Luke 8:48 "Your faith has made you well."
A woman who had been bleeding for 12 years found Jesus in a crowd and reached out to him and touched him. Immediately she was healed and Jesus commends her for her faith.
Faith drives all that we do. I have faith that the chair I am sitting in will hold me. I have faith that my car will drive me to work. I have faith that my employer will pay me my paycheck. What we do is a result of our faith. Do I have faith like this woman in Luke 8? Do I have the kind of faith that will make me well?
Dear Jesus, as I am a bit tired and weary today, give me strength an give me faith so I can be well. Amen.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Forgiven Much
Luke 7:47 "But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."
A "sinful woman" has just approached Jesus and anointed his feet with oil. The Pharisees are repulsed by this. They don't think Jesus should be associating with a woman of this kind, and they are probably disgusted with her and dramatic display. Jesus tells them that those who have been forgiven much, love much, and those who are forgiven little, love little.
The truth is we all have been forgiven a ton! A ton. So we should love a ton. When I act ungrateful, spoiled or entitled, I am not loving. Every day I should show Jesus how grateful I am for all that he done for me. Do I have any right to complain about anything? I should be like this woman. She probably didn't have much, but all she had she gave to Jesus. She didn't care about her pride or dignity, she humbly threw herself at Jesus' feet in front of everyone and showed him how grateful she was. How can I be grateful today? How can I live my life with an attitude that reflect how thankful I am for Jesus' forgiveness?
Dear Jesus, help me be more grateful for how you have forgiven me. Amen.
A "sinful woman" has just approached Jesus and anointed his feet with oil. The Pharisees are repulsed by this. They don't think Jesus should be associating with a woman of this kind, and they are probably disgusted with her and dramatic display. Jesus tells them that those who have been forgiven much, love much, and those who are forgiven little, love little.
The truth is we all have been forgiven a ton! A ton. So we should love a ton. When I act ungrateful, spoiled or entitled, I am not loving. Every day I should show Jesus how grateful I am for all that he done for me. Do I have any right to complain about anything? I should be like this woman. She probably didn't have much, but all she had she gave to Jesus. She didn't care about her pride or dignity, she humbly threw herself at Jesus' feet in front of everyone and showed him how grateful she was. How can I be grateful today? How can I live my life with an attitude that reflect how thankful I am for Jesus' forgiveness?
Dear Jesus, help me be more grateful for how you have forgiven me. Amen.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
A Good Loan
Luke 6:34 "And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even sinners will lend to their own kind for a full return."
Jesus is speaking to a large crowd (we now refer to this as the Sermon on the Mount) and he suggests lending to people even if they cannot repay. This sermon is full of revolutionary ideas and this may be one of the craziest. I'm all for loving my enemies and forgiving others, but the idea of lending to someone I know may not be able to repay me is tough. I'm happy to give (and do) but this verse is nuts!
Do we think this way? Do I think this way? I'd be happier to give someone the money and not even ask for it back. Is that what Jesus is getting at? Or is he suggesting a bank should loan people money and not worry about receiving payment back? If that is the case, there would be no banks within a few months! Or am I being too cynical? I guess I need to take Jesus at his word and be willing to lend or give generously.
Dear Jesus, help me be more open handed with time, energy and resources. Amen.
Jesus is speaking to a large crowd (we now refer to this as the Sermon on the Mount) and he suggests lending to people even if they cannot repay. This sermon is full of revolutionary ideas and this may be one of the craziest. I'm all for loving my enemies and forgiving others, but the idea of lending to someone I know may not be able to repay me is tough. I'm happy to give (and do) but this verse is nuts!
Do we think this way? Do I think this way? I'd be happier to give someone the money and not even ask for it back. Is that what Jesus is getting at? Or is he suggesting a bank should loan people money and not worry about receiving payment back? If that is the case, there would be no banks within a few months! Or am I being too cynical? I guess I need to take Jesus at his word and be willing to lend or give generously.
Dear Jesus, help me be more open handed with time, energy and resources. Amen.
Monday, December 09, 2019
Fishing is the One Thing
Luke 5:10 "...From now on you will be fishing for people."
Jesus has just filled a few of the early disciples boat with a boat load of fish. He tells them they no longer will be fishing for fish, but rather will now begin fishing for men.
