Voice of Vision

Sight beyond sight

2012-02-01T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 2:23-25…

We like Jesus when He is on the move in our lives, going, doing, manifesting in obvious ways. It’s easy to believe when the crowds come along for the ride. In the frenzy of fantastic events and exciting episodes, we may feel like everything and everyone is starting to go God’s way. Revival is here, we think. However, we must remember that if people can become easily enamored they can also become easily disillusioned. You may not realize this, but Jesus does.

Our motivations are not always as pure as we think them to be, and even if we are sincere, this doesn’t mean we are right. People try and justify themselves and their faithless and/or godless actions by saying, “Well, God knows my heart”. Well, yes, God knows your heart, but He uses His Word to reveal to you the condition of it (Hebrews 4:12-13). The question isn’t whether or not God knows your heart; it is whether or not He has your heart. God sees your heart, but do you see it (Psalm 19:12-14, 139:23-24)?

The gospel is not about giving people what they want; it is about changing what people want. It changes people into lovers of God, based upon who Jesus is, what He is like, and what He has done. What He may seem to be doing, or not doing right now, shouldn’t change this. We think we have “decided on Christ”, but the question is, has Christ decided on us? It is a question of relationship. Are you just infatuated with Jesus, or does He trust you with His love?

Jesus knows each and every person’s heart. He knows what any and all hearts are capable of. People can believe in what you do and still not believe in you. Jesus didn’t have faith in them because He knew they didn’t really have faith in Him. He knows those who are only fooling themselves. Trust Him, and don’t simply look for the miracles. If you keep your eye on Him, you will see He has His eye on you.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Show me the money

2012-01-31T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 2:13-22…

Jesus is not against commerce, He is against manipulation. His face is always set against those who would use the people, in the name of ministry, but for the sake of money. If you are to follow Jesus, be sure that He will be driven to drive out those who defile the house of God.

It is with the same furor He will fight against the love of money within your own soul. He will not hold back, but will fashion whatever means necessary and available to overturn the tables of trade you wish to do business with. You don’t bargain with God, you bow to Him. Would you attempt to manipulate God or His people, or yourself, by placing filthy lucre above the faithful Lord? You must see with spiritual eyes and let Jesus drive the evil from you, His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).

If you think with your old ways you will not understand why Jesus is so adamant and fierce against the tyranny and treason in your heart. If this be the case, Jesus will seem like a wild warrior, upsetting the whole balance of your mindset. You will question whether this is truly God’s will, and miss the spiritual message in His movements.

If you are truly saved, if you are truly His temple, you may destroy the work in your life for a moment, but He will resurrect once again to dominate. The false idols and ideas in your heart, no matter how long they have lingered, no matter how calcified the conscience, they can be shattered in a near instant by the mighty power of Christ. Let Him have full reign.

Jesus is coming for your treasure, so that He may be your treasure (Matthew 6:21). Do you trust Him in your house; is it now become His house? If He is to be master, you must answer this question. Is your soul a place of prayer, or is it a den of thieves?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Moments without motion

2012-01-30T06:31:00.000-05:00

John 2:12…

Just because we are supposed to run hard after Jesus doesn’t mean we don’t need to rest in Jesus. We want to “get after it”, whatever the “it” is, instead of resting right there with Jesus and His people. Sometimes your responsibilities for God can keep you from God.

Our moments of the miraculous movement seem to be so fulfilling, and we may have trouble resting and refueling when we are in our stops and silences along the way. Not much seems to be going on, but where Jesus is, that is where you need to be. Jesus takes time alone, but He is never alone, others are always near Him. Still, Christ looked for times of relative quiet.

Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is in us, and sometimes we are following along with others as Jesus is headed somewhere, and sometimes we are following along with others as Jesus stays awhile somewhere. The move of God isn’t always moving like you think. The dream in you may linger at times and places. Sometimes going, moving, doing, sometimes finding, resting, and waiting. The most important part of any of this is that we pay attention to what Jesus is about, and follow along.

Capernaum served the Savior as a sort of headquarters. Do you have a resting place of solace? Being called to be a pilgrim and a pioneer doesn’t mean called to be a vagabond or nomad. We are all called to “full time” ministry, but we are also called to enjoy the times with Jesus and His people where we are moved into the moments without motion.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The best for last

2012-01-29T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 2:1-11…

Situations come into our lives, or we enter into them, and these situations provide an opportunity for Jesus to demonstrate who He is. Usually the situation is some event or emergency that, without the grace of God, the cause is lost. Those that know Jesus will ask Him to intervene, but do not be surprised when He examines your motives for asking. Your sense of spiritual timing must be attuned to His if He is to act. He may indeed act, but He wants you to know that His overall purposes must be kept in focus by the faithful.

Obedience is a key at this point. We may not understand all of the orchestration of the music, but we must direct all the singers in the song to the sound of the Maestro’s voice. Jesus will transform our old, watered down ways into the new wine of the messianic age (John 15:5). God’s purpose is to take man in his brokenness, his emptiness and his lifelessness, and give to him life; this is what He does with us (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Be sure to travel beyond the joy of having Jesus enter into the situation, and beyond the celebration at just how wonderful He does things. We must look to the One who does these things more fully because of these things. Are you enjoying the good graces of God without giving proper glory to God? He only does what He does because He is who He is. The celebration of victory will fade, but the celebration of the Victor must live on.

Our Lord takes His time and saves the best for last. Be aware that Jesus is like this. You may marvel at His presence and power in your life and situation, but He will enlighten you further and embolden you faster as you faithfully travel with Him through the unfolding drama of the dream in your life. Run hard after Jesus; the best is yet to come.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Are you going somewhere?

2012-01-28T07:54:00.000-05:00

John 1:35-51…

As we truly seek God, those who are leaders in our midst will acknowledge the move of God, and we will find ourselves in the place where we now are called to move forward. We must make sure that we are truly following Christ and not simply following men, and Jesus will ask us to examine ourselves to see if this is so. We took a step of faith to get to where we are now, but now we must follow further, we must continue to come along the path.

God will gather others along those journeys that are also being called to follow Christ in an ever deepening way. We may be the first to branch out on the Vine, and when we proclaim what we have found, and as we are faithful to bring others in, Jesus will confirm His presence. God is orchestrating the move in others as well, and unbeknownst to you, Jesus will call pilgrims on the Way who will meet you for a shared destiny.

Some may question the new movement, but this is because they are of a discerning maturity, and this will provide the opportunity for Jesus to prove Himself once again. Then those who look with true eyes will revel in it, not rebel against it. Jesus will cause them to see even greater things as the movement manifests.

The old way paves the way of the pioneer path. Are you settled on the side of the road, or are you following along with Jesus?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Are you tempted?

2012-01-27T03:01:00.001-05:00

Matthew 4:1-11 / Mark 1:12-13 / Luke 4:1-13…

Just when you get started on a journey of faith, this is when the enemy of your soul will attempt to stop you in your tracks. Wherever God is moving, Satan is sure to be there to try and limit the effects (Mark 4:15). He may go for a while, but he will always come back. And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Christians shouldn’t be ignorant of this (2 Corinthians 2:11). The world wants to feed us, the devil wants to enflame us, and the flesh wants to indulge us (Romans 13:14 / Ephesians 4:27 / 1 Peter 2:11 / 1 John 2:16). We must take up the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17-18) like Jesus did (Deuteronomy 6:13, 16, 8:3), and resist the devil (James 4:7).

Make no mistake; Satan is out to get you, too (1 Peter 5:8). However, we rest in the knowledge that our Champion has defeated the devil (Hebrews 2:14-18). We can win the battles because Jesus has won the war. Even when we fail to live up to the faith, our Heavenly Father gathers us back into His arms (1 John 1:9 / James 4:8 / Romans 8:1, 39).

The dream lives on, it has been proven, the second Adam (Romans 5:12-19 / 1 Corinthians 15:45) did what the first failed to do. Satan used all his best weapons, when it seemed Jesus was at His most vulnerable, yet nothing could stop our Champion, our victory is secure. Jesus in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the Jews were tempted in the wilderness, and the question is, will we make it out of the wilderness? Will we cave in to the pressure, or enter in to the throne room (Hebrews 4:16)?

