Thought for the Day – December 1, 2009

Text: Matthew 13:1-9
1 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”  NLT

The Parable of the Sower is key to understanding the gospels, the ministry of Jesus, and the Kingdom of God.  There are several important thoughts in this text, so I want to spread them out in the next few days.  Today, I want to focus on the sower.

The sower is indiscriminate in casting the seed.  He throws it everywhere – the pathway, the shallow soil, the weeds, and finally, some good ground.  After spending 8 years in Kansas observing how farmers sowed the seed, I cannot imagine any of them being so careless.  They spent time preparing the ground.  This could take two or three passes with plows and discs.  Most often, fertilizer was needed to enrich the soil.  Then, when they planted the seed, a drill was used to ensure proper depth and distance of the seeds.  Pride was taken to plant rows very precisely.  After all, farmers would drive around and compare crops!  Once the seed sprouted, cultivation began to reduce weeds.  All the preparation and work was done to anticipate a bountiful harvest.

What do we learn about the sower besides being a terrible farmer?  He cast the seed as if he did not know where it would fall.  He did not judge the soils, he only cast the seed.  So, here is the application.  We are called to cast the seed of the gospel indiscriminately.  Do you ever pre-judge someone concluding he/she would never listen, not be interested, too deep into addiction, or whatever?  Or, if the person receives the seed, he/she would be too much of “project?”  Have you been disillusioned by those who were shallow or allowed the things of this world to choke out the gospel?  Continuing to cast seed when previous attempts led only to little or nothing of a harvest is discouraging.  We are called to cast the seed anyway.  You will find good soil, and when you experience harvest, there are few things in this world that compare.

Thought for the Day – Cast the seed of the gospel indiscriminately everywhere you go and trust God for the harvest.

Thought for the Day – November 30, 2009

Text: Matthew 12:43-45
43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”  NKJV

The context of these verses is repentance.  Some teachers of the Law asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority.  Jesus was not about to amuse them like a magician.  He had previously performed many miracles.  Those questioning His authority were experts in the Law.  Their lives were consumed with “right” living.  And yet, the harshest words from the lips of Jesus are directed to them.  Their righteousness was all about the external appearances.  Jesus called them whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside but full of death on the inside.

The point of the above text is that we can confess and clean up our lives for a time.  Unless we fill the new void with the Spirit of God, we simply create empty space.  We cannot maintain a new life with God without the Spirit of God guiding us.  Do you know people who make a change, short-term, then end up worse than before?  Lose the weight, then gain more back.  Stop drinking, only to end up drinking more than before?  The list is long and sad.  Repentance is more than trying to stop a bad behavior with will power.  Repentance is all about walking with God.  We no longer walk in our own power – for that is doomed to failure.  If you want to live in the fullness of the Spirit of God your house must be full with Him.  That is what Jesus meant to abide with Him.

Thought for the Day – Fill your house with the Spirit of God and experience the abundant life of following Jesus.

Thought of the Day – November 29, 2009

Text: Matthew 12:35-37
35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”  NLT

Words.  Words will either condemn you or acquit you.  Scary thought being accountable for EVERY SINGLE word you utter.  Words reveal the heart.  Jesus said it is not what you eat that defiles you, it is what comes from your mouth, and your mouth reflects the heart.

I don’t know about you, but the thought of accountability for every single word that comes from my mouth for a lifetime is frightening.  I have blown it more than once.   There are the obvious times – when words come out you wish could be retrieved.  They are like nails driven into wood.  You can retract them, but the damage remains.  Then, there are the more subtle words; the innuendo, the sarcasm,  the body language that speaks louder than the words (rolling eyes always does the trick).  Negative talk.  This can be the most powerful and least considered.  When you continue to speak negatively about someone, Jesus said we are in danger of hell itself.  With the tongue we have the power to bless or curse.

I recently read a book about barriers that keep people from advancing to the next level.  The power of speech was a vital part of the barriers that hinder people.  The author would challenge clients to go 30 minutes without uttering a negative word.  If they did, they would owe him $20.  He often collected $60 within ten minutes.  We are not aware of nature and impact of our speech.  We do not steward our words.  Unfortunately, our families can be the brunt of the negativity, and even toxic speech.  Fortunately, we can change.  Jesus transforms our hearts and words.  He touches our lips and cleanses them.  He forgives when we confess.

Thought for the Day – May the words from your lips reflect a treasury of good in your heart deposited by the Holy Spirit.

