Author: Chuck & Deb

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

Jesus did not let His popularity go to His head. The passage says “He knew all men.” In other words He knew what was in man and how fickle he can be. He knew that on one day they would sing Hosanna and on the next chant “crucify Him.” It is a fleeting thing the popularity of man. This is why Jesus focused on pleasing only one person, His Father in Heaven. He is not fickle. He is constant and unchanging (Lam 3.22-23). And He is the true rewarder of a life of Faith in Him (Heb 11.6). There is a danger lurking in waters of disciplemaking. One can start believing his own press. Young disciples start looking up to you and are enamored with the fact that you have been walking with Jesus a little longer. The platitudes begin to roll in. Be careful with what you believe. Don’t be carried away by the crowds or you’ll be carried away by the crowds (usually to a cross). Focus on pleasing God not men. FJ25

…a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure.
(Ecclesiastes 8:5)

It’s a little unnerving the first few times you do it but after a while you get the hang of putting a blasting cap into an explosive charge. This is one of those soldier tasks that requires the right procedure at the right time. Mix them up and it could ruin your day. There are some things in the Christian life that have proper timing and procedure as well, like praying first. Ever make a decision and it turned bad and you said to yourself, I better pray about this. Or struggle through days of anxiety and then finally remember to pray. Remember this sequence; Pray first. SP320

Read John 2.13-22

They had turned worship into a capitalistic venture and the Temple had become a place to make a buck. Jesus’ response? A violent and emotional reaction to the materialistic sins of the people. Turning over tables, making an improvised whip and driving man and beast out of the Temple. This is not your Sunday School Jesus, meek and mild with the little lamb on His shoulders. This really ticked Him off. I wonder what He thinks of Christianity in America today. I know “the workman is worthy of his wages” (Mt 10.10) but I also know that there are intentional strategies developed by stone cold pagans to get rich off of Jesus’ name. I think God can see the difference between the man who is honestly supported by those he ministers to and the publisher or recording studio that is making 87% of the profits. Am I alone here or are you seeing the same kind financial opportunist that Jesus threw out of the Temple?

So how does this apply to me? Quit feeding the machine. Only buy books and music when you need it and not on a whim (especially fad Christian books and music with no substance). Encourage authors and artists to break from big publishing and recording names. If you are writing books or recording music put it on the internet for free or ask for a modest donation. If you feel like your book needs to be in print, get it printed at cost and sell it for a reasonable price (“the workman is worthy of his wages” (Mt 10.10) You’re not going to get rich this way…but that’s the point. FJ24

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
(Romans 8:37)

It wasn’t the toughest obstacle course I had been on but I would soon learn to hate it. We were training with the Seals on Coronado Beach and my Commander decided to show off a little in front of our Navy friends. We ended up going through the obstacle course 4 times to prove we were the better warrior. Not sure that really proved anything (except a lot of bruises and barely able to move the next morning). We are competitive beings by nature. I believe God has wired us that way, to be winners. Unfortunately, we have made a total mess of the things with our sin. But He intended the Conqueror Spirit to be use for good rather than evil. In fact in Christ, we are made overwhelming conquerors. Through Jesus we win in a big way. We just need learn from the scriptures how to win God’s way. SP319

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
(Luke 9: 57-58)

A 5×7 sheet of nylon, slightly quilted, intended for use in the Tropics was all we had to sleep with in the mountains of North Georgia in the middle of winter. Life was rough and there was more shivering than sleeping going on, I can assure you. These kind of sacrifices are part of being a soldier. (Remember the guys sleeping next to the tire of their hummer in the dirt during an incredible sand storm on FOXNEWS.) Following Jesus is the same. When Jesus replied to the one who wanted to follow Him, He said it will take sacrifice. To be as Hard Core about your faith as you are your profession. Spiritual wimps need not apply. I think that’s what He’s saying to this would be recruit. Do you find your faith taking you out of your comfort zone? Jesus says that’s normal. SP318

Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not realizing what he was saying.
(Luke 9:32-33)

I have men and women in the ministry that I call Warhorses. They are committed to the hilt and run to the point of being expended, pressing the envelope physically. They will show up to Bible study or chapel after a week in the field. Hungry and tired, they still make it a priority to minister to others. I think Jesus and His disciple had reached the point of being totally expended by “pressing the envelope” several times in their ministry (Jesus asleep during a storm (Mat 8.24), not being able to eat a meal (Mark 3.20), asleep in the garden (Mat 26.40). It’s a work ethic that Jesus left us through His example and teaching that we seldom hear preached today. Obviously rest has its place but are you pressing to exert yourself for the King and Kingdom? SP317

Read Mt 9.27-34, Mk 7.32-37

It is interesting that Jesus heals the blind, deaf, and mute. These three have their spiritual parallels as key areas in discipleship. Jesus opens our spiritual eyes to see His works happening all around us. To identify those who are in need and desire help in following Christ. He opens our spiritual ears to hear from His Word and the Holy Spirit’s promptings to obedience and ministry. And He loses our spiritual tongues to tell others about Him. As Disciplemakers, we are to provide the same healing for others. Helping them to see, hear, and to speak with spiritual healthiness. Have you been healed in these three areas? Are you healing others?

“For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
(Luke 7:33-35)

I had been easing my buddy into a position of a palatable presentation of the gospel for two months. At the end of training one day, a zealous brother approached us, slammed a little New Testament on the desk and said “Read this!” Not my style and I was a little put out but asked my buddy what he thought. He replied, “I kind of needed a kick in the pants, I think I’ll start reading it.” Different is not necessarily wrong. SP316

And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.”
(Luke 7:40)

When someone in authority wanted to see me, I always assumed the worst. Call me a pessimist but I don’t think I’m alone. Why is it that almost all of us respond to these words with anxiety rather than joy. Could it be that we know ourselves too well. How would we respond if we heard “God wants to talk to you.” Wouldn’t it elicit some of the same fears. In all actuality, I think it’s good thing, its a healthy sense of fear that keeps us humble, repentant, and real. I am a sinner, saved by grace! (See Isaiah 6.1-6) SP315

Read Mt 8.28-34, Mk 5.1-20, Lk 8.26-39

Jesus heals the demoniac and refuses anymore personal discipleship. He simply tells him to go share his testimony. How important is it for a disciple to have a testimony about what Jesus has done in their lives? This is Discipleship 101. What has Jesus done in your life? Can you make a list of 20, 50, maybe 100 things He has done for you? Can you communicate this in a way that others understand and can follow Jesus as a result of your testimony? Remember this young follower of Christ received virtually no training and yet he completely obeys his new Master. Share the great things Jesus has done for you and you will be well on your way to becoming a fisher of men (Mt 4.19).

For more information on how to develop a personal testimony see http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddzgs57z_104djkfggcd

Side note: Jesus tells the man to go and tell of the great things “God” has done for him (Lk 8.39 or Lord in Mk 5.19). He immediately goes out and tells people the great things “Jesus” had done for him (Mk 5.20, Lk 8.39). The Gospel writers demonstrate their understanding of the deity of Christ.