When you are tempted, don’t give up on Jesus.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Here comes God

2012-01-26T05:45:00.000-05:00

John 1:29-34…

When the movement of God is moving toward us, we do right to proclaim it and to perform in it.

We have the witness of promise. John had been given a word by God, and he proclaimed it faithfully, and Jesus was the fulfillment of that word. We know what the Word of God says, and we are looking for it to be fulfilled in our life. Jesus is the fulfillment of the redemption (Isaiah 53:6 / 1 Peter 1:19 / 1 John 3:5), and He will fulfill the Word of God to you (Romans 8:28 / Galatians 1:4 / Philippians 1:6 / 2 Timothy 1:12).

We have the witness of practice. John had been given a way by God, he came baptizing, and Jesus showed up right there in his daily diligence. Do what you know you should do, and Jesus will be revealed to you, in your daily life (Matthew 6:33 / Colossians 1:27), and through you, to others who come in contact with your life (Matthew 5:16 / Acts 4:13 / Philippians 2:15).

We are left here on earth so that our lives will tell others about Jesus. You witness to others about Christ with your voice, your vocation, and your values. If we will be about the business of the kingdom of God, we will see the revelation of Christ clearly because we are looking for Him by living for Him.

God will show up. We will see unmistakable evidence. The acquaintance becomes a near reality and the power of the Holy Spirit is manifest, and suddenly we know this is it!

Behold the Lamb indeed…

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Baptizing Jesus

2012-01-25T03:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 3:13-17 / Mark 1:9-11 / Luke 3:21-22…

Jesus was saying something that John didn’t seem to understand. John had been telling people to be baptized and he emphasized how unworthy the religious leaders were. He said come on you snakes, you get baptized too, you are definitely deserving of condemnation, you are definitely not worthy of the kingdom of God. John said they should be looking for the Christ and yet Jesus steps up and says here I am to be baptized.

John started to resist. Jesus is not a sinner, He has not broken God’s law, but Jesus said it must be done. He says that because He is identifying Himself with you. He is proclaiming and dramatizing what will happen to Him when He turns Himself over to be arrested, indicted, crucified, and buried. God is enacting in advance what will happen when He raises Jesus from the dead and declares Him to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4). God voices His acceptance of Jesus, visibly sending the Holy Spirit as a sign.

Jesus not only died the death we justly deserve but lived the life we should have lived (Romans 5:10, 19). On the cross, God treated Jesus as if He lived your life so He could treat you as if you lived His life. That’s the Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The physical represents the spiritual. You are identified with Jesus through water (Galatians 3:27). You are baptized into His body (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Jesus is identified with you through submission (Romans 12:1-2 / 1 Peter 4:12-19). He is baptized into your body (Galatians 2:20).

Are you baptizing Jesus, or do you resist?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Who are you?

2012-01-24T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 1:19-28…

The religious leaders sent delegates to question John the Baptist. He made it clear that he was not the Christ. He was not the physical Elijah, although John was Elijah in the spiritual sense. He was not the prophet that Moses said would come (Deuteronomy 18:15). The Jewish leaders had it wrong (John 7:40-43), Jesus was who Moses and John spoke about (Acts 3:22, 7:37). People who are against God’s will use God’s Word and twist it to their own understanding (1 Timothy 6:3-5 / 2 Peter 3:15-16).

Just as the religious leaders didn’t believe the Messiah when He came, they did not see His herald for who he was. It will be the same for you. People are going to attack the message, and they will attack the messenger. Jesus told us that this would be the case (Luke 6:22-23, 10:16). It has always been that way, from the book of Acts until even this very day. People will question the move of God by questioning the credentials of the messenger, especially when it involves a call to move them into repentance.

They will say, “Who are you to tell me?” No matter who you are there will come times when you witness to someone who is smarter than you, better educated, and so on and so forth. But that isn’t the point. You are the one with the spiritual truth, the eternal truth, the most important truth. You are the most important person they will ever meet, unless and until they meet Jesus in truth. Point the way to Jesus; you don’t think you’re perfect, it means you follow the one who is.

We ought not to be offensive in ourselves, but the message of the cross of Christ is offensive to the natural mind already (1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:14). No matter how passionate our approach, persuasive our arguments, biblical our admonishments, and loving our appeals are, if God does not open the eyes of the spiritually blind, they will not see.

Who are you? You’re God’s messenger, that’s who (2 Corinthians 5:20 / 1 Peter 3:15-16).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Christ the greater…gatherer

2012-01-23T09:27:00.001-05:00

Matthew 3:11-12 / Mark 1:7-8 / Luke 3:15-18…

John the Baptist raised expectations about the coming Christ. In fact, he did it so well that people started to wonder if he was the Christ. Like John, we have to be careful to keep the focus on Jesus, and not what He is doing through us.

John said that if they thought he was making clear distinctions between believers, non-believers, and make-believers, they hadn’t seen anything yet. From the context we see that the Christ will truly separate the wheat from the chaff. He will deliver some to glory and some to doom.

You will see the wrath of man any time you even speak of the wrath of God, let alone making it an object of worship and adoration. However, John said this made the Christ a greater one than himself. John could speak of it; Jesus will do it.

John said Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. The power of the Holy Spirit is what unites all believers (John 3:5-8 / 1 Corinthians 12:13). But what is a baptism of fire?

Perhaps John is referring to one and the same event, with the fire representing the Messiah bringing the purifying fire of God to His people (Malachi 3:2). It may include the persecution that disciples go through (Mark 10:35-40 / 2 Timothy 3:12 / 1 Peter 4:12). If it is some separate event, it would refer to the fact that Jesus was going to baptize some into judgment; they would receive the unquenchable fire of hell. In any event, this isn’t something to achieve, it is something to be recognized. These events will happen.

The point is this: Jesus the Christ is going to make ultimate distinctions. Jesus will gather you one way or another, into the kingdom of light or into the kingdom of darkness. This is actually good news for those who will hear it.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

So what’s next?

2012-01-22T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 3:10-14…

A person who is different will want to act different. The people knew John the Baptist had been telling the truth, and they repeatedly asked John to tell them how these “fruits of repentance” would be manifest.

John gave specific examples of what a changed, repentant life looks like. He said we become givers and not takers. We become honest and content. If we have received mercy and grace, and if we know the great depths of this, we will in turn become people who pour out mercy and grace to others. Freely we have received, freely we give (Acts 20:35).

Repentant hearts look for repentant starts. Those whose eyes have been opened to the truth, these people will now look for ways to follow the Truth. For them, it isn’t just saying a few words; it is true repentance, a change of life, lifestyle, and a different course of living. The way of eternal life makes a change in the way of our temporal life.

Have you ever asked this question, do you look to the Word of God to show you where you should be different (Ephesians 4:17-32)? Are you looking for a path to follow, or do you just think that saying some prayer to God means He will just make your way His way? It isn’t “answer my prayer and then I will get on the right path”, it must be that we get on the right path, and we will find our prayers answered.

Believing in Jesus means we are following Him; we believe He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and so we go the way He goes. It isn’t just talk, it is a walk. Turning toward God means we are walking a different path. There are lampposts along the way. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet, it shows us what we are walking on, and it is a light to our path, it shows us where we are headed to (Psalm 119:105).

So, what’s next for you?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Isn’t that nice

2012-01-21T09:06:00.000-05:00

Matthew 3:7-10 / Luke 3:7-9…

A lot of people think they have this “eternal life” thing all worked out, it’s a done deal. They said a prayer, lived a moral life, and attended all the right rituals, and now they can’t be bothered with matters of the heart. They are spiritually smug, and will turn quite sour if you dare bring up the ongoing fruit of repentance to them.

Most have never felt the condemnation of sin. They may have had a pang of conscience here or there, but they never actually turned their heart toward God after they felt better. Oh, they want Jesus to save them all right, but they sure aren’t going to follow Him while they still have their own life to lead.

