Leave It All Behind
Thank You, Father, for Your hand upon my shoulder through this day. I am humbled that You use me to proclaim Your word to Your people. Use me throughout every day to proclaim Your word with my life. Amen.
Luke 5:27-29 (<<click to read the passage)
If you had a fairly lucrative job making pretty much as much money as you wanted to make and you worked for an organization that as long as they got their cut didn’t care how much you made, wouldn’t that be difficult to give up? More than likely you had worked hard and greased the right hands over several years to get yourself to that level, wouldn’t you have to think long and hard about just up and quitting? From more money than you could shake a stick at to possibly not even knowing where your next meal was coming from…willingly?
I don’t think too many would be eager to jump on that wagon…but that is just what Levi (also known as Matthew) did! One day he was doing his thing, filling Rome’s coffers and his own pockets, when Jesus walked up and said to him, “Follow Me [as My disciple, accepting Me as your Master and Teacher and walking the same path of life that I walk].” (AMP)
And Luke’s Gospel doesn’t even show Levi having a moment’s hesitation, he simply “got up, left everything, and followed him.” In fact, Matthew’s own Gospel (9:9-13) and Mark’s (2:13-17), as well, both communicate the same reaction to Jesus’ call upon Levi’s (Matthew’s) life. No hesitation whatsoever.
You would think that it would have been a tough decision…right? But from what I’ve read and heard, there comes a point in one’s life where you’ve pretty much sought out every possible angle to find some modicum of happiness in your life and you finally come to the conclusion that it truly is unattainable. You might keep on plugging along hoping but deep down you realize that it is hopeless. What you thought would be so wonderful, has let you down in a mighty way.
It reminds me of a great king (Solomon, son of David) who had absolutely everything he could ever have wanted. And here are the words he wrote in Ecclesiastes 1:2-8 (NLT),
“Everything is meaningless…completely meaningless!”
What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
The Amplified Bible words verse 2 by saying,
“All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”
Solomon’s life did end up being meaningless in that, even though he knew better, he never turned to the One who alone could bring life meaning.
Levi, on the other hand, left behind the meaningless pursuit of wealth and power and joyfully followed the Giver of all life! He knew a good thing when he saw it and never turned back!
Let us follow Levi as he followed Jesus.
Jan 26th, 2020, Sun, 7:16 pm
Inspirations of a Crescent Moon
Father, a harried afternoon but all is good. Thank You for being at work in my life even when things don’t go according to plan.
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I see something fairly regularly that many do not (it was a rarity for me to see before driving a bus!) An early morning moon is breathtaking! It makes no difference what phase it is in. Full moons on a clear morning – wow! But for whatever reason, I am especially drawn to crescent moons – especially when they are lit enough that you can still see the form of the dark portion of the moon. That is what we had this past Tuesday morning – it was beautiful!
Of course, most of us know why only a portion of the moon is lit – the earth stands between it and the sun, obstructing the sun’s light.
Now the moon is just doing what the moon does. The same goes for the earth and the sun. They all follow the course set for them by their Creator.
So, if we follow the course our Creator sets for us, what should that look like? One thing is for sure, nothing should come between us and the Son – Jesus Christ. And it is to our detriment if we allow the world to stand between us.
But isn’t that the easiest route to go. I mean, there are very few who don’t…right? Hear the Word of the Lord as proclaimed by Jesus Himself in Matthew 7:13-14 (AMP),
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
My challenge today is to be one of the few that does not let the world come between you and the Lord. What better way to bring others into a saving relationship with Him that to allow ourselves to give a full reflection of His light and love to the world before us!
Lord Jesus, may we seek a closeness with You that goes beyond our comprehension. Help us to give our lives over to You with nothing between us.
Jan 23rd, 2020, Thurs, 5:12 pm
Since entering the pastorate in the United Methodist Church I have come to really appreciate the hymn “Nothing Between” – it fits well here. I discovered this rendition on YouTube – Neville Peter does a wonderful job! If you don’t care to listen please just read the words – they are solid!
♪♫♪ Nothing Between / I Surrender All ♫♪♫
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world’s or my fondest dream;
I have renounced sin and all of its pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
All my habits of life, though harmless they seem;
Must not my heart from Him ever sever;
He is my all, there’s nothing between.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Nothing between, not even my trials,
Though this old world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self denial,
Triumph at last, with nothing between.
I surrender all…
“Nothing Between” – Words & Music: Charles A. Tindley, 1905
“I Surrender All” – Words: Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1896
Music: Winfield S. Weeden, 1896
Aphiemi (What?)
Father, my eyes are bleary and I am surely weary but this time together is a must, so as I abide here with You I would ask that I would hear Your word loud and clear. Amen.
Luke 5:17-26 (<<click to read the passage)
When we think of forgiveness we tend to think of forgiving others, and that is challenging enough in and of itself. But a problem for many who strive to live their lives for Jesus is that they cannot forgive themselves.
I tell you; I am regularly encouraged by my Life Application Study Bible. Mine happens to be in the New Living Translation but it is available in multiple translations. It would be well worth the investment to purchase one and to use it daily!
Here is what it had to say about forgiveness in today’s passage.
