If our faith is grounded in nothing more than an emotional high, entertaining worship, or the hope for material blessings, then it will soon wilt in the face of the hardships that come with following our Savior. By contrast, God invites us to be rooted in Him and His word.
If you have a broadcast spreader, for your seed and fertilizer, it may have come with an "edge guard" to prevent the seed from going where you don't want it. But our Savior sows the seed of the Gospel everywhere – even knowing full well that some may tread it under foot and treat it like bird food. But there's a good reason that He sows it lavishly and unsparingly!
Parables are some of the most amazing parts of the New Testament. About one third of Jesus’ recorded teaching in the Bible was in parables. And Jesus’ first parable, recorded in the Scriptures, is the one that we’re going to look at today and over the course of the rest of this week. It’s the "Parable of the Sower."
"Rain, rain, go away ..." That little rhyme is the last things that farmers might be singing right now. Farmers this July are looking at long-range weather reports which seem to indicate that it may in for a dry stretch. In Isaiah, God compares His Word with the beneficial effects of the rain on crops.
Have you ever taken note of all of the greetings that are recorded in the New Testament? For example, take a look at Romans 16. Clearly, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit God Himself made sure that these greetings were recorded for us to read. So, what are we to make of all of these different salutations and hellos, well-wishes and kind regards?
“Keep Calm and Carry On.” That slogan became famous on a motivational poster to raise the morale of the British citizens in preparation for World War II. In Psalm 91, the writer encourages you and me to “Keep Calm” in the face of all of the physical and spiritual attacks the enemy. But then he actually goes on to give us the basis for these wonderful words of assurance.
When it comes to what you and I know about God, we wouldn’t know anything about Him if God Himself hadn’t revealed it to us. Jesus tells us, “All things have been committed to me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.” However, what Jesus has revealed is nothing short of breath-taking. It’s the kind of announcement that should have us on the end of our seat and cheering.
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus had just come from an area which rejected God and His salvation. And they considered themselves too “wise and learned” to accept such a thing. Perhaps you’ve experienced that yourself. Has there ever been a time in which you’ve shared your faith, or let it be known that you’re a Christian, only to met with a condescending response? Consider yourself in good company. However, even more importantly, rejoice that you can hear it.
In Romans, Paul describes a situation to which we can easily relate. And it sounds a little like that young girl riding the bicycle. He writes, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.” Do you find yourself sharing the same struggle as the apostle?
It’s Monday! Did you get the most out of your three-day weekend? That may depend on what you were hoping to get out of it. Were you hoping for some rest?
“Buy one, get four free.” Today is the Fourth of July and I’m pretty sure we’re going to see and hear a lot of fireworks going off tonight. There are tents selling fireworks up and and down the roads and in mall parking lots. One of the tents, in the parking lot of the story where I go grocery shopping, it had a sign which read, “But one, get four free.” Or course, in that case, what does it mean when they say “free”?
In 1 Peter 5:6, Peter reminds us to “Humble ourselves.” This word gets used in Scripture a number of different ways. When it’s used to speak to you and me it’s usually to address our pride. In this case, we like to think that we’ve got things covered and we don’t need any help or assistance. Peter, speaking both by inspiration of God and from experience, reminds us of what a blessing it is to recognize our need and dependence on our Savior.
In Micah, the prophet is amazed and asks, "Who is a God like you?" And then he describes what God has done that has left him astonished. Hearing it reminds us of what a Friend we have in Jesus!
Not knowing the law doesn't get us off the hook when we sin. The Law strips back any excuse we might give. But that’s good because then, in Romans, Paul wants you and me to look up and see our Savior who in love, bore the punishment for our sins on the cross.
In Romans, Paul notes that “The law has authority over a man only as long as he lives.” But Paul isn’t getting ready to write a best-selling crime novel and he’s not musing about some caper where where the protagonist pretends to die, changes their name, and hides out in some exotic far-away location. That's what folks often dream about as a way to get out from under their debt. What the apostle describes is much better.
“I’ve got some bad news and some good news. Which would you like to hear first?” Has you ever been faced with that question? What if, instead, you pretended the bad news didn’t exist – and simply made up some good news? Would that be more helpful?