Thought for the Day – November 27, 2009

Text: Matthew 12:28-29
28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.  NKJV

The religious leaders were challenging the miracles of Jesus.  “He casts out demons by the power of Satan,” they exclaimed.  Jesus rebuts their logic.  It would make no sense for Satan to cast out demons – it divides the forces and makes them weaker.  However, if Jesus is casting out demons by the Spirit of God, the Kingdom of God has come.

How does the Kingdom of God relate to us today?  Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom.  Jesus changed everything.  No more sacrificial system of animals.  Righteousness came through faith in Him, no longer striving for a perfection that could not be met.  The Spirit of God would change us from the inside out, not the outside in.  We would live by covenant faith, not contract faith.

The Kingdom of God exists wherever people exalt Him as King.  If Jesus is your King, then every place you tread brings the Kingdom.  Paul said, you become the fragrance of Christ.  For some, it is the sweet smell of new life, for others, the stench of death.  John said, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  With the Spirit of God, YOU become the strong man that can bind anything else.  And where two or three are gathered, whatever they ask may be bound or broken in heaven.  You can live in confidence and faith – the Kingdom is here!

Thought for the Day – if you exalt Jesus as King, every step you make brings the Kingdom to others.

Thought for the Day – November 26, 2009

Text: Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;  NKJV

As Paul writes to his brothers and sisters in Philippi, so am I thankful for each of you.  I pray for you often.  I am thankful for the privilege.  There is a special group of people who receive more of my prayers.  They have suffered the loss of a loved one in recent years.  Here are some of their first names.  There are more:
John
Patti
Cindy
Diana
Angela
Jan
Karen
Doug
Greg
Marv
Gerrie
Vicki
Doris
Grace
Becky
Megan

There is another group of special people I pray for on a continual basis.  They are all battling cancer or other serious disease/illness:
Gwyn
Kate
MC
Marietta
Donna
Bob
Allie
Philip
Dick

Medline and St. Vincent’s Hospital of Portland produced a video for breast cancer.  The link is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

God has begun a good work in each of you.  He is not finished.  There is more to do, more to grow, more to experience, more to love.  The Holy Spirit is up to one thing in your life – to complete you in the image of Jesus.

Thought for the Day – You are God’s workmanship being completed for His glory. I am so thankful for you.

Thought for the Day – November 25, 2009

Text: Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  NKJV

Are you heavy laden?  Are the burdens you carry ready to crush you?  I know many people feeling overwhelmed these days.  They carry a burden for their children.  They are weighed down with finances.  They are discouraged searching for work.  They are paralyzed how to move forward in business.  They are battling cancer or other life threatening diseases.  Their marriages are crumbling.  Pastors are burned out by the very ministry that should bring life. People are stressed out, over worked, under paid, crushed by debt, and discouraged by the future.

Jesus said, “Come to Me.  I will give you rest.”  If we are to find rest in Jesus, we must first come to Him.  Seems simple, yet many of us resist.  Others label us weak and dependent if we lean upon Jesus.  The invitation is open to all.  “Come and find rest.”  When we come, Jesus instructs us to take His yoke upon us.  A yoke makes us walk in step with Him, not ahead or behind.  We abide with Him.  His Spirit lives in our souls.  And when His Spirit enters our souls, He calms the waters.  He creates an eye in the midst of the storm, a place of peace.  Jesus teaches us how to dance in the rain rather than worry about the flood.  He instructs us how carry one another’s burden, and thus fulfill His law for us.

Thought for the Day – Find rest for you soul in the yoke of Jesus.  If you are carrying a burden, allow Jesus and His followers to help share the load.

Thought for the Day – November 23, 2009

Text: Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.  NIV

There are several thoughts about interpretation of this statement by Jesus.  Some interpret it as a movement began by John the Baptist, others believe it refers to the expectations of a political and military Messiah that will overthrow the government, and still others interpret the statement as the need of faith and courage to move forward in the kingdom because there are forces that oppose it.  I am in the last camp.

Jesus had no political or military ambitions.  He made that abundantly clear to His disciples repeatedly.  He did speak often of the Kingdom.  And in the context of this statement, about opposition to the Kingdom.  Somehow people believe the Christian life is one of blue skies and calm seas.  As Americans, we suffer little if at all for the gospel.  The concept of suffering to advance the kingdom is foreign.  People hold on to their time, strengths, money, children and possessions.  If we are too busy clutching the things of this world, we will never embrace the things of the next.

Our country is dealing with critical concerns.  We desperately need the touch of God.   I see some momentary flashes of repentance and renewal.  Small gains in the kingdom.  However, as a whole, our nation is quickly slipping away from a Christian heritage.  It will require humble and contrite people of repentance and transformation.  It will require faith and courage.  Forceful people, people of strength and vision, will lay hold to the City of God.  The revolution is not by military might or political reformation.  The revolution will come one soul at a time, washed by grace, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Thought for the Day – are you willing to lay hold of the kingdom?

