February 10 - Well Pleased

Read: Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:32-34

And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11 ESV)

Growing up one of my favorite feelings was always that experience of knowing that my parents were pleased with me for something. Sometimes it accompanied a task or an accomplishment, but often it was just there. It was a sense of cherished love and value that came simply as a result of being their child.

I really believe we can experience that same kind of affection from God. Yes, it comes in ways that are similar to those of my own childhood experience. Sometimes God is pleased with us and our actions, but usually the feeling of acceptance, love, and appointment is derived simply from belonging to Him.

Both parenthood and childhood are pleasurable experiences when enjoyed through a righteous and wholesome relationship. God is the Father. All who come back into the Father's family can and will experience the Father's good pleasure. I hope that the thought of God being pleased with you, His child, will put a smile in your heart and joy in your steps today.

February 9 - Needing Jesus

Read: Matthew 3:13-17

John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14 ESV)

John is called The Baptist for a reason, and its not because he was a member of a specific denomination. He baptized people as a sign of repentance and righteousness. It was their way of showing the people around them that they were making an effort to change their lives. So when Jesus showed up to be baptized by John it naturally caused him some inner confusion. John recognized the superiority, and divinity, of Christ. As such, it seemed strange to him that Jesus would seek to be baptized by John. In other words, John saw his need for Jesus.

The first step for us toward a right relationship with God is always the recognition of our need for God. We aren't big enough, good enough, smart enough, rich enough, or powerful enough to mend the rift between God and man on our own. Mankind created this spiritual disparity, but it is God that fixes it. It is God that wrapped his infinitude with finitude and stepped into history as Jesus.

Our need for Jesus is clear, it is real, and it is fulfillable, but only by Christ, through Christ, and in Christ. Jesus allowed John to baptize him as a testimony to John's authority and mission, but it was Jesus himself that became John's way to God. He is also our way to God. The only way to God.

February 8 - Good News

Read: Luke 3:15-22

So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. (Luke 3:18 ESV)

John preached to large crowds. He baptized a lot of people. He made a difference where he was through his courageous commitment to God's plan for mankind. And the message that he delivered was one full of good news.

We all like good news, and lets face it, that's not always the kind of news we get to hear on a regular basis. If you tune into any kind of prominent media network you are almost instantly confronted by the seemingly harsh nature of a world gone terribly awry. I once even heard a practicing journalist say, "If it bleeds it leads." For some reason people are entertained and captivated by the macabre, sensational, and despairing events of our world. In stark reality the good news of the day, those feel good stories about the better side of life, rarely seem to carry as much impact.

John's message of good news was the ultimate message. His message literally was the Good News. It was the message of the Gospel. He was declaring to the PreChristian world the reality of the impending arrival of the Messiah. The one that would save the people from their sins.

Jesus is still the Good News. He still saves people from their sins. He is hope for the hopeless. He is the best news.

February 7 - Who Are You?

Read: John 1:19-28

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." (John 1:20 ESV)

The misunderstanding surrounding John the Baptizer's identity and authority was an epic concern for the chief religious rulers of his day. As a people they were watching and waiting for the Christ, hoping he would come to cleanse their nation of the Imperial Roman presence. But that was not his mission, or his identity.

Much of John's success in his short lived public ministry came from his understanding of his identity. He knew who he was, what his purpose was, and why he wasn't the most important part in God's plan for mankind.

When we take our identity from God the Father and Jesus Christ these paramount questions become important in brand new ways. They often change to include a part of life that we never knew we wanted or needed, and certainly have never thought of in a Christ-centered context. John thought about all of that. He was not Elijah or any other Old Testament prophet, instead he was the one foretold to be a forerunner for Jesus. He was not the Christ, but he knew who was.

So it begs the question. Do you know who you are? Not just your name, or what you do. Do you know your mission? Do know both your identity and the one from whom your identity springs forth.

February 6 - Stuff

Read: Luke 3:4-14

And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" (Luke 3:10 ESV)

John and Jesus preached to anyone and everyone. Their message and motives were the same. They longed to see God's chosen people returned to a special relationship with God. Hundreds and sometimes thousands followed their uniquely demonstrative ministries. John at one point, after admonishing some of the religious elite for their spiritual malpractice, had soldiers and tax collectors seeking his counsel. John told them to share out of their abundance, and to be content with their possessions.

