NEXT 99 Days

Revelation 20-22

2010-05-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

We’ve come to the end. Not the end of His story, but the end of His Book.

John attempts to describe the incredible sights before him of what eternity will be like. I can only imagine how poor he found his command of language to paint an adequate picture of God and His Son in glory.

Ever felt truly welcome? You moved to a new place, went to work or school or church for the first time, and someone there took an interest in you, showed you around, remembered your name, introduced you to others.
Your apprehension eased as you became more comfortable, seeing yourself working/learning/worshipping here, believing you really could make some new friends and fit in here after all.

I believe John portrays heaven as a welcoming place – for some. For those washed in the blood of the Lamb it is a place of great diversity, where all are loved, all are valued, all are welcomed. A place where our fears and anxieties melt away. Where pain, suffering, sorrow, heartache, disappointment, and grief are unknown. Where God will personally wipe away every tear of hurt. Where the fear of death can’t touch us. Where there are endless possibilities of enjoying and serving and worshipping God face-to-face in community.

For those who don’t submit their lives to the reign of the King, well, it’s a different ending.

No wonder those who longed for Christ’s return, who suffered for His name, who were ridiculed, beaten, cheated, abused, mistreated, persecuted, and martyred cried out “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:10, ESV). They still eagerly anticipate the overthrow of the enemy and the victory of the King.

The Spirit and the Bride say “Come” (Marana tha in Aramaic). John said “Come”. Let the one who hears these words say “Come”. All the earth groans and longs for His return.

Do you?

Lee Thrasher
May 24

Revelation 18-19

2010-05-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

What shines for you? I mean, what really shines? I am talking about the kind of shiny that makes you draw in your breath and distracts you. We all have shiny things. For some it may be golf clubs or sporting events; for others it may handbags, travel, or – dare I say it – shoes!

I am certainly not a scholar of John’s revelation, but chapter 18 does mention a lot a shiny objects. It seems that Babylon was a city that dazzled everyone with her treasures. Her cargos of gold, silver, jewels, silks, marble, and spices still manage to get our attention today. We might add fancy cars and technical gadgets to a modern list, but much of it would remain the same. Alarmingly, the mighty angel does not have good things to say about Babylon’s destiny.

All of Babylon’s neon pales in comparison when the next chapter proclaims the wedding feast of the Lamb. Heaven is opened and John sees the white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. The contrast of these images reminds me that I need to guard the deepest caverns of my heart for the things that are eternally dazzling. I am thankful for the many joys, comforts and beauty that the Father has so graciously provided, but I don’t want to let the roots of those things grow too deep.

I want to set my hope on the day when Jesus will return for His church. The glorious hope of this fills my soul with joy and longing. Soaring moments of worship and quiet whispers of meditation on the Word lead me into those places that God wants me to reserve only for Him. I pray that we will be a church that rejoices in our blessings while we remind each other of the feast that is to come.

Kathleen Tatro
May 23

Revelation 15-17

2010-05-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

Let me just confess right at the beginning that Revelation is a book I’m pretty shy about. As a young believer, I was taught that it really didn’t matter what was figurative or literal in Revelation. What mattered was that I was walking with God whenever and however He decided to end things with me OR the earth. I realized not too long ago that I had taken that same approach to my entire walk with God. Life was not mine to seize and enjoy, but to endure until my demise or His return. And I better have it all together when that time came! Whew…..what a load to bear! Then I read that Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. This did not describe the yoke and burden I had taken upon myself. My yoke kept waiting for the other foot to fall – ON ME! It left me praying for Him to return quickly, not because I was anxious to see Him, but because I wanted to be done with this life before I could mess it up anymore! Ouch, it hurts to put that down in words!

Thankfully, God did not leave me burdened and ready to just get this life over! He taught me that the abundant life began when I accepted Him. He doesn’t want me to “grin and bear it” here, He wants me to fully enjoy every aspect of my life with Him! I’m not saying this life still doesn’t get me down sometimes and I still don’t know about the seven angels with seven plagues and seven bowls and the woman on the beast, it’s all a complete mystery to me! But this I know: the focus shifted. I LIVE OUT LOUD for my Lord now, with gusto and joy and love! It’s a fabulous life and I intend to enjoy every minute I have left to His glory!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still just as ready for the Lord to bring me fully into His radiant beauty, but in His timing. I read a quote by Erma Bombeck that has become a favorite: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".” I want to use every bit of me to bring Him glory.

Julie Hallman
May 22

Revelation 12-14

2010-05-20T22:00:00.000-04:00

Brethren, God is awesome. He shows us once more in the book of Revelation how Satan, the dragon or whatever name he has, will try to defy Him and deceive us; but again and again the good news are the defeat of Satan through our Lord Jesus Christ prevail. "The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray" Revelation 12:9 and "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accusers of our brothers, who accuses them day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them! Revelation 12:10-12

God continues in the book of Revelation to give us words of encouragement and protection. "Then I looked and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion and with him 144,000, who had his name and his Father's name on their forehands." Revelation 14:1 and continues in verse 4, " They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless". Praise God. He has reserved an special seat for those who follow and obey Him. He has made us blameless, not because of our actions, but because of His grace. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
Brethren, let us strive for the hope we have in Him to be in heaven for eternity. During the short time we spend on this earth let us not be hearers but passionately let us be doers. Let us humbly accept the word that has been planted in our hearts to be a testimony of love and with certainty we'll be saved as He has announced that we will be with Him forever. Praise God for giving us Christ Jesus!

Armando Perdomo
May 21

Revelation 7-11

2010-05-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, let me give this my best shot.

When God begins to reign it’s gonna be really scary, especially for people who have not revered Him.

I think that sums it up.

Oh, wait!

God is it! He is the King! His name is worthy of all our worship now and in the ages to come.

These chapters raise all sorts of questions for me. I wonder why I’m not more motivated to share my faith in light of God’s awesome power which will be displayed at the time of judgement and fulfillment of the kingdom. And why is this so crazy? Is it crazy? Maybe I’m just limited by what I see day to day.

As I read this I’m convicted again about the passion of my heart. God has put it all on the line for me, for us. I want to be more passionate for Him. What I can’y get past is how over and over those who know God are moved to worship. They are turned away by God’s awesome power on display. The followers of God are inspired to honor Him with their bodies and with their mouths.

As you see God on display in your life and in the community around may you be moved to worship. And when the church gathers to celebrate what has done and what God is doing may you inspire others to worship.

Nathan Tillotson
May 20

Revelation 4-6

2010-05-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

OK, so be honest. Is anyone else out there just a little weirded out by the creatures with all the eyeballs?! I mean-I know that everything God made is beautiful, but I guess you just had to be there to see them in person! Human words trying to describe heavenly events. Isn’t that really the biggest problem with the entire book of Revelation? John with his human intellect and words trying to explain this amazing vision of something that “the created” obviously have no words to describe. Think about it. More angels than the stars in the sky singing “worthy is the Lamb.” Scrolls and horses and earthquakes and elders and the Lamb. It’s Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Avatar rolled together with one BIG twist. Those flying, eyeball creature never stop worshiping day and night saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” It’s all about GOD. The focus never shifts. “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Jim Bales
May 19

Revelation 2-3

2010-05-17T22:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Lord,
We are so broken, human, and incomplete. We confess we are selfish, incapable and so small-minded and yet we are your church -- your bride, your masterpiece, your embodiment. We are so undeserving of that title…of that role. Why have you trusted us in all of our messiness to make your name known throughout the world? Why have you given us the opportunity to be your people, knowing that we would mess it up?
God, forgive us when we misrepresent you. Forgive us when we distort your word. Forgive our judgmental hearts. Forgive us when we undo what you did on the cross. Forgive us when we don’t let you be you. Forgive us when we try to fit you into neat, easily understood boxes as you sit and wait patiently for us to realize that you are the God who created our boxed-up minds and weary hearts.
God, may we be a church that listens to you. May we confess our sinful hearts to you. Lord, tear down the pride and conceit that lives in us -- that plagues our minds, and replace it with faithfulness and fervor for you. Lord, change us from the inside out. Transform us. Convict us with your Spirit and teach us to be yours alone. Make it our hearts desire to please you and bring you glory.
Father, make us into a passionate body of Christians. Take our indifferent hearts and breathe your life, your Spirit into them. Convict us when we settle for half way and uninspired and remind us that you are the God that brings life to the DEAD. Make your power known among us. Interrupt stale lives and uninterested minds. Lord, sanctify us and draw us near to your heart. Give us patience and stamina to endure our trials. Bring us your joy in the midst of our struggles. May your hope prevail over our worry.
We are in awe of your relentless commitment to our wandering hearts, God. You give us purpose and forgiveness day after day though we are undeserving. We are sinners. We are your church.
Awaken our ears that we may hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Jenna Thomas
May 18

II John - III John - Jude - Revelation

2010-05-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

If I had to pick a gospel that I prefer, it would have to be the gospel of John. I love how John focuses on the motivation behind things. That motivation is always the four lettered word LOVE.

In his gospel, John quotes Jesus in red letters when he says John 14:15 NIV, "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

It has been said that commandments given by God serve two purposes: to provide and to protect us. It is similar to a fence that holds cattle. When the cattle stay within the parameters of the fence, the cattle can be kept safe (protected) and fed (provided for). Life can exist outside of the fence, but it is risky. Cattle could be exposed to wild animals and not have the shelter of the barn.

In 2 John 1:4-6 NIV, he writes:
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. {5} And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. {6} And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

We have all heard about cattle that end up outside of the pin by eating a tuft of grace here and a tuft of grass there and then a tuft of grass that is beside a hole in the fence which leads to a tuft of grass that is outside the fence.

So how do you stay within the fence where God can provide and protect you? Or how do you obey the commands. It all goes back to John’s motivator – LOVE.

Got LOVE? Need more LOVE? Read on and pray for more LOVE as you ask God what is NEXT for you.

Brad Childers
May 17

I John 3-5

2010-05-15T22:00:00.000-04:00

Dear one… Stop it!

Ok. Everybody knows who the most loved apostle was: John. He’s the writer of love. He stalks about love more in his 3 little letters than all of Paul’s epistles. So I’m reading through the love letter that is I John and its keeps hitting me: This guy has a subject he’s not really all that loving about. He comes back to it again and again. In the middle of all these mushy labels like Dear ones, My little children, and Beloved, John wacks the reader up side the head with a simple command:

Stop it!

I’ll give you three guesses about what he wants us to stop… and the first two don’t count.

Sin.

John is really focused on getting you and me to face the fact that sin is a serious problem we need to address. Over and over he says “You must not sin.” Look at all of these challenges he packs into just 4 verses! (3:6-10)

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.
No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
He who does what is sinful is of the devil…
No one who is born of God will continue to sin…
Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God…

This guy is serious and passionate about this. Now, you need to know he has already said it’s impossible to completely quit sinning. He explained in the first chapter of his letter that anyone who claims to be sinless is nuts or a liar.

But don’t let that take you off the hook. John thinks we need to set our sights on living without sin… even if we can’t fully do it. We ought to think of sin as an affront to God, a slap in Christ’s face, as spitting on the Holy Spirit.

Sin is a big deal! Even with the grace and love of God surrounding us, John brings it down with the big hammer:

STOP IT! JUST STOP SINNING!

So, there’s your challenge for the day… straight from the most loving of all the apostles!

Jeff Walling
May 16

II Peter 3 - I John 2

2010-05-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

When God determined to destroy the world in the days of Noah, Noah was commanded to build an ark. It took him 120 years and during that time he tried to convince people to turn from wicked ways and serve the only true God. The people laughed, ridiculed and made fun of him for years. They had never seen rain and storms because the world was watered differently than it is today. What seemed like forever in man's eyes was less than a day to God. 120 years to Noah probably crept slowly before seeing God's hand actually bring destruction of the existing world. In 2 Peter 3, Peter compares Jesus' Second Coming to the 1st time God destroyed the world, except this time it would be through fire. Its been 2000 years since the 1st coming of our Lord and we beg for the 2nd coming to happen soon. Sometimes it just seems so far away, doesn't it? But we all need to be reminded that it is a one-time event. Once it happens, all things will be changed and judgment will take place for those who do not know Jesus and we all will stand before Him to answer for the things we have done- good and bad. This is why Peter urges us to be holy and blameless before Him during the brief time we are on this Earth.

Let us deliberately remember the past and eagerly look to the future to help us live godly and holy lives in the present.

2 Peter 3:10-14
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Jack Exum
May 15

I Peter 4 - II Peter 2

2010-05-13T22:00:00.000-04:00

Second Chances

Peter knew a lot about second chances.

Each time Peter put his foot in his mouth during Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus would correct him (sometimes gently, sometimes harshly), but He never kicked Peter out of the inner circle.

Even when Peter denied Him three times, and He looked at Peter, He still loved him.

And when Jesus reinstated Peter and commissioned him to be the chief spokesperson of the church in its early days, Jesus called Peter to love Him and serve Him faithfully.

By the time Peter writes these letters, he is a different man than the hot-headed, ready-fire-aim, rough disciple we read about in the gospels. Korey did such a great job portraying Peter in his old age, talking with His Lord, and remembering how His grace had changed him forever.

And at the very end of his first letter, we learn Peter extended that same mercy and grace to Mark, also called John Mark elsewhere in the New Testament. Peter calls him his son, who is apparently by his side as he preaches and serves each day.

This is the same John Mark that Paul wrote off after he balked at facing the difficult trials Paul and Barnabas experienced on the road sharing the gospel (Acts 15:36-40). But Barnabas still believed in him, saw his potential, and took Mark with him to continue to preach and minister when he split from Paul. And, apparently, Mark served so well that Paul changed his mind about him, and wanted to again work side by side with him
(2 Tim 4:11).

This is the same Mark at whose house a group of disciples gathered to pray for the release of Peter from prison (Acts 12:12).

And it’s the same Mark, Peter’s spiritual son, who wrote the gospel, presumably coached by Peter.

Barnabas, the “son of encouragement”, and Peter, both took Mark under their wing and invested their time, energy, and wisdom in him. And he went from a scared little kid (Mark is the only one who records the story of the young man who fled the scene of Jesus’ arrest; Mark 14:51-52; not a particularly flattering account!) to the right-hand man, indispensable to the two greatest founders of the church after Jesus Himself.

Who invested in you, took you under their wing, to help you become who you are today? Have you thanked them?

Who are you investing in? God just might use you to shape the life of a mighty, though unlikely, warrior for the Kingdom.

Lee Thrasher
May 14

Peter 1-3

2010-05-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

For me, holiness has always conjured up visions of wise souls whose actions are filled with kindness. I picture a holy life as one that is lived in either constant, sacrificial service to the needy, or as an isolated life of contemplation. Holiness seems to be more than “set apart.” It often seems lofty and unattainable.

This is not the picture that Peter paints in his letter, however. Peter’s brand of holiness is an everyday, get-your-hands-dirty-and-get-on-with-it, kind of holy. I guess that’s not too surprising since God used a fisherman to preach about being holy.

Peter describes holiness using strong action words. He urges us to prepare our minds for action, to be self-controlled and to set our hope on grace. Peter is adamant that we live as obedient children by not conforming to the evil desires that used to control us. He wants us to focus on this simple equation:

Jesus called you + Jesus is holy = Be holy

Even I can understand that kind of math. I also love the promise that is imbedded in it. Jesus is holy. Jesus lives in my heart. So, I can rely on His holiness to flow into every area of my life. Maybe today it will be enough for me to ask Him to remove any “holiness barriers” that are lodged in my heart. What about you?

Kathleen Tatro
May 13

James 2-5

2010-05-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

I am once again amazed at God’s providence. James is one of my very favorite books of the Bible. In Hebrews 5, the writer admonishes us to move on in our maturity from spiritual “milk” to “meat”. That’s the theme I see in James: Maturity! Every verse is significant in its challenge to get us to live the faithful, righteous life. Written by (believed by most scholars) the brother of Jesus, James did not always believe in his older brother (see John 7) but it is evident he was listening! James makes many allusions to the Sermon on the Mount. His former Jewish legalism stands out: He uses over 50 imperatives (commands) in these 5 short chapters. James makes a clear distinction between a trial and a temptation, listening and doing, faith and deeds, judgment and mercy, worldly wisdom and wisdom from God; I could go on, there is so much MEAT! He repeatedly admonishes us to WALK the talk, and WATCH the talk (many references to keeping our words in check)! He challenges our motives, our pride, and our prayer lives! James is not a book for the one who wants to stay in comfort! It is a book for the one who wants to move on to the maturity God has waiting for us. There are many, many “NEXTS” in the book of James. As you read today, ask God “What’s next for me in these words from YOU, written by the brother of my Lord?” What do I need to leave behind and move toward? “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 2:22)

Julie Hallman
May 12

Hebrews 12 - James 1

2010-05-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

Brethren, God is awesome. He has given us His own Spirit to the ones who really believe in Him and love Him. In our struggles against sin, we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood, as quoted in Hebrews 12:4. We forget the word of encouragement that addresses us as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" Hebrews12 5. God wants us to be like Him and he will give us the strength and wisdom to overcome temptation. On our side we need to humble ourselves and accept his sovereignty. It is all about Him and not us. God disciplines us for our own good that we may share in His holiness. Our submission to God and His ways must be complete if we want to be really blessed. "See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks" Hebrews 12:25

We tend to believe that God tempts us. No, as it is written: "For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." James 1:13-14. We are all short of the glory of God and only though Him we can endure hardships. When we face trials, we might be in pain, but God tells us to be in joy whenever we face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of our faith will develop perseverance. Brethren, let us strive for the hope we have in Him to be in heaven for eternity. What difference would it make to be in a permanent trial on this world if we know that we will be with Him forever? Our Lord gives us hope and ways to overcome trials by trusting and obeying Him. Praise our Lord!

