Monday, Nov. 30, Luke 22

Which Chair?

Jesus had just celebrated the Passover meal for the last time with His disciples. He explained to them that the “bread and wine were tokens of God’s new covenant to save you – an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.” (vs. 20)

He had just told them that He was going to die, that His death and resurrection were part of God’s plan “and they began to argue among themselves as to who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom.” (vs. 24) The most significant event for mankind was unfolding, yet the disciples were more concerned about themselves, their status! They were definitely in the “me chair!”

It’s so easy to get caught up in the details and concerns of our natural life that we lose sight of the eternal purposes unfolding through our natural life. During my 18 years at NSEA, one of the professional staff I worked for (and my favorite) was a woman who saw the potential in me and mentored me. She always encouraged me, that I had the skills to do the task at hand, as well as played a big part in the rebuilding of my self confidence. And when I messed up, Sue would ask me, “will it matter 5 minutes from now . . . a day from now . . . a week from now? Then don’t worry about it. Let’s fix it and go forward.” I try to remember and apply those words, not only for myself but toward others. Am I always successful? No . . . I failed yesterday . . . I was focused on me . . . got caught up in the “details” and forgot that the outcome is to touch lives. I’m sorry, Susan. Please forgive me.

So I ask myself . . . what are my concerns today? How will these concerns look 5 minutes from now? A day from now? A week from now? 20 years from now? Will they be important? Or will they look insignificant or inappropriate?

I continue to press toward the mark of God’s grace. I want God to use me every day to share His love and His grace to the people He brings across my path. I want to be a part of the table Pastor Jerry described yesterday . . . the “grace chair” . . . the “growth chair” . . . the “fruitfulness chair” . . . not the “me” chair!

Friday, Luke 21

Keep Your Expectation Sharp!

In the early 1950’s, when I was 5 or 6 years old, my family would drive to what was then called Huskerville, a very small community along NW 48th Street, now known as Arnold Heights / Air Park. We would go there to visit my mom’s brother and family. At that time, Lincoln had a large Air Force base, and Huskerville was used as military housing. (My uncle was not military; he was a carpenter by trade.) The poor, barrack type housing my Uncle, Aunt, and cousins lived in has long ago been torn down but the little white church still stands on NW 48th at the very north edge of the housing area.

Of the many memories of Huskerville, one has remained vivid all these years . . . the drive back to Lincoln at night. As we drove home, I loved to stare out the car window at the sky stuffed full of stars (Andrew comes by it naturally!) and at the distant lights of downtown Lincoln, watching to see how soon I could see the State Capitol Building. At that time, the State Capitol Building was still a “tower on the plains.”

I would think, God you’re everywhere out there . . . You are so big! I would think about the end of the world, about Jesus coming back. I wasn’t afraid. But why did I think those thoughts at age 5 or 6? Something I heard my parents or grandparents talk about or because of the effect of World War II, which had ended 5 or 6 years before? I don’t know. But I have felt from a very young age that I would see Jesus’ return in my lifetime. Only God knows.

Luke 21:9-12 and 20 describe the world we live in today! Every generation has said the same thing, I’m sure. The Message Bible says “this is routine history and no sign of the end.”

Verses 34-36 in the Message Bible read, “But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."

My New Living Translation footnotes for those verses say “Don’t let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don’t let the cares of this life weigh you down. Be ready to move at God’s command.”

Let’s not be dulled by the cares and worries and things of this world, lulled into ineffectiveness! Let’s keep our expectation “sharp!” Let’s be ready to move at God’s command! Let’s do battle in prayer for many salvations . . . for the return of the backsliders . . . to encourage each other to walk in unity and to walk in the power and authority purchased for us by the blood of Jesus!

Until His return . . . keep your expectation sharp . . . and look up . . . for your (our) salvation is near!

Thursday, Luke 20

The Ultimate Question!

