Tag: Devotional

The rewards of faithfulness

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 19:20–21 (ESV): 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

EXPLAIN

This parable is well known. A master gives his three servants different amounts of money and instructs them to invest the money while he is gone. When he returns the first two servants have doubled the money, but the third had hidden it away, not doing anything with the money at all. The master was irate, saying that the servant could have at least invested the money in the bank and gained a little interest, but the third servant had not even done that.

There is another parable that is similar but different. In another parable, the master gave ten servants the same amount of money. We are only told how three of those servants used the money. The first two gained large amounts, one greater than the other. The third, again, hid the money away, doing nothing with it.

Sometimes, people interpret these parables to speak about spiritual gifts or even natural abilities that God gives us. Truly, a better interpretation is that the money represents opportunities of various kinds that we have to serve God.

APPLY

In my limited experience and training of sales, I have seen the lesson Jesus taught in this parable come true repeatedly. Those who work hard, regardless of their ability and even of their success ratio, somehow receive more and more opportunities. Some of these opportunities and successes come through hard work. Some simply seem to drop out of the sky. Some can be traced as happy customers give referrals which bring more business.

If you aren’t spiritual, it almost feels like somehow that one is rewarded by “the universe” for being faithful, doing hard work – that somehow opportunities gravitate around those who put in the work. As a follower of Jesus, I believe God is at work behind the scenes, rewarding us as we faithfully perform our duties in the workplace, the home, and the church.

The challenge, of course, is: are we being faithful, especially in our God-given mission of making disciples who make disciples of Jesus?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, in both “secular” and “spiritual” work, may I serve you faithfully. As you increase responsibilities and opportunities, may I continue to be faithful to your call. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

No games needed

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 18:41 (ESV): 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”

EXPLAIN

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem for the last time. Immediately before this story, Jesus foretold his death for the third time to the disciples.

Now as they neared Jericho, a blind beggar heard that he was coming and began to call upon Jesus to have mercy on him.

The crowd tried to hush the beggar, but he got Jesus’ attention. Jesus simply asked what the man wanted. When he answered, Jesus gave the man his desire.

APPLY

Sometimes we make prayer a lot harder and more involved that it is or needs to be.

Of course, there are various conditions to prayer – God’s will, a right relationship with God and others, etc. – may preclude us from having our prayers answered.

Truly, however, prayer is not that difficult. God doesn’t play games in prayer. Ask God what you want and believe him for it.

If God doesn’t answer with a yes, then we should trust him that as a loving father he knows what is best for his children. But until he says no, we should trust him as children do their loving father, to do good for us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for being good and being my father. Help my faith to be marked by simple trust and straightforward requests. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The kingdom of God is fruitful

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 13:9 (ESV): 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.

EXPLAIN

This chapter begins with some people telling Jesus about one of Pilate’s atrocities in which he had abused some Galilean Jews. Jesus quickly responded, saying that the atrocity that these Jews suffered was not due to any greater sinfulness than that of other Jews. Rather, we all will perish if we do not repent.

Jesus then told the parable of this unfruitful tree. God expects his followers to produce fruit of righteousness. If we do not, the result in terms of this word picture is to be cut down.

Spiritually, the person who does not live faithfully for God backslides and abandons their salvation. The vinedresser asked for another year to work with the tree to see it become fruitful.

Immediately following this, Jesus healed a woman who had suffered with a disability for 18 years, but he did so on the Sabbath. The ruler of the synagogue was indignant, but this story graphically pictures the unfruitfulness of the Jewish religious leaders and system of that time.

Jesus then told two short parables picturing the kingdom of God’s impact like that of a mustard seed becoming a great tree and leaven working through a whole batch of dough.

God’s kingdom produces fruit.

APPLY

In the business world, fruitfulness – making quotas, cutting expenses, etc. are highly prized. Sometimes, companies can almost be ruthless in their efforts to maximize profit and cut expense.