During the short time we spend on this earth let us not be hearers but passionately let us be doers. Let us humbly accept the word that has been planted in our hearts to be a testimony of love and with certainty we'll be saved. Praise God for giving us the Spirit of power in Christ Jesus!

Armando Perdomo
May 11

Hebrews 10-11

2010-05-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

Faith is trusting in the blood of Jesus sacrificed once for all time, for all people. We often read Hebrews 11 in wonder. We should read Hebrews 11 with a gentle nod of confidence knowing that the moments and days will come when we will exercise the same kind of faith in the face of persecution.

The moments and days are now.

A popular theme of Christian books right now is about reclaiming Christianity. Books like Unchristian and Jesus Wants to Save Christians Too reveal the lackadaisical faith so prevalent in our “Christian” communities. It seems that we’ve gotten so good at fitting in with the world that is hard for the world to tell us apart.

This should not be.

What God did in Jesus is forever final. Through Christ God gives us full assurance of the real life to come when the kingdom of God is fully come.

So, what would it take to get your name in the 2010 version of Hebrews 11? Would it be living debt free? Would it be serving the community, the hungry, your neighbors as much as you serve yourself? Would it be giving away at least ten percent? Would it be actually talking about Jesus to people in your world?

The last time I checked no one showed up at church with flesh and blood wounds as the result of persecution like those listed in Hebrews 11. I haven’t yet attended the funeral of someone killed for their faith. But maybe our wounds run deeper. Are we dead in other kinds of ways? What is holding you back from fully giving yourself to God? Can you you release that thing? Can you get help for that addiction? Can you trust a friend to share your burden?

As you live in full confidence in the mercy of God expressed through Jesus Christ, may you fully give yourself to the will of God.

Nathan Tillotson
May 10

Hebrews 6-9

2010-05-08T22:00:00.000-04:00

Priests and covenants and sacrifices everywhere. (The Bible is a really bloody book, huh? Can you imagine if we still had the old covenant and had to sacrifice and burn animals and sprinkle blood and all that stuff? Wow-the germ-a-phobes would not survive!) How cool is it that Jesus is all three in one: He’s the high priest, the guarantee of a better/new covenant, and the ultimate sacrifice! So, it begs the question—“if Jesus is all that, what can I do?” Answer: absolutely nothing! We can’t do a thing. And yet we keep trying so often to be better people, to give more, to “please” God. It can’t be done-let it go! Let God save you once and for all and quit trying to do it yourself! Now, I’ll get off my soap box and try to practice what I preach...

Jim Bales
May 9

Hebrews 1-5

2010-05-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

This whole blog-writing thing has been a bit of a journey for me. I’ve always loved writing. When I graduated from college back in the day [4 years ago] I tried to start writing a blog. I thought it would be a good way to keep up with friends…really I was just having a quarter-life crisis and I thought writing would relieve my despondence. Writing did prove to alleviate my post-college confusion but it was writing in a journal to the Lord not on a public web domain. As I scripted my first entry I was burdened with this realization that blogging assumes that others CARE about what you have to say. My fingers jumped around on the keyboard in attempt to explain why I was beginning a blog and half-way through my first letter to the world I decided authoring a blog wasn’t in my future.

This is my second encounter with blog-writing. Knowing my previous affair, I was a bit apprehensive when Jeff mentioned “blogging through the New Testament.” But I sat down at the computer with my first assignment and I found myself in a familiar position…fingers hovering over the alphabet, wondering if it was presumptuous to assume anyone cared about my thoughts on life. Not only were my measly thoughts going public, but now it was also my inadequate summary of God’s AMAZING gift to us: His Word.

Every week I sit down to write about my selected chapters from the New Testament and I confess to God that I am not even worthy of trying to explain His word. Those adjectives that God uses to describe His Holy Bible flood into my head: living, active, sharp, able to penetrate the heart. Next come the adjectives that describe my words: fleeting, unsure, incomplete, obtuse. I ask God to use me despite myself.

That whole exercise took place yesterday when I opened to Hebrews. As I read verse by verse and attempted to soak up God’s direction, I was confronted with those powerful adjectives…“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I stopped reading. I thought for a while about just writing those words as my blog entry this week. If I really believe that His words are living, active, and powerful should I not just let them speak for themselves?

But I think God gave me this personal battle to share with you. Recently, I’ve been consistently confronted with scriptures in the Bible concerning transformation – “do not conform to the world, rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind”… “it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”… “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
When I read scripture like this, I am hungry for that seemingly life-altering change. I don’t want to settle for the watered-down version. If God says in His word that we will be guided and transformed and convicted deeply by a relationship with Him…then why are we not? Why does His word seem more like boring and outdated than alive and penetrating to the soul? This may not be your battle, and if it’s not then excuse me for being so lame.

I have asked God why His Word isn’t penetrating my heart and why I am not being transformed and recently God gave me the answer and it was in just a few verses of Psalm 119 that I’m sure I’ve read before….and you probably have too, but I encourage you to click it and take part in the desperation of the Psalmist.

God is still the same as He was when those words were written in Hebrews. He still uses His word to divide the soul and spirit. I think we are the problem [what’s new?].

Have you ever told God that you meditate on His precepts? Or that you rejoice in following His rules? Or asked Him how you can keep your way pure? The Psalmist is in a passionate pursuit of God. He is so beaten and burdened by his own sin. He desires nothing more than to keep his way pure and to hear from God…to know Him, not to have an education about Him but to KNOW Him.

If any of you are still reading, you are probably wishing I had opted to write those two sentences from Hebrews. I don’t know if there is anything I can write that will convince you to open God’s Word with the kind of desperation noted in Psalm 119. Pray today that God will teach your heart how to feast on His Word and that the Spirit will guide you. May His Word become living, active, and sharp to you.

Jenna Trapasso
May 8

II Timothy 4 - Titus - Philemon

2010-05-06T22:00:00.001-04:00

Earthquakes

Can you believe the number of earthquakes we have experienced in the last few months?

January 12 – Haiti 7.0
March 2- Chili 8.8
April – Mexicali 7.2
April 13 – China 7.1

Wow all of this makes you think about Jesus words in Mark 13:7-9 NIV

…Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {8} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "You must be on your guard.…

That passage is enough to make you think that the end times may be near, but read the passage that is in today’s reading from 2 Tim 3:1-7 NIV:

…But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. {2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, {3} without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, {4} treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- {5} having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. {6} They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, {7} always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

I am not sure which is more convicting?

Brad Childers
May 7

I Timothy 6 - II Timothy 3

2010-05-05T22:00:00.000-04:00

Passing the baton

Do you know what relay runners practice more than anything else? It’s the 1.5 seconds it takes to pass the baton to the next runner. Now think about this: A 400 meter relay racer will run for several minutes all by themselves. They are running solo much longer than they are passing the baton. But experience tells them that the moment things are most likely to go wrong is in the hand-off. That’s the moment everyone is watching for and the moment about which they are the most tense.

As I read his last letter to Timothy I can feel Paul’s passion about the hand-off he is making. This is Paul’s last letter to his young apprentice and probably the last thing he wrote in scripture. Paul’s getting along in years and he knows two key things: There are false teachers, argumentative members and down-right nasty folks who will try to derail the young man. And he knows that he will not be there to help him. Mortality is a pain. I get that. It bugs me that I may not be able to see my grandchildren’s children. (I know. I know. I don’t have grandkids yet… but you start thinking about these things as the years start to pile up. Can I get an “Oh, yeah!” from the wrinkled crowd?)

So Paul gives Timothy one last “Stay true” speech from his old mentor. He warns him and challenges him. He reminds him of the people like his mother and grandmother who passed the faith on to him. These godly ladies made sure the baton was safely in Timothy’s hands. And Paul wants Timothy to remember the gift they gave him and the training he had given him.

But the real question on Paul’s mind is… What’s NEXT? Will Timothy pass on the baton of faith to those coming after him. Paul won’t be around to do it. Its up to Timothy and his generation. That’s why Paul says…

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Tim. 2:2

Strange how the reference for that verse worked out. Did you notice: 2nd Timothy 2:2. A lot of two’s there! Its almost as though God worked through the king’s editors to put the verse marker right there to underline the point.

It takes two: One to hold the faith. One to receive it.

So who are you handing the baton to?

Jeff Walling
May 6

I Timothy 1-5

2010-05-04T22:00:00.000-04:00

I Tim. 1: 15-17-
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These verses connect with me a lot. Especially the part where Paul says that Christ Jesus displays His unlimited patience with me. He is so perfect and works through us- temporary earthen vessels- for His purposes and glory. These verses remind me that in response to such awesome grace and mercy toward me to show this same love, mercy, and unlimited patience to others... This is not easy for me who can be critical many times of others. It is funny how easy it is to be like the ungrateful servant who was forgiven by his master for a large debt and then he in turn does not forgive the small debt that someone owed him. Aren't you glad God is so patient with us as He molds us into His image? A lifetime does not seem to be long enough to do this.

Jack Exum
May 5

I Thessalonians 4 - II Thessalonians 3

2010-05-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

Discernment

Ever worked with someone who wasn’t pulling their fair share of the load? Ever felt like you were giving more than 50% in a relationship, where the other person made you carry more of the burden?

I confess, my first inclination in those situations is to assume the other person is lazy, and I resent the fact I’m doing more than they are.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul helps us see there might be more than one reason why someone is falling down on the job, and we need to apply the right action to the right cause. He says “warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, and be patient with all men.”

Know what? All three of those people look the same on the outside – no output! But if I’m not careful, and if I take the wrong action, I could cause worse problems.

If I warn the timid or weak, they’ll just wither up and melt away. They don’t need me jumping down their throat or berating them. A harsh word will drive them further into their shell, and they won’t come out again for fear of getting their head chopped off.

And if I encourage or help the idle, they’ll just continue to lie around doing nothing while feeling even better about themselves, because I obviously don’t mind they aren’t producing. They don’t need a gentle, kind word – they need a fire lit under them!

And if I help the timid, they’ll be offended. It’s not that they don’t know how to do the task at hand, but rather they lack the motivation or confidence to see it through. They just need someone to believe in them.

It’s so easy for me to judge another’s heart, and jump to the wrong conclusion about why they are acting the way they are. But no matter the root cause, Paul says I am to be patient with all men. That’s the hardest thing for me to do! Why can’t they pick up the pace? Work longer hours? Crank out more deliverables? Do more, better, with less?

It might just take an investment of my time to dig deeper into what is going on in someone’s life in order to correctly discern the core issue. God forgive me when I lack discernment, love, and patience!

Lee Thrasher
May 4

Colossians 3 - I Thessalonians 3

2010-05-02T22:00:00.000-04:00

Spring flowers! Fresh air! Warm breezes! New clothes! Yes, I’ll admit that the change of seasons does cause my thoughts to drift towards new outfits. This is not a year that will be punctuated by many shopping trips, but Paul’s exhortations in the third chapter of Colossians did jump out at me.

It is a chapter that is full of activity: setting our hearts, setting our minds, putting to death, getting rid of, taking off, putting on, clothing ourselves. It sounds like a spring closet cleaning to me. Perhaps what God really wants me to do is to look into the closet of my heart and see what is hanging around. Are there old habits, wants, sins, and grudges that are filling the shelves?

Am I committed to setting my heart and my mind on the things above and not on earthly things? If my life is truly hidden with Christ in God, then the recesses of my heart should be like a window thrown open on a warm spring day. The Holy Spirit should be able to easily reach in to clothe me with compassion and kindness. Perhaps today will call for a lovely shawl of gentleness or a warm coat of patience. No outfit will be complete without the finishing touch of a gossamer veil of humility.

Paul reminds me of the trappings that I want to be wearing when I tell others about my Savior. When my heart is dressed in love and unity, then nothing will detract from the truth of His message. I bet Paul didn’t intend to preach about shopping!

Kathleen Tatro
May 3

Philippians 4 - Colossians 2

2010-05-01T22:00:00.000-04:00

One theme runs consistent throughout the book of Colossians: ALL . Paul uses this three letter word more than 30 times in four short chapters! All of the following are from chapters 1-2. Jesus is the “firstborn over ALL creation”; He is “before ALL things”; “ALL things hold together in Him”. “God was pleased to have ALL His fullness dwell” in Jesus and “to reconcile ALL things to Himself” through Him. “ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Christ. He forgave ALL our sins. Stop the truck….did you notice the past tense in the last one? Colossians 2:13 doesn’t say “He FORGIVES ALL my sins…It says He FORGAVE ALL my sins! It has already been done in the work of Jesus on the cross! Gives new meaning in my heart to His words from the cross, “It is finished!” One more ALL: Colossians 1:28-29: “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with ALL wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with ALL His energy, which so powerfully works within me.” Wow! We have ALL Christ’s wisdom and ALL His energy working within us. Jesus is truly my ALL in ALL! Lord let me live it!

Julie Hallman
May 2

Ephesians 6 - Philippians 3

2010-04-30T22:00:00.000-04:00

"Honor you father and mother" is the first commandment with a promise. God wants us to be an example and testimony if His love to our children and the generations to come.

Paul asks for prayers, as we should do, that whenever we open our mouths, words may be given to us so that we may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. It is all about God and not about us. If we follow the Lord's commands in the words of Paul in Philippians 3:13 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" we will be richly blessed. "Our citizenship is in heaven" Philippians 3:20. We belong to Him and he wants us to be with Him forever. Praise our Lord!

Armando Perdomo
May 1

Ephesians 2-5

2010-04-29T22:00:00.000-04:00

One of the key verses for me in this text is Paul’s admonition to, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (4:1). In light of all that Christ has done for us shouldn’t this be our goal?

The privilege of being one of God’s people comes with responsibility. God has created one new and holy community that He calls to honor Him in all things. The essence of Paul’s writing address day to day living -24/7 worship of God. I don’t know about you, but I tend to struggle when life is mundane, methodical and normal. Paul says, “we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe” (3:14 NLT). On this day or that Houston is a ‘daddy’s boy’. But on other days it’s Mom he wants. You and I belong to Jesus every moment of every day and forever. In our faith we are to be like children, but in our living for God and following His example we are to be grown-ups.

And because we belong to God, we belong to one another. God acted in pure unselfishness and love in giving us His Son. We should also act unselfishly in our love for all others. Paul refers to this as a great mystery, “it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (5:32 NLT). It is not within our grasp to treat others less than the love shown to us by God through Christ.

The simplicity of Ephesians strikes me as I strive today to “live a life worthy” of my calling. May God bless you as you do the same.

Nathan Tillotson
April 30

Galatians 4 - Ephesians 1

2010-04-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

I am sitting in a waiting room, having just dealt with a stressful situation, and I’ve decided to “knock out” my BLOG for the week rather than pay $10 (the financial penalty we all agreed to in the beginning of the 99 days to hold ourselves accountable to blog on time.) Bottom line---I’m compliant and cheap! So, I pulled out my list and I realized I got...Ephesians chapter one. Holy Guacamole! God continues to amaze me, and I’m ashamed of it. Just when I needed it most-God reminds me that, “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1.

Why is this sooooo significant for me today? Well, Ephesians chapter one has been my “go to” passage for a long time. I’m an adopted kid that is proud to be twice adopted; once by fantastic earthly parents and once by the living God. When I was younger I stumbled across this scripture from Paul and it helped me see that being “adopted” is not strange or different or weird. Well, maybe it is---but at least WE’RE ALL strange and different and weird together...and loved and saved and filled by GOD! Hallelujah! Just for that---I might just pay the $10 for grins!

Jim Bales
April 29

II Corinthians 13 - Galatians 3

2010-04-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

I love working with teenagers. The place they are in life is entirely contradictive – so pure and content with being a child, yet so fascinated by who they could be and usually willing to rebel to find out. It’s like popcorn and M&M’s or french fries dipped in milk shakes [don’t knock it ‘til you try it]. They don’t really belong together but the union of the two creates something so wrong that it’s right.

