s great to witness that Jesus is still “carrying away our diseases.”


Does your faith still leave room for God to do miracles? Does that same faith continue when there are none?

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Read Matthew 7.13-29

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…” (Matthew 7.22-23)

COUNTERFEITS

You know what scares me? These gospel tracts disguised as $100 bills. I saw some the other day in the gym and I watched peoples‘ reaction to them. It wasn’t pretty. How in the world did we come up with the idea of tricking people into following Christ through a counterfeit dollar bill? But Jesus points out something scarier: a person who is a counterfeit. They can preach a good sermon, cast out some demons, and even pull off a few miracles and they’re not even close to the real deal. So if this is Jesus’ response to folks doing this high–speed stuff, what will He say to the person who prayed “the prayer” and yet shows no fruit of love for Him or people? Maybe we should start handing out real $100 bills. Or better yet, start loving people the way Jesus did.

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Read Matthew 7.1-12

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7.12)

THE PLATINUM RULE

Ever play games with little kids and they want to change the rules? We’re actually amazed at how they have carefully developed a scheme that would give them the upper hand. Wily little rascals aren’t they? As adults, we play these simple little tricks with spiritual principles all the time. It’s called justification. When we twist a passage to our advantage and destroy its original intent, we’re trying to change the rules. We could do that with Matthew 7.12, the “Golden Rule.” So Jesus Himself changes the rules and goes “Platinum.” In John 13.34-35, He gives us a new command to not just love others as we ourselves want to be loved, but to love others the way Christ loved us. Now that’s a whole new ball game.

How has Jesus demonstrated His love for you? How can you pass that same love on to others?

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Read Matthew 6.24-34

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6.34)

Sky Miles

Her eyes were closed and her knuckles were white as she gripped the armrests. We had experienced a little turbulence during landing and she was terrified. I, on the other hand, was calm and thinking about lunch. Why? Because I have enough sky miles to kill a cow and I’ve also experienced turbulence that was enough to give you whiplash. And even if something did go wrong, was I going to go up to the cockpit and help the pilot out? Don’t think so! Over the thousands of miles I’ve flown, I’ve learned that the pilots are well trained and have things under control. That’s exactly how we learn to trust our Heavenly Father. The more we journey with Him, get to know and trust Him, the less we worry.

How are you logging sky miles with God? How have you learned to trust Him in the last 6 months?

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Matthew 6.1-23

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 6.1)

The Spiritual Show-Off

A couple of days ago, the Commanding General walked into the coffee shop. The two stars immediately caught my eye. He was cordial and asked the young Lieutenant and me, “What are you guys up to this morning?” Then it started: the ugliness of pride swelled in my heart, took over my mind, and engaged my mouth. “Oh, we’re just doing a little mentoring here,” I replied. In a split second, my focus had shifted from imparting Jesus to this young guy, to wanting to be in the spotlight of a man that I didn’t know from Adam. And the worst thing was that I used my young friend whom I was discipling as a footstool to do it. Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for esteeming a general’s presence more than Yours.

Are there any areas in your life that are more exciting to show off to men rather than God?

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Matthew 5.21-48

“…so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5.45)

Grace to the Ungracious

She rattled off the instructions and dosage like a machinegun with what appeared to be “I ain’t got time for you” kind of attitude. The doctor had just told me this was a dangerous drug and to follow instructions very carefully. Immediately I had two emotions jump front and center of my mind: fear and anger. The Holy Spirit was gently coaching me, “Be like Jesus”. My response didn’t match my emotions. Smiling I said, “I’m sorry ma’am, I just want to make sure I don’t mess this up, did you say…” By the end of our interchange, she was smiling and I was comfortable with the instructions. I wish I could say I’m gracious like God in all circumstances. But I’m working on it.

Are you working on giving unmerited favor to others – even when they don’t deserve it?

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