Today’s Reading: Genesis 31; Genesis 32; Genesis 33; Luke 13
Scripture: Luke 13:6-9
6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8 "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
Observation: Fruitfulness. It's all about fruitfulness. The man in the story expects this fig tree to grow at least a few figs now and then. Seems reasonable to me. And when the tree doesn't deliver, he says, "Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?" That seems pretty harsh to me. But I guess that's because I understand that while this is a story about a fig tree, the point of the story is not about fig trees at all. It is about people.
Application: The point is that God expects us to produce fruit. He is looking for fruit -- will he find it? I want to have loads of fruit so that the Lord likes coming by. But I don't think I have been as productive as that. I want this year to be a year of fruitfulness. I know that I need to be devoted to fruitfulness. It takes time and work. It takes dedication. I think about growing things. There's cultivating and preparing the soil -- picking the right spot with just the right amount of sunlight. Then selecting and planting the seed -- the proper depth and timing are important. Then there's the waiting and the nurturing. There's weeding and fertilizing and watering (not too much -- not too little). And making sure that the pests stay away. It's a lot of work.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be exceptionally fruitful this year. I am looking forward to looking back at the end of this year and seeing a great deal of accomplishment with Your help. I dedicate myself to this, with Your strength.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Title: What Goes Around / Topic: Sowing And Reaping
Today’s Reading: Genesis 29; Genesis 30; Luke 12
Scripture: Genesis 29:18, 20-21, 23, 25
18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."...
20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."...
23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her...
25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"
Observation: Jacob is experiencing one of the laws of the universe. It's the law of the harvest. Whatever you plant, that is what you will harvest. A man reaps what he sows. So Jacob who has manipulated and conspired and lied and cheated is himself cheated by his uncle Laban. What Laban did to him is wrong, but Jacob himself planted the seeds of this in his past. And here he is experiencing some bitter fruit in his present.
Application: I'm not sure how this works, but I am sure that it does work. We plant seeds with our thoughts, intentions, words, actions, attitudes, and so forth. And those seeds, good or bad, bring their fruit into our lives. So the message is: plant good seeds. Do good. Bless people. Treat others how you want to be treated. What goes around, comes around. So put the good out there, and God will reward you with good.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be always planting good seed. Help me to see any ways in which I am not doing so. Assist me with Your divine goodness to participate in blessing others and blessing the universe. Make me a conduit of Your goodness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 29:18, 20-21, 23, 25
18 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel."...
20 So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to lie with her."...
23 But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and Jacob lay with her...
25 When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn't I? Why have you deceived me?"
Observation: Jacob is experiencing one of the laws of the universe. It's the law of the harvest. Whatever you plant, that is what you will harvest. A man reaps what he sows. So Jacob who has manipulated and conspired and lied and cheated is himself cheated by his uncle Laban. What Laban did to him is wrong, but Jacob himself planted the seeds of this in his past. And here he is experiencing some bitter fruit in his present.
Application: I'm not sure how this works, but I am sure that it does work. We plant seeds with our thoughts, intentions, words, actions, attitudes, and so forth. And those seeds, good or bad, bring their fruit into our lives. So the message is: plant good seeds. Do good. Bless people. Treat others how you want to be treated. What goes around, comes around. So put the good out there, and God will reward you with good.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be always planting good seed. Help me to see any ways in which I am not doing so. Assist me with Your divine goodness to participate in blessing others and blessing the universe. Make me a conduit of Your goodness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Title: One Messed Up Family / Topic: God's Goodness
Today’s Reading: Genesis 27; Genesis 28; Psalm 4; Luke 11
Scripture: Genesis 27 & 28 (excerpts - emphasis added)
Genesis 27
10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you [rather than Esau] his blessing before he dies..."
12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing."
13 His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say...
19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."
20 Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?"
"The LORD your God gave me success," he replied...
24 "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked.
"I am," he replied.
36 Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!"...
41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once... 45 When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I'll send word for you to come back from there...
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I'm disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living."
Genesis 28
8 Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; 9 so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.
Observation: What a messed up family! Rebekah conspires with Jacob to trick her husband, Isaac, into giving the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Both Rebekah and Isaac openly favored one son over another and this brought disunity into the home. Jacob's wording in verse 12, "I would appear to be tricking him..." cracks me up. Hah! That's some tricky wording. In verse 13 Rebekah says, "let the curse fall on me." In other words, "I'll take responsibility." But in verse 45, she puts all the blame back on Jacob. Jacob repeatedly lies to his father and in verse 20 even invokes God as part of his deception. Have you no shame, Jacob? Esau blames Jacob not only for this ripoff, but says, "he took my birthright," when it was Esau who willingly traded it away for a bowl of stew. And Esau decides that the appropriate response is to murder his brother which he decides to do once his father passes away. Rebekah manipulates her husband to get Jacob away from Esau's revenge with whiny complaining. And Esau purposefully does the opposite of his father's wished out of spite, marrying a woman that his parents disapproved of. This family is a mess.