I am so intrigued by kids in this mixed-up state because of the potential for discovery of self, and more importantly the discovery of self’s deep need for God’s mercy. Teenagers are so prematurely thirsty for an education on life so that they can make decisions about what they believe, who they are, and their place in the world. Sometimes it’s scary [I know there are parents out there saying AMEN right now] that they have all this cerebral freedom to determine their own path, but such little experience with which to choose wisely for themselves. This internal ambiguity results in a spiritual struggle for most teens as they attempt to establish a personal faith in God. It is a classic picture of self vs. the Spirit. Sometimes it doesn’t even make it to the self-stage…the battle stays in that dreaded teenager dungeon of conformity to the crowd. Then it becomes pleasing men vs. gratifying the Spirit.

Unfortunately, it’s not quite as fascinating nor accepted when we continue to have the same “men vs. Spirit” struggle as adults [though it is the reality of our sinful condition]. I love the light that Galatians sheds on this eternal issue… “For do I now persuade men, or God? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” It doesn’t get any simpler than that. Ya better choose. Pleasing men AND being a servant of God is not an option. Sometimes it works out that serving God is pleasing to men but Paul makes it clear that if you want to serve God you’re going to have to be o.k. with stepping on some toes.

Paul continues to tear down my misconceptions about needing to please man and indulge self, “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Paul pleads with us to give the law up. He tells us that when we believe we can just abide by the laws we are practicing self-righteousness and to embrace the full power of Christ’s death on the cross we must believe that our justification comes from HIM alone. I want to crumble onto the floor as I read that Christ died in vain if we believe righteousness comes from the law.
We are all probably pretty quick to say, “Of course we know that we are saved only by Christ’s death on the cross.” But do we live that way? Do we live like we are walking in the grace of God or do we live like we can earn it if we try harder or we’re just better. God so desires full access to us. Paul reminds me today that the goal is not ultimate goodness. The goal is not to sin the least or have the cleanest record but to daily renounce living for self and living to please men. God is glorified when we say in all our sinfulness, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.”

Jenna Trapasso
April 28

II Corinthians 9-12

2010-04-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

What are you when no one is looking?

This past week was the first time in many years that spring breaks aligned for Union and Cabarrus counties. It afforded us the opportunity to take our 11th and 12th grade mission trip over the Easter break – and what an awesome time it was! When we left Charlotte it was chilly, drab and grey. However, when we returned at the end of our trip an explosion of green had taken over the city. Spring had sprung, God’s beauty abounded. Looking down from the plane as we approached home was a breathtaking experience. What was once drab and grey in just a few short days had been transformed into something warm, beautiful and vibrant.

In 2 Corinthians 9-12 Paul is talking to the church about their support (financially) for the work of God. He is also talking to them about their character (who they are in Paul’s absence). I love the metaphor that Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. It is apropos for the season we are in and my life. It reads:

(2 Cor 9:6-7 NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul uses this concept also in Galatians when he says in chapter 6 and verse 7 “A man reaps what he sows.”

When you look at the lawns of Charlotte, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know who has taken time to and money to aerate, seed, and fertilize their yard in the fall. It shows up in the spring time – right?

Well, not always, what if you didn’t have the time or the money to fertilize in the fall, as was my case last year. Your yard should look drab, grey and be full of a lot of weeds – right?

Mine should, but it doesn’t! Why, because while I was out of town on an earlier mission trip to Haiti someone CHEERFULLY showed up and applied weed and feed to my lawn!

I did not have the money, but someone else did. I didn’t have the time, but someone else CHEERULLY gave it. While I wasn’t looking someone gave (the very definition of character)! When we serve others, they reap what they did not sow! Isn’t that the grace I receive everyday from Christ? His grace given on the cross affords me reapings, that I did not sow!

Brad Childers
April 27

II Corinthians 5-8

2010-04-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

A Divine Fund-Raising Letter?

OK… Confession time: I don’t like II Corinthians. I hope you don’t think that’s blasphemy, but after reading the New Testament up to this point you can’t help but notice the difference. Paul is so defensive and harsh in this second letter to a church with tons of problems. (See I Corinthians!) In his first letter he handled one question after another and was pretty good about covering a broad range of topics with an even hand. But what happened in this letter? Paul sounds tense, nervous and upset – to quote an old TV commercial. He is constantly defending himself and trying to prove that he really does care and he really hasn’t cheated anybody. Consider these clips from chapter 5:

“What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience…”
“We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again…”
“If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God…”

The confusing fact is that we know that the guy behind these defensive rants has gone through Hades for the gospel. We watched him suffer and stand strong in Acts and heard him explain the story of redemption beautifully in Romans. He’s a hero! He’s Paul, the Apostle! So maybe part of the purpose of this letter is to let us see the human part of Paul. He gets his feelings hurt. He defends his character. He fights to be heard.

And here’s another strange fact: In the middle of all this he writes some of my favorite verses:
We live by faith, not by sight.
We fix our eyes not on what is not seen, for what is seen is temporary.
As long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.

So what is driving these impassioned pleas and this beautiful prose? The answer is one more strange-but-true fact: Its about fund-raising! Paul is trying to get this church to step up and support the ministry of the gospel. In some ways the whole letter leads up to chapter 8 where he challenges them with the example of the Macedonian church. That group so believed in the Gospel of Christ that they gave generously though they were in poverty. Paul knows that it takes money to fund missionaries and keep spreading the word. For that reason he pulls out all the stops to get the members of this presumably wealthy church in this prosperous port town to dig deep. He even uses some semi-Communist language to get the job done: “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” Hard not to hear some socialist overtones in that! But Paul’s not thinking politically. He’s thinking missionally. It’s all about spreading the Good News. It’s all about showing love in Christ. For him, our giving is nothing less than a “proof of our love” for the Lord.

“You’ve got it and you know it! Now give it to advance the Kingdom!” That’s his message to Corinth in a nutshell.

I can’t help but wonder if he wouldn’t write the same message to us.

Jeff Walling
April 26

I Corinthians 16 - II Corinthians 4

2010-04-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

Jesus reveals His will to us in numerous places and they do not have anything to do with things I have prayed for His will to be done about in the past. For example, where should I live next, should I buy this car, house, who will I marry, how will I be able to afford retirement. So I ask that He would reveal His will for me in this areas, and because of His abundant mercy, He does and has always provided. However, here in Scripture, I see clearly some of what God's will is for us:

- Purity and sanctification- I Thess. 4
- To suffer for doing good in Jesus name- 1 Peter
- To love one another- I John

In 2 Corinthians, when I read through chapter 4, I am so encouraged by Paul's words that though we are outwardly wasting away (our bodies are wearing out, suffering injury and hardships), we are being renewed in our spirits on the inside through God's Holy Spirit. Maybe I need to pray that God will allow me to suffer for His Name and lead me through those hard times? Peter thought himself unworthy to die like Jesus did and so he was crucified upside down. Maybe I need to ask for the strength to be pure and live a holy life before the holy God who gives me life? Maybe I need to focus on loving others and let God take care of the rest and trust in Him by asking for help in faith without doubting him... Sounds like the verse in Matthew- Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jack Exum
April 25

I Corinthians 13-15

2010-04-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

Love is in the air… and the water…. and the pizza!

We Americans use the word love to describe almost anything we enjoy. I love hand-tossed Supreme pizzas. I love NCIS. I love Jamocha Almond Fudge ice cream. And I just love that outfit on you.

But Paul stops in the middle of his multi-chapter rebuke of the Corinthian church to paint an amazing picture of what true love looks like. The Corinthians were exhibiting anything but love – they were selfish, proud, impatient, elitists who focused their attention on themselves – not on others. Paul puts forth an image of a follower of Jesus that is much, much different than how they were behaving.

Love is patient – always used in reference to people, not circumstances, and even used to describe how God treats man. It describes someone who is wronged, who has the power to avenge, but chooses not to. Love never says “I’ve had enough”. Given up on anyone lately?

Love is kind – much of our Christian heritage shows we are good, but not necessarily kind. When’s the last time you not only gave something away or served someone, but did it slowly, intentionally, with a genuine interest in the individual you were helping? It’s hard to be kind when we practice “drive-by philanthropy”.

Love does not envy – this isn’t just a feeling that I wish I had what you do, but I wish you didn’t have it, either. I begrudge you your blessings, because I think I deserve them just as much (well, more, actually) than you do.

Love does not boast – the word describes one who struts around with their chest puffed out. While I might not blow my own horn loudly and frequently, do I talk about how humble and loving and serving I am, and hope someone rushes to agree?

Love is not arrogant - am I inflated with my own sense of self-importance? Napoleon once said, "I am not a man like other men. The laws of morality do not apply to me." I may not go that far, but do I look down on others around me? Do I just know I’m better than they are – and I try to hide my smirk while I mull it over?

Love is not rude – the same Greek word is used for both grace and charm, and this is its opposite. Am I graceful – or graceless? Am I blunt and brutal in my criticisms, or do I show others courtesy and tact?

Love does not insist on its own way – since this doesn’t apply to any of us (certainly not me), we’ll just skip it and move on (a-hem!).

Love is not irritable – provoked, easily angered, exasperated, flies off the handle, has a temper – sounds a bit like Peter, doesn’t it? Anybody else you know?

Love keeps no record of wrongs – an accounting term for making an entry in a ledger that will not be forgotten (“this is going on your permanent record”), it refers to storing up a memory so you throw it in someone’s elses face in the future. Do you have a bucket of these just waiting for the right time to bazooka a loved one?

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth – even when I don’t care much for the truth? When it hurts, or makes me look bad, or puts a spotlight on my sins and struggles?

Love bears all things – this is the word for “to put a roof over”. It’s not that I grudgingly carry around this heavy burden of all the injustices I’ve suffered, but rather hide them, never again to see the light of day.

Love believes all things – believing the best about people is tough, especially when you know them well (your family, for instance). Can I stop second-guessing their motives?

Love hopes all things – sees the possibilities instead of the faults in someone. Doesn’t crush or dash their aspirations, but speaks words of encouragement. Am I “realist”, placing undue barriers and restrictions on someone based on what I think they can accomplish?

Love endures all things – not just passive resignation, but triumphant conquering. Not with a too-loud murmur, but with a song of praise.

So, how well are you loving?

Trying to recognize I am well-loved more often, so I can love well more often, your brother,

Lee Thrasher
April 24

I Corinthians 10-12

2010-04-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

For the last two years I have been struggling with a condition that has caused chronic pain in my left shoulder. It has impacted my life in ways that I could not have predicted. Beyond the constant trips to the doctor, limited mobility, and sleepless nights, I have experienced a new level of acceptance.

I have come to accept that pain cannot stop me from hearing God’s voice or from being His instrument. I accept that part of His merciful provision for me is to use pain to prepare me for different, deeper pain. I have accepted the reality that the stronger parts of my body must compensate for those that do not function well.

As I read Paul’s words in I Corinthians 12, my heart mourns that I am often slow to apply these lessons of acceptance to my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. My impulse to care for, forgive, and protect the weak should far exceed my levels of frustration and judgment.

When I am tempted to speak ill of another part of Christ’s body, I pray that I will remember that He has called us to put on our armor because we are at war. And because, when we speak about the parts of Christ’s body, our Enemy is listening. He does not want our church to be a hospital for the spiritually wounded and dying.

It is my prayer that our fellowship would be one in which the hurting can heal and be nurtured. Let us begin by guarding the gate of our speech.

Kathleen Tatro
April 23

I Corinthians 7-9

2010-04-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

Paul gives lots of directives in these 3 chapters. Some are apparently in answer to specific questions asked of him by the people of Corinth. It’s easy to get bogged down in all the “I, not the Lord” and “The Lord not I” parts of these chapters and miss the overall point I think Paul is trying to show us. The point is that time is short and we are here for a purpose. EVERYTHING we do should have that purpose in mind. He shows us that our status in life has nothing to do with our purpose. We can be married, unmarried, slave, free, circumcised, uncircumcised, eat certain foods or refrain…..the list could go on. Paul says “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible.” His single mindedness amazes me. Everything he did had the goal of bringing others to Christ. He was unconcerned about rights. He was concerned about the lost and how demanding our rights might affect them. It’s like I can almost hear Paul say, “Focus church. Let’s get this job done so we can go home!” I’m with him: “Get right church and lets go home!”

Julie Hallman
April 22

I Corinthians 2-6

2010-04-20T22:00:00.000-04:00

Brethren, God is great. He has provided to give us His own Spirit to the ones who really believe in Him and love Him. It is the same Spirit that was part of the creation of the world, and the same one that raised Jesus Christ, our Lord, from the dead." we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely give us" I Corinthians 2:12.

God is all, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." I Corinthians 3:7 and he wants us to be like Him. "for God's temple is sacred and you are that temple" I Corinthians 3:17

God is powerful, by His Spirit, we become like Him, "when we are cursed we bless, when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children" I Corinthians 4:13. By this Spirit of humility we can understand the way our Lord Jesus Christ is pleased. "God oppose the proud and gives grace to the humble" James 5:6

God has given us His Spirit to be led by what is pleasant to Him. In the letter to the Corinthians, God is clear in warning us against arrogance, sexual immorality and anything that opposes the Spirit of the Lord, since our body is called to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I Corinthians 6:19

Praise God for giving us the Spirit of power in Christ Jesus!

Armando Perdomo
April 21

Romans 15 - I Corinthians 1

2010-04-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV).

This is a huge prayer. In the previous verses and those following Paul instructs and encourages us to to do some amazing things. He says those who are stronger should “bear with the failings of the weak,” we should, “accept one another, “ we should be of, “one heart and mouth” so that God is glorified. As I’m reading this I’m thinking, “Yes, yes! This is awesome Paul! We can do this.” But then reality sets in.

Yeah, you caught me. What reality am I living in? God’s or mine? God’s or the church’s? Aren’t they one in the same?

Over and over Paul emphasizes that this is the work of God. He even says that all he has talked about and done is part of a great mystery kept for “long ages past” (16:25). Over and over Paul points to Jesus Christ who accomplished all those awesome things in which the people of God should participate, practice and pursue. Reality is God’s reality. The world as it is supposed to be is a place where our strength, endurance, acceptance, longings, motives of the heart, encouragement, generosity and hope all flow from God the Father to His people where we then overflow out into a hurting and dying world.

And so this is our prayer today: May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.

Nathan Tillotson
April 20

Romans 11-14

2010-04-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

How do your write only two paragraphs about these four chapters!? Where do I begin? Do I start a firestorm by talking about “election” or continue the age old argument about celebrating “special days” on the calendar? Anyone that knows me knows that I like to talk about “taxes”, but maybe instead I’ll throw out an argument about whether Christians should drink or not based on chapter 14? So many good talking points and issues for the everyday Christian to consider---so little space to write!

Maybe I’ll just say summarize the whole thing by saying this (with the help of Eugene Peterson’s The Message), “Take your everyday, ordinary life—and place it before God as an offering. Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Don’t quit in hard times. Pray all the harder. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”

Jim Bales
April 19

Romans 8-10

2010-04-17T22:00:00.000-04:00

Forty days. Moses went up on the mountain for forty days, Elijah was in the desert for forty days, and Jesus spent forty arduous days in the wilderness fasting and being tested. I’m no Moses or Elijah…and I’m definitely not Jesus but this year as the period of 40 days that lead up to Easter approached, I felt convicted about renouncing something for Lent. I grew up attending Catholic Church so I’m a veteran Lenter. When I was 9 I gave up riding my bike…I’ve given up chocolate, ice cream, every non-water beverage. I tried coffee once and failed. Actually, the vice I surrendered this year is one I attempted to relinquish a few years ago and I’m ashamed to say Lent only lasted two days.

This year, though, God has blessed me with my most meaningful 40 day stint. Here are the terms and conditions: I’ve given up radio/Ipod /cd’s -- any music in the car for the duration of Lent. The only solace in the whole effort is my self-given permission to listen to music when I have passengers -- of course only for the benefit of my company. The first days were detox. I would get in the car and inadvertently begin rotating the volume knob clockwise, only noticing what I was doing after prolonged silence and a realization that no sound was coming out. Sometimes I would turn the key in the ignition, put the car in drive, and then go for the power button on the radio. I’d start singing with Billy Joel and then throw my hand over my mouth like an eight year old who accidentally just said a swear and then I’d immediately press the button again…but this time shamefully.

I knew the Spirit had laid it on my heart to give up a little noise in my life. Quickly, I began to comprehend that my brief abandonment of consumerism was giving birth to a deeper hunger for the Lord. In the silence I discovered a desire to confess…I can’t imagine that any human desires this without prompting from the Spirit. Every morning on the way to work I would confess my inequities. Sins would pour from my heart and into God’s able hands. There is an intimacy that exists between creator and created when personal piety is relinquished.

In the name of my new found appreciation for confession…let me acknowledge that I half-expected to run out of sin to bring to God [which I think might be sinful]…but it was this sanctimonious idea combined with a substantial amount of solitude that became the perfect recipe for discovery.

This is what I learned about SIN. Sin is not just an individual act of disobedience and when we view it that way we feed this illusion that we can just avoid sin and be “good people.” We have so many preconceived notions about sin. When we hear the word we think of particular things that “bad people” do. Sin has been manipulated and used against us by believers and non-believers.