John the Baptist didn’t play games with the souls of men. Many were coming to see, confess, and get baptized, but John, seeing the religious leaders, didn’t try to avoid confrontation. No, he went right at the hypocrites. Not those who did bad things and admitted it, but those who didn’t think they needed any mercy and grace.

They assumed that John was speaking only to the rank and file; but John said that the hypocritical religious leaders needed a baptism of repentance as much as anybody. Don’t fool yourselves, he says to them…and to you (Matthew 7:21-23 / Luke 6:45-46).

Many come to see the religious ceremony but lose the significance of it. They act so happy for the person who “turns their life around” not realizing all the while the evidence is mounting against them. Another brand plucked from the fire, manifest before their eyes, yet they burn in their hearts as ever they did. Some might even “get wet” but they never submit to the repentance and faith it embodies (Psalm 51:17).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Hear the voice

2012-01-20T03:01:00.001-05:00

Matthew 3:1-6 / Mark 1:1-6 / Luke 3:1-6…

John the Baptist was a preacher. His message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” and his method was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. The people came to the wilderness to see him, and he looked the part of a wild man. Food and clothing were not of primary importance to him. But he was successful, his awkward look and bold approach did not stop the Voice in his message.

A lot of people are persuasive, charming, and otherwise well spoken, well learned, and perhaps even well dressed. However, you could have just gone through a car wreck, just got back from heart surgery, or just haven’t slept much in days, and God can still use you right there in your wilderness, ragged but ready. When you speak for Christ, what counts is not what you wear or where you eat, but the truth of what you say. The power of the Voice is present in your witness, you can speak the truth and be ready when God calls (1 Peter 3:15).

If you go all out for God, you will have what you need, and you will be successful. Now, you may not look like it to the spiritually blind in your world, but your world will watch, and some will learn, and live. Your voice gives voice to THE Voice.

One day we will all hear that Voice that the Scriptures say is like the roar of many waters (Revelation 1:15), and you will either hear “well done, good and faithful servant”, or “depart from me, worker of iniquity”. One thing is for certain, on that day you won’t be able to say, this is just a voice.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Behold the witness

2012-01-19T05:42:00.000-05:00

John 1:6-9…

John the Baptist was the confirmation of Jesus; this was the man the Old Testament passages said would prepare us for the Messiah (Isaiah 40:3 / Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6). His parents knew that he was the herald of God (Luke 1:17, 76). His eyes were opened, and his mission was clear.

John was the transition, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He had one main reason for being born; to be the initial, burning, public flame that would lead people to Jesus, the True Light. Indeed, he had the greatest calling, yet his whole public ministry lasted little more than six months. Still, John the Baptist did his job well.

Now we have the greatest job, proclaiming that the King is coming again. We have a reason for being born again and yet bound to earth. Fellowship with God, fellowship with each other, and triumph over sin will all be complete in heaven, but the one thing we do here that we cannot do in heaven is to tell lost people about Jesus.

How do you “tell” people? You live for Christ, win others to Christ, and edify your brothers and sisters in Christ. Those you see the most are the ones you have the most chance to “tell”, and you tell with all your life. To be a means in saving even one soul, that is worth living for.

Behold your witness…

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The increase of God

2012-01-18T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:41-52…

Joseph and Mary were faithful to what they knew was right (Exodus 23:14-17 / Deuteronomy 16:16). Remember that the dream lives in your daily life. It might all seem like religious routine, but Jesus has a way of shaking things up. A growing Jesus means you have to stay faithful but also expect the unexpected.

Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. How can the perfect increase in anything? Jesus wasn’t lacking in any godly quality, but in the full experience of living a perfect human life. His lifelong obedience (John 8:29 / Hebrews 5:8, 7:26-28) provides the basis for our eternal salvation (Hebrews 2:10-18, 10:14).

Jesus knew more than the teachers, and more than His parents. Yet He was submissive to them. He knows more than you, yet in a practical sense He is submissive to your will also. The increase of God in your life means you increasingly act as Jesus would have you act (Galatians 5:22-23). Obedience and submission are the fruit of a faithful walk with God.

Mary saw the destiny of the dream, and for her, the triumph would also be the test. Some fail to fully realize what an increase of God in their life means. Yes, you will increase in favor with God and men, but you will also become identified with the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3 / Philippians 3:10). Jesus will do marvelous things in your life, but make no mistake, it will cost you, and it will be painful.

Still, if you are looking for Jesus, He isn’t hard to find, He’s in the place where you are doing the Father’s will. When you open the door of your will, then God will open the door of your opportunity.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The favor of faith

2012-01-17T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:39-40…

The seed of the Savior must be nurtured according to obedience. As we travel to and fro, if we do what we know we should do, what we need to know about what is next will begin to take care of itself. We will walk right into it, with wisdom.

The walk of faith means that we have the faith to walk. It isn’t waiting for some spiritual high. These things may happen from time to time, but even in the extraordinary events of the coming and living of our Lord, the people involved were still normal people living normal lives. The three year mission was thirty years later.

Yes, the providence of God has changed the scope of our course, and our answered prayer brings new promise and new dreams. But remember, this new hope brings new understanding to our way of doing things, and we are not rescued from the mundane, we are transformed in it. Even the King of the Universe, who now resides in you, even Jesus took on the role of the regular. That is part of what the Incarnation is all about, to transform human clay. God is a potter, after all (Isaiah 64:8).

The seed will sprout and start to take on more and more room in your existence, as long as you stay obedient to the vision. You will be full of wisdom, and you will be found in favor. The mission of the Father is to see to it that the Son is blossoming out from your soul into all of your life. Just do what you know to do, and the fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of faith, will be produced. Christ is called the Branch, after all (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The planting period

2012-01-16T03:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 2:19-23…

If the dream of God, Christ in you, is going to grow in your life, it has to be planted in good soil. The pot that holds the plant may be moved, but eventually, the plant has to be taken outside. It isn’t meant to stay in the greenhouse; it is made to spread out in the garden. The fragrance of Christ must be in the world, but not of it.

When the fullness of Christ is the dream for your life, the things that would hold sway over you and distract you will evaporate as the Evangel takes center stage in your existence. If you will die to self, the enemies of your soul will have no authority over you (John 12:24-26). You have to stay the course, and let God set that course.

Even when you know the way back into battle, often there will be new dangers lurking, and you need to keep listening. Just as you were led to safety on your way out, as you walk on the way of obedience, you will be led to safety on your way in. The formation of Christ in your life is where the safe passage lies. It is a fulfillment of God’s plan for you (Romans 8:28-29 / Ephesians 1:4).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The dream in motion

2012-01-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

Matthew 2:13-18…

The birth of Jesus in your life is only the beginning. When God is on the move, the enemy turns from the veiled threats, and the opposition comes out in the open. The secret war of the soul isn’t so secret anymore. Christians know that the world (1 John 2:16), the flesh (1 Peter 2:11), and the devil (1 Peter 5:8), are at war with our souls, and they try and destroy our dreams for God. Still, when the battle becomes manifest, and the enemy rages about trying to destroy the dream by destroying other, lesser things around it, this is when the soldier must be ready for action.

The movement of God requires you at times to lose your life so that you may travel to the place where you begin to find it. It may involve new areas of preparation and protection. In any event, the season of downtime is for the good. The unfolding drama of the dream, Christ in you, takes many twists and turns. Jesus has to grow in your life.

Bad men with bad intentions are always part of the process. This is the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Opposition is to be expected (2 Timothy 3:12). Your hope and happiness must be in God, and yes, learning that can be a painful process. Your dream must not be dependent on what is happening to others. Yes, we must be compassionate, but letting the light of Christ fade from our focus does no one any good, for it is Christ who is the answer to the death of dreams, and Christ who is the light of eternal life. Having Christ with you is what matters, wherever He leads.