And yet God chose to bless the world through these messed up people.
Application: The application is simple: God uses messed up people. That makes me a candidate to be used and blessed by God. (It makes you a candidate too.)
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You choose regular, very imperfect people to work through. You do great things with all kinds of people. I ask You to use me powerfully to do great things.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 27 & 28 (excerpts - emphasis added)
Genesis 27
10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you [rather than Esau] his blessing before he dies..."
12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing."
13 His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say...
19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."
20 Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?"
"The LORD your God gave me success," he replied...
24 "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked.
"I am," he replied.
36 Esau said, "Isn't he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing!"...
41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once... 45 When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I'll send word for you to come back from there...
46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I'm disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living."
Genesis 28
8 Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac; 9 so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.
Observation: What a messed up family! Rebekah conspires with Jacob to trick her husband, Isaac, into giving the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Both Rebekah and Isaac openly favored one son over another and this brought disunity into the home. Jacob's wording in verse 12, "I would appear to be tricking him..." cracks me up. Hah! That's some tricky wording. In verse 13 Rebekah says, "let the curse fall on me." In other words, "I'll take responsibility." But in verse 45, she puts all the blame back on Jacob. Jacob repeatedly lies to his father and in verse 20 even invokes God as part of his deception. Have you no shame, Jacob? Esau blames Jacob not only for this ripoff, but says, "he took my birthright," when it was Esau who willingly traded it away for a bowl of stew. And Esau decides that the appropriate response is to murder his brother which he decides to do once his father passes away. Rebekah manipulates her husband to get Jacob away from Esau's revenge with whiny complaining. And Esau purposefully does the opposite of his father's wished out of spite, marrying a woman that his parents disapproved of. This family is a mess.
And yet God chose to bless the world through these messed up people.
Application: The application is simple: God uses messed up people. That makes me a candidate to be used and blessed by God. (It makes you a candidate too.)
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You choose regular, very imperfect people to work through. You do great things with all kinds of people. I ask You to use me powerfully to do great things.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Title: Single-Minded / Topic: Focus
Today’s Reading: Genesis 25; Genesis 26; Psalm 6; Luke 10
Scripture: Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Observation: I think I am like Martha, "worried and upset about many things," and bothered that others aren't helping the way I think they should. But Jesus here makes it clear that between Martha and her sister, Mary, one is better and it's not Martha. "Mary has chosen what is better."
Application: This reminds me of one of the points of my message Sunday about saying "no" to things that are not consistent with what I am about. I have a tendency toward busy-ness and minutiae. But details can, and often do, obscure the truly important stuff of life.
Bottom line: I want to be like Mary -- sitting at Jesus' feet and soaking it in.
Prayer: Lord, draw me close to You and give me the desire and ability to keep my focus upon You. Help me to lay aside the distractibility and become single-minded in my love for You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Observation: I think I am like Martha, "worried and upset about many things," and bothered that others aren't helping the way I think they should. But Jesus here makes it clear that between Martha and her sister, Mary, one is better and it's not Martha. "Mary has chosen what is better."
Application: This reminds me of one of the points of my message Sunday about saying "no" to things that are not consistent with what I am about. I have a tendency toward busy-ness and minutiae. But details can, and often do, obscure the truly important stuff of life.
Bottom line: I want to be like Mary -- sitting at Jesus' feet and soaking it in.
Prayer: Lord, draw me close to You and give me the desire and ability to keep my focus upon You. Help me to lay aside the distractibility and become single-minded in my love for You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Title: Resources Of Heaven / Topic: Divine Provision
Today’s Reading: Genesis 23; Genesis 24; Luke 9
Scripture: Luke 9:12-14
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."
13 He replied, "You give them something to eat."
They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
Observation: Supernatural provision. That's what I see here. Jesus took His disciples away for a little R&R but the crowds figured out where they were and went there. Jesus, instead of being bothered, spends the day ministering to the people's needs. As the day is drawing to a close, the disciples want to send the people away. But Jesus tells them, "You give them something to eat." There are thousands and thousands of people to feed. The disciples freak out. They don't have the means to feed the people. Of course, Jesus knew better. The disciples had their eyes only on themselves. Jesus had His eyes on the Father, the great Provider.
Application: There are so many needs in my community. I feel like sending the people away so often. But Jesus wants me to meet the needs. Not with my own resources, but with His. The resources of heaven are available to me. I want to learn how to use them and demonstrate the greatness of God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn the lesson of heavenly provision. I am so limited in my thinking. Open my mind and my eyes to see the possibilities by relying on the resources of heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 9:12-14
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."
