Being Sent

November 20, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus ascends toward Jerusalem; Matthew  21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:28

Mark 11:1 (International Standard Version)
1  When they came near Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on ahead

We have established over the last few devotionals that the priest were out to kill Jesus. We know that the followers of Jesus are in danger as they want to kill Lazarus as well.  In the midst of all this, Jesus sends two disciples on ahead to Jerusalem.  He knew what was coming, they did not. I am sure they had heard the stories but when Jesus told them to go, they went.  

In my every day life, Jesus tells me to go and do things.  I do not always respond like I should because I fear embarrassment.  Is embarrassment worse then death? Why am I so timid compared to the disciples?  

I need to be more like them and not let things bother me, but do as Jesus tells me to do.


Read for next time: Two disciples get a colt; Matthew 21:1-7; Mark 11:1-7; Luke 19:29-35

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Pointing to Jesus

November 19, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Chief priests conspire to kill Lazarus; John 12:10-11

John 12:10-11 (English Standard Version)
10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,
11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

If you become successful, people will want to get rid of you or what you do. Even a low level of success can bring problems.  I have had a small but steady following of people reading these messages but I have had people tell me ‘who do you think you are writing stuff like this.’  All I can tell them is I write them for me, and what God tells me, if others like them, then they are invited to read them.

Jesus had Lazarus with Him here.  The chief priest had decided to kill Jesus, that much is know.  But because Lazarus points to Jesus and says He is the one that raised me from the dead, He is a problem now.  Jesus was bad enough, but someone else telling about Him, that gets worse.  

When you get pointing to Jesus, others will want to kill your plans, or maybe kill you.  


Read for next time: Jesus ascends toward Jerusalem; Matthew  21:1; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:28

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Signs

November 17, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Crowds come to see Jesus and Lazarus; John 12:9

John 12:9 (New English Translation)
9 Now a large crowd of Judeans learned that Jesus was there, and so they came not only because of him but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead.

I have no problems with megachurches, I do have problems with people flocking to them to see the next latest, greatest sign from God.  It bothers me that we have to entertain people to get them in the door.  It is possible to build big churches with just the word of God being preached.

Jesus knew this was the end of His ministry. He and Lazarus made an appearance in Jerusalem and now all the people were flocking around because they wanted to see this man and hope for another miracle.

Tonight I was praying with my children.  I prayed for a good nights sleep for them, for strength to make it through whatever trials they were going through. And then it hit me.  Even though I go to a big church that preaches the word, I was still asking God for miracles even if they were good intentions.  I had to stop and ask myself, is what I receive going to influence how I believe?  If my son has a bad day tomorrow after we prayed for a good one, will I feel that God does not love me? Will I turn on Him like the people did on Jesus.

In my prayers I have to be careful that I am not looking for signs also. Only then can I know that my faith is not based on what God can give me, but what I have received in Jesus.

Read for next time: Chief priests conspire to kill Lazarus; John 12:10-11

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Doing all I can

November 16, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Mary's deed recounted; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9

Mark 14:8 (English Majority Text Version)
8 This woman did what she could; she undertook beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

This woman did what she could.  That is all that God can ask of me also.  That I can do what I can.  That is the question that I also must ask myself.  Am I doing all that I can.  I do not want to get into legalism, but I had designed this devotional to be daily and there are some days that I can not drag myself to the computer to do it, like this devotional today.  My mind tells me there are so many other things to do.  

So I need to do a check up from the neck up.  Am I doing all that I can do for Jesus?


Read for next time: Crowds come to see Jesus and Lazarus; John 12:9

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Hermits

November 12, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Mary anoints Jesus in Simon's house; John 12:2-8

John 12:2 (English Jubilee 2000 Bible)
2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those that sat at the table with him.

I wonder if I was Lazarus if I would be like this.  If I had come back from the dead, from being in a whole other world, from paradise.  Would I want to just be among ordinary people?  Would I run away and not want to be part of the mundane and every day life of the people around me?  What would I be like.

I see here a person who, upon returning from the most delightful experience one could imagine, just returns to his daily life.  God had spoken to him, Jesus had raised him from the dead, and yet, here he is among every day people and talking and laughing.  

I am convinced that when we receive Jesus into our lives that we are not to just hide away from every one and everything like a monk in a monastery.  There is a time and a place for everything, and there is time to be away, seek time with Him, and receive.  They should not be the majority of our lives.  What we get, we need to tell others, like Lazarus did.