Sin is none of those things. Sin is the state we are in. It is human nature. It is our desire to rebel – or to just do it ourselves. It is the pursuit of self and our cheap, unfulfilling culture. It is living out of rhythm with our maker.

Romans 8 says it more powerfully than I ever could. I wanted to copy and paste the whole chapter from The Message but I refrained…here is the meat:

“In his Son, Jesus, God personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.

The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.”

These days I don’t even think about music when I’m driving. I just think. I pray. I confess. I’m healed. I’m thankful. I rediscovered God’s mercy and my desperate need for it. I’m happy.

Jenna Trapasso
April 18

Romans 4-7

2010-04-16T22:00:00.000-04:00

ab•o•li•tion•ist
–a person who advocated or supported the abolition of slavery…

When I was in school, I loved when I had just finished my last exam. There are not many feelings in life that can rival having all those burdens lifted and knowing, for at least a few days, you are free.

Freedom is something we all long for. One of my favorite movies is Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. I love William Wallace’s speech about FREEDOM. The question is what are we trying to get freedom from. The answer lies in, what are we a slave to!

Zach Hunter is a modern day abolitionist. When Zach began his program he was only 12. His goal is to rid the globe of modern day slavery. Thus far, Zach has raised millions and has built schools for children who would have been slaves. Zach is now 17.

Romans 6:20-23 says, “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. {21} What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! {22} But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. {23} For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Folks we are free from SIN! With Christ living in us sin has no control over us. The payment has been paid. Are you living today with the FREEDOM of your burden being lifted and eternity with God is yours?

Brad Childers
April 17

Romans 1-3

2010-04-15T22:00:00.001-04:00

And Now… the TRUTH!

You’ve seen him on “Survivor” and “The Great Race”… now, read his book!

That’s what it feels like when you turn the page from Acts to Romans. We’ve watched Paul go from a religious terrorist to a persecuted missionary and the travelogue of his missionary trips read like scenes from “Castaway”. But then, after all the excitement of shipwrecks and midnight escapes; of facing screaming crowds and miraculous releases from prison, we turn to the next book in the New Testament and get… theology?

Don’t let this scare you!

In fact, Paul would be saying: Hurray! You finally got to the good stuff! For him, his story was always secondary to the truth for which he was willing to die. And now he lays that truth out in style.

Romans, the first non-narrative book in the New Testament, is as close as we get to a “Christianity for Dummies”. In many ways it’s a non-gospel gospel. You see, many of the folks who would read this letter have never read any of the gospels we all just finished reading two weeks ago. These Roman Christians didn’t have Matthew or Mark to learn from yet so their first taste of a written presentation of Christ’s message was this pamphlet sent by Paul from Corinth. In it he lays out the big picture of the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the life-changing power of our faith in that act. It is the single most complete theological survey of Christian doctrine in the Bible.

Now doesn’t that excite you? OK: Now the good news… there’s a Reader’s Digest version. It’s the first three chapters and it goes something like this: Mankind has fallen down and we can’t get up.

Paul starts by making it clear that neither the Jew’s law-keeping nor the Gentile’s smarts will solve the problem. The only hope is a “righteousness from God.” Note the direction. It’s important: “a righteousness from God.” The whole book is written to underline that we receive hope, grace and forgiveness through God’s work, not ours. By faith is Paul’s mantra and he makes sure we know that this is faith in Christ… not our goodness, nor the law, nor even the church. Because of the gift of grace through faith in Christ we are free from the law of sin and death.

The rest of Romans will get challenging. (God bless the blogger with Romans 10 & 11!) But remember the core message – Our righteousness is from God. It’s the greatest gift one could ever receive.

And that’s the TRUTH!

Jeff Walling
April 16

Acts 27-28

2010-04-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

We do not know much about the death and martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. We know he made 1 trip to Rome and ended up in prison and was released. Most resources believe he made a second trip and died in Rome. This is probably the when the book of II Timothy was written. I am constantly amazed at the life of Paul. He had such zeal and enthusiasm for Jesus, shared his faith, grew and cared for the Body of Christ. Wouldn't you like to tap into that zeal? In Acts 27-28, we see Paul suffer a shipwreck at sea, get bitten by a poisonous snake, and is stuck under house arrest for 2 years. His attitude is what strikes me! Positive, forward-looking, Christ-centered, an attitude that said, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain".

He knew Jesus personally and intimately. Jesus was not just a part of his life...He was his life! I pray that God will make us all like Jesus and to be filled with His love so we can share it with others!

Jack Exum
April 15

Acts 25-26

2010-04-13T22:00:00.001-04:00

Paul’s NEXT

Paul gives the fourth of six defenses of his faith journey in these chapters. He’s been held in prison for two years after last sharing the incredible story of God at work in his life with Felix, Festus’ predecessor. When King Herod Agrippa II, comes to town, Festus hopes he can hand off this hot political case to somebody else.

This Agrippa is the great-grandson of Herod the Great, who was in power when Jesus was born (you’ll recall he had all the boys two years and under killed in hopes of eliminating the Messiah as a threat to his throne). His great-uncle, Herod Antipas, was in power during Jesus’ ministry, stole his brother’s wife, and has John the Baptist beheaded. Agrippa I (his Dad) kills James and imprisons Peter. He then accepts the praises of the crowd shouting that he has “the voice of a god”, and an angel promptly kills him and his body is eaten by worms and dogs. According to historians, Agrippa II had an incestuous relationship with his half-sister, Bernice. So this Agrippa has a long family track record of being gentle, righteous, understanding, men of great integrity who are sympathetic to Jesus and his followers – NOT. And you thought sharing the gospel with your grumpy co-worker was hard!

In the course of Paul recounting his story, he says that Jesus commissioned him to be “a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ (Acts 26:16-18, NASB)

What an amazing privilege it is to be God’s partner in his redemptive work! Paul still recalls Jesus’ charge to him as many as 26 years later after first hearing those words on the road to Damascus with incredible clarity. Of course, if Jesus appeared to me on I-85, I’d probably remember it pretty well, too.

Paul had no doubt what God called him to do. Elsewhere (1 Cor 9:16-17) Paul said he was entrusted with a stewardship to preach the gospel, and woe be to him if he didn’t preach.

Paul declared to Agrippa he was “not disobedient to the heavenly vision”, and that is evident even as he tries to convert the king. How often do I ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit, skip over parts of His Word I’d rather not deal with, shut out the voice of God so I don’t have to do what is hard, inconvenient, even costly?

What vision has God given of who you are to become in Him, and what He has charged you to do? What call on your life is so clear to you that woe be to you if you don’t pursue it wholeheartedly and passionately?
What, though you may not like it, has God called you to NEXT?

Lee Thrasher

April 14

Acts 22-24

2010-04-12T22:00:00.001-04:00

Waiting. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to wait. I can manage to be fairly patient while waiting in line, for an appointment, or for a friend who is running late. I can usually settle in and enjoy a rare moment of peace. I can take a deep breath because I know that eventually, I will get my turn, see the doctor, or catch up with my friend.

No, the waiting that troubles me is the type in which I do not know what is going to happen next. If I am honest with myself, I would have to admit that I never really know what will happen next, but it is in times of waiting that I am acutely aware of my inability to predict the future. This kind of waiting can be faith-stretching and scary.

That is why I am stunned and humbled when Scripture reveals a situation like Paul’s. In Acts 24 we learn that, in the face of false accusations and pending inquiries, Paul had to wait – for two years! How did he spend his “waiting time”? Did he bring a good book or catch up on some knitting? No, Paul did what he always did. He spent his time telling folks about the good news of Jesus Christ. For two years, while Felix was hoping for a bribe, Paul spoke time and again about faith in Christ.

Paul’s example challenges me to remember that God’s timing is not my timing. Perhaps, while I am waiting on Him, there is someone who needs to hear about the grace and hope that can be found in Jesus.

Kathleen Tatro
April 13

Acts 20-21

2010-04-11T22:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever met a really INTENSE individual? That’s how I think of Paul. He never seemed to lose focus. Can you imagine the scene? He’s preaching [actually the text says he talked on and on…is that where Jeff gets it from? :) ] Does he not notice how late it is? Anyhow, Eutychus certainly notices. I can just imagine him struggling to keep those eyes open. Finally he falls into a deep sleep, falls out the window and dies. Who could have predicted this? I never thought of listening to a sermon as a particularly dangerous activity. I guess it depends on who is preaching! Paul’s intensity never waivered. He healed the young man, went back upstairs for a food break and continued talking until daylight. I think I would have told everyone to go home and get some sleep! He was just as intense in his goodbyes. He tore himself away from the elders at Ephesus. Why? I would have lingered. He knew Jerusalem held the same fate for him as it had for his Lord. And yet we are told “he was in a hurry” to get there. In this “hurry up” world I live in, I hope the thing I am most in a hurry to do is fulfill the calling God has on my life!

Julie Hallman
April 12

Acts 17-19

2010-04-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

Paul set up an example of being focused in preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was intentional in this purpose. Whenever he went into any city he first looked for opportunities at the synagogues to preach the gospel and teach about Jesus Christ. Paul took the opportunity in Athens, where they had an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. From here he went and said: "Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." Acts 17:23. This is important sine he related to this altar to have an opportunity to exalt God, the one and only living God and from here he was driven to go to talk about Jesus Christ, when he cites: "He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead" Acts 17:31 . Paul was not afraid in proclaiming the good news of Jesus our Lord. What an example and teaching we have. "I can do everything through him who gives strength" Philippians 4:13. Praise Him!

Armando Perdomo
April 11

Acts 14-16

2010-04-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, let me get this straight. They beat Paul and then he and whoever he is with encourage the believers. Someone else beats or stones Paul and he encourages. Yet another beats Paul and he encourages. It’s like a fairy-tale gone terribly wrong. This isn’t the way it’s suppose to be, is it?

Or is it?

Mark Moore said, “The Holy Spirit does what it wants, when it wants, how it wants, where it wants and it doesn’t need your permission.” So when did beatings become divine?

I’m afraid. If I listen to the Spirit, if I really put my best effort into following God is this what happens?

I’m sorry. This text raises more questions for me than answers. I hope it does for you. I hope it puts in you the kind of hope I see in some men who put their earthly lives on the line day in-day out. I hope you see that the Gospel we live for is worth dying for. I hope you see that what we physically see is not what awaits us. This kingdom of God is really worth whatever it takes.

I want to do better. I want to live like Paul (though not getting a beating would be awesome!).

God, help me trust You again for the first time. Let me love you regardless of what may come my way or what cost I might pay. You have paid the ultimate price and whatever it takes to tell Your story to the lost and dying is worth it. Lord, help me today. In Jesus name, amen.

Nathan Tillotson
April 10

Acts 11-13

2010-04-08T22:00:00.000-04:00

Chapter 11-Isn’t it interesting how Luke re-writes the exact same story as in Chapter 10 about the animals on the sheet? Do you get the impression that is an important story? I think for the Jewish people-it obviously was. The whole issue of clean food is such a HUGE part of life still today for the Jewish people. This passage is the very spot in the Bible where we---the non-jews---are ‘officially’ invited to the party in heaven! Woohoo!!

Chapter 12-This chapter is bookend-ed by deaths. At the beginning, James (the brother of John) is killed by King Herod. I think it’s the first account of one of the 12 apostles being martyred. Then, at the end of the chapter, King Herod is struck dead by an angel. I think the lesson is clear---don’t mess with the 12 apostles!!! Or is it--don’t think yourself greater than GOD?!?! Either way---Herod messed up big time! Of course, this chapter also has the cool story of Peter’s daring jail break with yet another angel. Isn’t Rhoda a great name for a girl who gets all excited and forgets to let Peter in off the street?

Chapter 13-Barnabas and Saul (whose name changes in this chapter to Paul) set out on their mission trip. I can’t imagine teaching the gospel, getting rave reviews & saving lots of people, and then getting kicked out of town by the leaders. Crazy! Sounds like the leaders aren’t very in touch with the people, but that’s a political discussion we won’t have here!!!!

Jim Bales
April 9

Acts 9-10

2010-04-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

Acts. Woah. I know by now we’ve been in Acts for a few days but I’m still thanking God for not closing up shop after Jesus’ death. Acts is like a slap across the head. The gospels are wonderful and I am perpetually educated on the ways of our Lord from spending time with Matt, Mark, Luke and John but as I turn the page from John 21 to Acts 1 I suddenly become one of them. Peter, James, John, you and I are now pursuing a God that we know in our hearts and minds but we can’t go over to his house for breakfast and advice. At the beginning of Acts my heart breaks a little for the disciples as they are seemingly directionless without their Savior, but as Acts begins to unfold I rejoice at the beauty of true faithfulness. I love identifying with those that walked with the Lord as they sit now and pray for God to reveal the next part of their journey. I love that the same Holy Spirit that arrived on the scene in Acts to knock everybody’s socks off lives in you and me.

I’ve been reading Acts 9 and 10 over and over and marveling at God’s wisdom and willingness to interrupt stale lives. He imposed blindness on hard-hearted, religious Saul to eventually reveal a humble and devoted servant of Jesus Christ. And He gave Peter just enough vision to expose his haughty, prejudiced heart.

Saul’s encounter with the Lord convicted my 18 year old heart the first time I read it. God’s sovereignty in choosing such an undeserving, unexpected man to fearlessly make known His gospel made me want to trade my indifferent religion for a passionate relationship with the Lord.
Somehow Peter’s vision of four-footed animals never made it into the reading I was doing as I pondered the nature of God and a commitment to living for Him. Maybe the gracious lady that I was studying the bible with decided to omit it from my reading list on account of verse 13, “Get up Peter, kill and eat,” or maybe it was the many confusing references to the Simons…one called Peter and one who’s a tanner and lives by the sea. Sounds like a children’s book: Simon the Tanner Who Lives by the Sea.

Acts 10 doesn’t get the publicity that Acts 9 does, but then God’s not about popularity and ease…He’s about humility and heart. I’m sure there are commentaries written by very wise and intelligent people that dissect the number of times Peter saw the vision and the reasoning behind the clean and unclean animal analogy but it is Peter’s obedience to the Spirit that I think is note-worthy.

The scripture says, “While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you…do not hesitate to go with them.” Peter was still thinking…but he didn’t let that stop him. He didn’t say, “Sorry Lord but I can’t go because I’m not exactly sure what to think about that sheet full of four-footed animals and birds I just saw.” He was just obedient.

I’m ALWAYS still thinking. I love contemplating the importance of things…but I am reminded today that God knows the importance of things and He knows when I need to know and when I just need to be obedient. I love what happened when Peter went with the three men. He spoke truth through the Spirit. He began by saying, “…I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

Peter was finally living it. He had walked with Jesus and he heard Him preach about acceptance and love. He already knew in his head that God’s grace was for everyone; but the time had finally come for Peter to “Go and make disciples of all the nations.”

I hope Jesus was sitting with the Father exchanging high fives as they watched their mission unfold.

Jenna Trapasso
April 8

Acts 6-8

2010-04-06T22:00:00.000-04:00

Metanarrative - any story told to justify another story.

Don’t you love a good story? Every night my son Charles wants me to tell him a story. Did you know that the Bible is a story? It is actually referred to as being a metanarrative. A metanarrative is defined as any story told to justify another story.

What we read in Acts 6-8 is a great example of a metanarrative. We are introduced to amazing characters of faith like Stephen, Philip and Saul (aka, Paul). Aren’t their stories great. Stephen full of the spirit tells God’s story from the beginning all the way to the death of Jesus which gets him martyred. Philip obeys the prompting of the Spirit shares the Gospel beginning with prophecy in Isaiah and baptizes the Eunich. And don’t forget we meet Saul the killer of Christians, whose name is changed to Paul and he preaches the gospel to the Gentiles and the world. The best part of these stories is that they are true!

Did you know that you are as much a part of God’s story as Stephen, Philip, and Paul? You have the choice to allow your story, your life, to be as much of a testimony to God’s story as Stephen, Philip, and Paul. Your story want be exactly like theirs. In fact, it will be as different as each of their stories is different. However, it will be just as powerful! How are you living your life? Who is the author of your story? Is it you, or is it God? Be the best _______________ (fill in the blank with your name) you can be. Allow God to use your life to justify His story. After all, all of history really is HIS STORY! The choice is yours to be a part of the story!

Brad Childers
April 7

Acts 3-5

2010-04-05T22:00:00.000-04:00

Follow the Money… Twice

It's almost sad: The first gospel sermon has just been preached. Thousands have found eternal life. The church has begun its rapid spread through the city. And then the money problems start. Its funny how much power money has over us:

A lame man is in the presence of people who can actually deal with his problems. The news of the miracle of Pentecost must surely have been swirling around near the temple. But what does he ask Peter and John for: Money. When Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none…”, he must have turned up his nose like a pan-handler in the supermarket parking lot. Was he thinking “Sure you don’t have any money. You expect me to believe that?”