Today that teaching pretty much flies in the face of what many of us do. We hoard stuff, get stuff, and want stuff. Take Thanksgiving for example, some of us can barely even spend one day offering a token "Thanks!" for the stuff we already have before rushing out the next day to get more.

What if we gave away all that we could to those who are in need? What if we were content with our pay? What if we demonstrated joy that said, "I don't need more?"

The truth is, we should want to help those who need help even when we don't have the means to help them, and when we do have the means we should go the extra step and help them every way we can. Also, we should be content with the stuff we have, not in a way that limits our dreams or holds us back from promotion or advancement, but in a way that puts that kind of pursuit in a proper place among our priorities.

February 5 - The Fruit

Read: Matthew 3:1-10

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8 ESV)

When I was a kid growing up on the family farm we raised watermelons by the thousands in the summers. We poured our lives into producing that fruit. It took work, but there were always a lot of fruit to show for it. Why? Because under the right conditions fruit doesn't have to even try to be produced. It just does what it was made to do.

John, and Jesus after him, preached a message of repentance and life-change through forgiveness of sins. The message went off like a bomb in the vicinity of his ministry. It connected with people. It drove people to seek, find, and be found by God. It produced repentance and life change. John charged those under his ministry to demonstrate that life change to others through the fruit their life produced.

Our lives are supposed to show fruit. They are supposed to demonstrate to others the miraculous nature of the change that has been (and is being) made in us. Sometimes we try really hard to work at showing everyone the kind of fruit we think we should be displaying, and there is something to be said about being intentional; but in reality things that bear fruit don't have to try to bear it.

God made the plan. God made the conditions. God made the changes in us. He did all of the work, and we are receiving the benefits of his holy effort. We shouldn't even have to try to display or bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Actually, if we are having to strive to put some kind of great laborious effort into demonstrating Christian fruit, we may need to go back and reexamine our relationship with Jesus. If we have submitted to him, and we are following his plan for our lives, with his help, fruit in keeping with repentance should be a clear result.

February 4 - Forgiveness is Free

Read: Luke 1:80, 3:1-2

And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:3 ESV)

John came from humble beginnings. He was raised in the wilderness where he matured into a powerful man of God. He wore camel hair clothing, he ate locusts, and he preached with conviction. His message was powerful and effective; and many, many, people turned out to hear him and be baptized.

Repentance was definitely not a new concept in John's day, but the practical application of turning away from sin was lost amongst the rampant religious corruption of the day. John bypassed all of the corruption and financial perversion that had infiltrated the religious bureaucracy in order to deliver a free message of forgiveness and repentance to anyone who would listen, and hundreds did.

Ultimately we have to remember that forgiveness is free to us. It doesn't cost us anything at all. We can not earn, trade, or buy it. Jesus gives forgiveness freely to all who ask. It is free to us, although it cost him a great deal of pain and sorrow. Choose repentance, choose forgiveness, and choose to share it with those within your circle of influence.

February 3 - A Voice in the Desert

Read: Isaiah 40 & Mark 1:1-8

A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3 ESV)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight." (Matthew 3:1-3 ESV)

An angel promised the birth of John to his elderly parents, but several hundred years earlier the prophet Isaiah wrote of John's coming. John the Baptizer was a transitional figure in the history of God's journey with his people. It had been over 400 years since the Old Testament prophet Micah recorded his final words. The Jews had seen a dramatic change in the political landscape of their world, having been subjugated by the Romans.

John the Baptizer began his public ministry in the midst of a time of heightened political tension, religious stagnation, and economic struggle. Both figuratively and literally John arose as a voice coming from the desert. God's people needed a voice of courage and correction, and John was just that. He came out of obscurity to proclaim the people's need for repentance for their sins, and they responded in thousands. John was an incredible man, Jesus even called him the greatest man to ever live, but he was just a precursor to the greatness of Jesus Christ.

There are lost people in all of our lives. There are people who desperately need, to not only hear, but be shown through intentional-loving-demonstration, the unfettered and unconditional love of God. In what ways can you be a voice in the desert? Maybe it's by calling a friend or family member to repentance through loving correction. Maybe it's by helping a neighbor across the street. Maybe it's simply by being the best employee you know how to be. We all have a voice. We all have people we can reach out. Isn't it time we let God use our voice to reach His people?

