March 27 - In That Hour

Read: Luke 7:19-23

In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. (Luke 7:21 ESV)

While John the Baptizer was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel he reached out to Jesus via his disciples. I believe that he was looking for further encouragement and assurance regarding the true identity of his cousin. He got the assurance he was looking for.

John's disciples showed up in the middle of Jesus performing many miracles in the area where he was ministering. They witnessed people with diseases who were cleansed. The saw people purged of plagues. They witnessed Jesus cast out evil spirits. They even saw the blind regain sight. And it was all done within a short amount of time. It must have been an incredible day.

Sometimes we need to go to Jesus for assurance. Not because we are necessarily doubting him, although if we're honest we do probably face those moments as well, but because we are looking for encouragement. Jesus is the best place to go for assurance. He is the best place to go for encouragement.

The fact of the matter is that we will all face seasons where we feel as if we're imprisoned. I those moments we can take all of our doubts, insecurities, and questions to Christ. He is able to answer the questions, calm the fears, and deal with our doubts. Sometimes it may seem to take us a bit to overcome those things, but I truly believe that when we take them to him he will begin to work in us and for us that very hour.

Pressing Mat

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/62283018 w=500&h=281] Mat's early years were marked by obesity and abuse. This led him to embrace alcoholism and drug addiction during his formative years. Hear him discuss hitting bottom, and battling back from the brink.

March 26 - Offended

Read: Matthew 11:2-6

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. (Matthew 11:6 ESV)

Jesus' cousin John the Baptizer had already seen proof of Jesus' identity as the foretold Messiah. John himself was a prophesied child. He was the one sent as a voice that would prepare the people for the coming of The Lord. Still, when John found himself imprisoned he reached out to Jesus for one more confirmation. Jesus did not disappoint.

John's followers went to Jesus per the Baptizer's request and returned to share news of the incredible things Jesus was doing. Miracles were happening. The kind of which had never been seen before among the Jews. This was Jesus' testimony about himself as to the power and confirmation of his true identity as Messiah. As John's disciples parted Jesus offered one last comment, "blessed is the one who is not offended by me."

Jesus' words may sound strange at first but they would have been incredibly encouraging to John. John was arrested because his preaching offended a powerful man. Jesus in essence was issuing John a confirming statement. This same message holds true for us today.

We live in an age when many people find the message of the unmitigated Gospel offensive. They don't know how to handle the truth of the idea that mankind is responsible for their sinfulness, that all have sinned, and that Jesus is the only answer to the sin problem. So people often try to change the message to be less offensive by leaving out or altering the portions which would appear offensive.

Jesus' words are a clear warning. The Gospel will offend. Those with too much pride will reject its truth for their own comfort. They will harden their hearts. Those who embrace the offensiveness of Jesus will instead be changed by it. They will find freedom in the fact that although we are all sinful, and we are all responsible for our sin, Jesus offers us a way out. Truly blessed indeed are those who are not offended by Jesus.

March 25 - The Good Portion?

Read: Luke 10:38-42

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. (Luke 10:39 ESV)

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and began to serve his needs and offer hospitality. Her sister Mary was captivated by Jesus and sat at his feet listening to his teaching. Martha didn't like it at all. In her opinion Mary had left her to do all the work. Jesus' gentle rebuke of Martha's complaining speaks volumes. Martha was blessed by her service to The Lord, but Mary was more blessed by sitting at his feet to enjoy his presence.

This brief story sheds light on a big question among some Christians today. What is more important: serving Jesus through your actions, or serving him through abiding in his presence? The answers are as varied as the lives of those who ask the question.

Truthfully, there isn't a blanket answer that fits the life of every believer and every scenario. The story of Mary and Martha shows us that in this specific example Jesus was very pleased with Mary's decision to simply enjoy his presence. However, it is also clear that at other points Scripture is very clear about the need for us to actually doing something.

The big idea found here I believe is that we cannot assume that the way we connect to Jesus or serve him is how everyone else must do it. Let me be clear, I believe everyone must connect to Jesus. He is after all the "way, the truth, and the life". But let us not assume that the good portion is the same for everyone. Where Jesus calls one to instruction and abiding, he may call someone else to action and serving.

March 24 - Who Is My Neighbor?