It’s only by grace that Peter doesn’t just pass this fellow by. But instead, Peter drops everyone’s jaws as he helps this man drop his crutches. His healing not only gets Peter and John arrested but it shows that the money this guy was begging for is what really counts. In many ways he’s just like us. This poor short-sighted beggar gets not what he asked for but what he really needed: Healing. Isn’t that us? We ask God for blessings and health and possessions when what he really wants to give us is healing from our past and hope for our present.

But this guy isn’t the only one following the money: Ananias and Sapphira disprove the notion that the first Christians were all perfect. Didn’t you used to think so? If we could just restore the church to its original ideal state – like it was right after Pentecost we’d have reached our goal. Unfortunately, the church then, like the church today, had issues with money. The first major problem and the first terrible loss came because of money.

It’s a strange contrast that today’s reading shows us two people who were following the money: A poor beggar who got more than he could have imagined and rich couple who lost all that really mattered. Surely there’s a lesson there for you and me today. Take your pick.

If you just follow the money, you might miss the even greater blessing that God has for you NEXT.

Jeff Walling
April 6

John 21 - Acts 2

2010-04-04T22:00:00.001-04:00

Isn't it amazing the change the apostles went through from struggling in their faith to believe that Jesus could calm the storm, running away at during His trial and crucifixion, and being scared and locking themselves in a room away from those who considered Jesus an enemy, to the point where they were in Acts 1-2? They proclaimed with boldness what the crowd did to Jesus and how this event was really foreordained by God to show His love to us and justify us through the sacrifice of Jesus, His Son. When it comes to the proof of the Christian faith, this is certainly one piece of evidence to consider. Why would these 12 apostles die for something that was not true? Have you read how many of them died? Here are some examples:
- Peter- Crucified upside down- He said he was not worthy to be crucified as His Lord was.
- Andrew- severely scourged & tied by ropes on x-shaped cross where he hung 2 days to expire
- James- beheaded with sword
- Thomas- lanced by
idolatrous priests & burned up in an oven
- Paul- beheaded in Rome

People will not die purposefully for a lie, but rather, for truth.

What a Savior we serve! I am indebted to Him always- it is a privileged to be His bondservant.

Jack Exum
April 5

John 20

2010-04-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

John’s telling of the resurrection is very different from those recorded in the other gospels - because he was an eyewitness. You can tell when someone has first-hand knowledge of an event. The details are sharper, the words painting a vivid picture of what happened in your head as you read.

You can sense the fear in John as he and Peter run to the tomb. They are out in the open, exposed, vulnerable to any soldier who might see them. After all, they expect to be arrested at any moment. They were hiding in a locked room, afraid to even open the door.

You can sense their confusion. Is Mary delusional? Is her mind playing tricks on her? Where in the world is Jesus’ body? Did the Jewish leaders take it so they could put it on public display in the city, confirming that Jesus was just a man? Has the last three years been a lie? What made me think He might be the Messiah, the Promised One?

But then, you can sense the slight glimmer of hope as they approach the tomb. Maybe He really isn’t dead after all. Look, the stone has been rolled away. Could He really be the Son of God? Maybe I really did hear that voice on the Mount of Transfiguration after all.

And then, you peek in and stare the truth in the face. There’s no denying it - the body really is gone! The burial cloths are still here! I can’t explain it, I don’t know how it happened, but now I know – I’ve seen it with my own eyes – He’s Alive!

We wrestle with those same emotions as we find our way to the empty tomb. Won’t people think I’m a fool if I believe a man was raised from the dead? How can I know this is true? But maybe, just maybe, there is something more to life than I’ve been willing to admit. Dare I hope that God could really love me? After all, He knows me, and there’s not much that’s lovable about me. But on the remotest, slimmest, slightest chance He does, can I keep on ignoring Him? I just have to peek!

And then you stare the truth in the face. There’s no denying it - God does indeed love me! His Son really did die for me! He’s Alive – and therefore I, too, am Alive!

BTW, here’s a link to my most favorite Easter song - maybe it will become yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIndrry40Ks

Lee Thrasher
April 4

John 19

2010-04-02T22:00:00.000-04:00

“If only…”
“I wish I had…”
“I almost…”
I know that I have uttered these words. Have you? Often I have tasted regret when I did not heed the gentle whispering of the Holy Spirit. I could sense His leading and yet I failed to act. My journey with Christ teaches me to listen carefully and act promptly as the Spirit leads.

As I read Pilate’s story in John 19, I am overwhelmed by the tragedy that unfolds as Pilate almost does the right thing. We are told that he was convinced of Christ’s innocence. He attempted to distract and placate the crowds, but he was not bold enough to defend his own conviction. If only he had not succumbed to the pressure of power and politics. If only he had stood his ground…

I wonder what pressures cry out in your life? I am convicted by those that hold too much sway in mine. I pray that they will not be able to drown out the voice of the
Spirit. May He grant us courage as we follow where He leads.

Kathleen Tatro
April 3

John 18

2010-04-01T22:00:00.000-04:00

“Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?” These are the words Jesus spoke to Peter (after He told him to put his sword away). Just a few shorts words above this verse we are told that Jesus “knew all that was going to happen to him”. Shortly before this scene, Jesus had been in the garden pleading to God: "Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." What a whirlwind of emotions. Jesus went from pleading for another way to knowing there was no other way to telling others there was no other way. What cup does God ask you or me to drink? Jesus sets us an example here that it is not wrong to ask the Father to take it away, but when we ask, we must be ready to accept the answer He gives us. For we may ASK, not tell our Father what to do! May we strive to be as willing as our Savior to accept that answer by saying: “Shall I not drink the cup my Father has given me?

Julie Hallman
April 2

John 17

2010-03-31T22:00:00.000-04:00

Jesus Christ lifts up a prayer for the ones who have already believed in Him and the ones who will believe in Him and follow Him, "My prayer is not from them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." John 17:20-21. What a teaching of prayer and care. Jesus Christ, the God of gods, the King of kings, the Light of lights and the Lord of lords praying for all of us. He himself prayed for every one of us. What an example and responsibility we have, to spread the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ and be united in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Farther of all, who is over all and through all and in all" Ephesians 4:4-6 Praise Him!

Armando Perdomo
April 1

John 15-16

2010-03-30T22:00:00.000-04:00

The Truth Guide.

The Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Truth.

The Counselor.

The convictor of guilt from sin.

He will not speak on his own.

He speaks only what he hears.

He tells of the future.

He brings glory to Jesus.

He does this by revealing to us the things of Christ.

The prince of this world stands condemned. Jesus is alive. Come, Lord Jesus.

Nathan Tillotson
March 31

John 14

2010-03-29T22:00:00.000-04:00

It’s gotta be divine providence that I was assigned the blog for today. This is one of my top ten favorites in the Bible! I memorized the first three verses in elementary school. King James Version, of course! “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions...” The NIV says the word “rooms” instead of “mansions”. I remember all the discussions about what each of our mansion might look like and how big they might be. How awesome! Can you believe they are in Heaven getting ready for us? I can’t even comprehend what that means---but I sure do seem to enjoy the idea of it. God wants us with him for all eternity and he’s making sure everything is the way it should be.

I’m preparing for a marathon at the end of April. What that means is that I’m trying to get 30-40 miles of running every week, I’m doing at least one long run a week, and I’m trying to get some other exercise to “cross train” the rest of my body. It’s a lot of work, but if I don’t do the training and preparation---I will not make all 26.2 miles on race day. Even with the preparation---it’s gonna be rough!!! I’m so thankful that our preparations for Heaven are not nearly as grueling as running 30 miles a week. I’m even more grateful that Heaven is no marathon to be endured. Instead it’s an eternity of praise to be enjoyed! Get ready----Jesus is coming back to get us!

Jim Bales
March 30

John 13

2010-03-27T22:00:00.001-04:00

Facebook was unveiled in all its glory my junior year of college and I immediately and impulsively decided that it was a ridiculous waste of time and I would not be participating. One of my four roommates joined the online social network the day she heard about it and the others were slowly convinced of its usefulness in peering into the lives of childhood friends and estranged family members. I stood my ground for a month or two, then when I found myself borrowing one of my friends’ passwords to scope out this web-world, I finally created an account. I was probably as neurotic about checking my facebook as many of your kids [or you…admit it!] are for the first year of my facebook ownership, but the excitement wore off fast for me. In recent days I avoid signing on at all costs. I believe the evolution of facebook left me in the dust. I type www.facebook.com, enter my name and password and I am immediately confronted with decisions…Do you want to own a farm? Which Star Wars character are you? Do you want to send Bobby a gift? It’s serious virtual-sensory overload.

In the last couple of days I’ve read John 13 a few times. Every time I read it I intend to have a deeply spiritual experience…but the only experience my head was allowing me to have was visual imagery of signing onto facebook and being asked to take the “Which Disciple Are You Quiz?” I would labor over 10 profound, personal questions and after answering all of them it would be revealed that I am Peter. I hope facebook never stoops that low…besides I didn’t need a cyber-quiz to expose my sinful heart--just the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful that God saw fit to include so many gut-wrenching stories about Peter’s misadventures in His word, as I always relate to his hasty behavior.

It’s in verse 37 that Peter epitomizes the human condition, “Peter said to Him, ‘Lord why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for you.’” It is so like us to assume that we know God’s timing and what He wants with us. Peter responded to Jesus’ announcement that He was going where no one could follow, with such honesty and righteousness but also with such ignorance. He believed with all his heart that it was time for Him to follow the Messiah. I am Peter. I run around assuming what work the Lord has set aside for me and I try to tell Him I am ready for Him to be the Lord of my life. And Jesus responds by knowing me better than I know myself…just as He did with Peter. He simply replies, “before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

John 13’s ending sheds light on its beginning for me. Just after washing the disciples’ feet Jesus says, “You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am…I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master.” Teacher, Lord, and Master. These words have little place in my vocabulary…I prefer to call Him: Savior, Friend, Healer. But in that moment with Peter, Jesus defines his Lordship. He knew Peter better than Peter knew Himself. That is my Lord! I take comfort in the fact that my master understands the most isolated depths of my heart and is able to fully satisfy them. He has heard every wavering thought and solved every problem in my mind. To have a master and teacher who lavishes His love and guidance on us and choose to not take advantage of it…sounds crazy…but it’s human. It’s Peter. It’s me. It’s you.

I have realized that my earthly devotion only goes so far. It may have taken me to the foot of the cross but it cannot make a disciple out of me. Peter relied on his own earthly devotion in this exchange with Jesus, and he goes on, in all of his self-sufficiency, to deny his master three times. It is at this point when we stop believing ourselves and what WE know about God and we learn to yield to the Spirit and sacrifice our desire to be our own master.

Jenna Trapasso
March 28

John 12

2010-03-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

ten•sion
[ten-shuh n] –noun

1. the act of stretching or straining.
2. the state of being stretched or strained.
3. mental or emotional strain; intense, suppressed suspense, anxiety, or excitement.
4. a strained relationship between individuals, groups, nations, etc.

Have you ever put on a pair of Chinese handcuffs? Chinese handcuffs only work if there is tension. As long as you are trying to pull your hands apart they will keep you bound, but the second that you push your hands to the center, you are free.

When I think of Jesus, I think of perfection. It is rare that I think about his humanness. My mind seems to focus more on His divinity. It is very rare that I ever think about the war that was going on inside of Jesus. It is very common for me to think about the war that is going on inside of myself. What do I mean when I use the word war? I mean the battle that Romans 7:15-21 talks about. The battle of what I want to do verses what God wants me to do. Listen to it in Jesus words from John 12:27-28 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" Jesus is like me. Jesus is like you. He has a battle going on. How does He get to the point where He says “NO” to Himself? I think the answer lies just a few verses before when He says: (John 12:24-25 NIV) I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. {25} The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

What is God calling you to say NO to so you can say YES to Him?
How is God calling you to say NO to your addiction so you can say YES to Him?
How is God calling you to say NO to your body so you can say YES to Him?
How is God calling you to say NO to tension and push towards HIM?

I love God’s response after Jesus chooses correctly: (John 12:28-30 NIV) Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." {29} The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. {30} Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.

Father glorify your name through us as we die to ourselves in your community!

Brad Childers
March 28

John 11

2010-03-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

My Favorite Verse… in 1965

I remember what the pencil looked like: It had golden lettering and a beautifully perfect red eraser on the top. In bright lettering the side read “God Loves You!”. And all I had to do to get Mrs. Henderson to give me on was to memorize a verse of scripture. Any verse of scripture… so long as someone else hadn’t already chosen it. Unfortunately the easy targets were already gone: John 3:16, Genesis 1:1 and the like.

But I had a secret weapon: John 11:35! It’s right in the middle of the reading for today. After Jesus gets the news of his good friend Lazarus’ illness, he and the disciples head to Bethany. This is no small decision as the opposition to Jesus was definitely at threat level red. Thomas is so worried about the trip that he thinks their heading there to join Lazarus in death.

But Jesus had other plans.

He amazes the world and marks his divinity with a sentence: “Lazarus, come out!” But And the dead man walked out of the tomb.

But that wasn’t the most amazing moment. That comes in John 11:35.

Two little words that show me the heart of Christ.

Two little words that make his humanity real.

Two little words that let me see that he really cares…and still does.

“Jesus wept.”

Think about it: Isn’t it amazing that though Jesus knew he was about to bring his friend back from the dead he still wept. Why not just get on with the healing? Why go through the emotion of weeping when he was about to end the mourning and start the party?

I think those two little words happened because Jesus really did care about the grief Mary and Martha were feeling. He wept because he was touched by the pain of being human and the loss that every death brings. He wept for every friend, mother, brother or child who loses someone dear to them to mortality’s cold grip.

And because of that, they are still two of my favorite words in the New Testament.

Here’s my advice: Memorize them!

Jeff Walling
March 27

John 10

2010-03-25T22:00:00.000-04:00

John 10: 9-10- I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Have you ever noticed the struggle between what the Bible calls the "flesh" or "sinful nature" and the Spirit of God who lives in the Christ-follower? Have you ever had a callous? That area of skin has become desensitized to heat, cold, and pain because of exposure to the elements. The thief in verse 10 does that--- he tries to expose the Christ-follower to the world and to make him or her conform to what the world has to offer. The thief is clever--- he slips into our home, work, friendships, marriages, churches, and relationships by feeding us the junk food that the world has to offer. The more we take in the world and conform to its "standards", the more desensitized we are to the Holy Spirit and His leading.

Jesus only wants what is good for us for His glory. I Peter 2 says "Beloved, as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles that when they speak evil against you, they may, by good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Who will we serve in our homes so that Charlotte is changed 1 family at a time? May we serve our Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Jack Exum
March 26

John 9

2010-03-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

I Was Blind, But Now I See

The actual miracle Jesus performs to give the blind man sight takes up only 2 of the 41 verses in this story. John spends much more time sharing what happened before and after. While the interplay between the blind man, Jesus, the Pharisees, and even the man’s parents is fascinating, and many have written about it, what challenges me is how Jesus’ disciples view this situation.

Although the blind man doesn’t cry out for Jesus to heal him, Jesus stops, takes compassion on him, and changes his life forever. The disciples, though, show no compassion whatsoever for the man. They don’t plead with Jesus to heal him. They view the man as a theological puzzle, not a hurting outcast who needs their love.

The disciples think this is a golden opportunity to get Jesus’ perspective on an age-old problem – is suffering the result of sin in our lives? The disciples are much like Job’s “friends” – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar didn’t really seek to comfort Job, nor bring relief for his suffering, but instead tried to convince him he was somehow at fault for the tragedy that had befallen him. They were much more interested in Job as an object lesson than as a person.

I’m afraid I, at times, look at someone in need, or hurting, or poor, and ponder the social ills of our nation, or the welfare system, or what will it take to break the generational poverty cycle. Instead, like Jesus, I need to see each individual, and follow His lead – how can God be glorified and pain alleviated, right here, right now? How can I bring “the light of the world” to shine in someone’s dark life? How can I help this person see that the “works of God might be displayed in him”?

Maybe I, like the Pharisees, am blind after all.

Lee Thrasher
March 25

John 8

2010-03-23T22:00:00.000-04:00

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – Jesus

Sunshine! Blue skies! I am ready for spring. How ‘bout you? The gloomy winter days have reminded me of the times when I have tried to head off in my own direction and ended up wandering in the dark.

In John 8 Jesus faced many questions about his testimony, his authority, and his promises. The Pharisees and others seem determined to continue to rely on their limited perceptions and pride in their lineage. They had held the Father at arm’s length for so long that they did not recognize the embodiment of his mercy in the person of his Son. They were stumbling around in the darkness of misplaced judgment and short sighted vision.

There are so many hurting people that have lost their bearings and become afraid in the dark. Following Christ will flood our souls with light! What a mercy it is that He has shown us what true love looks like. The light that Jesus shines on our path can order our steps. As we walk with Him we can reach down and offer a hand to those whose hope is dim. I pray that today we will speak the words of hope and mercy that someone needs to hear.

Kathleen Tatro
March 24

John 7

2010-03-22T22:00:00.000-04:00

Home. There’s no place like it!