Fishing for men. That is it. That is the one thing. In the movie City Slickers, Curly passes on the key to life. He says it's, "One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean !&%$." You just have to discover what that one thing is, and that gives meaning and value to your life. Earlier today I read that you just have to pick a point on the horizon and start sailing straight for it. Fishing for men has been and needs to remain my one thing. I get so distracted so often with other endeavors and goals-grow a big church, have a healthy staff, retire in a cabin in the woods, etc. My goal, my one thing, and my point on the horizon needs to be fishing for men. Who am I fishing for today? Do I even have my line in the water?
Dear Jesus, help me fish for someone today. Amen.
Jesus has just filled a few of the early disciples boat with a boat load of fish. He tells them they no longer will be fishing for fish, but rather will now begin fishing for men.
Fishing for men. That is it. That is the one thing. In the movie City Slickers, Curly passes on the key to life. He says it's, "One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don't mean !&%$." You just have to discover what that one thing is, and that gives meaning and value to your life. Earlier today I read that you just have to pick a point on the horizon and start sailing straight for it. Fishing for men has been and needs to remain my one thing. I get so distracted so often with other endeavors and goals-grow a big church, have a healthy staff, retire in a cabin in the woods, etc. My goal, my one thing, and my point on the horizon needs to be fishing for men. Who am I fishing for today? Do I even have my line in the water?
Dear Jesus, help me fish for someone today. Amen.
Thursday, December 05, 2019
Mic Drop
Luke 4: 24 "Then he said, 'This Scripture has come true today before your very real eyes.'"
Jesus is in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. He is tasked to read the scriptures and he reads a section of Isaiah which was a prophecy about him. He reads it, then sits down, and everyone just stares at him. After a moment, he announces that the scripture was about him!
This is a first century mic drop moment if there ever was one! He reads a prophecy about himself and then promptly sits down. No one says anything, but just stares at him. Imagine the drama. It would have been cool to be in that room. This struck me today and I am not sure why. Sometimes I just really like Jesus' style. In this moment he had a confidence in who he was. How can I display confidence in who Jesus is today?
Jesus thank you for being awesome. Thank you for bringing love, joy, and truth to the world. Help me to do the same today. Amen.
Jesus is in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. He is tasked to read the scriptures and he reads a section of Isaiah which was a prophecy about him. He reads it, then sits down, and everyone just stares at him. After a moment, he announces that the scripture was about him!
This is a first century mic drop moment if there ever was one! He reads a prophecy about himself and then promptly sits down. No one says anything, but just stares at him. Imagine the drama. It would have been cool to be in that room. This struck me today and I am not sure why. Sometimes I just really like Jesus' style. In this moment he had a confidence in who he was. How can I display confidence in who Jesus is today?
Jesus thank you for being awesome. Thank you for bringing love, joy, and truth to the world. Help me to do the same today. Amen.
Monday, December 02, 2019
The Light is About to Break
Luke 1:78 "Because of God's tender mercy, the light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."
After John the Baptist is born, his father Zechariah prophesied this prophecy. Speaking of the coming messiah, he claims that the light is about to break and will shine for those who are currently in darkness. The light will also create a path to peace. This passage offers a very hopeful promise looking forward to the coming king.
During this first week of Advent, am I as hopeful? Am I as excited as Zechariah was? Where do I see the light about to break in my life? I think I need to do a better job of finding the hope and joy in all circumstances-particularly this time of year. What can I be joyful about today? What can I be happy about today? Where do I see light breaking? I am happy about...
After John the Baptist is born, his father Zechariah prophesied this prophecy. Speaking of the coming messiah, he claims that the light is about to break and will shine for those who are currently in darkness. The light will also create a path to peace. This passage offers a very hopeful promise looking forward to the coming king.
During this first week of Advent, am I as hopeful? Am I as excited as Zechariah was? Where do I see the light about to break in my life? I think I need to do a better job of finding the hope and joy in all circumstances-particularly this time of year. What can I be joyful about today? What can I be happy about today? Where do I see light breaking? I am happy about...
- Writing my final paper for school (kind of)
- Decorating the Christmas tree
- Tasting our latest Yum box
- Hanging out with friends Saturday night
- Christmas!
- Our Christmas light party
- San Diego in January
Dear Jesus, help me find joy and peace this week. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)