Read: Luke 10: 29-37

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29 ESV)

As Jesus conversed with the lawyer the inquisitive fellow sought to refine his opinion. Jesus had just offered him gentle correction and the laywer was interested in justifying his position. The issue in question was the notion of loving people, or as Jesus had just told everyone loving your neighbor as yourself.

As thinkers are often prone to do the unnamed questioner got hung up on one word. "Who is my neighbor?" He asked. Jesus response came in the form of the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jesus told the story in language and terms the common people listening would have well understood. He painted an accurate picture of the times as he explained the way the religious leadership abandoned the felt needs of the ransacked traveller. I imagine that the listeners found the story either scandalously truthful and full of conviction, or mocking and hardened their hearts.

Jesus answer to the question of neighborhood was perfect. A neighbor is not just someone who lives nearby as we are sometimes inclined to believe. A neighbor is anyone. Someone in proximity to us. Someone in need. Someone society has rejected.

Jesus' definition of neighbor is challenging. It calls us to abandon our small-minded love to embrace and pursue a bigger kind of love that ministers to anyone and everyone in need. His words show us that we do not have the right to minister only to those we find acceptable or similar. Loving our neighbor as ourself is so much bigger than we so often want to realize.

March 23 - How Do You Read It?

Read: Luke 10:25-28 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" (Luke 10:26 ESV)

A lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test. This was a guy who's sole job was to know the Law of Moses inside and out. He was out to find a loophole or other kind of weakness in Jesus's theology by asking him how to attain eternal life. Jesus' response was great, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"

Jesus was about to share a big truth with the lawyer, but first he wanted to hear the self-appointed inquisitor's own worldview. Jesus wanted to give the guy a chance to lay out his own presuppositions. I can almost hear Jesus' sarcasm as he looked at the man and basically said, "You're the expert. Why don't you tell me?"

A big question we all face in our Spiritual growth is How do we read it? Because we should all be reading the Bible. We should want to spend time in His book in some form. But how are we doing that? Do we only read it when we have a point to prove? Do we only go looking for scripture that will back up our particular line of reasoning? Or, do we do the healthy thing, the right thing, do we read the Holy Scriptures and allow them to change our thoughts and habits? How we read it matters. How do you read it?

March 22 - Eyes That See

Read: Luke 10:21-24

Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!" (Luke 10:23 ESV)

I am a really fortunate guy. Unlike many people in my life I have never had to worry about wearing any kind of corrective lenses. I have perfect natural vision. The rarity of this does not escape me. I am really really grateful for it.

Spiritual awareness is another kind of sight. Jesus often spoke very candidly in terms of seeing and hearing truth. Those who perceived and accepted his truth he proclaimed as blessed. Those who did not were not only already cursed because of the hardness of their hearts, but he warned that they would eventually face the eternal consequences of their curse in Hell.

I have known many people who were blind to truth. Some of them were unbelievers who eventually came to faith in Christ by repenting and believing in him. I have also known many who professed to be followers of Jesus, but were in actuality blind to the truth of what he cares most about. They did not follow him through repentance or believing.

My wife and I make it a regular practice in our marriage to openly discuss the things we believe. My constant prayer is that this prayerful openness would always help us to keep our eyes open to the truths that Jesus leads us to. That we would continually look only to him. And that by putting our focus where it belongs we might resist the distractions around us that would blind us.

March 21 - The Bigger Deal

Read: Luke 10:17-20

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20 ESV)

They returned triumphant. They felt victorious. Inspite of some of the rejection and hard heartedness of men, the disciples had done a great work. People had been healed, demons had been cast out, and the gospel message had went forth in preparation for Jesus.

I imagine that this group, mostly comprised of men marginalized by the religious establishment, felt pretty good about themselves. Jesus' words to them don't ring out as a form of correction but as cuationary concern. Of course he wanted them to heal and cast out demons. He was the one that empowered them to do it. The real matter to be rejoiced over was salvation.

In ministry it is really easy to get caught up in the wins. When things are going extremely well you start to ride a wave of success that feels awesome. Knowing God has empowered you to succeed and seeing it happen creates an opportunity to led pride sneak in. Whether you're in vocational ministry or not it is easy to let this kind of thing happen during successful seasons of life.

We must celebrate success, often. We must share stories of life change and the miraculous as they happen. But let us never forget that for each one of us the biggest cause for rejoicing in our life is the salvation of our souls.