Is it unreasonable for God to expect his people to also be fruitful spiritually? Yet our text shows the grace of God. He is patient with those who are faithful and sincere in their desire to follow him. Yet he does expect results. Lack of spiritual fruit demonstrates lack of spiritual vitality.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I demonstrate the fruit of righteousness in my life. Thank you for your grace. You do not call for legalistic works-righteousness. But your life will produce fruit in us. May it be so in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The presence of God

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 8:35 (ESV): 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

EXPLAIN

Jesus and his disciples had sailed across the Sea of Galilee to the Gerasenes. When they landed, they were greeted by a demon-possessed man that no one could take or control.

Jesus delivered the man, sending the demons into pigs which rushed off a cliff and drowned in the sea. Those tending the pigs rushed into town to tell the people what had happened.

When they saw Jesus and the man restored, they were not grateful for God’s deliverance. They were afraid. Most likely, the financial loss of the pigs scared them. But also, they seem to have been afraid of what having Jesus in their midst might mean to them. How would they have to change their way of living? What would it cost them?

APPLY

These same fears keep many from embracing Jesus today. And even Christians may sometimes hold Jesus away at arm’s length for fear – what will it cost me and what must I change to live in God’s near presence.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I have chosen and continue to choose to live surrendered to your Word and will. May your close presence enable me and guide me each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The investment of grace

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HIGHLIGHT

Luke 6:37–38 (ESV): 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

EXPLAIN

These verses are part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, which some suggest may be simply Luke’s version of Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, and that the “plain” should be understood as some level ground in or around the mountain.

Another equally possible explanation is that this was a different sermon and event, but that Jesus merely taught with many of the same principles and illustrations as the other sermon.

This sermon, even more than Matthew’s, has a heavy focus on how to respond to one’s enemies.

APPLY

As I first read this scripture, my thought connected with the idea of verse 38, that the generous person will receive generosity, that the person who invests in others will reap great benefits.

This is true, but we must not divorce it from its context of how to respond to those who mistreat and malign you. Even more, this verse amplifies the instruction not to judge others lest you be judged also.

The real point seems to be a challenge to be grace-filled people, grace-giving persons. The more grace we extend, the more grace we are capable of receiving.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to extend grace freely to everyone with whom I come in contact. May my investment of grace bring forth great profit for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When he remembered

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 14:72 (ESV): 72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

EXPLAIN

Mark 14 is packed with stories of the final few days of Jesus, but the overall theme of all is the plot to kill Jesus. The chapter begins with the religious leaders trying to figure out how to get rid of him. Then we find the event that finally turned Judas Iscariot against Jesus – the anointing of Jesus at Simon the leper’s home. Judas then made his deal.

Next we find a brief accounting of the Passover and Jesus’ foretelling of Peter’s denial. The scene switches to the Garden of Gethsemane and the sleepy disciples. Jesus is betrayed and Peter feebly slices off a servant’s ear with his sword. The disciples scatter and Mark who was following escaped naked.

As Jesus was tried before the Council, Peter tried to stay close outside, but his fear for his life led him to worry more about his own skin. He vehemently denied Jesus three times. Then the rooster crowed and Peter realized what he had done.

APPLY

Peter’s tears express the sorrow of us all when we get so busy with life and worry for ourselves … and then suddenly find ourselves denying Christ by our words or deeds.

Peter denied Jesus by saying he did not know him. We may deny Jesus by ignoring his commands to love one another or by compromising biblical principles. We deny Jesus by failing to be faithful to his leadership of our lives.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to remain faithful to Jesus in all I say and do. Help me to stay aware at all times of the enemy’s scheme, being in close communion with the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Facing the unknown

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 9:32 (ESV): 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

EXPLAIN

Mark records three times that Jesus foretells his death. This was the disciples’ response after Jesus told them the second time that he would be killed. It didn’t make sense to them, but more importantly, they didn’t want to consider the truth, the implications, of what he said.

Interestingly, immediately after this foretelling the disciples got into an argument about who was greatest in God’s kingdom. In Mark 10 we find the 3rd time Jesus foretold his death. That was immediately followed by James and John seeking high position in God’s kingdom.

APPLY

The disciples were not the first nor the last to be confused by God’s words and actions, nor were they the last. How many times today do people walk away from God – leave the Bible study, Sunday School, or congregational worship time – confused and frustrated, not because anything was “wrong” with the teaching or preaching of scripture, but because their hearts were not willing to consider the countercultural precepts of God’s kingdom? How many times deben today do people walk away from God because he doesn’t make sense to them?