Read for next time: Mary's deed recounted; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9

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Waiting for a sign

November 11, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus in Bethany; John 12:1

John 12:1 (1949/1964 Bible in Basic English)
1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had made to come back from the dead.

Jesus never left anything to chance. What seems like a set of words to point out where Jesus is points out something very important.  Jesus went to where Lazarus had been raised from the dead.  While it may be lost on me in the current day till now, I am sure that Jesus did it to point something out to the people.  He is about to tell them that he is going to raise from the dead.  He had done this for Lazarus as well.  

Jesus at His most trying time was still trying to tell the people what was going to happen.  It is their fault that they could not see it.  I am not really that much different.  I move blindly through my life trying to tell God what His will for my life is when He often makes it so simple that if I would just stay still long enough I would see it.  The trick for me, and I am sure for many others, is seeing it and knowing it is God.

Read for next time: Mary anoints Jesus in Simon's house; John 12:2-8

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Ring Side Seat

November 10, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus discussed by Jews and Priests; John 11:55-57

John 11:56 (English Standard Version)
56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?”

Jesus, in the eyes of the people,  now has a problem, does He go to where they want to kill Him, or does he break the Hebrew law of not going to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem (all males who could get there were supposed to go).  Jesus did not really have a problem with this, he knew that the cross was on the way.

The people were looking for two reasons. They wanted to see the miracles that He did. They also wanted to see the confrontation between Jesus and those in authority.  What ever happened they wanted to have a ring side seat on what was going to take place.

If I start to do what Jesus wants me to do, there will be those who will want a ring side seat as well. I know this as people close to me have called me a phony for what little ministry I do.  Like Jesus, I have to keep a focus on the end of things and not on the present.  Sometimes that is very hard to do.  

Read for next time: Jesus in Bethany; John 12:1

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Getting Away

November 9, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Journey toward Jerusalem for Passover; John 11:54

John 11:54 (Bible in Worldwide English)
54 That is why Jesus did not go among the Jews in the open. But he went to another part of the country, to a town called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.

There is a time for a minister to be out with the people he ministers to. There is also a time for him to retreat.  Jesus did it many times, the ones that we note the most are the times that He left the crowds and the crowds followed Him.  

Jesus knew that they were plotting against Him at this point.  They were looking for a way to trip Him up.  They could not do that if Jesus retreated and would not come out into the open. He knew the time was not right and He must have needed the time to get ready for what was to happen.

I need time also.  I cannot give my all to everyone else and not take time for myself.  While I an not doing what Jesus is doing, taking the sins of all on me, I still need to look at this example.  If I do not, I can not face what lies in front of me.  That is not to say I can stay in that place of waiting, but that I can know that I can take time to regenerate once in a while.

Read for next time: Jesus discussed by Jews and Priests; John 11:55-57

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Our Words

November 8, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Parable of the Talents; Luke 19:12-27

Luke 19:22 (The Common Edition: New Testament)
22 He said to him, ‘I will judge you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a hard man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?

I have read this verse many time, and never saw something in it.  We get what we confess.  No I do not mean the name it and claim it religion, I mean we get exactly what we confess.  Jesus says that by our own mouths we will be judged.  So many people want to say that there good works will get them into heaven, but that just is not so.  We will be judged by the words that we choose to use.  We will either accept Jesus and be with Him in heaven, or reject him and be in hell.

Many people try to make it so that a loving God would not send people to hell just because they do not believe in His son.  They will have to realize that it is not God who does it to them, it is their own words.

Read for next time: Journey toward Jerusalem for Passover; John 11:54
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Healing

November 7, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Jesus is near Jerusalem; Luke 19:11

Luke 9:11 (New Heart English Bible)
11 But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing.

I have a need for healing in my life. I not only need it physically but emotionally as well.  Isiah says that Jesus was bruised for our iniquities and chastised for our sins.  So in His punishment and death, Jesus died for my sickness and sins.

Jesus went around healing people.  If it is not right for me to seek healing today, why would Jesus have done it then.  

I have a need to be able to be healed and Jesus has provided it for me.


Read for next time: Blind men healed near Jericho; Luke 19:12-27
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Seeking Jesus

November 6, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Zaccheus is converted near Jericho; Luke 19:1-10

Luke 9:9 (Green's Literal Translation)
9 And Herod said, I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see Him.  