March 20 - Reject

Read: Luke 10:13-16

"The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." (Luke 10:16 ESV)

Sharing the truth about Jesus is guaranteed to set you up for opposition. There will be people who do not like what you have to say. There will be those who disdain how you say it. There will be many who simply reject the notion that God holds them accountable for their actions. Acceptance and rejection are staples of Christianity.

Even in your own journey through faith you must ultimately decide on the ideas which you will accept or reject. Theological questions, life issues, and other things to be wrestled with internally have to pass through the filters in your mind until they are received or they are rejected. Jesus himself must never be rejected. He tears through all internal filters and ideas. He is the main idea.

As the seventy-two sent ones travelled the countryside sharing the message of Jesus they faced rejection. There was a crooked religious heirarchy that shunned them. There was an occupying pagan force that ridiculed them. There were their own countrymen that misunderstood them.

Jesus prepared them for that eventuality. He told them that people would reject them. His point was not that they were rejecting the disciples so much as the fact that they were rejecting God himself. To reject those sent by Jesus is to reject Jesus, and to reject God. The wonderfully encouraging idea in this is that it also means that by accepting those sent by Jesus, you are accepting God.

March 19 - Regular People

Luke 10:1-12

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. (Luke 10:1 ESV)

Jesus selected seventy-two people from among those following him. Wait, what? What about those twelve apostle guys? Well, yeah. He had those guys too. There was probably some overlap. But Jesus took thirty-six pairs of followers and commissioned them to go ahead of him. They went into the towns and villages and healed the sick, cast out demons, and preached the powerful approach of the Kingdom of Heaven. In other words, they did what Jesus did.

It's a really cool and powerful example to me. Jesus picked regular people. Not the religious types he frequently had conflict with. He then sent them into the places that he himself was planning to go and had them begin to do the very thing he was planning to do when he eventually got there. That's pretty incredible.

Jesus picks regular people. He uses regular folks. It's easy in America to point to super mega sized churches and their leaders as the modern rockstars of the faith. No doubt about it, many of them are doing astounding things in their communities. But I love the idea that Jesus held a massive schoolyard pick one day and chose seventy-two regular dudes to go do what he was about to do.

That all has a pretty clear implication to me about what we should be up to. We should be going to places and taking about Jesus. We should share his message, his love, and his power in those places. We should pray for the sick. We should believe Jesus to make the difference. We should preach the Kingdom of Heaven. We should believe Jesus to invite them to be a part.

March 18 - Rest

Read: Matthew 11:25-27

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

We live in a face paced world. It is an age of instant gratification, rapid information, and rampant busyness. We pack our schedules full to bursting, and often with necessary things, but when do we rest?

Jesus spoke to the crowds about rest. He offered them rest from the insane nonsense that had been heaped upon them by the religious elite. He offered them change.

We need that same kind of change today. Sometimes it's from our own stupidity. Sometimes we are looking for a rest from the craziness that comes into our lifes from others. Jesus is a place we can go to and find rest. Whether it is an actual change in our schedule, or it is a total change of lifestyle—Christ is compelling us to see that our way leads to burdens and the broken backs of heavy living. He, in turn, offers rest. In the midst of this remarkably busy season of ministry a little rest sounds pretty good right about now.

March 17 - The Reason

Read: Mark 6:7-13

And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (Mark 6:13 ESV)

I never really understood the reasoning for anointing people with oil when you're praying for them. But I didn't have to completely understand it. Jesus told his disciples to do it, they obeyed, and people were healed. Honestly, that's all the reasoning I really need.

Do you ever feel like there are things about this faith life that you don't know the reason for? If you're like me you probably think that way pretty often. Generally I am just crazy enough to believe that everything has a reason and a purpose. I am perplexed at some of the things in life that seem to be reasonless. Still, there are others who's reasons seem ridiculous.

What about your reason? If Jesus had a reason for teaching his disciples to anoint with oil he must have had a reason for most of the things he did. I certainly don't believe that he was bouncing around the Galilean countryside behaving at random. No, he had a reason for everything because he was sent with purpose. He ministered with purpose. He healed with purpose. He died with purpose. And behind every purpose there is a reason.

