Day 127 "What do the stones mean?"

Stones are very symbolic in today's reading. Joshua - much like the crossing of the Red Sea - sees great symbolism in the stones... "When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” In Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the "stones" have a different meaning. If the people are silent, even the stones will cry out Jesus says.

Day 126 Leaders, Builders, and Shakers?

Joshua assumes the awesome task of succeeding Moses. He is instructed to be strong and courageous as a leader. Psalm 127 teaches the secret to building a life..."Unless the Lord builds the house,those who build it labor in vain." This is similar to Jesus teaching about the "Wise and Foolish Builders." Zaccheaus was a real "shaker" as he came tumbling out of the tree out of joy! The person who neglected his talent was reprimanded. The two servants who used their gifts multiplied and expanded. We are to use what God has given us and not protect. All the readings today point toward the way to lead, build, and be a real "shaker" even out of a tree in Zaccheaus' case.

Day 125 What is unabated vigor?

The Book of Deuteronomy says..."Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated." What an amazing observation about Moses! What is unabated vigor? According to the Compact Oxford English Dictionary..."without any reduction in intensity or strength." What a tribute to Moses. He never lost a step by the many years of walking with the Lord!

Day 124 Does persistence matter?

The parable of the persistent widow teaches us persistence does matter. The judge is not like God...for God is not worn out in our praying. Rather the focus is on the woman not losing heart. How many of us are persistent in prayer. One other quality in prayer is sincerity. Notice the sinners prayer..."Lord have mercy on me a sinner." Is there not a better quality than humility? What about a powerful tandem of pesistence and sincerity in prayer? Could be both are equally necessary to fullfill our prayers. Certainly something to keep in mind.

Day 123 Where are the nine?

Jesus heals ten lepers. Only one returns to give thanks to God. Jesus asks..."where are the nine?" The absurd part of this one man returning is that he is the Samaritan. In the "good samaritan" story we have a parable. The healing of the lepers is a real story. In both Jesus expands our thinking about crossing barriers to offer compassion. What barriers do we need to cross today? Are we in any way like the nine?

Day 122 Succession of Leadership Plan?

Joshua is to follow Moses. He is instructed to be "strong and courageous." Is this not a good succession plan. The leadership plan is still current today. Every good leadership plan has a plan of developing future leaders. Another place of evidence regarding how the truth of the Bible is timeless and always relevant. (for more read previous blogs in December of 2006)

Day 121 Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Christ is born! (free reading day)

Day 120 Who do we seek in times of need?

Who do we seek in times of need? The Psalmist in the 121 Psalm says..."I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." He also says..."The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore." What a wonderful message on Christmas Eve! Especially to know best of all Immanuel... "God is with us!" (for more read day 120, December, 2006)

Day 119 Is it time to come home?

The prodigal son is a story of coming home. As Christmas day approaches, what a wonderful thought! Is it not time to come home to the good news of the birth of Jesus. We may be in a far country or nearby but we are all invited...home to the manger! May the Lord bless you. (for more read day 119, December 2006)

Day 118 Does everyone count?

The 119 Psalm is the longest and is actually a Hebrew acrosic with 22 stanzas according to the NKJV study notes. This helps in making sense of the obvious length. Jesus teaches of leaving 99 sheep to find the one lost. How about this teaching for counting everyone and everyone counts. Notice also there is great rejoicing when the lost sheep is found. What a wonderful thought for two days before Christmas! May the Lord open our eyes to what the teaching of lost sheep means this Christmas. In finding the lost, we broaden the joy.
(for more read day 118, December 2006)

Day 117 Why not rejoice?

In the midst of many important teachings today, comes Psalm 118:24 ..."This is the day that the Lord has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it." The single verse provides a moment to place a great theme of life in perspective. Rejoice in all circumstances. We are almost to Christmas. Is here joy in our heart? (For more read day 117, November, 2006)

Day 116... A narrow or wide gate?

Jesus teaches His way is a narrow gate. Later, He teaches..."O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" The message is one of broad invitation but the rebellious must decide to come in. Is this the reason the gate is narrow because of humanities rebelliousness? (For more read day 116, November 2006).

Day 115 Do not waste good ground?

Jesus sternly says about the unproductive tree..."Why should it use up the ground?" Our discipleship is given time to grow and develop. Jesus in the Gospel of John (15) teaches about bearing fruit. What happens if we never bear fruit? The answer is clear..."we are not to waste the gifts God has given us. (For more read day 115, November, 2006)

Day 114 "What is our choice peace or division?

In today's reading, Jesus says..."“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Does this mean Jesus is not the Prince of Peace? No. Jesus is both. When we live against Jesus' teaching, He brings division. If we live for Him, He brings peace. It depends on our response to Jesus. (For more read day 114, November, 2006)

Day 113 "Is rich wrong?"

Is it wrong to be rich? Being rich or poor does not make one close to God. What determines the answer to the question is how much we value are possesions. Also, we need not ever forget the One who provides our needs of food and possessions. The Bible teaches the "love" of money is where being rich is a stumbling block. There is another context where the answer is no. Today's reading teaches not to accumulate earthly possessions and "being rich toward God." Can it be said that we are rich toward God? (For more read day 113, November 2006)

Day 112 What is the focus of our eyes?

What is the focus of our eye? Jesus says..."Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Is this like if our eye focuses on the light..."light of Christ in light of Christ out" and the alternate..."garbage in and garbage out?" What are our eyes focusing on? (For more read day 112, November 2006).