There is a need in people’s lives. It is to see Jesus.  Herod did not realize this but he sought it anyway.  When I behave like Jesus, I give people a chance to see Jesus.  Like Herod, they may want to kill anything about Him, but in the end it is what they are seeking.  I need to show more of Jesus in my life.

Read for next time: Jesus is near Jerusalem; Luke 19:11
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Throwing off the coat

October 31, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Blind men healed near Jericho; Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43

The scene is a roadside, Jesus is walking by and a beggar who is blind hears Him go by and asks about what is going on. He is told it is Jesus.  He has heard of Jesus before. Jesus is a healer of people. If he could get healed he would not have to beg anymore.  So he yells out to Jesus.  Jesus calls to him and:

Mark 10:50 (International Standard Version)
50 He threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

That coat he threw off was a beggars coat.  It signified that he had permission to beg.  He did not want to beg anymore and if Jesus could heal him, then he would not need it anymore.

He tells Jesus he wants to see.

Mark 10:52 (International Standard Version)
52 Jesus told him, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” At once the man could see again, and he began to follow Jesus down the road.

Was the faith when Jesus spoke to him.  I do not think so, I think it happened back when he threw off the coat.  Like the woman with the issue of blood was healed when she touched Jesus garments, this mans faith was in throwing away his beggars coat.  

In my life I have come up to many things that I have to stand in faith for.  Not all seem possible, but if I never try in faith, I can never get the results, can I?

Read for next time: Zaccheus is converted near Jericho; Luke 19:1-10
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Servants

October 30, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Relationship of disciples to each other; Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45

Matthew 20:26 (1949/1964 Bible in Basic English)
26 Let it not be so among you: but if anyone has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant;

So easy to say and so hard to do.  When I try to become a servant to others my flesh wants to get in the way.  I feel like if all were servants then this would not be hard. But when I act as a servant to others, not everyone acts the same to me.  So my flesh says that they are taking advantage of you.  My flesh says this is stupid, you can not let them to continue to run over you like that.  

Jesus did not make this a suggestion. If I want to be great, I must be a servant, even when I do not want to.  It is my choice.  I can either be great in God’s eyes, or be great in my own.


Read for next time: Blind men healed near Jericho; Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
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Fixing Tickets

October 29, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Request for James and John; Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41

Mark 10:35 (English Standard Version)
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

The other day I got stopped by a police man on the way home from church with my kids.  We exchanged our information he wanted and he told me my tags had expired and have a seat.  I knew there would be an expense involved so while he was in his car writing up my tickets, I turned to God and asked for help in making it through this.

As I read this today I thought to myself about what I had just done the other day. Now I talk to God on a regular basis, even when I do not feel he is close to me, because on those days I know that the devil is trying to get me not to believe in God and I need Him the most. However, did I just tell God what I wanted with out any concern for what He was trying to teach me or my family.  

I have told myself in the past that I would never be like James and John here and tell Jesus that I wanted seats by His side. I am, however, wanting to tell Him to take care of tickets for me.  Is that any different?

Read for next time: Relationship of disciples to each other; Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45
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Out in front

October 25, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Jesus predicts death on road to Jerusalem; Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34

Mark 10:32 (Bible in Worldwide English)
32 Jesus and his disciples were on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in front of them.  The disciples were surprised. And the people who came behind were afraid. He took the twelve disciples and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

There is an interesting line in the account of Mark that is not in the account that Matthew and Luke tell.  It says that Jesus was walking in front of them and the others were afraid.  While the afraid part is interesting it is the fact that Jesus is in front that interest me the most.  

Normal teaching of that time would have Jesus more to the middle of the group, so that those in front and in back could hear him.  Also, any trouble makers that would meet on the road would have to get by those in front to get to the teacher.  But Jesus knew that the end was coming up and He was ready to face it. He was not going to let someone else lead the pace, He was going to face it head on.

In my life I tend to see problems coming and want to get to the middle of things and not want to face them directly.  I must learn to be more like Jesus and learn to move forward and face them.  If I do not walk to and through them, I will have to face them for a much longer time to come.

Read for next time: Request for James and John; Matthew 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41
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Payments

October 22, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  First shall be last discourse; Matthew 20:1-16

Matthew 20:16 (Bible in Worldwide English)
16 ‘In the same way, people who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.’