February 2 - An Obvious Place

Read: Luke 2:41-50

And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49 ESV)

Every year to celebrate the Passover Jesus travelled with his family to Jerusalem, a journey of roughly 140 miles over rough and rugged terrain. When he was twelve he went missing for a couple of days which of course upset Mary and Joseph quite a lot. Any good parent has a strong reaction to the news that their child is missing. They returned and were looking for him. Only to discover him listening and teaching in the Temple.

Have you ever lost something really important only to turn around and find it in the most obvious of places? In this story we begin to see the future of Jesus who is all about His Father's business. We also get to witness his understanding of his unique identity as both God and man. Jesus showed his divine nature in his actions at the Temple, but he also showed his human nature in his submission to Mary and Joseph.

Sometimes we spend a lot of time looking for things, whether answers or objects, and they are in the most obvious of places. Many people spend insane amounts of time, effort, and resources to achieve a peace that is offered in the most obvious of places, Jesus.

February 1 - Grow

Read: Luke 2:39-40

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40 ESV)

When Herod the Great died Joseph returned to Nazareth with his young family. It was in Nazareth that the young boy Jesus grew into the mighty God-man we read of in the Gospels. Jesus became strong as he grew. He was filled with wisdom. But it was a process as relates to his human nature.

Growing is an essential part of all life. We start small and young and progress in age, size, and capability, or at least we should. Growing up on a farm I got to be pretty familiar with growing things. Whether it was an animal or plant, the phrase if its not growing its dying held pretty true. We should have a desire to continually grow in our relationship with God.

When we begin our personal journey with God we are like children. We may have great passion, enthusiasm, and faith, but we often lack the kind of maturity that fills us with strength and wisdom. Spending time with the Father gives us both strength and wisdom. Not so we can better manage things on our own, but so that we will trust God even more.

Jesus enjoyed the favor of God because of his growth. Yes, he was the Son of God, but he was also a man. And as he grew from boy to man he followed the Law of God, sought after the heart of God, and it produced in his human nature the strength, wisdom, and favor of God.

January 31 - Out of Egypt

Read: Hosea 11 & Matthew 2:13-25

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Hosea 11:1 ESV)

In 700 B.C. the prophet Hosea wrote that Jesus' family would flee to Egypt as refugees. It was a courageous and faithful act on the part of Jesus' adopted father Joseph that saved the young Messiah's life. But to further fulfill prophecy, and ultimately the mission of God for mankind, Jesus had to leave Egypt.

I really believe that along the way God sometimes directs us to places that are more like pit stops than they are destinations. We can, and should, do whatever good we can at these stops, but ultimately they are small parts of our journey. Whatever reason God has for sending us to those places, it is usually more about protecting us, helping us learn and grow, or helping someone there, than anything else. Sometimes you have to flee to your own personal Egypt to become who you are supposed to be, but you almost always have to leave it behind to step into your destiny.

Jesus didn't spend an incredibly long time in Egypt. Joseph only kept him there until the danger had passed and it was time to return to Nazareth. It would still be many years before Jesus would begin his public ministry. Sometimes God takes us from one season of preparation to another. These seasons look different, are often at different locations, and come with a plethora of diverse learning experiences. Don't be in a hurry to speed through these times. God can still use us in times of growth and learning. He will call us out of it when we're ready for the fullness of His plan.

January 30 - Into Egypt

Read: Matthew 2: 13-18

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." (Matthew 2:13 ESV)

Herod did not respond well upon learning that the wise men had tricked him. When the secret identity of the would-be king eluded him he turned up the crazy and went into full tyrant mode slaughtering an entire generation of boys. It was a horrendously evil act born of desperation, insecurity, and selfishness. Thankfully Jesus escaped unscathed because of his adopted father Joseph.

Joseph was such a courageous man. He risked incredible personal danger and disaster to protect his wife and adopted son. He obeyed commands that he didn't even fully comprehend in order to keep Mary and Jesus from harm. There is a lot to learn from the continued faithful response of a man we actually do not know a great deal about.