For the disciple of Jesus, we must step into our fear, open our mouths and ask… and then be willing to hear and obey.

Fear traps us in the comfort and safety of the known and denies us the opportunity of experiencing God deeply.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I choose to leap into the unknown as I follow your Son. May I not shrink back in fear or confusion but continue to follow you humbly with full trust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walking in light

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 8:32 (ESV): 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

EXPLAIN

A common theme in Mark 7-8, if not the whole gospel, is the confusion of the people in regards to spiritual things. The religious leaders especially were hard hearted and argued constantly with Jesus, but even the Twelve were incredibly dense.

The progression of stories before this include the miracle of the seven loaves and Jesus’ warning of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod that the disciples could not understand. Then Jesus healed a blind man who was able to see in stages – first seeing people who looked like trees and then seeing clearly.

Jesus then asked the disciples who they believed him to be and Peter answered with the great declaration, “You are the Christ.” But despite this moment of clear spiritual insight, when Jesus began speaking of his coming death, Peter rebuked him.

APPLY

The spiritual ignorance and darkness of the people in general, the religious leaders, and even the disciples should be a caution to us today.

Do we believe we can see, but are truly walking in darkness? Can we recognize when we only have partial light, and do we seek to see clearly? Having gained light, do we go back to darkness when God’s ways are confusing to us?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the light you give in Christ. May I continue to live in your light and seek greater light, rather than wandering away due to a stubborn, rebellious heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Missing the point of the miracle

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 6:51–52 (ESV): 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

EXPLAIN

This chapter details an intense time of Jesus’ ministry. The chapter begins with Jesus being rejected by his hometown Nazareth and not able to do any mighty work there.

Next we find Jesus sending out the Twelve on a short-term mission trip. The story shifts from Jesus to tell of John the Baptist’s beheading by King Herod. Then we rejoin Jesus as the Twelve return from their mission trip.

Jesus desired to go away with them for debriefing and rest, but the crowds saw them and followed them. Jesus had compassion on the people and taught them.

When it grew late, the disciples tried to persuade Jesus to send the crowds away because they were hungry. But Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.

When the disciples despaired for what to do, Jesus performed a miracle, multiplying the loaves and fish of a small boy to feed the entire crowd, as well as leaving behind twelve baskets full of bread and fish.

The people wanted to crown Jesus king, but Jesus sent the disciples across the lake by boat. Jesus then dismissed the crowd and went into the mountain to pray.

In the middle of the night, while the disciples were slowly crossing the water, Jesus came walking by on the surface. They thought he was a ghost, but Jesus reassured them and got into the boat with them. Here we find our highlighted text.

APPLY

The painfully obvious question is, “What did the disciples not understand about the loaves and how did that connect with Jesus’ command of nature?”

The answer appears to be simply that the lesson of the loaves was that the Son of God has absolute power, therefore we need not fear for lack of food or when difficulties abound.

Obviously, that God has all power does not mean He will always choose to intervene in our problems and cause us to experience smooth sailing. But we need not fear, even when we are “making headway painfully” or think we see a “ghost” walking by. God is God, and God is in control.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that you are in control and that you love me and will supply my needs according to your will and your riches in Christ Jesus. Increase my faith in you. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Boldly asking

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HIGHLIGHT

Mark 2:5 (ESV): 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

EXPLAIN

Jesus healed many of sickness and disease. But we do find indications that even then not everyone was healed who could have been. For example, Jesus one day walked through a group of sick people and healed one man at the Pool of Siloam.

In this story, the tenacity and perseverance of the paralyzed man’s friends is striking and inspiring. They could not get through the crowds to Jesus, so they went up on the roof and dug a hole to lower their friend down.

Interestingly, Jesus noted the faith of the friends in granting healing, not the faith of the paralyzed man!

APPLY

Recently, I have been reading a secular book on the art of selling. One of the main keys the author teaches is to simply ask for what you want. Don’t beat around the bush. Don’t suggest if you could, have time, etc. just ask!

And God wants us to be this bold and upfront with Him in prayer.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, increase my faith that I may pray boldly and confidently for what I want, having submitted my desires to your will already. In Jesus’ name, Amen.