Moses was called out, Jesus was called out, and you are called out. Do you hear the call? Will you answer it with obedient action, even if it takes you out of the picture for a while?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

New move, old groove

2012-01-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:21-38…

When a new dream, or a new vision, and a new paradigm have entered into your life, what are you supposed to do first? How are you supposed to walk rightly, obediently? How do we begin to bring Christ into our new life?

The answer is that you do what you already know you should do. The new “to do” list will appear as you walk down the old road of obedience. Some things will change, radically, but the mundane is part of the movement of God along the path.

The standard for revealed truth is that it conforms in essence to what has already been revealed. New prophetic purpose may be born, but the fulfillment of the old is what gives way to the new. The old wave of righteous saints will confirm the new wave of righteous action. They will revel in it, not rebel against it. They have been waiting for it. The Spirit of God will move the godly to proclaim the name of Christ upon the movement of God. This proclamation will be a confirmation; the line of testimony will be unbroken, the way forward will appear.

The old guard will be comforted to see the fulfillment of God’s Word to the faithful. He is still moving among the generations (Matthew 28:18-20 / Hebrews 13:5-6). The old faithful will see the glory of God at the end of life when all others who are not alive to the vision will think them used up. God will grace them with a glimpse of glory before they are taken up into it.

Be looking for those old saints. They are a key to seeing the power of your dream. To see the new move, hit the old groove.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Follow the leader

2012-01-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

Matthew 2:1-12…

When the move of God has people moving, the stir is enough to make the present monuments, traditions and tyrants in your life shake. The devil knows when God is on the move, and he sends his minions to excite, entice, and enrage those under his power. When the person in power feels threatened the people under that power are also troubled. The entrance of Christ into any situation draws the battle line.

We can and should get excited by the light of Christ shining into our lives to lead us to His presence. And yet this is where we find ourselves, not yet in the clear about things. At times we come under the influence of important people who may call us friend, but they are not leading you to God. Their aim is to deceive you into thinking they are also interested in your dream, but they only want to wipe it out because they feel threatened.

The Scriptures are your plumb line to the presence of God. You may be involved with or in some part of the wrong camp, and feel you are helpless, and constrained to do wrong, but if you will be obedient to where the Lord is leading, He will keep your path from leading to destruction.

You must be obedient to the vision (Philippians 3:13-17); follow the dream and you will find a way out. Don’t have fear like Herod but have faith like the wise men.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The wonder of it all

2012-01-12T05:39:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:8-20…

The background events of the move of God can be long in the making, yet suddenly, the movement of God is moving others. The shepherds were doing their normal thing, working and watching, but then God moved in. An angel was appearing, the glory of God was shining, and the shepherds, now fearing, are wondering what it all means.

The angel brings joy, not fear, at the announcement of the Good News, the arrival of the Christ, and the army of the Lord sounds the praise of the ages, and peace to the people of God.

When the Lord reveals the hand of providence, when we hear His Word, we do well to follow His lead to the place of His purpose if we want to be included in it. Obedience to the prophetic vision is the key to blessing (Proverbs 29:18). In our obedience we see that God has indeed moved, and moved us. We see that God has been faithful to His Word; the message is as He has said. It is then that we can ponder and wonder at the meaning, and get our answers. Our testimony is a confirmation of His move to others already in the stream of events. Testimony is a cause for treasure, and a reciprocal praise among people of like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1).

The Move, the Message, the Meaning: do you ponder these things? Is the revelation of Christ to your life the treasure you seek? The stream of God’s blessing is always on the move. Our obedience to His vision is all it takes to get into the flow. The wonder of it all is that in the grace of Christ we are allowed to dive into the depths of God (2 Corinthians 13:14).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Counting on Christ

2012-01-11T08:17:00.000-05:00

Luke 2:1-7…

The hustle and bustle of our societal obligations can be the context of a providential move of God. When we think of the movement of God, we are often looking for the spectacular, something that will make the heathen stand up and notice, and to be honest, something that will keep us from looking ridiculous. However, this is not the usual manner of the Maestro.

After we are born again, Jesus may burst forth out of us at times and in places where He may not be immediately noticed. Jesus has a way of taking dirt and making it a testament to the divine (Genesis 2:7 / 2 Corinthians 4:7). His purpose is not pleasing to the world (James 4:4), but something manifest to the friends of the faith (1 John 2:16, 4:5-6).

Most of the world has no room for the King of Glory, they seek their own glory. They have no room for the Comforter, they seek their own comfort. Most have no real peace; they throw the Prince of Peace out the back door. Jesus left the glories of Heaven and became poor that we might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9), but it is another sort of riches altogether, and in a different place than that which the world seeks.

Be on the lookout: your greatest blessing may be out back.

Even the dirt poor can be filled with divine power.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Last place wins the race

2012-01-10T03:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 1:18-25…

It seems that in the story of the gospels, Joseph is always last. Mary had been told by an angel that Jesus would be born of her, and then she went away to visit Elizabeth. Elizabeth knew who was in Mary’s womb, and who was in her own womb, and even the child in her womb, John the Baptist, knew who was in Mary’s womb. It would seem that Zechariah probably knew about Jesus, too. A lot of joy was being spread around. All of this travelling news and yet, all before Mary’s own husband, Joseph, knew.

Sometimes when we first notice the hand of God, we don’t know it is He who is moving in our situation. We can apprehend that something is happening, but we reason that it must not be the right thing. We decide that we will not make waves, but then the Master of the Sea (Psalm 135:6) comes to us for our understanding.

Like Zechariah and Mary, an angel told Joseph of the Good News. The Holy Spirit fills us with the knowledge that He who walks upon the waters is in our midst. Jesus, the One who saves us, the God who is with us, He is the fulfillment of our greatest dreams. Whenever we awaken to the Light of Christ, our obedience will hasten the birth of the dream through our lives.

In the fullness of time Jesus came (Galatians 4:4-7). In the fullness of time your dream will come. Better to know and be last than not know and be lost.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The dream comes

2012-01-09T08:10:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:57-80…

John the Baptist is born. When the promise has come, there is still the matter of living it out in obedience. Direction is one thing, but development along that line quite another. Many a promised dream has died in the land of laziness, buried in the coffin of carelessness.

Zechariah learned that the blessing comes as we go with God and call those things as God sees them, and not as we might think they should be. Then we can truly praise as we ought. The lips of a man freed from bondage will speak blessing, and it may put a healthy fear of God before those who do not yet understand.

The promises of God are as good as His Word, and they give birth to our deepest hopes and dreams, but the fullness of the promise must wait for full growth if we are to receive the full blessing. It is not our decision to start, but our determination to stay in the will of God that will count in the end. The dream is born, but the destiny has only begun.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Joy loves company

2012-01-08T03:01:00.002-05:00

Luke 1:39-56…

Mary finds out that Elizabeth is also carrying a child of promise. They say that misery loves company, but so does joy, and hope, and deliverance, and redemption. We like to share Good News with others who are also receiving it. Even in the beginnings of the parade of providence, we have joy from seeing the miracle in other people’s lives. The joy we have is made fuller when we share it, and when it is received.

Joy is joyful at the joy of others. Those who truly know they are truly blessed don’t mind when others are blessed even more than them. The blessed are blessed by the blessing of others, in their obedience and desire to do the Lord’s will.

The fullness of the heart filled with the joy of God will result in exclamations of praise, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Yes our lips should always pour forth praise, but it will not need to be a manufactured thing when we are filled, it will simply be the result.

The King of the Universe is waiting to fulfill His destiny in your destiny, and that is all the reason you need to be full of joy, and to spread that joy, and it will bring joy to others who will find it and others who have received it for themselves. If you believe in the fulfillment of what the Spirit has promised, you will receive the fullness of the Spirit in practice. If you act according to God’s will, His promise for your life, you will have joy.

Then the words of Mary will be on our lips and the sublime statement of ultimate joy will be ours in reality, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Join the company…Jesus IS joy.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The instrument of God

2012-01-07T08:36:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:26-38…

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” We say that we know that (Hebrews 13:6), but sometimes, God seems to place us in a position where we are startled and suspicious. He tells us not to fear, but then He blows us away.