Thought for the Day – November 21, 2009

Text: Matthew 11:2-6
2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”  NIV

The new wine of the New Covenant was more than John the Baptist could contain.  Keep in mind John was the cousin of Jesus.  John leaped in the womb of Elizabeth, his mother, when she greeted Mary, the mother of Jesus.  John had prepared the way for Jesus.  John baptized Jesus.  John was now in prison.  He had a great deal of time to consider the reports streaming to him about the activities and preaching of Jesus.  He wondered.  Jesus called a tax collector as a disciple, then ate at his house with all those “sinners.”  His disciples did not fast.  Jesus would heal on the Sabbath.  Jesus was not fitting into John’s image of the Messiah.  So John wondered, “Is Jesus the One?”  He sent disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are you the One or should we seek another?”

Jesus simply responded by reciting His words and deeds . . . the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead raised, lepers cured, the Good News preached to the poor.  And then Jesus adds, “Blessed are those who do not turn away because of me.”  God blesses those who embrace the new wine.  Jesus did not fit the image or expectations of the Messiah.  He spoke of a kingdom, freedom, and transformation.  Most wanted liberation from Rome and political independence.  Jesus was a stumbling block, the Cornerstone of an entirely new Kingdom.  John could not recognize it.  The building looked unfamiliar.

People still struggle today recognizing Jesus.  He continues to pour new wine into new skins.  His disciples do His work . . . the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear.  The Good News is preached to the poor.  When we truly become the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus, people are blown away.  After painting the house for a single mom, she still cannot believe it.  Her perception of Christians is being altered.  She has never experienced such love in her life.  The people who can most struggle to recognize Jesus are those who spent a lifetime embracing a certain image of Him.  Jesus does not fit any image, box, or convention.  The new wine is still being poured.  Blessed are those who do not turn away because of Him.

Thought for the Day – How does Jesus challenge and change your image of Him?

Thought for the Day – November 20, 2009

Text: Matthew 10:37-49
37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  NIV

These are strong words from Jesus.  Lordship means LORD.  Jesus is the LORD of our lives, period.  Nothing comes between HIm and you.  Not a husband or a wife, not a father or a mother, not a son or a daughter.  When we lose our life to Christ, we find it.  We become a better husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter.  Jim Elliot, the missionary martyr, once said, “He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

We can lose everything in this world.  We can lose our health, wealth, family, friends, possessions, status, and position.  We can never lose Jesus.  Impossible.  We will have Him for all eternity.  We gain so much more than we can ever lose.

Are you ready to lose everything?  Are you ready to take up the cross of follow Jesus.  The cross is an instrument of death.  The cross is intended to crush selfishness, impure motives, and materialism, to name a few.  What emerges is a new self in the image of God, serving and loving others, reflecting the character and nature of Jesus.  The process is daily.  The process can be brutal to self.  It should be.  You need to die that Jesus can live.

Thought for the Day – Are you ready to lose what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose?

Thought for the Day – November 18, 2009

Text: Matthew 10:11-14
11 “Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.  NIV

Jesus told the disciples to seek a person of peace.  How do you find a person of peace?  First, the person is “worthy.”  The person is worthy because of basic character.  Don’t confuse base character with a profession or a situation.  Rahab was a prostitute, but a worthy person.  Matthew was a tax collector – no love lost for these guys.  Yet, Jesus called him because he was worthy.  Which leads to a major second trait – a worthy person is coachable.  The person is a willing and eager student.  The righteous had no need for Jesus.  Matthew was desperate for Him.  Not only is a person of peace worthy, he/she is welcoming.  You are made to feel at home.  Mi casa, su casa.  People of peace attract those of peace.  Jesus said let your peace rest on the home.  You cannot offer peace you do not have.  If you want to find people of peace, you must be a person of peace.  How else can you pass along a blessing of peace?

The person of peace is a key, the “connector” within a community or subculture.  That person will introduce you to others.  His or her friends and family feel comfortable attending a Bible study or seekers group if the person of peace hosts it.  This is a major focus to begin a House Church, discovering a person of peace within a neighborhood, circle of relationships, or subculture.

Jesus said if you do not find a person of peace, move on.  You can spend a great deal of time trying to convince people of something they are not ready to receive.  Simply move on to those who are ready.  I would appreciate your prayers in discovering people of peace.

Thought for the Day – Do you have peace within yourself that you can pass on to others?