First of all he listened when God spoke. Whatever the means of communication used to reach Joseph, he paid attention. Some of us just have to much noise in our lives. It makes it hard to hear when God speaks. Secondly, Joseph obeyed God. Not only was he willing to listen, but he was willing to respond with faithful courage and obedience. I know sometimes I feel like God is trying to tell me something but I'm just too scared to do anything about it.

Think about it. Joseph was courageous. He not only listened to God, but he obeyed. And in his obedience he rescued Jesus from an insane tyrannical puppet king by taking him into Egypt.

January 29 - Where is the King?

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." (Matthew 2:3-6 ESV)

Herod was a puppet king put in place by the Romans to govern the Jews. His dynasty was known for incredible greed and cruelty fueled by a borderline insane paranoia. The foundation stones of the Herodian Temple were actually all found to be stamped with his giant royal seal. He covered everything in plated gold. He liked himself.

So when the wise men blew through town in their wealthy caravan from another land Herod took note of their message. A king had been born. Herod had competition, at least in his mind. Where is this king? He assembled all of the sophisticated know-it-alls and overly educated folks and inquired, Where is the Christ to be born?

Herod was living amongst God's people. He was in a place of power, leadership, and stewardship. Herod had no idea where the king was.

I wonder if we sometimes find ourselves in a similar place? Many of us live among God's people. We worship with God's people, work with God's people, and fellowship with God's people, but we still have trouble knowing where the King is. Maybe the rough stuff in life gets in the way. Maybe we are our own adversity. Still, the King, Jesus, is available to us. He offers life if we will take it. He offers sonship and adoption if we will take. He offers to be Lord, Steward, Captain, Provider, and Father. All we need to do is look for our King.

January 28 - Wise Men

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1, 2 ESV)

The story of the wise men is nearly always told in conjunction with the birth of Christ. Why? Because Jesus really is the King of Kings. He is Messiah to all peoples. he is such a king that even non Jewish wise men (magi the Greeks called them) travelled many months and miles to demonstrate their love for a God they probably only comprehended as an exalted earthly ruler.

We don't know how many there were, though tradition often alludes to there being three. We only know that they travelled very far, across rugged dangerous terrain, at great personal expense to shower a very young Jesus with luxurious gifts and praise. Imagine their surprise at discovering the prophesied king was the child of a lowly carpenter and his poor peasant wife.

Jesus really is the King of all. King of all people. King over all harm. King over any adversity. King of the universe, of all time, and your heart. He is the King? The only thing to be determined is whether or not you will recognize his kingship and join in with the wise men and many more across history to worship the King.

January 27 - Waiting for Jesus

Read: Luke 2:25-38

"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)

Simeon had been waiting a very long time to see Jesus. He had believed for years that he would live to see the days of the Messiah, and then one day out of the blue Mary and Joseph showed up with the baby Jesus. The old believer got so excited, he scooped his infant Lord up and under the power of the Holy Spirit began to worship him.

Can you imagine waiting for something for so long? Have you ever got impatient waiting for something that wasn't even that important? We all have. Simeon had waiting so long to see God's promise fulfilled in his lifetime. He kept waiting. He kept believing. And one day he got to experience Jesus.

How fast do we give up? How easy do we quit? In truth we often we give up too fast on the things that are the most important. Let's face it, we live in a microwaveable fast food world where convenience, amenities, and information are easily attained. Many of us are completely unfamiliar wi the kind of patient faithful waiting that Simeon demonstrated.

What if he had quit waiting? What if he had given up just a day too early? He would have missed Jesus. Don't stop believing for whatever it is God has put in your heart. Just wait. Be faithful. He is worth it.

January 26 - No More Temple

Read: Malachi 3:1-5, Luke 2:25-27

And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (Luke 2:27 ESV)

In 400 B.C. Malachi prophesied that Jesus would enter the temple. Because the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and no longer exists it is a particularly important prophecy. In fact, this prophecy illuminates the historical window of time in which the Messiah must have came because it could not have been fulfilled after A.D. 70.

The Temple itself was the epicenter for Jewish worship for hundreds of years. Even today many modern Jews make a pilgrimage to a portion of ruins at the old Temple site known as the Wailing Wall. Among many who make the journey is the tragic misconception that being near the Wall allows them to be near to God.