The revelation of Jesus to Mary, and the announcement that a poor little girl would bring forth the Incarnation of Glory into the world; this was and is a time for awe and wonder. Mary wondered, how can these things happen, through me?

She is given the same answer we are given: the power of the Holy Spirit. God can do anything, and He can do anything through you.

Mary is also told that she is not the only one giving birth to a miracle. We are not alone; we are not the only instrument in the Grand Orchestra of the Great Maestro.

She then gives us one of the most sublime statements in the Bible, the key to Christ in your life; “let it be to me according to your word”.

And so it is with us… it is our destiny to be fashioned into the figure of Christ (Romans 8:29), yet we need to be strengthened (Ephesians 3:14-20) for the song of the Savior to be turned up to full volume (Galatians 4:19). Let the music play.

We can live Incarnational lives (Galatians 2:20) as the instrument of God, because we have the same power, the same glory, resident in us (Colossians 1:27). It must come out.

Bring forth the miracle: let God play His glorious tune, through you.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

A promised child

2012-01-06T07:48:00.000-05:00

Luke 1:5-25…

We have so many hopes in this life, and many of the biggest and best hopes are about old dreams. Sometimes we never realize what we had hoped for, and we are reoriented to make the most of our journey along the way, aiming to give God the glory in the “regular” life we live.

Yet, as we serve God, and we try to fulfill His will for our lives in our day to day routine, sometimes, something providential changes the scope of our course. An answered prayer brings new promise and new dreams. A new hope brings new understanding to our way of doing things, and suddenly the mundane takes on new meaning.

It can also bring fear and doubt. A dead dream is hard to awaken, especially if we don’t see that the new vision is a new version of the old dream, but with God’s hand pulling forward now instead of holding back. If we push against the hand of God, the promise is still to come, but with the added burden of a season of silence until the season of fullness is come.

Don’t doubt that God can use you as His instrument, despite your supposed limitations. You are also a promised child (Ephesians 1:4-5), even though you started out as a problem child (Ephesians 5:8). Have faith: if you live beyond reproach, God will take away your reproach.

Zechariah and Elizabeth knew these things exactly.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Second hand security

2012-01-05T05:46:00.001-05:00

Luke 1:1-4…

They say, "How can you trust the Bible?"

We say, "How can you trust the “big bang” theory?"

Second hand is not always out of hand. In Luke 7:18-28 we see the imprisoned John the Baptist wondering if he had understood Jesus rightly about His being the Messiah. Jesus doesn’t speak to his emotions (and John was family), Jesus sends John back to the Scriptures (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus provided reassurance, but notice that this would be faith in the report of others.

You can’t just say, “Well, men wrote the Bible, therefore it must be flawed”, because if the claim of the Bible itself is true, God can get men to write what He wants them to. It is not self-refuting to claim that men wrote the very words of God and that it is inerrant. If that is your problem with the Bible, get rid of every book that you have because every single one was written by men. You can never trust anything else that you ever read in life. Face the fact; you trust much of your life to second hand knowledge.

Be grateful for Luke, and the “second hand” of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17 / 2 Peter 1:20-21 / 1 John 4:13).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Our family tree

2012-01-04T03:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 1:1-17…

This is Jesus’ genealogy through the line of Joseph.

Jesus is truly the “son of David” (Luke 20:41) and the true heir of the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 22:18 / Galatians 3:16). We are sons of Abraham, heirs of Abraham’s blessing, and we are sons of God, and heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-18 / Galatians 4:7).

We have just celebrated the Incarnation during the Christmas season. Our Christmas tree, and yes indeed, our family tree… is a cross (Galatians 3:9-14 / 1 Peter 2:24).

We all need Jesus. No family line will save you from sin, and there is no heritage, family, status, job, or cultural background that will relieve you from the need for redemption or place you at the front of some line (cf. Philippians 3:4-8). Instead of trying to be someone great based on someone else’s past greatness, we should just be grateful that all Christians are from God stock.

Look at the Cross of Christ, and there you will see the one family tree that truly matters.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Jesus had to wait

2012-01-03T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 3:23-38…

This is Jesus’ genealogy through the line of Mary.

Jesus is a real man, an eternal being who was also an historical person. Jesus is the promised “seed of the woman” (Genesis 3:15). Jesus is in the line of David, and will sit on “the throne of David” (Isaiah 9:7). He is called by those who know this and believe the “son of David” (Matthew 9:27, 12:23, 15:22 / Luke 18:38-39). Jesus is the rightful heir, in both the divine and human senses.

The Jews, and the world, had to wait thousands of years before the Savior appeared, but God sent His Son when the time was right (Galatians 4:4-5), as He had promised (Romans 1:2-3). Through Jesus we become rightful heirs in the kingdom of God (Romans 8:17 / Galatians 3:29, 4:6-7 / Ephesians 3:6 / Titus 3:4-7).

The Savior will return again, and we are supposed to be watching, waiting, and working until that time comes (Luke 19:13 / 1 Peter 4:7). It can be a hard wait at times, but it will happen (Romans 8:23, 13:11 / 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Bible is full of people who have a promise but they have to wait on it. Even Jesus had to wait till His time was right.

If we believe in Him, then we can wait, too (Isaiah 40:31 / 2 Timothy 4:8 / Titus 2:11-14). We can live for today by having an eye for tomorrow.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The Light shined

2012-01-02T05:15:00.000-05:00

John 1:10-18…

John the Baptist came to prepare the way, to proclaim the coming Messiah (Matthew 3:11 / John 3:25-30). But the world, including the Jews in particular, was and is blind to Jesus (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4). They did not understand who He was. The world doesn’t recognize its Creator (cf. Romans 1:18-21), and the Jews did not recognize their Messiah (Mark 6:4 / Luke 4:28). It sounds like a sad beginning to the story.

Yet it is not the end of the story, because, in the midst of this general rejection, there are those who do indeed receive Jesus. These are the ones whom God has chosen. He calls His children to be born again, and they believe in Jesus (Romans 9:16 / Galatians 3:26 / Ephesians 2:8-9 / James 1:18 / 1 John 5:1). The light shines in their hearts.

There is enough theology, doctrine and devotion in this passage to last a lifetime. The Son of God became the Son of Man (Isaiah 7:14 / Micah 5:2 / Romans 1:3 / Galatians 4:4 / Philippians 2:5-7 / 1 Timothy 3:16 / Hebrews 2:14). The glory of God shown as the great light on earth (Titus 2:11-14 / 2 Peter 1:16-18 / 1 John 1:1-3). Jesus is fullness and gives us the grace we need (Ephesians 1:23, 3:19, 4:13 / Colossians 1:19, 2:9-10). Jesus gives us a look at the invisible and we can know God (John 14:7 / Colossians 1:15 / 1 Timothy 1:17 / Hebrews 1:3).

The light has shined. The question is will you see it?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

In the beginning

2012-01-01T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 1:1-5…

God was before matter, energy, and all of the stuff that unbelievers might like to think that we devolve into over the course of time. Other things are not eternal, but God is eternal, and Jesus is God. He is eternal. He is self-existent, and has always existed. Simply put, Jesus is better than any other religious system out there because Jesus is God.

The story of Jesus in the gospels is the story of light entering into the darkness, so that man might be brought to the light of life, and truth, and grace, into eternity. In the mercy of God, He has not left us without a witness. He has sent His Son. Jesus is the heir of all things, the Creator and Sustainer of the world, the glory and exact image of God, the purification for our sins, and the exalted victor over death (Hebrews 1:1-3). The gospels cast the vision of Jesus into our world, our time, and our personal experience (2 Corinthians 4:6).

It was not that Jesus was created, and then He created everything else. Jesus created matter, energy, time, space, and everything else. More than that, He is the sustainer of everything (Colossians 1:16-17). Nothing exists if He does not will it. Jesus is, theologically speaking, God of very God (cf. Revelation 1:8).