The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to drive the merchants out of the temple. But when Jesus asked them a question instead of answering theirs, they would not answer . . . their answer would have been a lose/lose situation . . . why didn’t they believe Jesus . . . or be stoned by the people who were convinced that Jesus was a prophet. (Vs. 5-6)

They wanted to arrest Jesus, so they tried a couple of other strategies . . .

flattery . . . “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You sincerely teach the ways of God. Now tell us . . . “

trickery . . . The Sadd-u-cees :-) did not believe the dead would be resurrected and yet they asked whose wife this woman would be “in the resurrection,” having been married to each of the 7 brothers!

Jesus answered their questions and then asked them the one question that really matters . . . about the Messiah’s identity, His identity. Again, they would not/could not answer. They knew the Messiah would come from David’s lineage, but they expected the Messiah to be a human ruler.

People in our sphere of influence will ask us questions like, if God is a good God, then why is there sickness or why are children starving or why whatever. Sometimes people want to debate or argue. Sometimes their question may stem from something that has happened in their life or is currently happening in their life. We need discernment and God’s wisdom to answer their questions simply without debate.

The ultimate question to ask is, “Who is Jesus?” All other questions are irrelevant until “Who is Jesus” is answered in an individual’s life.


Have a thankful Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, Luke 18

The part that stuck out the most to me was verses 9-14. The Pharisee stood to pray with himself and mentioned all the things he has been doing right. The tax collector, however, stood far off and could not even raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

Jesus said, this man went down to his house, justified rather than the other.

I heard a sermon on my ipod the other day and the preacher was saying that we will never be more righteous than we are right at this very moment! If we have put our trust and faith in Jesus, we are righteous because of HIM. Not because of anything we do!

This is so exciting. How easy it is to forget that it is Him who makes me righteous. It has not ever been, nor will ever be, about my actions or lack there of.

That is why the tax collector can stand there and be cleansed and justified... more than the one who sees himself as his source.

Last week I was running errands with Solo and we were downtown waiting for him. I sat at the curb in the car with my kids in the backseats. Two men came out of a building in front of us. One was working a pair of skinny jeans the way I can only dream about myself and the other had a purse on his arm that I was hoping for for Christmas. They were affectionate with each other and it was a scene that I thought is probably not often witnessed in Lincoln, Nebraska. It made me think about something with Judah (my 5-yr-old son) sitting in the back seat. I told him, "Judah, do you know that Jesus loves everyone?"

"Yes, of course" he said.

"Judah, did you know that Jesus loves bad guys?" (In 5-yr-old language, this was the best way I could think to describe the people he would think might be big bad sinners.)

"No. Jesus doesn't love those bad guys."

"Yes, Judah. He may not love what they are doing, but he created everyone and he wants even the bad guys to give their hearts to Him. They don't have to be good first. They only need to give their hearts to Jesus."

Funny how human nature puts sin in different boxes, I think. We unconsciously decide that certain sins are worse than others when Jesus just wants our hearts. He will take care of the rest. Because of Him and Him alone, we are righteous. If we judge people, we will get it wrong every time.

Monday, Luke 17

Verse 3 – “I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents forgive him.

Rebuke, in the Thesaurus, means to reprimand, reprove, censure, haul over the coals, scold, admonish, chide, give a talking to . . . pretty harsh, wouldn’t you say? Ouch! Been there, done that and sometimes still do. FLESH

Rebuke, in the footnote of my study bible . . . “To rebuke does not mean to point out every sin we see. It means to bring sin to a person’s attention with the purpose of restoring him or her to God and to fellow humans.” GRACE! GOD’S GRACE!

I believe 99.9% of the sin we see in another person’s life, we are to pray for them . . . that God, by His Holy Spirit, brings light and conviction in that area . . . and in our life, too.

The heart attitude must be checked before the mouth speaks. Ask, do I love that person? Am I willing to forgive? What is my motive for pointing out that sin in their life? If a rebuke is not tied to forgiveness and restoration, it will only destroy.


Verse 4 – Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”

How many times have I read this verse seeing it as applying to the "other person" . . . the person doing the wrong toward me? When, in fact, it also applies to me, the one doing the wrong? Reading verse 4 with that in mind will help me walk in grace toward others, as I want them to walk in grace toward me.

When I am complaining to myself about someone, believer or non-believer, God gently asks me, "Is that how you want Me to treat you?"