March 16 - Say and Do

Read: Luke 9:1-6

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. (Luke 9:1, 2 ESV)

Jesus gave them power and authority. The disciples became his ambassadors. They became his representatives everywhere they went. Not just in name either. He gave them authority, but also the power to back it up.

Everywhere that these men were to go they were to boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel. And then to demonstrate that truth they were commanded to perform miracles. They would say something, and then they would do something that would demonstrate the legitimacy of their statements.

When we speak of Jesus do we offer action that shows the truth of our convictions? Shouldn't we? Christianity is not just about checking off a list of beliefs. It is also more than just running out and acting out of altruism. The Christ followers life is a balance of both. It is about proclamation and demonstration. It is saying and doing.

To fully embrace life as a disciple of Jesus is to embrace the power and authority Jesus gives us. That means saying who Jesus is to you, and then demonstrating the same thing.

March 15 - The Call

Read: Mark 3:13, 16-19

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. (Mark 3:13 ESV)

Growing up the word calling was used as a part of normative church vernacular. That's a churchy way of saying destiny. It was generally phrased as either a question such as What is your calling? Or a statement like I am called to (insert career description).

It took a long time for me to understand what exactly that meant for my life. I began my Christian life at a young age, and understood pretty early on that there was some kind of bigger plan for my life than the things I daydreamed about. It wasn't until nearly ten years later that I began active vocational full time ministry.

I remember the decision to step into this life as a career minister. I remember feeling the weight of the Holy Spirit and the way it felt to feel God speak that into my heart. It wasn't so much a mountain top experience for me. There was nothing overly sensational. I didn't hear Christ's voice ring out from a mountain like the disciples did. It was a lot more like a felt whisper urging me in my soul.

Looking back over a decade later I wonder what my life might have become had I not listened and obeyed the Call. Even the remote possibility of it nearly brings me to tears. The idea of it is deeply troubling and sad because of the incredible joy I have experienced in ministry. On the other hand, I feel tears of complete gladness. I am glad than when Jesus whispered the Call into my soul that I answered. I am glad I came to him, not just for forgiveness, not just for an eternal destination in the after life. I am glad I came to Jesus when he called so that in him I would find a purpose, passion, and plan. In him I became a disciple and a discipler.

What about your Call? Did Jesus say something? Have you quieted your life enough to even hear or does the busyness of it all drown out the sound of his voice?

Jesus, Family, People

Every time I put Ethan to bed I pray this little prayer over him, "We love Jesus. We love Mommy. We love people. Amen" This little prayer sums up my hopes for his life and my state of mind better than any grand theological idea. The fact is that I have over complicated the crap out of everything in life for most of my adult life. Things are simpler than I have ever tried to make them. Sometimes it takes some good old fashioned adversity to make life a little more clear. Well some things are crystal clear right now. The important things at least. We love Jesus. We love mommy. We love people. Amen

I have committed myself to following Jesus for over twenty years. I will follow him in this life until my final breath escapes me, and then I will step into eternity where he will never be rid of my committed pursuit.

Jamie has been in my life for nearly ten years. I love her more deeply than I ever understood was possible between a man and woman. That's definitely not about to change. If anything this particular season of intense and intentional busyness in ministry combined with some recent adversity mentioned above makes me all the more passionate about my soulmate. Add to that our little boy and my life is bursting with love. I am blessed beyond comprehension.

People must come first. Even in my pursuit of Jesus I have had my selfish streak. This has been especially true in my life in ministry until recent years. God is shaping in me a love for people that is deep. I have an earnest desire to put them before myself.

This little prayer is my new compass. It is the summation of my theology. Yes, I will still commit myself to learning and teaching. I will still read with an insatiable hunger for knowledge and revelation. But all of it will be out of a desire to love Jesus, love my family, and love my people.

March 14 - All Night

Read: Luke 6:12-16

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 ESV)

Jesus had a big decision to make: Out of all the people that had started following him, who would become his apostles? To help him choose he did what we frequently see him do, he prayed. It wasn't a short prayer. It was a token acknowledgement of a scenario that was too large for him. It was an earnest search for guidance.

In the past my wife and I had a student that would ask to use our guest room as a place of prayer at night so as not to disturb his roommate. I nearly always obliged as these requests always came in the midst of a pressing situation in his life. In fact I have always admired his willingness to spend such a long time seeking God's guidance in the meaningful matters of life, as well as his faith in believing that he can hear from the Father in a way that is practical enough to act upon.