Not even one verse into today’s reading and already the wheels are turning in my head! Verse one starts out, “after this…” “After what?” I ask… after many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him, that’s after what! (John 6:66). What did Jesus do “after this”? He ‘went around in Galilee’. Galilee was ‘home’ territory. There are other verses that help me understand how Jesus must have felt about Galilee: It’s where He performed not only His first miracle (John 2:1-11), but His second as well (John 4:43-54). Most of Jesus’ miracles were performed in and around Galilee. It’s where the 4000 and the 5000 were fed. In fact, Matthew 4:23 tells us that Jesus went throughout Galilee teaching and preaching and healing EVERY disease and sickness among the people!! Galilee is where He called the twelve and they were all Galileans (Acts 1:11) and the women who cared for Him were also Galileans. (Matthew 27:55) Galilee is where Jesus first shared his coming betrayal, death and resurrection with His disciples (Matthew 17:22-23) and it is where He told them to meet Him after His resurrection (Matthew 26:32). All that history in Galilee helps me understand why Jesus would want to go back there “after this”. Every memory from there was not perfect, everything done there was not the way He would have wanted it, He wasn’t accepted by every single person, but it was home. Where do I go when I’m discouraged and lonely? I have my own Galilee….it’s the church that meets at Providence Road. No, not the physical building, but YOU. Jesus had family in Galilee, not just His physical family, (turns out they weren’t always the most supportive anyway)! I have family in the body that meets at Providence Road! Thank you for being here for me so that coming to PR is like coming home and there is no place like it!!

Ok, I got through seven words in chapter 7! I love how every word of Scripture is intentional and full of impact!

Julie Hallman
March 23

John 6

2010-03-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty". In his own words, our Lord Jesus Christ is extending us an invitation to believe in Him. "But I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe "John 6:35-36. How hard it is for us to believe in Him."Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life, and I will raise him."John:6:53-54. Brethren and friends, it is about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, what is all about. It is such an intimate relation that he wants us to have with Him, that he stresses as the importance of being in communion with Him at all times. He wants us to be a part of Him and with Him forever in heaven. Praise Him!

Armando Perdomo
March 22

John 5

2010-03-20T22:00:00.001-04:00

This is a hard chapter for me because it flies right in my face. Like in the story of the man at the pool I’ve been healed. Jesus has washed my sins away. I’m free. But sometimes I run face to face with Jesus and I’m sinning all over again. Has this ever happened to you?

During this 99 days I’m struggling with believing in Jesus. I’m not doubting the claims of the Gospel, but I’m finding myself too often not fully believing because I’m not doing what Jesus says to do. Sure, I’ve got the big things covered, it’s the small stuff that’s a struggle. You may be able to relate. As of late, I haven’t used my time wisely. No, I’m not doing bad stuff it’s just that Jesus is not getting out of me what I know He deserves. For example, rather than getting in a good work-out at home or at the gym I’m piddling around the house not doing much of anything. I’m thankful for my basketball buddies who encouraged my to play this morning.

In the rest of this chapter Jesus is concerned about our not believing in Him yet believing everything else around us. He plainly says, "I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts” (John 5:41-42 NIV).

God, today help me to love You and You only. For in loving You I find peace and the true love of all that is good and right. In Jesus name, amen.

Nathan Tillotson
March 21

John 4

2010-03-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

AHH “The Woman at the Well” a classic story of treating others well; even if they aren’t the same as you. (I want some of that living water!) In this chapter I never really paid attention to what Paul Harvey would call “the rest of the story”. It tells in verses 39-42 about the Samaritans response to Jesus following his interaction with the woman at the well. It says they asked Jesus to stay with them ---and he did for two days. This was not just a service project so to speak---this was a full blown mission trip! It all started with Jesus meeting the needs of one woman. Then she told people and they told people and in the end many people believed. And that, my friends, is the rest of the story. Hallelujah!!!!

Jim Bales
March 20

John 2-3

2010-03-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

I love hiking. There is something so right about being in the woods, isolated from all things complicated. I embrace it…I love losing myself to nature…instead of watching the hours and minutes creep by on an office clock, I watch the sun move across the sky with such conviction. I trade in a previously-timed breakfast, lunch, and dinner for intermittent snacking on trail mix and beef jerky—the timing determined only by my stomach’s desires. My favorite amenity to relinquish, though, is the daily shower. I know there are some readers who just decided I’m a sicko…but I’m hoping there are others of you who will testify to the freedom of not showering. It’s the same wonderful feeling you get as a child when you jump with all your might off of a curb into a puddle and watch as the murky, brown water covers your pants and sometimes face. You don’t know about laundry or stains, or money for that matter, and so you live a little more freely. That is the gift of lightness. Not showering gives me that gift, wrapped loosely with no bows.

I would have been John the Baptist’s number one fan. I would have started a club and we would’ve followed J.B. like groupies. We would’ve worn matching camel’s hair clothes and we would’ve roasted locusts over the camp fire and then drizzled them with wild honey [Matthew 3]. It sounds like the perfect dose of lightness. J.B. wasn’t Captain Cool and he wasn’t on anybody’s plan [except God’s]. He was the poster child for self-expression…he knew about non-conformity long before gothic teenagers. I love that the Lord chose to send John the Baptist, an unkempt, less-than-impressive mountain man, to prepare the way for His son—the savior.

I guess if you’ve spent even a little bit of time reading the gospels you already know that God doesn’t care about appearance…and while I think God intentionally selected John the Baptist’s attire as he walked through the woods exclaiming his position as the “one who comes before the Christ,” I think it was J.B.’s heart that God was really putting on display.

How was John the Baptist so grounded? He was ordained to be the guy that paves the way for the Messiah and yet he was so quick to declare his own unimportance. His followers came to him expressing concern about the nerve of Jesus to start a baptism contest across the Jordan river and John the Baptist served them up a warm slice of humble pie, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” He was so sure of His role in the big picture because he recognized that the only reason he had a role at all was because of God’s grace and sovereignty. I treasure humility like that of John the Baptist…it is so refreshing. He continues to explain to his disciples that, “The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

And we must take a lesson from John the Baptist.

Jenna Trapasso
March 19

John 1

2010-03-17T22:00:00.001-04:00

What time is it?
What time do I have to be there?
How much time do I have left?
Can you believe how much time that took?
How can I save time?
How old are you?
How much time do you have left…..

Everything I do is in the context of time. It is the most valuable resource I have. I believe it is one of SATAN’S greatest tools to use against me. “If time is all I have,” Satan whispers in my ear, “then maximize it to get the most of what YOU want now.” “When your time is up, the game is over.” Life becomes a game like catch phrase with the timer ticking. The timer starts off really slow and gradually increases. With every second your pulse quickens, the stress heightens, and then the buzzer blows…… what a pressure cooker!

When I read the first five verses of John chapter 1, I realize that I need to see life in the context of GOD’S time – not Satan’s. God is not father time. He is the creator of time. In fact he was before time and will be after time ends. Life is about joining God on His mission, not creating our own and selfishly maxing it out till the buzzer blows. Life is meant to lived like…… well how Jesus did it. He was born and time started. He lived for God’s PURPOSE not His own and now lives with Him forever. Can’t measure forever in time…..

What context are you living time in? Yours or God’s?
If you want to find out your PURPOSE in God’s will, read Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven Life to find out what is NEXT for you.

Brad Childers
March 18

Luke 23-24

2010-03-16T22:00:00.003-04:00

Two Men on Either Side of the Cross

Dr. Luke doesn’t miss details. He wants us to see the picture on Golgotha in all its horror, honesty and hope. And while he puts the spotlight squarely on Jesus, did you notice the two others held up beside him? The two thieves. We’re all familiar with the three crosses on the hill. But if you dismiss the two men beside Jesus as wicked twins who only act as contrasts to the holiness of the Lamb of God, you miss something I think Luke would have us see.

We don’t know their names, but early Christian writers called the thief on Christ’s right Dismas and the one on his left Gestas. While they are often spoken of as “the thieves”, the two men on either side of the cross are really very different. They are as different as heaven and hell. As different as lost and saved. In fact there may be no more important difference in the world than this: Which side of the cross are you on?

The first of the thieves to speak, Gestas, “hurls insults” at Jesus. Not a strange thing for a person in pain to do. People injured and in shock are likely to take it out on anyone nearby. Loving wives, while giving birth, have been known to cuss out their shocked husbands. But this guy’s insults aren’t random: They’re personal. He challenges Christ’s divinity. He dares Jesus to do something about their situation. He is an angry mocker who speaks the thoughts of an unbelieving world with spit and venom. Gestas has no trouble calling Jesus out and few there would have disagreed with his rant.

But at least one person one did: The other thief.

Dismas was on the other side of Jesus… in every way. He reaches past the unbelievable pain he was enduring and blocks the mocking words from Gestas. He defends Christ as having done “nothing wrong” and rebukes Gestas for his attitude. It is the perfect picture of the person who sees who Jesus really is. And he knows that being this close to the Son of God at the moment of one’s death is a privilege that should not be wasted. He asks for help and mercy and its no surprise when he gets it.

What do you want to hear at the moment of your death? “This day you will be with me in Paradise” sounds pretty good to me.

And we can hear those words from a loving Savior… as long as we are on the right side of the cross.

May God increase your faith today and may we all be ready to hear words of welcome because we have claimed the grace of the Christ on the cross.

Easter is coming… have you invited someone to come hear His story?

Jeff Walling
March 17

Luke 21-22

2010-03-15T22:00:00.000-04:00

The Widow's Gift

My section of Scripture for today is Luke 21-22. I want to focus on chapter 21, verses 1-4. In these verses it says, "As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." At the end of each year, I do an equity worksheet to determine our finances "Net Worth". Some years it grows, some years it shrinks, but each year, my family has been blessed. We have more than most on the Earth! You are probably like us in that matter. Read again what Jesus said about the widow- "She gave out of her POVERTY... all she had to live on." One commentary says that "all she had to live on" was equivalent to 5 minutes of a normal day's wages. That is equal to $2 to live on if a "normal day's wages" was $50,000! and she gave it. Who does she trust? Who is her hope, refuge and shepherd and provider? I will bet that she had a close walk with God and we know from this Scripture that He took a personal interest in her!

Jesus is comparing her to the Pharisees and Scribes who tithed everything they had, but were filled with pride and did not trust God to provide as Jehovah-Jireh. From these verses, we should:

- Be generous and look for opportunities to privately have a giving spirit toward others
- Seek 1st God's kingdom and His righteous
- Not worry about things- trust God to provide for our needs
- Not set our heart on riches nor trust in them
- Tithe because of what God has done for us through Jesus (not out of obligation)

May He bless you today as you seek Him and love others!

Jack Exum
March 16

Luke 19-20

2010-03-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

A Wee Little Man

The story of Jesus and Zacchaeus makes for a fun VBS song. But his story is really our story.

You know that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, and he got rich by extorting taxes from his fellow Jews on behalf of Rome. He was hated as a traitor to his people.

But in spite of how the people around him looked at him, felt about him, treated him, he had the courage to go out into the crowd, risking his neck to catch a glimpse of the Rabbi he’d heard about who ate with tax-collectors and sinners. Had he heard from Levi, a fellow tax-collector, this Galilean carpenter might really be the Messiah? And if, on the remote chance He was, was it even thinkable that He could care about a despised and rejected outcast such as Zacchaeus? Or would Jesus just walk right on by, roll His eyes and smirk in his direction, knowing Zacchaeus was the kingpin of the Jericho tax cartel, an abomination to his people?

We, too, are up a tree. We, too, know deep down inside we aren’t good enough to warrant a passing glance from God. We’ve failed, miserably, repeatedly. We’ve said we’d do better, and then we come up with creative ways to embarrass ourselves. We sink to new lows. Even if we could attract God’s attention, why would He give us a second thought? He, like everyone else around us, would shudder if our true nature was exposed.

But God does indeed know us, and He’s not surprised at the kind of person we are. Our sins don’t catch Him off guard. He doesn’t say, “well, if I’d only known you had done that sort of thing, I certainly wouldn’t have wasted My time with you.”

Instead, Jesus wants to come into our house and enjoy time with us. With us! And, like Zacchaeus, it is necessary for Jesus to slow down and pay attention. Because that is His mission – bringing hope to the hopeless, seeking and saving we who are very, very mis-placed without Him. He doesn’t ignore us, speed up and act like we aren’t there, and hope He doesn’t have to alter His agenda to deal with the likes of us - because we are His agenda! And, like Zacchaeus, we are forever changed, our priorities re-arranged by an encounter with the living Son of God.

Lee Thrasher
March 15

Luke 16-18

2010-03-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

Thankfulness opens a door to our hearts in a way that nothing else does. Have you ever noticed that it is easier to give thanks when we are humble? Humility is not popular. Our society seems to value boldness and self-sufficiency. When I am humble, I have a deep sense of the majesty of God and of my utter dependence on Him. It is in this frame of mind that I can best experience grace.

A life lived in grace became a reality for us when we put on Christ in baptism. Through the blood of our Savior we live and breathe grace. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I lose sight of this reality.

Jesus longed for us to live in such a way that grace would be a palatable experience. In Luke, Jesus uses several character sketches to illustrate the attitudes that can harden our hearts and keep us from tasting grace. He also gave us glimpses of those who walked in the light.

As I read about the rich man who was steeped in regret and longed to warn his brothers, I remember the times that I ignored the Spirit prompting me to speak.

I long to be the one leper who returned to offer praises and give thanks. I am embarrassed by the busy times that I went off with the other nine lepers and took for granted the blessings that I had received.

I cringe to think that I have ever compared my path to that of others without begging for mercy as the tax collector did.

I rejoice that Jesus welcomes me as He would a little child.

Above all, for today, my heart will echo the blind beggar, “Lord, I want to see!”

Kathleen Tatro
March 14

Luke 13-15

2010-03-12T22:00:00.000-05:00

Wow, when the first words I encounter in today’s reading are the heading, “Repent or Perish”, I know I’m in for an interesting read! I find myself feeling such a range of emotions as I read today’s text. Anger at the way the Pharisees consistently tried to trick and trap my Lord, fear at how easily some I love are content to miss the door Jesus has opened for us, amazement at how connected the spiritual and physical are in the life of the crippled woman, sadness and admiration for the love Jesus feels for the very ones trying to kill Him. Then Luke shares some of Jesus’ amazing parables. Jesus emphasizes the attitudes and actions of two camps: Things Lost: lost coin, lost sheep, lost son. Things found: UNRIVALED love, a cross to carry, forgiveness. Jesus explains to us the cost of following Him…and the cost of not following. While the cost of following is high, don’t miss that each of the parables discussing those who find Jesus end in amazing joy: Rejoicing by angels, rejoicing in heaven, and rejoicing by our Father!

Julie Hallman
March 13

Luke 11-12

2010-03-11T22:00:00.001-05:00

Jesus Christ, our Lord, gave us the example in how to pray. In the book of Luke, Chapter 11 he starts by saying, 1) "Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." Accepting the sovereignty of God, 2) "Give us each day our daily bread, " Giving thanks to Him at all times 3) Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" Confessing how short of the glory of God we are, " And lead us not into temptation". and finally, supplicating Him to protect us from the evil one," The Lord says to us to be in continuous prayer, helping us, through His Spirit, who dwells in our hearts, to be transformed and be more like Jesus.

Our God wants us to be like his son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and not like the Pharisees and teachers of the law. It is not about how much we know but how much we practice the word and teachings of God. In Chapter 11, verse 42, the Lords woes the Pharisees, "Woe to the Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kind of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone". Sometimes we might be like the Pharisees or do we really want to please God in everything that we do and say?

Our Lord continues on His teachings, by warning us in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kind of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions". He wants us to be more like Him, caring, loving and fully focused on the unseen, the spiritual life, than the things of his creation.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourself that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where our treasure is, there your heart is also" words of Jesus in Luke 12:32-34.

What a great way to pray, asking God to forgive us for hoarding what has no eternal value and guiding us daily to a life filed with His Spirit.

Armando Perdomo
March 12

Luke 9-10

2010-03-10T22:00:00.000-05:00

One of the hard things about reading scripture is seeing past the chapters and subtitles found before stories and segments. This makes it difficult to see how stories fit together to teach broader themes. In Luke 10 we find two classic stories: the story of the person who acted “neighborly” and Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha. Together these two teach us concurring themes in Luke of going and doing as well as sitting and listening.

There are moments in life when we must act, perform some good deed or serve someone or persons in a special way. And yet there are other times, like the one your experiencing now by reading scripture, when we must stop, sit and listen to One who teaches us how to live. You guessed it! One of these is a L2 way of life and the other L1.

As you live today may God supply you with wisdom to know when to act and when to sit and listen.