Grace . . . God’s Grace . . . my desire for myself and toward others.

Thursday, Luke 15

The younger son took his share of his inheritance and “wasted all his money on wild living” . . . he threw away every penny! Wild living is satisfying the flesh to the max. We think wild parties and prostitution, but it is when we totally leave God out.

Then a famine hit and he began to starve. Self survival kicked in . . . party time was over . . . and he found a job . . . feeding pigs! What kind of job is that for a son from a prominent, Jewish family? Pigs were “unclean” . . . unfit by law to be eaten, let alone touched. Even what the pigs were eating looked good to eat! Now that is HUNGRY! Have you ever fed pigs “slop” or even seen what “slop” looks like? I have. Even though it’s food scraps, it’s not a pretty sight!

This son had not a penny to his name and took a job that was degrading and humiliating. “No one gave him anything.” (vs. 16) He had to come to his senses, making the right choice to return to his father. I’m not advocating that we don’t help people in need. But when we do help those in need, we need to point them to God as their answer, as their source. Only God can fix us.

Can you picture God going to the window every day looking for us . . . checking the mail box to see if we have sent Him a postcard letting Him know where we are? God knows where we are and at what point in our situation we will turn to Him. He waits patiently for us to come to our senses . . . giving us opportunities to respond to Him. God loves us, but He will not force us to come to him. God’s not waiting to make us slop hogs. No, He is like the younger son’s father . . . waiting to celebrate our turning/returning to Him!

Tuesday, Luke 13

“Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.” (vs. 22) "went through” . . . “teaching as He went” . . . “always pressing on” . . .

Jesus had his GPS set for Jerusalem . . . to do the work the Father sent Him to do . . . to pay for our sin by death on the cross. He didn’t take the back roads to Jerusalem to avoid people in order to stay focused on the end goal. No, he went “through” the towns and villages . . . down Boeckner Avenue . . . down the aisles of Super Saver . . . teaching (and healing) as he went. Jesus touched as many lives as came to him, even with His own death on the horizon.

At one time (and still can be at times), it was really easy for me to take the back roads . . . avoid people. But then Jesus and the Holy Spirit entered my life and everything changed. I went from being a true introvert to an extroverted introvert!

“What is the kingdom of God like? . . . It’s like yeast. . . A small amount of yeast will permeate every part of the dough.” (vs. 18-21)

Have you ever softened yeast in a too small bowl? If so, you found that the bowl could not contain the yeast once it became active. It bubbled right over the rim of the bowl!

The kingdom of God . . . like yeast . . . am I trying to keep it contained or am I allowing the kingdom of God to spill out from inside of me? Am I yeast in my sphere of influence . . . my neighbors . . . at the grocery store . . . my family . . . at Lincoln City Church . . . wherever I am? If not, why not?

Luke 11

Squinty Eye.

hmm... is that what i am? Of all the Facebook "what's your ___ name quizzes," is Squinty Eye the resulting name that would pop up at the conclusion of my "Faith Name" quiz?

Luke 11:29-36 brought fresh realization to me. Jesus' conversation with the crowd in this account could just as well been happening on the street corner of Anywhere, USA -- perhaps in my very own living room! -- ... about looking for proof of God/His Word, of wanting their curiosity tickled, their "lust for miracles" satisfied.

I was convicted further by the 2 examples Jesus gave ...

The Ninevites believed God's words spoken through Jonah and then took action to change accordingly.

The Queen of Sheba traveled a tremendous distance to just hear the words of wisdom King Solomon spoke. No show, just words. (and i don't even have to go any further than my own prayer closet to hear wisdom that's even better)

But what really drove this point home to me was Jesus' words in vs. 33-36 ...

My eye is the lamp for my body, my life. If i keep it wide open "in wonder and belief," then light will flood my body.

If i'm squinty-eyed in "greed and distrust," my body becomes a "dark cellar... musty and murky."

So yes, even as a Christian, if i am walking my faith walk with squinty eyes, not fully trusting God's Word but wanting, instead, to see proof, to see miracles, to have my curiosity itch scratched, that's not life-giving.