In reality Jesus taught against this same idea in his day. Of course he realized, and promoted the importance of the Temple, even getting righteously angry over its frequent and flagrant misuse. But we he taught that it was just a place to meet with God. He even called it a house for prayer, and by his death and resurrection actually replaced the Temple itself.

Today, we don't need a temple Jesus is our temple. We don't go to a temple. We go to Jesus. We don't adorn a building in lavish luxuries, we seek the simplicity of a poor Jewish preacher. We don't focus our efforts and attention on a singular place, but on a singular divine person. Jesus is our way to God.

January 25 - The Given Name

Read: Luke 2:21-24

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21 ESV)

Eight days after he was born Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to be circumcised. It was during this event when he was named.

Imagine bringing a child into the world without any power over his or her destiny, or even something as simple as their name. Yet, that is exactly what the young Jewish couple did. The son which they would provide for, shelter, educate, and love was more important than even they could comprehend. So important that God sent a holy messenger to hand deliver the news of his birth and even a detail like his name.

Names are important things. They were even more important in the days of Jesus. In those days names were given based on meaning. Maybe you like your name. Maybe not. Perhaps your parents spent a great deal of time contemplating your name including its meaning. Or perhaps not.

I believe that, like Jesus, God intends for each of us to find purpose and mission in relationship with Him. I believe that God has chosen for you a given name. Maybe not literary in the sense that you should go and change your name or ask people to start calling you something different entirely, but I think you were made for a higher purpose than your parents, teachers, family, coworkers, friends, or yourself can truly grasp. Spend time today asking Jesus about your true given name.

January 24 - With Haste

Read: Luke 2:8-20

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:7, 16 ESV)

One night long ago some lowly shepherds were hanging out in the pasture doing whatever it is that shepherds do when an angel appeared. The angel shared the news of Jesus' birth, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah, and a full blown angelic musical broke out. There is a great life principle to be found in how the shepherds responded. The bible says, "they went with haste."

Their response is something for us all to learn from. For hundreds of years the Jews had been waiting for the promised king. When the angel announced his arrival the shepherds believed it was true. They didn't dawdle or waste time. They went with haste. They responded to the Good News with an immediacy we should all aspire to.

How often do we feel like God has promised something to us only to react lethargically, with hesitation, or doubt when He delivers? The shepherds went with a haste born of their faith in the Father. They embraced God's plan and promise. They believed in Jesus, worshipped Jesus, and immediately began to share the Good News about the arrival of Jesus.

Believe God has a plan for your life. Share God's plan for your life. Run to God's plan for your life.

January 23 - A Place for Jesus

Read: Luke 2:1-19

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 ESV)

Jesus is often heralded as the King of Kings. In fact, it is among the titles listed for him in the Bible. The manner of his birth however, was anything but kingly. He was born to poor peasant parents from a rural village with a humble heritage. He was birthed in what probably amounted to a small cave because there was no room left for hospitality among the people of Bethlehem.

It was standard practice among the Jews to offer great hospitality to travelers. If someone came to your home needing a place to stay, eat, or rest, it was normal to provide those amenities. The problem in the birth story of Christ is that there were so many people traveling to Bethlehem to take part in a census declared by the government.

I wonder, if Jesus came to us today would we treat him this way? Would we be forced to hand him just the leftovers because we already divvied up the best parts for those we deemed more worthy, or important. Is there a place for Jesus in our lives?

January 22 - From of Old

Read: Micah 5 and Luke 2:1-7

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2 ESV)

The Old Testament prophet Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in the town of Bethlehem about 700 years before the birth of Jesus. Just one of many dozens of Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus, Micah's words help to paint us a picture of an ancient plan put into motion by God.

Come forth for me. Jesus came to reestablish man's connection with God. He did it for God, by God, as God. Not because God needs us, but because He wants us. There is far more comfort in the reality of knowing that God actually wants us, rather than the idea that He might need us.

From of old. Jesus came from somewhere, somewhen, and someone. None of it was random, accidental, or incidental. It was purposed. It was purposeful. There was a plan. A plan that went into motion before its necessity ever became a reality.

From ancient days. Jesus is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the World. Before Adam fell, David committed adultery, or you did that thing you weren't supposed to, Jesus was set apart to be our way back to God. The Redemptive Plan was there and waiting for the time when it would be needed. We serve a savior that reaches across the ages and eons to fulfill the Father's heart for a wayward people.