Nathan Tillotson
March 11

Luke 7-8

2010-03-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

So here’s what I learned in seminary about the book of Luke. Three things. First, the authors of this book and the book of Matthew both used the book of Mark as part of their source materials. He wasn’t there with Jesus so he had to rely on other “accounts.” That would explain why my reading today matches very closely with DAY 4 and DAY 14 that I already wrote about. So, go look there again for some witty comments! Second, the book of Luke is part one of a two-part mini series written to Theophilus. Who knows what part two is? If you said Acts—you are a winner! Too bad they didn’t make a movie of it!! Three, Theophilus is a man...or is he?!? This word is translated “one who loves God” and it could be that Luke is writing in general to any Christian reading his mini-series... Hmmmmm! That’s about all the seminary smarts I can share with you at this time. Hope you enjoyed it.

Now, my favorite one-liner from Jesus in today’s reading. Just imagine the scenario of the crowds all crushing in on Jesus trying to see him and hear him and be healed by him. Everyone wanted a piece of him. Instead of being overwhelmed and frustrated Jesus chose to have a sense of humor about it. Understatement of the day, “Who touched me?” 8:46.

Jim Bales
March 10

Luke 5-6

2010-03-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

I’m such a sucker for excitement and thrill. I love surprises and adrenaline. I even kind of like being scared because the feeling of nervous anticipation closely resembles that of excitement. I love the feeling I get when the waitress is finally heading towards my table after I’ve been eyeing her every time she rounds the corner to make an analysis of the food on her platter to see if it might be mine. I love the imposing sound of the lion roaring in the movie theater revealing that the movie is about to begin. I’m rereading this and realizing I sound like a freak but I’m telling it like it is: I love to be excited!

Ok, with that admission in mind let me confess that I was a bit bummed when I realized that this week I’d be blogging the same section of Jesus’ life for the THIRD time. So selfish, I know. Another thing I love is clarity and it became clear to me that God wanted me to read and re-read and re-re-read the beginning of Jesus' ministry. I'm not sure yet, but I have a feeling I have one more re-read coming my way when I get to John.

I felt convicted about feeling bored with God's word that He tells us is living and active and sharp [Hebrews 12] and once again I bowed my shameful head and my hollow heart to God and asked for newness and a fresh perspective on the scripture...and He didn't give it to me but what He gave to me was better.

I read in Luke 5 that "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" and then in Luke 6 "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." My first reaction was to wonder why Jesus, the son of our almighty God, had to be lonely? I was kind of sad for Him...speculating that the burden of ministering to countless lost souls was so much that Jesus had to be alone to deal with all of it...and then God graciously offered me contentment. He didn't give me an exciting, earth-shattering revelation about the scripture. He gave me contentment and the realization that Jesus CHOSE the time alone with His Father.
I am humbled by God's word and Jesus' wisdom -- I feel so small and self-absorbed as I sit here in front of this computer screen attempting to even describe the fullness of God. Jesus went to lonely places to be with God but He wasn't alone...He was in the presence of the One who makes life have purpose. It just plopped it into perspective for me. There was no point to Jesus' life on Earth if He wasn't praying to do only what God sent Him to do. His prayers weren't for the purpose of equipping Him to do God's work. His prayers were the work.

Our prayers shouldn't be dependent upon where God has placed us or what we're currently going through. No matter what we should continually offer up prayers to Him. And He promises, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do . . ." [John 14:13]. Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness.

Oswald Chambers put it like this, "There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person’s work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God’s perspective there are always results. What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ."

Jenna Trapasso
March 9

Luke 3-4

2010-03-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

Tiger Woods…..

The world is in need of a new role model. Can I get an amen?

I was listening on the radio yesterday about how to feed you children vegetables. The first thing the lady said was that you (the parent) had better be eating your vegetables. Isn’t that a great truth, we must model what we want others to do.

Luke 3:21-22 says, “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened {22} and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."”

Jesus, our model, was baptized. Why did Jesus, the spotless lamb, get baptized? Matthew 3:15 NIV says, “ Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.” Jesus was fulfilling the law so that the perfect God-man could take the place of us all. Jesus wanted to model what we, man, were supposed to do.

Jesus goes on to model a few things for us in his temptation in Luke 4. The first is man does not live on bread alone. At the end of Jesus forty days in the desert he was hungry. Jesus, our model, tells us not to be led by our belly or our desires. Mark 4:19 says, “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Jesus refutes Satan with scripture: 'Man does not live on bread alone.' Jesus is referred to in scripture as being both the word of God and the bread of life. Let us all feast on Jesus, His word, and his example. Then, let us be the countercultural example for those who look up to us…. and the world.

Brad Childers
March 8

Luke 1-2

2010-03-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

The Sound of Silence

That’s how Luke begins his telling of Christ’s story. It starts with a 400 year silence that was about to be broken. God’s people had not heard form a prophet in four centuries. Not since Malachi had promised that a great leader would come had they heard a word from the Lord. And now that silence would at last be broken.

And they were ready! Herod, who the detail-driven Dr. Luke names as “king of Judea”, was a scoundrel. We think he’d had ten wives and history says at least one he had executed for no apparent reason. He was known as a godless, selfish man who was above the law. He ruled a puppet kingdom and feared anyone taking it from him. Remember Matthew’s story of his attempt to kill Christ? It was indeed a dark and silent time in Israel when the light of hope had all but been extinguished by wicked rulers and Roman occupation. Where was the voice of God?

Silence.

So in this silence we meet the first prophet in Luke’s gospel: Zechariah. It’s no wonder that when this old priest, who would become John the Baptist’s father, heard that promise from the angel Gabriel that he was a touch skeptical. “How can I be sure this will happen?” Gabriel’s response tells me he didn’t get asked for his ID very often. And so he gives Zechariah a sign he wouldn’t soon forget: He could speak a word until his baby was born. He was condemned to 9 months of…

Silence.

I can relate. If God struck me with silence, I wouldn’t know what to do. (My wife and son might rejoice…) But I’d sure have a lot of time to remember that when God makes a promise, even when he is silent for a time, I must not doubt him. God’s silence is often the prelude to the healing or hopeful words I need. And when they come, I need to be ready to trust and obey. And rejoice, just like the second prophet in Luke’s story, Simeon. This old man had been waiting through the silent dark years. Waiting for God to speak again, and yet speak as he had never before. His words always make me smile. Here’s this old, faithful man who finally gets to see Jesus. And then he’s ready to go be with God because…

The silence was over.

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Luke 2:29-32

May we listen for God’s voice this week so that I may be ready to trust and follow what he has NEXT for me!

Mark 15-16

2010-03-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

These chapters describe the trail, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. One verse that catches my eye is this one as Pilate is trying to get Jesus freed: "Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." (Mark 15:15) I used to think peer pressure was something that only younger people had to deal with, but I was wrong. All of us in every age deal with it.
- Am I a God-pleaser or a people-pleaser?
- Am I more concerned with what others think or with what God thinks?
- Am I proud to be a Christ-follower or am I shy about it?

Pilate knew the right thing to do, but he did what he knew the crowd wanted him to do... who will I be today? A God-pleaser or a man-pleaser? What about you?

Jack Exum
March 6

Mark 14

2010-03-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

Jesus is sometimes depicted as a mild-mannered religious teacher who was hardly a threat to anyone (except for that atypical outburst in the temple with the moneychangers). He was an illegitimate, uneducated child of a laborer, growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. He had no social or political power - who would ever feel threatened by Him?

Apparently, the religious leaders who plotted his demise were. On the eve of His crucifixion, a “crowd” went with Judas to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Who was in this crowd, whose sole purpose was to arrest Jesus?

John tells us (John 18:3, 12) that a Roman cohort was part of the crowd. A cohort is 600 men – a Roman battalion - easily 20% of the soldiers under Pontius Pilate’s command. Can you imagine 600 of the best trained soldiers in the world showing up at your front door to arrest you? They were led by a commander, a chiliarch – a man over a thousand troops - one of Pilate’s top military aides.

Those enlisted by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders were also in the crowd. These are three distinct sections of Jewish religious leaders. The chief priests came from the tribe of Levi, and were the beneficiaries of all the perks of being a priest at the temple. The scribes were the lawyers, highly educated, entrusted with preserving the Law. The elders were the community judges, drawn from among the common folks. These three never got along – except apparently when it came to eliminating Jesus, who threatened their power over the people.

John tells us (I know, this is about Mark’s account, but it helps to see the composite picture) that this crowd “drew back and fell to the ground” when He announced He was the one they sought (John 18:6). A mere man, confronted by 600+ tough men ready to do him harm, causes them to fall down in fear? Fear of what?

Of the Holy Son of God. Of the Creator of the Universe, in the flesh. Of the One who could call “twelve legions of angels” to His side in a nanosecond (BTW, a legion is 6000, so Jesus could be surrounded by 72,000 angels instantly. One angel killed 185,000 in one night in 2 Kings 19:35 – a rather formidable army was available to do His bidding).

Let us never forget that while we serve the Lamb of God, He is also the Lion of Judah. And as C.S. Lewis put it, “He is not a tame lion”.

Lee Thrasher
March 5

Mark 12-13

2010-03-03T22:00:00.000-05:00

The view from our front porches is often limited. If we were able to stand on the roof of our homes and look out through telescopes, the view would be vastly different. The twelfth and thirteenth chapters of Mark remind me of the dichotomy in which God has called us to live.

In chapter twelve Jesus answers some questions about common, “front porch” topics including taxes, marriage, priorities, and giving sacrificially. The gentle wisdom of Christ explains that our daily lives should be guided by the ultimate priorities of loving God and loving others. (L1 and L2 – Haven’t we heard that somewhere before?!) It is when we allow this type of holy love to flow out of our hearts, that we are able to step off of the porch and live fruitful lives.

In chapter thirteen Jesus gives us a view through our telescopes at the chaos that will ensue before His second coming. Jesus urges us to keep watch and to look forward to the day that He will return.

Our Lord understands that most of the time we are prone to focus on what we can see from our own front porch. He encourages us to use His Word as a telescope through which we can renew our vision of the glory that is to come.

Kathleen Tatro
March 4

Mark 10-11

2010-03-02T22:00:00.000-05:00

It’s hard to choose where to focus in Mark 10-11. Many things in these two chapters touch my heart in a huge way; Jesus’ question to the rich young ruler, for example. “Why do you call me good?” “No one is good except God alone.” I want to cry out, “but wait Jesus, YOU ARE GOD!” What was He saying? As I look at the life Jesus lived in His time on this earth I come to the conclusion that he was the perfect personification of Good. Hmm…personification of Good…Jesus was God in a body… Maybe Jesus was trying to get the rich young ruler to see, truly see to whom he was speaking. He wasn’t just speaking to some person who did good things; he was speaking to Goodness in the flesh! I don’t know very much about the origin of words, but I think it’s interesting that “good” and “God” are only one letter apart, two “O’s” instead of one. It’s almost like when I add an extra letter for emphasis or exclamation, like “Ooh!” or “Hmm”. God equals Goodness, Goodness equals God. The two are inseparable. And not one of us can claim either title for himself; they equally and only belong to the Father!

I’m learning to speak Creole, se tre difisil pou mwen (it is very difficult for me!). In a recent lesson I learned something interesting about the Creole word for “God”. The word is “Bondye”. “Bon” means good. “Dye” comes from the French “Dieu” and means God. Haitians never separate the two. When they mention the name of God it is always Bondye: Good God!!! “Dye” is almost never used alone. That’s something for us to remember when things happen that we don’t understand; things like earthquakes in already impoverished countries, or new struggles for someone already struggling mightily. God and His Goodness cannot be separated. He just doesn’t DO GOOD, He IS GOOD!

Julie Hallman
March 3

Mark 8-9

2010-03-01T22:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes in life we are so concerned about the things of the creation that we leave the Creator behind. When he fed the 4,000, the disciples had seven loaves of bread. Jesus prayed and the loaves of bread were enough to feed the 4,000 and there were seven basketfuls of broken pieces left over.

Once the disciples went away they forgot to bring the bread and Jesus took the opportunity to teach them about believing in Him, Jesus, the bread of life. He reminded them of what he did feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000 but still they could not understand that Jesus was God himself and the Creator of heaven & earth.

In their way to Capernaum, Jesus asked the disciples: "What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because of the way they had argued about who was the greatest". Jesus again took the opportunity to teach them and told them: "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all". Let us give praise to our God. It is all about Him and not us. Jesus is the example to follow. He himself is the Creator and the one to honor in everything we do or say. Praise Him!

Armando Perdomo
March 2

Mark 6-7

2010-02-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

These two chapters open with the crowd being “amazed” by Jesus and then Jesus is equally “amazed” by the crowd. My wife uses the word amazing daily to describe something she thinks is wonderful. But in these moments the circumstances are less than wonderful. The people do not understand or know Jesus. And Jesus responds to them in the same way. Remember, Jesus is the one who knows the thoughts of men, and yet here He was “amazed at their lack of faith” (6:6).

The paragraphs that follow reveal just who Jesus is and why we should have faith in Him. Each of these stories also reveal who we are as people. Are you a person who trusts Jesus or are you holding back? In these two chapters alone we find Jesus performing miracles in front of the many and the few. Jesus doesn’t hold anything back. He heals, provides food, exercises power over creation, preaches the good news and so on.

My question today is, “Am I holding back from Jesus?” “Lord, give me the courage to fully follow Jesus.” As we look to what’s next may we be prepared to be amazed in the wonderful way about what God will do.

Nathan Tillotson
March 1

Mark 4-5

2010-02-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

OK, so there is so much material in these two chapters. Four miracles, one metaphor for life, and three parables--but only one explanation. That’s enough material for an entire semester of Sunday Bible classes! Notice in 4:34 it says that Jesus didn’t explain the parables to just anybody; only to his traveling companions. How curious. Jesus kept the crowds wondering and scratching their heads---and they kept coming back for more. Hmmm...

Gotta love the miracles and the amazement of the people. Anybody remember the commercial, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie-Roll Pop?” Here’s my question: “How many miracles does it take to get to full FAITH in Jesus?” Good grief, Charlie Brown. I would like to think that I would have been totally sold out on Jesus after that storm died down. By the time I saw 2000 pigs charging down a mountain, I’d have freaked out and followed him forever! I think I would have...wouldn’t you? Of course it’s so easy to think so two thousand years later reading about instead of living it. BUT WAIT, I believe that the storm died down and the pigs are all off the mountain, so...am I sufficiently freaked out and following him forever? Are you?

Jim Bales
February 28

Mark 1-3

2010-02-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

The Pharisees kill me. What were they thinking? Time and time and time again they witnessed the wonder and complete power of a man that was God and their responses are laughable. Jesus heals a man that has been confined to a mat and paralyzed for his whole life and post-miracle the Pharisees reply, “Why does this fellow talk like that?” That’s right. There is no record of any of them saying, “Whoa, how did he do that?” Or, “Where’s the body double…that was a good trick?” I don’t think it ever says in the Bible that the Pharisees didn’t believe that Jesus was healing people. It wasn’t that they thought He was a fraud and He was pulling the wool over their eyes. They were so caught up in the legalities and the fine print that they somehow missed the beauty and reality of what had just happened before their eyes.

The next time that Mark records the Pharisees unintentional humor [maybe I’m the only one that thinks it’s funny] is on the Sabbath. The scene opens in a synagogue and Mark writes that “a man was there with a shriveled hand.” Sorry, but I must also note the succinctness with which Mark reveals the holy adventures of Jesus…the man wastes no time. So like Mark said, there was a man there with a shriveled hand and the Pharisees were waiting with bated breath to see if Jesus would dare heal someone on the beloved day of rest. Again, not waiting to see if He could actually do it—it was almost like they already knew He was the real deal and He had the power of God living in Him but they thought if they could catch Him accidentally being Godly on the wrong day then they could convince God not to use such a rule-breaking bum to save the world. Jesus sets them straight with a little verbal punishment, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" Silence set in. The Pharisees cowardly demonstrated their immovable position by sitting in silence. I feel Jesus’ pain here--well I’m sure I have no idea of Jesus’ pain…that’s a little sacrilegious; but I understand why he looked at them in ANGER. If you're ever looking for a way push me over the edge, just ignore me. It irritates me like nobodies business...and Jesus too. No one would even acknowledge his question…and he was distressed by their stubborn hearts.

When I read the word anger, I was convicted. I read and re-read this chunk of scripture knowing that Jesus and anger are not usually in the same sentence. Initially, I was creating a protest scene in my head...Jesus and I grabbed our oversized picket signs, threw them over our shoulders and started marching in circles shouting "down with the Pharisees." I was mad that the Pharisees were being so stuck up and that they didn't understand the heart of the matter. I'm always mad at the Pharisees. I have this little compartment in my head for the stubborn, close-minded men that tried to disprove Jesus and because they were always opposing Jesus, I feel like God has given me permission to judge them and deem their sin unforgivable. But, then God grabbed my picket sign and yanked me back to reality. Silence set in yet again and I felt God laying words on my heart, "you're a stubborn sinner."