God offers the same forgiveness given to the paralytic to all who believe. The Greek word aphiemi, translated “forgiven,” means to leave or let go, to give up a debt, to send away from oneself. Forgiveness means that a relationship has been renewed despite a wrong that has been done. But the act cannot be erased or changed. The notion of aphiemi, however, goes far beyond human forgiveness, for it includes the “putting away” of sin in two ways: (1) The law and justice are satisfied because Jesus paid the penalty that sin deserved thus sins can no longer be held against a believer. (2) The guilt caused by sin is removed and replaced with Christ’s righteousness. Believers are so forgiven that, in God’s eyes, it is as if they had never sinned. Do you carry a heavy burden for sins you have committed? Confess all to Christ – receive aphiemi – ultimate forgiveness.
Now that is encouraging! In fact, for many, it is out and out liberating! That last line says it all! Confess all to Christ – receive aphiemi – ultimate forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, help us to see ourselves through Your eyes. We would ask that You would help us to live victorious lives not defeated lives. Open our eyes that we might see the wonderous aphiemi You have for us! Amen!
Jan 22nd, 2020, Wed, 6:48 pm
Stop Being Angry!
Father, I am so grateful that You have been there for me for these 57 trips around the sun! Thank You for the multitude of blessings, for every good and perfect gift does come from You! (James 1:17)
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I feel the need to be very up front about one of my struggles. I haven’t written about it a while (see ANGRY!) but it still plagues me. I truly think to a certain degree it is a hereditary mindset but I cannot lay the blame there. I must own it, for I perpetuate it and I really don’t dowse the fire once it gets to blazing. Interestingly enough, unless you are close to me, you don’t even realize the hold it has on me. In public arenas, it rarely shows its face but…not so much with those I hold dear.
I’m talking about anger.
Some things can really set me off. Some people can really set me off.
Traffic is a trigger. Ride with me and it doesn’t take long to go off– at least when I’m with people with whom I am comfortable.
Also, there are certain people throughout my life that with very little tinder can quickly become a massive, engulfing conflagration burning everything in its all-consuming path.
Do I like this part of myself? No. Have I prayed about it? Yes…but not nearly enough.
Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. Ephesians 4:26 (AMP)
Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
it only leads to harm. Psalm 37:8-9 (NLT)
Does God understand my issues? Yes. Does He forgive my failings? Yes. Is it OK to not continue to overcome these tendencies? Absolutely not. God extends Himself to me for strength, wisdom, tenacity, patience, love, and anything else I might need. He is but a thought away. Now, I just need to think! James hit the nail on the head.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20 (NLT)
Left to myself, I will crash and burn every, single time. The only place that I can find the hope to overcome is Jesus…plain and simple.
As you ponder these things today, maybe anger is your “hot button”. But maybe it is something else – another thing that has its talons piercing deep with your flesh, yielding to no one, regardless of all your many efforts. But though I continue to battle, I know – beyond the shadow of any doubt – that my God is bigger than it all. And if I will do my part – that is, yielding my part over to Him – He will enable me to overcome!
…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (AMP)
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Romans 8:37 (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (AMP)
Trust in the Lord, my friends, trust in the Lord.
Jan 21st, 2020, Tues, 8:05 pm
Put Legs on It!
It has been a bit of a wonky day, Father. But as I sit down with You tonight may my mind be on You. Everything else is behind me and only You are before me. Amen.
Luke 5:17-26 (<<click to read the passage)
Faith. It is a foundational aspect of our relationship with Jesus. We must have faith, believing that what He says He will do. Our faith in Him brings about our salvation. But as is made evident in today’s passage, our faith not only impacts us but others as well!
Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” vs.18-20 NLT
My Life Application Study Bible remarks, “It wasn’t the paralyzed man’s faith that impressed Jesus but the faith of his friends. Jesus responded to their faith and healed the man.”
Friend, if you are a believer in Jesus and have sought His forgiveness and serve Him with your life then you have a responsibility to use your faith, in a positive way, to affect the lives of others. The scary part is that our faith, if we are not careful, can leave a negative impact on others!
In my lifetime I have known people who claim Jesus as their Savior but the way they lived their lives did not always make that association clear. Anger. Gossip. Jealousy. Double mindedness and many other vices. We may all deal with some of these attributes on occasion but for some, it is a big part of their everyday lives.
In mentioning individuals in churches I served to other believers, I have gotten raised eyebrows because they knew the individual outside the church setting and obviously would never have believed them to be a follower of Christ due to their actions in the workplace or other areas of life. Believers beware! People are watching us whether we like it or not and the faith we proclaim will be known to all for good or ill.
But the friends in this passage clearly made known their faith in Jesus. They didn’t just believe it in their hearts and minds, they put legs on it and were quick to take their friend to find healing at the hands of the One they believed could make a difference in his life.
Lord Jesus, we realize that only You can bring salvation and healing but we, as we exercise our faith, can bring others to You. If we are real and authentic in our relationship with You, that just whets the appetite of others creating a hunger for You, even before they might fully understand for what they are hungering. Help us to overcome our weaknesses. Help us to trust in You to make our faith stronger each day as we follow closely by Your side. Amen.
Jan 20th, 2020, Mon, 7:49 pm