13 He replied, "You give them something to eat."
They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
Observation: Supernatural provision. That's what I see here. Jesus took His disciples away for a little R&R but the crowds figured out where they were and went there. Jesus, instead of being bothered, spends the day ministering to the people's needs. As the day is drawing to a close, the disciples want to send the people away. But Jesus tells them, "You give them something to eat." There are thousands and thousands of people to feed. The disciples freak out. They don't have the means to feed the people. Of course, Jesus knew better. The disciples had their eyes only on themselves. Jesus had His eyes on the Father, the great Provider.
Application: There are so many needs in my community. I feel like sending the people away so often. But Jesus wants me to meet the needs. Not with my own resources, but with His. The resources of heaven are available to me. I want to learn how to use them and demonstrate the greatness of God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn the lesson of heavenly provision. I am so limited in my thinking. Open my mind and my eyes to see the possibilities by relying on the resources of heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Title: Use It Or Lose It / Topic: Spirituality
Today’s Reading: Genesis 20; Genesis 21; Genesis 22; Luke 8
Scripture: Luke 8:8, 18
8 ...When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
18 "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Observation/Application: Hearing is a key to spiritual success. But hearing is much more than just having the words enter into my ears. It means having the ideas penetrate my heart. If I just let the words come into my ears without implementing the ideas and truths in my life, then I will end up being spiritually empty. Jesus tells me that my will is a key in my spiritual journey. I must intentionally and willfully apply my heart to what I am hearing. And Jesus includes a choice and a warning. Use it or lose it. If I use what I have learned, I will get more. If I fail to use it, it will be taken from me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to implement everything You have given me. I want to be all that I can with what You have blessed me with.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 8:8, 18
8 ...When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
18 "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Observation/Application: Hearing is a key to spiritual success. But hearing is much more than just having the words enter into my ears. It means having the ideas penetrate my heart. If I just let the words come into my ears without implementing the ideas and truths in my life, then I will end up being spiritually empty. Jesus tells me that my will is a key in my spiritual journey. I must intentionally and willfully apply my heart to what I am hearing. And Jesus includes a choice and a warning. Use it or lose it. If I use what I have learned, I will get more. If I fail to use it, it will be taken from me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to implement everything You have given me. I want to be all that I can with what You have blessed me with.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Title: Prepared Hearts / Topic: Spiritual Responsiveness
Today’s Reading: Genesis 18; Genesis 19; Psalm 3; Luke 7
Scripture: Luke 7:29-30
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Observation: Luke points out a distinction between "all the people, even the tax collectors" and "the Pharisees and experts in the law" in their response to Jesus. The first group responded with acceptance to Jesus' words and "God's way", the second "rejected God's purpose for themselves." And the reason for the difference? It was their response to John's call to be baptized. Those who accepted Jesus had first accepted John's baptism. Those who rejected Jesus had chosen not to be baptized.
Application: What this speaks to me is the truth that a person's response to small spiritual opportunities or challenges has much to do with their ability to respond to the big spiritual choices. I see it in myself and others. If a person decides not respond to smaller spiritual opportunities, such as attending church, participating in worship, or sharing in prayer, he will be less likely to respond to the bigger spiritual decisions and challenges such as surrender to Christ's will, call to ministry, and so forth.
Bottom line: Every spiritual response I make has an effect on the whole of my spiritual future. There is no decision that does not have consequences, either good or bad. So I must respond with a YES every time God puts an opportunity before me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to choose to respond with an affirmative and passionate YES every time You call. I want to prepare the my heart to submit to You to the max. Help me to carry this out.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 7:29-30
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Observation: Luke points out a distinction between "all the people, even the tax collectors" and "the Pharisees and experts in the law" in their response to Jesus. The first group responded with acceptance to Jesus' words and "God's way", the second "rejected God's purpose for themselves." And the reason for the difference? It was their response to John's call to be baptized. Those who accepted Jesus had first accepted John's baptism. Those who rejected Jesus had chosen not to be baptized.
Application: What this speaks to me is the truth that a person's response to small spiritual opportunities or challenges has much to do with their ability to respond to the big spiritual choices. I see it in myself and others. If a person decides not respond to smaller spiritual opportunities, such as attending church, participating in worship, or sharing in prayer, he will be less likely to respond to the bigger spiritual decisions and challenges such as surrender to Christ's will, call to ministry, and so forth.
Bottom line: Every spiritual response I make has an effect on the whole of my spiritual future. There is no decision that does not have consequences, either good or bad. So I must respond with a YES every time God puts an opportunity before me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to choose to respond with an affirmative and passionate YES every time You call. I want to prepare the my heart to submit to You to the max. Help me to carry this out.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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