Do you pray before your meals? It’s good for us to pause and to recognize, as David says, “The eyes of all look to you.” It’s a moment to take note of the fact that this food, like all good things, come to us as a gift from our heavenly Father. It’s a brief “time out” to acknowledge and give thanks to God for His sustaining mercies. If you haven’t grown up saying grace before meals that brief pause for prayer may feel awkward. Here'a simple, fun and comfortable way you can start this meal time t...
Our current cultural climate has led many to debate whether our seniors are expendable. Is there an age limit at which you and I are no longer useful in service to God and one another? Is there a time when you and I become “expendable”?
In the harsh world of sin in which you and I live it’s not surprising that we may find ourselves the brunt of abuse and on the receiving end of jokes. As a result, when we’re at work, at a party, or a large crowd making jokes about people who go to church, it can be tempting to want to hide the fact that we’re a Christian. We may even be tempted to dissociate ourselves from our Savior. But think about that for a moment. Who is calling who the 'ugly duckling' in this story?
Do you know how many hairs on your head? It’s no small thing when Jesus said, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” The world into which the disciples were being sent was filled with worries and concerns, just as ours is for you and me today. In love, Jesus assures you that our God who knows how many hairs on your head is fully aware of all the changes and challenges that you face this day.
Remember “Complaint Boxes”? Long before online reviews and social media companies would occasionally set out a box to collect complaints from disgruntled employees and angry customers. In these strange words from Jeremiah, the prophet lays out his complaint before God. Have you ever felt like the prophet?
“I don’t get no respect.” Have you ever felt like saying this yourself from time-to-time? It’s not easy to live as a Christian in this fallen world. It makes us uncomfortable. Having respect means to well-regarded and held in high esteem. But in order to have the world’s respect you have to excel at the very things that lead us away from Christ and the Gospel. But Jesus has given us something that's much better and worth sharing.
Jesus told the disciples, "As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'" One translation of this verse mistakenly reads “the kingdom of heaven is soon to be here.” But, if that’s true, then it’s a little the kid in the back seat of the car who asks Dad and Mom, “Are we there yet?” and gets that unsatisfying answer, “No, not yet, but we’re almost there.” In other words, “Strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride, we still have a long way to go.” The reality is so much better. Here’...
Sheep and wolves, snakes and doves. Here are four animals that are handy to keep in mind whenever you and I head out the door each day. They were four animals that the Savior used as images for the disciples to keep in mind as they were sent out to share the Gospel.
On Mt. Calvary, over 2000 years ago, our Savior went to battle for you and me. He was sent by His Father to conquer sin, death and the devil on our behalf. But here’s the thing. And, there’s no way to fully appreciate the greatness of God’s love for us, and the wonderful assurance of His forgiveness, until we do: You and I were enemies of God.
Following a night of prayer Luke tells us, “When morning came, [Jesus] called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles.” Matthew lists their names. The one thing that stands out is that they were all different. They weren’t cookie-cutter identical. And that tells you a lot about our Savior and about you.
The image of lost sheep without a shepherd is a familiar one in the Bible but it’s probably not something that most of us have ever run into. So, it may sound surprising to hear Jesus referring the people in the towns and villages of Israel as “sheep without a shepherd.” When Jesus looked out He saw people, as He described, who were “harassed and helpless.” A better translation of that word “harassed” might be “weary" or "worried.” Weary, worried and helpless? Now that begins to sound a little b...
There’s no reason to believe that the Israelites were anything less than sincere when the told Moses, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” However, even best intentions aren't enough. How many of us, before those weeks of isolation and quarantine, told ourselves, “You know, someday, if I ever get the time, I’d like to write a book, take piano lessons or learn a new language.” Then, all of a sudden ... we had it. Thankfully, our salvation doesn't rest on our best of intentions.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Usually, when we hear these words in Matthew's Gospel, the focus is on the fact that our risen and Savior is with us. But back up a moment to those first words that we may easily speed past in our haste. He starts by saying, “Behold!” Before we quickly rush out the door to begin our day here's a word that's also important for you and me.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven He called together His disciples and sent them out with the word “Go.” They were to go and disciple the nations. They were to bring His treasure to all people – not with clues or a map, but by baptizing and teaching.