It's dark and murky. Unclear direction.

The words God has spoken over my life, to my heart begin to die.

Kids at Christmastime sure have their eyes wide open in wonder. They don't know how those billion lights on the rooftop work, but they look awesome. Kids don't know how those presents made it under the tree, but they believe.

Eyes Wide Open.

There, that's what I want my name to be.

Thursday, Luke 10

Jesus sent out other disciples – ordinary people equipped with power and with Jesus’ vision to share the Kingdom of God with other people. They were sent out in pairs with these instructions.

1. Do not do the work without help but pray and ask for more workers (vs. 2)

A footnote in my bible says, “In Christian service, there is no unemployment! God has work enough for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch others work – look for ways to help with the harvest.” Each of us should be looking for ways to help, not waiting to be asked. AND those of us who are leaders (preaching to myself here!) should be praying for workers and when people ask how they can help, let them (preaching to myself again! ).


2. Do not hesitate to accept hospitality – stay in one place – eat and drink what was set before them (don’t be picky) – be thankful for the shelter provided (vs. 7-8)

Ministering in a different country will put this instruction to the test! The people in, what we call third world countries, are so very generous with the little that they have and give you the best, whether it is food or a place in their home. We are to receive it with thanksgiving and pray God’s blessing for them.


3. Heal the sick / share the gospel (vs. 9)

Attending to the natural needs of people – walking the talk, showing God’s love and compassion and provision -- opens doors to share Jesus. We tend to think that the little bit we have does not/will not make a difference. But the little bit we have is a lot to those who have nothing. AND, sharing Jesus and the Word of God is the goal.

Tues Nov 10th Reading Luke 8

Reading the Gospels for the second time this year has brought my faith to a different level.  Everyday miracles are something I am beginning to look for.  The more I read about life as Jesus walked on this earth, the more I realize that is how He wants us to live today......just as if He was walking right along beside us....every day.....looking for those miracles to believe for in the people we come into contact with. 
God really spoke to me in several places in this chapter but I want to challenge you with the first 3 verses.
These are the type of verses you would normally just read and then keep going to the 'good part' of the chapter.  BUT look at them in a different way.  The end of verse one and then into verses 2 and 3. 

"He took His twelve disciples with Him, ALONG WITH SOME WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN CURED OF EVIL SPIRITS AND DISEASES.  AMONG THEM WERE MARY MAGDALENE, FROM WHOM HE HAD CAST OUT SEVEN DEMONS; JOANNA, THE WIFE OF CHUZA, HEROD'S BUSINESS MANAGER; SUSANNA; AND MANY OTHERS WHO WERE CONTRIBUTING THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO SUPPORT JESUS, AND HIS DISCIPLES"

Wow......I know I would have been among the 'several other women' going along with Jesus and His Disciples.  They must have been women with 'means' in order to help support these ministers of the Gospel.
One was even the wife of one of the 'Big Shots' in Government! 
We are all so needed for the Gospel to be spread in our own world.  Each one of you have a place....somewhere to stand and 'be' and change your world!!!  Bring Jesus into your world.  Believe for those miracles for your family and neighbors.  Facilitate Jesus all around you!!!!
Keep reading....I know God has spoken to you too as you read these verses.  Comment and let me know!

Luke 4 -- Wed., November 4

I have 1 minute left before Wednesday is official over! So here goes . . .

We are all familiar with the account of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil. Jesus didn’t go into the wilderness empty handed. He was armed with the Holy Spirit! And, the Holy Spirit was leading, not following! If we will follow the Holy Spirit, He will show us the way through the test, temptation, or trial.

When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus in the wilderness, he “left him until the next opportunity.” There’s always a “next opportunity.” 1 Peter 5:8-9a reads, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks (plural) from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be strong in your faith.”

A lion looks for, singles out, and then attacks an animal that is sick, weak, alone, or on the fringes.

Let us not be weak . . . but strong in the Lord and His Word and in prayer!

Let us not be alone or on the fringe . . . but tight with each other, especially when we are going through a test, temptation, or trial!