We are all stubborn sinners. Maybe our sin doesn't look as pretentious as the Pharisees, or maybe it does, but Jesus died for those men. He died for you. He died for me. None of us deserve it…we don’t deserve to daily bask in the freedom and joy of His mercy. I thank God for reminding me that the Pharisees are in good company, as my ignorance is no different than theirs. In her book Traveling Mercies, Anne Lammot writes, “Grace is the light or electricity or juice that takes you from that isolated place and puts you with others who are as startled and embarrassed and eventually grateful as you are to be there.”

Jenna Trapasso
February 27

Matthew 27-28

2010-02-25T22:00:00.003-05:00

Judas, Michael Jackson, and Jesus Christ….

I can still remember the first time that I saw Michael Jackson’s video short “Thriller". The dancing was amazing, the zombies were scary, but the weird part was watching these bodies come out of graves.

I am always amazed at the difference in how Judas and Peter handled their betrayal of Jesus. Judas, when “seized with remorse” goes to have a conversation with the priest who claim “what is it to us…. that is your responsibility.” Judas guilt drives him to suicide. Peter, after denying Jesus three times, has a conversation with Jesus that unburdens his guilt and leads him to be the “rock” that Jesus builds his church. One decision brings life and the other decision brings death.

What do you do with this man named Jesus? What do you do with your sin and guilt? The answer to that question determines life or death.

When I read (Mat 27:51-53 NIV) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. {52} The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. {53} They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

I am always reminded that I have access to Jesus. I need to turn to him and non other for forgiveness and LIFE.

Are you feeling heavy with sin and guilt? No matter how doomed or dead you feel, have a talk with Jesus today. He will bring the thrill back to your life!

Brad Childers
February 26

Matthew 26

2010-02-24T22:00:00.001-05:00

Two Day Turn-Over

What a couple of days of contrast! We start out with Jesus being anointed at a feast and we end with him being spat on and betrayed. I guess I could say “Life’s like that.” But that’s quite a turn around for just a couple of days.

How do you react when life whip saws you that way? I know that I enjoy the foot-washing, but don’t care for the back-beating. I want to know what went wrong and how can I get back to being the one folks want to be seen with… not the one they want to spit on. But Jesus seems to handle them both in stride. What’s his secret?

Maybe it’s because he knows what’s coming.

Maybe it’s because he knows the one who will see him through.

Maybe it’s because he knows he’s only worth 30 silver pieces.

Here’s some Bible trivia: Why did Judas get paid thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus? It was the price God told the Jews to pay if they hurt somebody’s slave:
If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned. (Exodus 21:32)

Interesting: Jesus is treated like Judas’s slave. They paid Judas just as though they had accidentally backed their ox cart over a slave boy he had owned. Could it be that this was the key to Jesus handling his fate so calmly. He knew that he had “made himself nothing” as Paul would later write, “Taking on the very nature of a servant.”

When we see ourselves as the servants of God and the servants of our neighbors, we stop expecting perfume and foot-washing. We know we are destined for cleaning up aisle three and getting kicked while we do. We know that we will have some close friends turn their back on us and others run away. So we don’t panic or moan when it happens.

If you follow the money in this chapter it leads from the prostitutes perfume to Judas greedy hands and trips him up badly.

If you follow the Savior in this chapter he goes from being the hero to the zero… and keeps walking straight ahead toward what God had NEXT for him the whole time.

I know who I want to follow this week… God help me to do so!

Jeff Walling
February 25

Matthew 24-25

2010-02-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

Johnny lived a life of drugs and gangs. He loved football and played on the JV team at the local junior high. Some visitors came to his school from ESPN, including a professional football player, to talk about the dangers of “at-risk” behavior. Johnny heard all of this before and tuned out--- until one of them announced that each student would have the opportunity to experience what it would feel like to lay down in your casket- something that might happen soon if they did not change their lifestyle. Child after child walked up to the casket quietly, laid down and for a few minutes had the cover closed. Johnny got in. Dark, quiet, a little cold, he laid inside the box designed for each person who lives on this planet. Thoughts raced through his head about his family, how he has wasted his life so far, how he can and will change, and what about after this life???

Steven Covey in one of his books discusses the concept of “Beginning with the End in Mind.” Our Lord Jesus and many other Biblical writers agree. Read today’s Scripture- the focus is “Jesus is returning and so how does this impact my life now?” There are 2 certainties in life: (1) Jesus is Lord and will return to judge each of us, and (2) we will all leave this earth and face the greater reality of God’s presence. Part of I Peter 1 says, “If you call on the Father Who judges each person’s work without partiality, conduct yourselves during the time of your stay here in fear, knowing that you were redeemed not with corruptible things…but with the precious blood of Christ.”

May the Lord bless you as you seek Him today!

Jack Exum

February 24

Matthew 22-23

2010-02-22T22:00:00.000-05:00

Anyone who thinks Jesus is a mild-mannered weakling who has no backbone has never read these chapters! During His final week on earth, Jesus knows his time for making known the will of God is short. He only has a few days to live, and he intentionally uses every moment to drive home His message.

Matthew 23 is the most scathing discourse Jesus ever delivered. He shreds the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, and does everything He can to shock them into examining their motives and beliefs.

For a long time I thought Jesus was just writing them off, declaring they had no hope because of how badly they had misinterpreted God’s intent and then forced those beliefs on a largely naïve, illiterate, and unsuspecting populace. But the more often I read this chapter, the more I’ve come to believe the message Jesus delivered was based in love.

Yes, He was mad at the religious leaders for twisting the truth, for taking advantage of their position and extorting money, for loving the praises and prestige of men rather than humbly seeking God’s approval. But He also loved them; loved them enough to call them to account for their behavior, and go to extreme lengths to get them to see the error of their ways. It’s easy to sit here in 2010 and judge the Pharisees, and declare we’d never be like them. Funny – that’s exactly what they told Jesus – they wouldn’t have killed the prophets in the past if they had been around in those days.

I suspect you, like me, have had some moments with God where He was shouting and going to extreme lengths to get my attention. About things I needed to change. About attitudes, prejudices, twisted theology. About seeking people’s approval and accolades rather than His.

God loves me too much to let me continue on the wrong path when I stray. May I see His hand in my life as He corrects me and guides me back into His will, and may I be less stubborn than I have been about surrendering my will to His – before He has to bring out the 2x4 to get my attention!

Lee Thrasher

February 23

Matthew 20-21

2010-02-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Many years ago I made a trip through the wine country of California. The countryside was dotted with rows of grapevines. These vines represented a vibrant industry that is a familiar sight for folks that live in that area. Vineyards were also common in the lives of those that listened to Jesus, and he loved to use the familiar to explain the divine. Three vineyards appear in Matthew 20 and 21.

In the first vineyard, we can sympathize with some weary workers who have spent a long day working in the sun only to discover that some late comers who only worked for the last hour have received the same amount of pay. Where is the justice in that? The landowner reminds them that they are being paid the wage that they agree to. This reminds me that, as a Christ follower, I have also made a commitment. I committed to follow Him with the unique set of gifts, talents and circumstances that God has given to me alone. I must trust Him with the provisions that He has provided for my journey.

In the second vineyard, we are asked to consider that words alone do not constitute obedience. It is through our willingness to act that we truly honor the will of the Father.

The last vineyard a paints a picture of violent rebellion and the disastrous consequences that lie in wait when we become arrogant and lose the spirit of thankfulness that should flow from our hearts to the Giver of all good gifts. These verses encourage me to walk in trust, obedience, and thanksgiving so that I may be a fit worker in His vineyard.

Kathleen Tatro

February 22

Matthew 17-19

2010-02-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

Peter is easy for me to understand. One day I’d like to pull out all the verses that start with “Simon Peter answered” or “Peter said to Jesus”. He seemed to have no problem inserting himself into a conversation! Such is the case in Matthew 17. Peter has just been the one to speak up and declare that Jesus is the Son of God. Then he takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him. If the contrast of those two situations isn’t enough, now he says something I confess leaves me shaking my head. Peter has once again been singled out with James and John for some special time with Jesus. Jesus takes them to the top of a mountain, and there before their eyes, changes. “His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light.” Then Moses and Elijah appear. What a scene! What does Peter have to say now? “I can’t believe my eyes?” “Why did He choose me to see this?” No, he says: “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Huh? Shelters? What is Peter thinking? Mark says he was so frightened he didn’t know what he was saying. And yet he spoke. Boy can I relate! Words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. I don’t know what to say, but I’m uncomfortable saying nothing. Silence is difficult for me. I think it was for Peter too. Even when the “glory of the Lord” was right before his eyes, he could not be quiet! Many times in Scripture, Peter opens his mouth and takes a big bite of his foot! But there is something else that strikes me about this story. Out of all the people around Jesus, he chose Peter to be especially close to him. On many occasions Jesus singles him out and asks him to speak. He does this later in the same chapter. Jesus asks “What do you think, Simon?” This talker finds great comfort in those words. Could the Lord of the earth be interested in what I have to say? Wow! Even in my weakness, Jesus desires relationship with me and assigns value to my thoughts and words. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing all my words and understanding the heart behind them.

Julie Hallman

February 21

Matthew 14-16

2010-02-19T22:00:00.001-05:00

Going through today's passages, it is hard for us to understand the Lord's ways which at times are against our ways. Herod did away with John the Baptist for John had been saying to him: "It it not lawful for you to have her". In other words he was letting him know that what he was doing was not pleasant to God. Sometimes in our own lives we do not like to hear the warnings of God.

The things that defile a man, as the Lord says in Matthews 15:18, are "But the things that come out the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'. For out of the heart come out evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander".

Simon Peter had been short of the glory of God as well as we all are, but he confessed from his heart: "You are the Christ, the son of the living God."

We are all short of the glory of God, but through Jesus Christ, we can find the way to be not only clean but saved. It is in Jesus Christ that we are saved. Praise God!

Armando Perdomo
February 20

Matthew 12-13

2010-02-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

One of Matthew’s main themes is to show Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In these two chapters
we find plenty of things for Jesus to save people from. But what strikes me is that Jesus calls
believers to be sowers of good seed regardless of rampant evil in the world. The farmer in
chapter 13 scatters seed everywhere. He doesn’t make a distinction about where he’s
throwing seed, he only gives a description.

As you meditate on today’s reading ask yourself where you are scattering seed. Do you
believe that Jesus really is the Lord and Savior every person in the world needs?

I believe God is calling us to do what Jesus did; to be an agent of healing and relief for anyone
caught in sin and the destruction caused by sin. Today may you see and may others see that
God is the Lord and Savior of your life.

Nathan Tillotson

February 19

Matthew 10-11

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Matthew 10: “Jesus called them one by one. Peter, Andrew, James and John...” If you grew up going to church---you are humming along right now!! I am always reminded when reading this passage that Jesus picked these guys to help him, and then he sent them away to go do the work. He gave them a little training and then pushed them out into the big, bad world. I always think of them following Jesus around like puppy dogs but in reality-they got some real-life on-the-job training, too!

Matthew 11: Jesus promises REST-- I sure hope it comes soon!!! I’m ready for it. Aren’t you? Oh wait. He says that the REST is here. All we have to do is COME TO HIM! It sounds so simple and wonderful, and yet so many times I forget or decide to try to handle things on my own. UGH! Anyone remember this old song. I can hear my grandma singing it...
“O heart bowed down with sorrow! O eyes that long for sight! There's gladness in believing; In Jesus there is light.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me;
For I am meek and lowly in heart And ye shall find rest unto your soul.”

Jim Bales

February 18

Matthew 7-9

2010-02-15T12:36:00.003-05:00

Could Matthew be any cooler? I was a nerd and I added up all the verses in the three chapters we read today. Guess how many it was? 101. Of those 101 verses, ONE was dedicated to Matthew’s commitment to following the Lord. I love Matthew for this…“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” The beautiful thing about this is the frank language…“so he got up and followed him.” I’m picturing a current-day Matthew and he’s the guy who wears hiking boots and puffy vests wherever he goes in case nature beckons him. He’s got a scruffy beard, as do all whimsical adventurers. He marches to the beat of his own drum and he just keeps marching until the next voyage approaches him. That’s how my head wants to draw him because I want to believe he was the unique one; and his leap of faith to join Jesus’ Holy squad was the award-winning performance in this scripture but I had my eyes opened to something today.

While Matthew’s commitment was a notable act of faith and a great example of the attitude we should have in following Christ, I think Jesus is the big deal here. Jesus is the adventurer. He was the one marching to the beat of His own drum. He was intriguing…unique, captivating, confident, righteous—but in an unassuming way. Who wouldn’t have joined his team? I’m sure there are some of you who prefer to live a little on the safe side [you like marching to the beat of Jesus Loves Me in your own living room] and you’re not identifying with my attraction to Jesus’ individuality in relationship to that era…but stick with me for another minute.

I asked God to reveal something new to me today before I started reading in Matthew and as I flipped the pages through the miracles that Jesus performed, I thought of the lost that witnessed Jesus on that day…the awe, the wonder, the hope they must’ve felt as Jesus redeemed the discouraged and sick and as he washed away polluted pasts. How relieved were they when they heard that God was so accessible to them…“Ask and you shall receive?” It is so wonderful that we serve a God that knows our hearts so well -- that understands the depth of humanity and our need for Him. I know He chose to send Jesus Christ to earth with the ability to heal and inspire and redeem so that people would look to the Father and want to know Him.

Jesus isn’t walking the earth anymore “proving” the power and love of God but he left us here with his adventurous Holy Spirit. I know that if our lives were revealing the same God that Jesus’ was, the lost would be asking who He was and they would feel that same promise of love, acceptance, and deliverance. They would believe it when we told them that when our God walked the earth He said, “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jenna Trapasso

February 17

Matthew 5-6

2010-02-15T12:27:00.006-05:00

Are you kidding me??? We are supposed to be HAPPY when we are: poor, mourning, meek, hungry, needing mercy, insulted….. seriously?

That does seem to be Jesus’ theme on the Sermon on the Mount, but it seems so opposite to this world. Maybe even counterintuitive… What does that mean? Counterintuitive is defined as contrary to what intuition or common sense would indicate.

It seems so backwards, but isn’t that the way God works. Let’s look at some of the Bible’s examples: whoever wants to find his life must lose it, when someone hits you turn the other cheek, Jesus gives us life through His death. Yep, pretty backwards!

Looking at Matthew 5 and 6 through Jesus' counterintuitive lens brings this thought to mind. What is the motivation for what I do?

Click on this link to read Matthew 6:1-6.
Who is our audience? Who are we trying to please?

Click on this link to read Matthew 6:16-21.
Who am I trying to impress here on earth? Should my motivation be for others to see my good? If others see my deeds, where is my reward?

Often when I read the words of God, I am realigned to how I should think and live. It is as if the worldly scales fall from my eyes and I see life like God sees life.

Unfortunately, my view of life sometimes is one of trying to please people on this earth and to make them think I am amazing. This worldly motivation of people pleasing, as Bill Hybels puts it, is a dead-end street that leads to anxiety, confusion, and bondage. But God-pleasing is the path to peace, fulfillment, and true liberation.

I need to be more counterintuitive! How about you?

Brad Childers

February 16

Matthew 1-4

2010-02-12T16:26:00.005-05:00

Jesus for the Rest of Us

For me, starting to read the New Testament is always so exciting… and frustrating. You’re ready to hear about the wonderful ministry of the God-man who changed the world: Miracles, healings, conflicts with Pharisees, forgiveness for the hurting. But then Matthew starts the whole thing with this long list of “Who’s your Daddy?” And that’s the part I have to write a blog about!

But maybe that’s what I need to see right now. Look over those names. The list starts with two of the biggies: David and Abraham. These men of faith are the ones we’ve studied for centuries. One leaves his family and country to follow God in faith. The other is the man after God’s own heart who wrote the 23 Psalm. Add to that names like Issac, Jacob, Solomon and the boy-King Josiah. Matthew wants us to know that Jesus sure had some awesome pedigree!

Yet I keep looking down the list and I see some names that I wouldn’t have included in the first chapter of my life story. There are folks that embarrass me: Rahab, the harlot, Tamar of Judah’s shame and even Bathsheba – though Matthew doesn’t call her by name. There’s king Rehoboam, who’s willfulness rips apart Israel as a country and king Manassah who’s one of the most wicked of Judah’s rulers. What are these people doing in the list.

Then I look farther and see names nobody ever talks about…because we don’t know their story. Anybody want to tell me the story of Eliakim, Akim or Eliud? These are unknowns, nobodies. Faces from the crowd. And maybe therein is the power of this long list.

Jesus was for the whole world. He came from great men and bad men. He came from famous people and un-knowns. His relatives were the rich and the poor, the scoundrels and the saints, the blessed and the cursed. He is the savior for the best of us and the savior for the rest of us.

When I watch his parents nearly divorce, his baptizer try to refuse and Satan try to take him out on his first day on the job… I get it. He’s walking this road for me and for you – no matter who you are. He is our Lord. Not just from realms on high but from right down the street.

No wonder he was so popular.

No wonder children loved him.

No wonder the sinners and the saints sought him out.

And no wonder that by the time I get to the end of my section, Jesus has everyone following him:
“Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.” (Matthew 4:25)

Jeff Walling
February 15