Day 111 Is cleaning up a life enough?

In becoming a disciple is cleaning up a life enough? How can we stop sins and habits? Jesus teaches...“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” A life of sin must be replaced with something good. A clean house can become inhabited by evil. What are we to do? Clean and occupy with the fruits of discipleship.
(For more read day 111, Novemeber, 2006)

Day 110 Is balance required to be a Disciple?

The two stories of Luke today, The Parable of the Good Samaritan and Mary and Martha, offered a great insight to me. The message of the Good Samaritan challenges us that we must serve to be a disciple. Mary and Martha's story is about bowing at the feet of Jesus and not forsaking the opportunity to worship. Discipleship requires both. Lord, help us to balance the two that we might be quick to serve and worship. (For more read day 110, November, 2006)

Day 109 Are we asking the right questions?

In my perception of the church, I sometimes wonder are we asking the right questions. We might ask "why are there so many churches?" Or "which church is right?" After reading Jesus' words..."The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few" does the question not become "what can we do to reach the harvest in the Kingdom?" Until we reach about half the population...there are plenty of persons to reach for all churches. Why don't we focus on the harvest? (for more read day 109, November, 2006)

Day 108 What is the significance of facing Jerusalem?

What is the significance of facing Jerusalem? In the passage..." When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village."

Apparently, there was such dislike from Jews toward the Samaritans they would travel as far away as possible. Today's reading illustrates the great distrust from Samaritans toward Jews. Notice the disciples response to the problem. They were missing the point is Jesus crossing barriers. In crossing barriers, humanity has not changed much at all. (For more read day 108, November, 2006)

Day 107 What does it profit a man?

What is the answer to the question..."For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" Obviously the answer is nothing. The opposite of gaining the whole world is finding a new world of redemption. The Psalmist says it like this..."Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." Deuteronomy also speaks of redemption today. Is redemption not a way to find everything important in the world. Redeemed relationships and forgiveness for our sins in Christ.
(For more read day 107, November 2006).

Day 106 "Who touched me?"

One of the most dramatic healing moments in Luke came when a woman with an unstoppable bleeding condition touched Jesus in the crowd. Jesus felt the healing power leave Him. He responded..."“Who was it that touched me?” This beautiful story tells us we are all within the Lord's touch of being healed and whole. (For more read Day 106, November 2006).

Day 105 Who is This?

Jesus calms the stormy seas. Who is this that even the wind and waves obey Him? Can we imagine how it must have been to marvel at Jesus' miracles and ask "Who is this?" The seeds along the path are also revealing in this story. Only those who grow in the Word last. (For more read day 105, November 2006).

Day 104 How to love more?

Jesus forgives a woman and typically the religious people object. How could he spend time with sinner they thought? Jesus responded that those who were forgiven more loved more. Is this not like the mother who cares for the child who needs her most? Is the door for greater love by forgiving more? (For more read day 104, November 2006)

Day 103..."Do we bless the Lord?"

The Psalmist says..." Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits" This is one of my questions..."how do we bless the Lord?" We know the Lord blesses us. Could it be by obedience and thanksgiving? This concept is not easy for me. (for more read day 103, November, 2006).

Day 102 How to get over a grudge?

The teaching from Luke today involves "The Sermon on the Plain." One section teaches us to pray for our enemies and those who bring say bad things against us. This is also the answer to how to get over a grudge? Pray for the other person. This is easy...right! (For more read day 102, November 2006).

Day 101 What about the Sabbath?

Jesus angers religious leaders of the day for working on the Sabbath. Amazingly, the power of Jesus was missed and this technicality magnified of breaking a Sabbath law. Jesus responded that He was Lord of the Sabbath. This teaching did not set well with religious people. Do we not today still lose the power of God in obsessing over technicalities? What a shame! (For more read day 101, November 2006).

Day 100 What is our response to today's reading?

Today's reading reminds us God provides for us. We are not self-sufficient and certainly do no have the power to make things happen. Deuteronomy says..."Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth." God is the source of our blessings. The 100 Psalm reminds us to enter into God's presence with thanksgiving and praise. Jesus says He came to focus on the sick not the well. (This is not exclusive since we are all sick) The Great Provider, The Great Source of Thanksgiving, and The Great Physician all are images that God will truly provide. (For more read day 100, November 2006)

Day 99 Do we have a clue?

God wants us to follow Him. Deuteronomy is clear God is to come first. In the passage today, we read how bearing fruit and walking with God are one in the same. Jesus commends those with such great faith to "go through the roof." He also lead the disciples to fish in the "deeper waters." Their fishing dramatically changes! What a metaphor for growing as a disciple!
When we place God first, we can expect a different outcome with bearing fruit. Do we have a clue how important placing God first in our lives really is for all of us? (For more read day 99, November 2006).

Day 98 What is Jesus' purpose?

In Luke's Gospel we are told Jesus' purpose..."“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” We do have good news to proclaim. Good news for all!
(for more day 98, November, 2006)

Day 97 When does temptation come?

The devil tempts Jesus when He is hungry and in the wilderness. Jesus resisted the temptations for bread and power. Notice - after forty days - the devil exits and waits for an opportune time. Is this not the way of temptation waiting for that time when we are most vulnerable. Jesus demonstrates overcoming temptation is possible. (for more read day 97, November, 2006)