When I get to heaven, as when a lot of people get to heaven, I think they are going to be surprised to find who is there.  God will give us all the same reward, eternal life in the presence of Jesus and Himself as well as the Holy Spirit.  There will be no surprises there.  What will be a surprise is who will be there with us.  I do not know how many death bed conversions there are, and people who I thought would never make it into heaven may just very will make it in.  All it takes is faith in Jesus as a savior.  God chooses to pay us all, like the vineyard laborers, the same pay, life eternal with Him.


Read for next time: Jesus predicts death on road to Jerusalem; Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-34
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Rewards

October 21, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Disciples reward; Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30

Matthew 19:29 (English Standard Version)
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

In those days, people had to leave there homes to literally follow Jesus.  I do not have to do that today.  I do have to have the willingness to be able to do what He asks me to do when He asks me to.  That can some times be difficult.  Family and jobs can get in the way of doing what He asks me to do.  

I must remember what I loose by following Jesus will be gained back in the rewards I receive being with Jesus for eternity.

Read for next time: First shall be last discourse; Matthew 20:1-16
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All things are possible

October 20, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Rich young ruler; Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27

Matthew 19:25-26 (English Standard Version)
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Why would the disciples ask such a question.? Did it make sense?  Jesus told them that rich people would have a hard time entering. Why are they asking who can be saved? I mean, poor people can be saved right?

The disciples do what many of us today do.  They assumed that if a person has money, they must have some degree of spirituality.  It is not true anymore than poor people are more spiritual.  Jesus was going to teach them a lesson here.  With God, anything is possible.  Do not put God in a box and have Him do what you expect Him to do.  He can do most anything.  We only have to step back and watch.


Read for next time: Disciples reward; Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30
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Child faith

October 19, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Jesus blesses little children; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17  

Luke 18:16-17 (English Majority Text Version)
16 But Jesus, summoning them, said, "Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter into it."

It is so hard for an adult to have faith like a child.  I have so much at stake.  I have to work to pay for the house, car, the food the children need.  All the while they are leaning on me to keep them safe and nurture them as they grow.

When did I leave that faith my children have and come into the spotty faith that I have now? And why?  Could it be that my childhood did not have the type of faith that is being asked of me right now. That I am just doing what I have always done since I had a weak father image and have had to struggle to get what I need.

I need to see my Father God the way that I hope that my children see me.  It is not easy.  The struggles seem endless lately.  Yet, if anyone can pull me through them, He is the one that can do it.  

Read for next time: Rich young ruler; Matthew 19:16-26; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27
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Asking Jesus

October 18, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Disciples question Jesus about divorce; Matthew 19:10-12; Mark 10:10-12

Mark 10:10 (English Standard Version)
10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

As I Christian, some may think that I know all the answers in life.  I even believed that those thoughts were the truth at one time.  But I need to take a lesson from the disciples.   But I need to take a look at what the word says.  It is clear that when the disciples had questions about things, they turned to Jesus to ask questions.  

If it was good enough for them, it should be good enough for me.  


Read for next time: Jesus blesses little children; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17  
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Divorce Command?

October 17, 2010

The life of Jesus. Read Today:  Pharisees question Jesus about divorce; Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-9

I like to tease my kids sometimes.  They may ask me a question like, ‘can I go out to play?’ and I will reply, ‘I do not know, do you have the ability?’  They will always turn around and put may in for the can making it asking permission in place of having ability.

So it is with Jesus and the Pharisees in today’s reading.  They are wanting to trap Jesus so the bring up divorce, they know that law so well.  Can a man divorce his wife for any case?  He tells them that God’s plan is not for divorce but what had been joined should not be torn apart.  They put back to him:

Matthew 19:7 (Webster Bible)
7 They say to him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

But they had put in to the scriptures their own spin.  It was not a command to do it, it was an escape clause to be used if necessary.  Here it is:

Deuteronomy 24:1 (Webster Bible)
1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it shall come to pass that she findeth no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.

That uncleanness was a grave sin, not just because she overcooked the eggs this morning.  Yet, how much like them am I.  I look at scriptures and I want to read into them my agenda.  I have to not do that, to learn to read them and follow them, not what I want them to be.  


Read for next time:  Disciples question Jesus about divorce; Matthew 19:10-12; Mark 10:10-12
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