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Why is this so? Why is the light going to overcome the darkness? It is because this light is life, and through this life were all things made, and this light, this life, is the Word of God. And the Word of God is Jesus.

The world is full of darkness. What the gospels teach us is that Jesus will overcome the darkness, for, in, and through His own people (John 16:33 / 1 John 1:5-7, 2:8-11 / Colossians 1:13). Jesus is life (John 3:16, 5:24, 14:6) and light (John 8:12 / Ephesians 5:8-14 / 1 Peter 2:9). When all around is darkness, and yet the light shines through, how great indeed is that light!

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 31

2011-12-31T03:01:00.000-05:00

Mark 16:19-20 / Luke 24:50-53…

To be continued…

The gospels tell us of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, but this is not the whole story. This is why there is a sequel, and the book of Acts expands the Ascension narrative and tells the story of the work of Christ in the world through His church, empowered by the Spirit.

The amazing point of the Ascension is that Jesus, as a resurrected and glorified human, is in heaven. If in the Incarnation deity entered into the human race, in the Ascension humanity (joined with deity in one person) entered into the realm of God. The implications of this for you and me are incredible.

Redemption was purchased but the work of proclamation and application of those benefits was now beginning. The Ascension of Jesus Christ was central to the initiation and continuation of this work. While Jesus intercedes for us in heaven (Romans 8:34 / Hebrews 7:25 / 1 John 2:1), the Holy Spirit intercedes in our hearts (Romans 8:26-27), enriching and equipping the church (Acts 2:33 / John 16:7-14 / Ephesians 4:8-12).

The Ascension also creates in our hearts a sense of expectation (Acts 1:11). Jesus is the eternal Son of God, and now also the perfected and glorified man. This was the eternal plan of God before creation. God determined to create human beings, enable them to triumph over evil, and exalt them to glory. This was done in Christ. This is the glory of Christianity.

In Christ we now have access into the heavenly realm by faith (Ephesians 3:11-12 / Hebrews 4:14-16). But the future is even greater. He is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-3), and we will have glorious new bodies, free from sin (Philippians 3:20-21). Because He ascended, so will we (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We will stand in the presence of God, complete and perfect (1 Corinthians 15:51-58). He is glorified, and we will be glorified, glory to His name!

The truth is that the work of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit is continuing on. If you are in Christ, so will you (Philippians 1:6); forever, amen.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 30

2011-12-30T03:01:00.004-05:00

Matthew 28:18-20…

The great submission…

The fact is that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (cf. Ephesians 1:20-22). And so yes, we are called to baptize, and to teach, in the midst of everyone, and everywhere (cf. Revelation 5:9, 7:9). We are to be discipled and to disciple others. The problem is that while we want our fire insurance (avoiding hell) and our retirement plan (the joys of heaven) what we really don’t want is our marching orders. We take the command and turn it into an appeal.

What we must realize is that this is not so much a command to produce converts, but to proclaim Christ. You see, we don’t make people believe, we make disciples of those who do. The principle command here is to disciple, and that is done by baptizing the converts and teaching them. And yes, that necessitates going in the first place.

The unbeliever needs Jesus, of course, but the command is not based on their needs, but on the authority of Christ. The first disciples were to go to all the nations, because Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and not merely in Israel. Therefore His church today must also bring the Gospel and His commands throughout the world. But you don’t have to go to another country to fulfill this command. You just have to be about God’s business where you are, and wherever you go.

And making disciples is not just some classroom activity. Certainly instruction is necessary. However, our principle duty is not simply scholastic. You are helping to make disciples, you are teaching people by living as a disciple among others. A disciple is a model, a person whose whole life is evidence of God’s grace. It is a worshipful witness, living for Christ, winning others to Christ, and edifying our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Disciples share their faith (talk). Disciples spread their faith (walk). Disciples will disciple others. We must use words, yes, but discipleship is not words alone, but love in deed and truth (1 John 3:18 / James 2:15-16). Many have dynamite words but firecracker works.

Our commission is based on His position, and this commission is the test of your submission.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 29

2011-12-29T03:01:00.002-05:00

Matthew 28:16-17…

The meeting on the mountain…

Jesus had been telling people that He would meet them in Galilee (Matthew 28:10). Not knowing what was coming next might have made them wonder. Although the eleven are mentioned, it is probable that this is also the event where Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6). This would further explain why some were in doubt about what was going on, because they still hadn’t seen Him yet.

In the midst of our worship, we only pretend to others, or even ourselves, if we believe that we never have any doubt. Oh we believe all right, but no one has this thing all figured out, only God. Sometimes following Jesus seems a little scary. We have doubts about whether or not we are doing the right thing. Yes, we believe the testimony of others, but we need to see things for ourselves. When we get to where we are supposed to go, and when we see Jesus in the thing, we still have to have faith.

When we follow Jesus, and follow the leading of the Spirit, we will at times be led to a new mountaintop experience. We know we are supposed to be there. We know Jesus is supposed to show up. We know we are supposed to worship. But we don’t know why this is all so important. We don’t know what’s coming next. Not yet.

Have faith. Jesus is with you on your mountain, and He will be with you as He sends you into your valley. Just be obedient. Go, worship, and be ready to listen and learn.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 28

2011-12-28T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 24:44-49…

See yourself…

Then he opened their minds. The disciples were guilty of unbelief. Still, there was a natural inability to understand the Scriptures which had to be removed (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). Now Jesus helps them realize all that has been going on. He focuses on the persecution of Messiah, the proclamation of the gospel, and the promise of the Holy Spirit.

The rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection of Messiah was a prominent theme in the Old Testament (cf. 1 Peter 1:10-12). The faithful knew that the Lord Jesus would have to suffer (cf. Luke 2:34-35). Jesus had told the disciples this before (Luke 9:21-23, 44-45, 18:31-34). God had ordained all of this, and Jesus was standing there as living proof of the plan.

The fact that the gospel would be for all nations was actually part of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:3 / cf. Galatians 3:8-9). The prophets affirmed this promise of salvation for the Gentiles (Joel 2:28-32 / Haggai 2:3-9). The disciples would be worldwide witnesses for Christ.

But they were to wait for the power. The promise of the Holy Spirit was also something that had been prophesied (Isaiah 32:12-20, 44:1-5, 59:20-21 / Ezekiel 37:1-14, 39:29). Jesus had spoken of the Holy Spirit as comforter (John 14:16-17), as teacher (John 14:26), as a witness (John 15:26), and as One who would bring conviction (John 16:7-11), and revelation (John 16:12-15).

It was all part of the plan. Where God guides He provides. He has this thing all planned out. Ask God to open your mind and heart, so that you can see yourself included in the sweep of the Scriptures (Romans 8:28-39 / Ephesians 1:3-14).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 27

2011-12-27T03:01:00.002-05:00

John 21:24-25…

The gospel truth…

John had been an eyewitness of these things, and what he was writing was the truth. We can know of the hope of eternity right now. We can share in the joy of the knowledge of the Son of God (1 John 1:1-3 / cf. 2 Peter 1:16). The truth is that the gospel gives fullness to our lives.

Think about how incredibly remarkable it must have been to have seen all of this and to have been personally, intimately involved with perfection in action for three whole years. Imagine, each little moment of each and every day, full of wonder, awe, majesty, and mystery, the miraculous movement of God Himself amongst you. No wonder John had such a hard time trying to fit even a tiny portion of the wonder of the Son of God into a few powerful pages. The full truth of the gospel is too much to contain in mere or many words.

Still, think of what it will be like to know fully this divine dream in reality, for all eternity, with perfect knowledge of what is happening as it occurs. Imagine being fully involved in it, with no chance for sinful reactions. And we will have all of eternity to chronicle our journey with Jesus.

Yet we won’t have to, we’ll just all live them together, forever. We will enjoy full knowledge, full experience, full participation, and full satisfaction. That’s the gospel truth.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 26

2011-12-26T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 21:20-23…

Gut check…

Peter was probably already dead by the time John wrote this account. So what is the purpose? John tells us that it was to clear up a misconception. Jesus did not say that John would be alive at His return. He simply said that if it was His will that Peter die, while John lives, it was none of Peter’s business. Death is under our Lord’s sovereign control. It is not Peter’s business to raise questions about John’s death.

