“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13 NKJV)

April 13, 2015

Many have started out loving God, but when resulting blessings come, switch allegiance. Rare is the rich man who holds wealth with an open hand, serving God with it. However, one doesn’t have to be rich to love money. The poor man can struggle as severely with the covetous love for the riches he does not have, as the rich man struggles with his unquenchable desire for more. Serving mammon never satisfies. “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). Yet, those who serve and love God are fully satisfied. Who have you chosen to serve: God or mammon?

“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 NKJV)

April 12, 2015

Luke 15 has three “lost” parables in a row: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The verse above is from the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed. Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the “ninety-nine” members happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church should be to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.

“Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” (Psalm 80:3 NKJV)

April 11, 2015

This is the repetitive chorus of Psalm 80, perhaps written after the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon (“broken down hedges” – v.12). The psalm is a prayer to God, begging Him to “restore us” to Him. They recognized their inability to restore themselves. They needed God to restore them, to bring them out of captivity and return them to Himself. This is a powerful prayer: God restore us. God show mercy on us. God save us. And He did answer their prayer, especially the part found in verse 17 about the “son of Man.” This points to the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, who is the fulfillment of their prayer for restoration and salvation.

“And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21 NKJV)

April 10, 2015

Rahab, the Jericho harlot, hid the Israelite spies whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter the city. After making an amazing confession of faith in the Lord, she made a deal with the spies that she would hide them in return for protecting her family when the Lord gave the city over to Israel. The spies agreed. They told her to hang a “scarlet cord in the window” of her house to identify it and to keep everyone inside the house, otherwise they would not be responsible for them.
The “scarlet cord” reminds me of the blood of the lamb that was applied to the doors of the Israelites’ homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death would pass over them. It also reminds me of the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, which was shed, so that those who trust in Him might live.
Rahab’s family was spared when Israel destroyed Jericho. Those inside the house with the “scarlet cord in the window” were saved. Rahab and her family became part of God’s people. So that, even Rahab was listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Matt. 1:5).
Do you have a “scarlet cord” hanging from your window?

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV)

April 9, 2015

Are your words a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do they need something more to worry about? Or do they need a “good word” that lifts them up? Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what do they expect? Does anxiety grow in them, anticipating criticism or trouble? Or do they lean towards you, hungry for the blessing of your words? Of course, the best word is God’s Word. Fill your heart and mind with His Word and you’ll find that it flows from your tongue when needed to bless others.

“For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess” (Deuteronomy 32:47 NKJV)

April 8, 2015

Moses reminded the Israelites that the Word of God was real sustenance. He told them to never think it a “futile thing” to study and follow it, but to treat the Word as life itself. For as Moses and later Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3: Matt.4:4). Believer, never think it a “futile thing” (“empty, useless”) to feed on God’s Word. For it is spiritual “life” to sustain you.

“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8-9 NKJV)

April 7, 2015

The gospel moves us from a religious response to a relational one. The question it asks is not ‘have you been a good person,’ but ‘have you acknowledged Jesus as the Christ?’ This acknowledgement is not only internal, but external, causing us to confess Christ as Lord and Savior before men. How we decide to treat Jesus on earth affects His response to us in eternity.

“…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV)

April 6, 2015

Moses reminded the Israelites as they stood on the border of the Promised Land of the importance of choice. Would they choose life or death? The Lord had given Moses instructions and he had faithfully delivered them to his people. What would they choose? Today, what will you choose: life or death? For life is in Christ Jesus for all those who have chosen to trust in His Name.

“For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation” (Luke11:39 NKJV)

April 5, 2015

As Jonah was in the belly of the fish for 3 days, so Jesus would be in the tomb 3 days before rising again. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and prediction concerning His life, death and resurrection. The only “sign” that Jesus offered those who questioned His authority was the “sign” of Jonah. And it is the fulfillment of this “sign” that we celebrate on this Easter Sunday! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 NKJV)

April 4, 2015

Martha was working hard in the kitchen while her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus listening. Martha was hurt, feeling that Jesus didn’t care that her sister had left her serving alone. But Jesus approved of Mary’s choice to rest in Him and to enjoy His presence without working. He instructed Martha that resting in Him was the “good part,” the “one thing” needed.
Today is the 7th day of Passion Week, the day we remember Christ’s crucified body lying in the tomb. Just as God finished His creation by making man on the 6th day and rested on the 7th, so Christ redeemed mankind on the 6th day and on the 7th day, rested.
What are you “worried and troubled about” today? Rest in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who has defeated sin, death and the grave. Rest in Him, for He has already done what is needed to save us.