That's what Jesus did on the mountain that night. He prayed for an urgent need. He deliberated in the Spirit for quite a long time. He allowed God to guide him in a specific direction and he acted upon it.

What would it take for us to pray like that? I have to admit I rarely spend that kind of time in deliberate prayer. What kind of difference would it make in our decision making? When faced with life's tough choices would it make those choices easier? Perhaps not, but I believe that even in the most difficult of situations it would afford a measure of peace.

March 13 - Receivers

Read: Matthew 10: 40-42

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. (Matthew 10:40 ESV)

Cell phone reception can get pretty spotty in the rural mountains I frequent. It has made for a few interesting stories over the years. Missed or mistaken words have created some interesting problems because reception, either actual or perceived, is a crucial element of conversation.

Christians are called that because they are "Christ-like" or at least they are supposed to be. People who bear the title are supposed to also bear the weight and responsibility of actually being authentic representatives of Christ to a world in desperate need of him.

So how are we representing? How are people receiving us?

I find it interesting that the bible paints an incredibly clear picture of Jesus being this guy who was really well received. I know I can't really compare on the reception scale. Why? What are we doing as his representatives to this world that is so completely off-putting to people? Is it pride? Arrogance?

Sure, some people completely confuse the issue. They are missing key parts of what is being said or shown. It is because they are not properly receiving. Their reception is bad. But sometimes those of us who should understand Jesus the best, do the poorest job of demonstrating him to those in our path. My prayer for you and I today is that what we say and do would be received as evidence for the authentic awesomeness of Christ.

The Best

I've been in a graduate program at the local university for the last four semesters. What began as a cool way to meet new people has turned into a personal challenge and a fun way to learn new stuff or improve old stuff. Today I turned in a project for class and allowed myself a brief sigh of relief. It was a milestone that marked the halfway point in the semester. Then I realized that there are still five projects that have to be completed. Combined the amount of work left to do easily doubles the amount I have already done. The kicker? I have about half as much time to do it. Have you ever gotten pretty excited about something prematurely? The reality of the situation will let the wind out of your sails. What do you do? For me it means sucking it up, getting extremely intentional about the next six weeks, and doing the best work I have ever done. After all, I'm supposed to be doing everything for the glory of God by giving it my best right? Right?

Have you ever known someone that completely quit on something because it required too much of them? I have been that guy before, but not recently. Not even in the last several years. Why? Because God took a deficiency in me and shaped me through it. Shaped me to embrace difficulty, not welcomingly, but in a way that offers opportunity to exalt Him. To let my love for Him shine through whatever I set my hands to do, by doing my best.

These last several weeks have been gloriously intense. Busy is an understatement. But it's been beautiful. The next six weeks will be even more intense. I am ready. I'm actually pretty excited. The best is yet to come.

March 12 - Lose to Find

Read: Matthew 10:34-39

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39 ESV)

The Christian life can at times seem full of paradoxical things. One such paradox is the notion of losing life and finding life. Jesus was pretty clear. If you think you have found your life, you're lost, but if you're willing to let go of everything...only then will you really begin to live.

This is the kind of life he invites us into. To live, love, and serve him with everything. That in this process we abandon previous notions of what we thought our life was supposed to look like, and instead offer ourselves as a willing servant to be used for his purposes.

I am thirty two years old and rarely feel like I have it all figured out. I am solid in my relationship with God. That is, I am committed to continually growing in affection and obedience toward God. Even in that I find that I certainly never seem to know exactly what's going on in life every step of the way. Much of it often still seems a mystery.

It's actually when I begin to embrace the mystery of God that I usually grow the most in Him. Why? Because when I'm willing to place my faith in Jesus and follow where he leads I am willing to walk toward or away from anything. In those moments I am willing to lose the comfort and security of life to chase him completely. It's when you wake up thinking and acting like you have it all figured our that you are really in trouble. Which side of that coin do you find yourself on today?

Motley

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/61459541 w=500&h=281] My latest short film is about Brandon. He is a family man, pest control technician, champion mixed martial artist, and Jesus. See what he has to say about fighting, faith, and pursuing your dream.