Before we pile on Peter, let’s be honest with ourselves. Isn’t this just how it is with all of us at times? We find out that in order to glorify God, we are going to have to endure some things we would rather not have to experience along the way. So what do we do? We look around for someone else to compare to. Usually it is someone else who is close to our own situation, and we ask, what about them? In other words, why do I have to go through this, if they don’t have to? This is our sinful, sanctimonious thought process, or flawed notion of fairness. Admit it.

Sometimes, when we see someone else get blessed, while we get burdened, it would seem that God doesn’t care about fair. It really gets to us when we put in more honest effort than the “lucky guy”. But isn’t this about our worship anyway? Or do we think God owes us something for doing what was just our duty to do (Luke 17:10)?

Certainly there are times when we should cry out to God for mercy, but we must do that in humility and gratefulness. Wherever God assigns you, and whatever God assigns to you, He will be with you. Stop worrying about the other guy. Jesus is going to do what is exactly right with you. He is going ahead of you into that very thing you think you shouldn’t have to go through, so take up your cross, and follow Him.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 25

2011-12-25T03:01:00.003-05:00

John 21:15-19…

The devotions of a pastor…

This text is not about Jesus rebuking Peter for his three denials, or establishing Peter as the first pope. Certainly Peter had a unique role in the founding of the church, but this passage is not about giving him the preeminence. What we do see are some principles about being a biblical pastor. When we care for the sheep that our Lord loves, we show our love for the Shepherd.

When Christ asked Peter about loving Him, this tells us that a pastor must have a devotion to Jesus. This is first and foremost. If the man loves Jesus he will lead, protect, and teach His Church. If he is faithful to Christ he will be faithful to His people.

When Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs, this tells us that a pastor must have a devotion to the Bible. The Bible must be his textbook. His central responsibility is to feed people the Word of God because it is what builds them up (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

When Jesus told Peter to tend my sheep, this tells us that a pastor must have a devotion to the people. Pastoral care must be a priority, whether it is visiting the home, visiting the sick, or just being available. It shouldn’t be something he just “delegates to the deacons”.

When Jesus told Peter to feed my sheep, this tells us that a pastor must have a devotion to the church. He will interact with the local community, but his priority is the local church (Ephesians 4:11-16). Personal evangelism is important for him, but discipling is a must.

When Jesus told Peter to follow me, this tells us that a pastor must have a devotion to personal holiness. He will be diligent in devotion, leading a godly life, one that is worthy to be emulated (cf. Philippians 3:17 / 1 Thessalonians 1:6 / 2 Thessalonians 3:9 / Hebrews 13:7).

This isn’t about perfection; it is that a man should have all five of these criteria as the dominant direction in his life. These are some of the same things we should be concerned with for our own lives. One of the most important ways to be discerning as far as evaluating a pastor is concerned is by being diligent to pursue godliness ourselves (2 Peter 3:17-18).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 24

2011-12-24T10:40:00.001-05:00

John 21:1-14…

Still catching fish…

So the disciples had seen the risen Jesus, and they believed in Him, too. But now what? The idea of a Great Commission mandate had not fully taken hold of them yet. So Peter was not simply going out on a fishing trip to the Sea of Galilee (John 6:1). He was going back to work as a fisherman. Of course, Jesus shows up and changes the whole dynamic once again.

This scene reminds us of what had taken place about three years earlier, near the beginning of Peter’s relationship with Jesus, and most likely very near this same spot (Luke 5:1-11). After that episode these disciples left their fishing behind and followed Jesus full time, fishing for men.

Now here they were again, fishing, as they had before all this “Jesus stuff”. They knew Jesus was real, and He was resurrected, but they were still confused as to what to do. As it will, when we believe the truth but we don’t seem to have direction, the old life gives us that familiar call. Apparently, they had forgotten about the “real” fish.

Now here comes Jesus to once again remind them of who He is and how He directs us. When they obey His word, they are again blessed with a bundle of fish. John seems to realize what was going on. And Peter, who had wanted to get away, now can’t wait to get near. Jesus feeds them, and then He would start to tell them about feeding others.

Whether we have a Sea of Galilee experience or not, every so often you will experience little bits of divine providence that remind you who the power is along the path. But when we start looking for direction on something we want, without fulfilling the direction we already have, that is when we are looking for the wrong fish. The truth is that we are all too often waiting on some “right now” word from God before we act. In doing so, we fail in our duty to be faithful to the definite direction given to us for our daily lives.

The resurrection has implications for how we are to live now, every day. It is not simply fire insurance or a retirement plan. It has application right now, to your life. Go catch some real fish.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 23

2011-12-23T03:01:00.000-05:00

John 20:30-31…

The reason for writing…

Too often, we want more than the Bible seems to deliver. Sometimes, our answer is found with more diligent study. However, many have not realized that God grants us knowledge only on a need to know basis (Deuteronomy 29:29). It is our lack of faith that says to God that we must have more evidence if we are to believe Him and His Word. We have what we need for faith, but what we want is control of our circumstance, even if it means we stay in unbelief.

Charles Spurgeon once gave a sermon illustration about three fools. The first was the ship’s captain who, during a ferocious storm, decides to read an encyclopedia on the nature of Atlantic winds rather than fighting to keep his ship afloat. The second was the wounded soldier who asks the medic all kinds of questions about the gun that fired the bullet rather than asking the physician if he is able to heal him. The third was the religious person who is constantly arguing the subtle philosophical questions about the origin and nature of evil while ignoring the clear and certain truth that Christ’s blood is able to cleanse his sins (Hebrews 9:14). Spurgeon said all three fools had one thing in common: They trifle with subtleties while they ignore certainties.

This insight is as relevant today as it was back then. We have a tendency to miss out on the real meal while choking on the appetizers. This Gospel of John is for those who have never seen the risen Lord. John selected just a few of the many miraculous signs Jesus performed to demonstrate that Jesus is who He claimed to be. There was much more that could be said, but what was written was and is enough.

Don’t spend your time worrying about filling in all the blanks you have about the faith. You’ll learn as you go and grow along the way. The point is about knowing who God is and how to inherit eternal life. As John also wrote, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 22

2011-12-22T03:01:00.003-05:00

John 20:24-29…

Blessed in believing…

When the other disciples told Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them, he refused to believe. He insisted that before he would believe he would have to see Jesus with his own eyes, and examine for himself the wounds of Jesus from the crucifixion. The others had not believed until they had seen Jesus for themselves, so Thomas was not asking for anything more than they got.

Eight days later, Thomas got his wish. Jesus once again appears in their midst, despite the still locked doors. He repeats the word of peace He had given at their last meeting. Turning to Thomas, Jesus provides the evidence that Thomas had been looking for, challenging him to put away his unbelief.

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” He does not merely profess a belief that Jesus has risen from the dead. Thomas understands and believes in what the resurrection proved. Jesus was God, and He is Lord. Those eight days were worth the wait.

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus is emphasizing the contrast between those who must see in order to believe, and those who will believe without seeing (1 Peter 1:8-9).

It has been nearly 2000 years since Jesus rose from the dead, and we have been waiting all that time for Him to return to Earth to gather His children. It will be worth the wait (2 Peter 3:9). If you believe the Truth you will know it, whether you see it or not (Romans 15:13).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 21

2011-12-21T07:16:00.002-05:00

Mark 16:15-18…

Prophesying Pentecost…

The idea that these Jewish believers in Jesus would go to the Gentile nations to spread the faith was truly revolutionary. In commissioning them, Jesus tells them that signs would follow their preaching (Hebrews 2:3-4). These signs were fulfilled, as the book of Acts shows (Acts 2:41, 43, 5:15-16, 31-32, 16:18, 28:3-5, etc.). They were not intended to be some continuously manifesting evidence or a specific test of faith for today’s preachers or believers.

Jesus gave a thesis statement for the book of Acts in Acts 1:8. The work of tongues was foundational in the development of the church, in its inauguration and the sign of its spread. Jews (Acts 2), the hated, half-breed Samaritans (Acts 8), the Gentiles (Acts 10), and the disciples of John the Baptist, people in transitional period between the OT and the NT Church (Acts 19), all were included in the manifestation of unity and spread of the Gospel.

The tongues represented peoples and nations (cf. Revelation 7:9). The barriers between Jew and Gentile had been broken down (cf. Ephesians 2:11-22). All who believe in Jesus are one in Christ by the Spirit of God (Romans 12:5 / 1 Corinthians 6:17, 12:13). Peter, in Acts 2:17-18, shows us that not only are all people groups potentially included, but all gender, age, and social groups are as well. The point has been made; we are one body in Christ. The rest of the NT writing assumes and asserts that (cf. Colossians 1:6).

People back then and people today still ask what these signs and wonders Jesus was speaking of mean (Acts 2:12). The answer is clear (Acts 2:21 / Romans 10:13). The only real wall between God and men is sin, but God in Christ has broken down all racial, gender, age, and social barriers to salvation (Colossians 3:11). The inauguration of the Great Commission at Pentecost is cause for celebration, the reason for missions. It is entirely ironic to create a new wall (that these signs must be present today) when it was the old wall that was being torn down.

What are we to do (Acts 2:37)? We are called to identify with Christ, ask for the forgiveness of your sins and be baptized because you believe that all those who trust in Jesus are given the Spirit of God, adopted into His family (Acts 2:38-39). That is the big picture here.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 20

2011-12-20T03:01:00.003-05:00

Mark 16:14 / Luke 24:36-43 / John 20:19-23…

The evidence of peace…

Amidst all of these reports of a stolen body, and the sightings of a risen Jesus, the disciples were meeting behind closed doors because they were still afraid of the Jewish leaders. Now it comes clear as to what has happened as Jesus suddenly appears to all those gathered. He speaks words of peace, but their response was fear (cf. Matthew 14:26). So Jesus proves that He isn’t some ghost by allowing them to examine His wounds and eating a meal with them.

Jesus then symbolically bestows the Holy Spirit upon them, pointing to Pentecost, when they would receive the Spirit and be empowered to fulfill the Great Commission (Acts 1:8). He had risen, and in returning to them He had spoken peace, which is associated with His presence. But He was going to ascend to the Father shortly. He wanted to remind them of what He had said earlier, about not leaving them alone. He would be physically gone, but the Spirit would abide with them and in them (John 14:16-19). He would leave them with a supernatural peace (John 14:27-28 / Philippians 4:7).

We need to know this today. The physical Jesus is not with us on earth, but the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is with all believers (1 Corinthians 6:17, 12:13). That is the evidence of peace (John 16:33 / Romans 5:1-5, 14:17, 15:13 / Galatians 5:22 / 2 Thessalonians 3:16).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 19

2011-12-19T06:07:00.002-05:00

Mark 16:13 / Luke 24:32-35…

How Jesus is known…

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" This isn’t some physical, mystical sign or experience we are supposed to be looking for as we read the Bible. These men were saying that upon reflection, it was obvious that they were with the Master.

These two had run back to tell of their experience, and found out that some of the others had also now come to believe. They had heard of the report of Peter, how he had actually seen Jesus. Now this report was further confirmation of the truth. Still, some were not as yet believing (Mark 16:13 / cf. Matthew 28:17).

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. It was not the breaking of the bread, in and of itself, that was the key to the opening of the eyes of these two men. It was the work of the Spirit, who convinced the men of the meaning of the Scriptures and thus enabled them to see Christ for who He was.

Jesus could have identified Himself as the Lord to these two men, and then proceeded to teach them on the basis of His authority. As it turns out, Jesus taught them on the basis of the authority of the Scriptures. This is proof of the principle that the Word of God itself has power (Hebrews 4:12-13 / cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 / 2 Peter 1:4). Jesus taught that if people do not believe the Scriptures, no other sign will be enough (Luke 16:31).

The reason these two men, the other disciples, and all of us, view our circumstances with despair is because we do not view them from God’s point of view. We fail to discern our circumstances spiritually. When viewed biblically, everything that happens is a part of God’s plan. This included not only the suffering and death of Messiah, but also His resurrection. People need the Word of God if they are to recognize the hand of God in history, including their own.

Do you want to know Jesus Christ more intimately? Stop looking for a sign, and start looking in the Scriptures (Romans 10:17).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 18

2011-12-18T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 24:28-31…

Open the eyes of my heart…

He acted as if he were going farther. Jesus wanted to give them an opportunity to respond to what He had been teaching. Having been taught the truth about how the Messiah was supposed to suffer, would they now dismiss Him? Indeed not, they were actually hungry for more. So he went in to stay with them.

We spend our time either doing or trying to do what we are interested in. It’s the great principle of most people’s lives. Jesus won’t force himself on you, but if you are interested in the kingdom of God, He will stick around and you will get to know Him better. It is in that process that He reveals Himself to people (Hebrews 11:6).

You will often hear people talk about “sensing” the presence of God. Yet sometimes Jesus is there and we don’t even know it, until He reveals the condition of our hearts. Jesus can be right in front of you, walking with you and sitting down with you at every meal – and yet your eyes can be restrained from seeing Him. Pray that God would open your eyes to see Jesus as He is, with you all the time (Ephesians 1:16-21). Respond to His Word, and you will see His hand.

In the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation, that is the revelation we need the most.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 17

2011-12-17T00:48:00.000-05:00

Luke 24:25-27…

The heart of Bible study…

We often think the main obstacles to belief are in the head, but they are actually in the heart. These men were like many in that day, their belief was selective. They did not want to believe that the Messiah was supposed to die. Jesus was telling them that while the Messiah would indeed be the Triumphant King, He must first be the Suffering Servant.

The prophets may not have fully understood all this, but they were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). Their message about the coming Messiah was a mixture of suffering and glory (1 Peter 1:10-11). The Messiah’s suffering was not just compatible with His glory, and it was not just the gateway to His glory. The suffering was itself a vital part of His glory. We see the worship in Heaven of the One who was slain (Revelation 1:17-18, 5:1-14).

The Jews of the day didn’t want to believe that the Messiah had to suffer, and they didn’t want to believe that they would have to suffer, either. But it was the false prophets who spoke only of peace and prosperity. It was the true prophets who spoke of trials and suffering. Many are the same way today, thinking that when Jesus comes into your life that it will be only triumph and satisfaction, but that is simply not true (Philippians 1:29).

Jesus led them through the Old Testament, showing them that suffering and glory could not be separated in the prophecies pertaining to Messiah. Accordingly, it is the same path we will have to take if we follow Jesus (1 Peter 4:1-2). What a Bible study this must have been! And the lesson is one we must take to heart today as much as ever (1 Peter 4:12-14).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 16

2011-12-16T01:29:00.001-05:00

Mark 16:12 / Luke 24:13-24…

The right sort of hope…

Two of Jesus’ followers were on their way to Emmaus, discussing the things they had been hearing about. But the reports meant little to them, because they didn’t hear about anyone actually seeing Jesus yet. These men obviously didn’t believe Jesus had risen from the dead, because they were not on the way to Galilee to meet Him (Matthew 28:7 / Mark 16:7).

So Jesus came to them instead. He approached them along the way, but they didn’t yet know it was Him. When Jesus asks them about their discussion, they seem amazed that He had not heard about the news yet. Even in the days before electronic and digital media, even many centuries before the printing press, news like a resurrection was sure to spread fast. Of course, how people processed this news made a lot of difference as to how they responded.

As for these men, they were unbelieving, utterly defeated, giving up and going home. They had been disappointed, but it was because their hope was misguided. They expected a temporal triumph (he was the one to redeem Israel), in other words, freedom from Roman bondage. Yet their true hope was fulfilled in a greater way than they could have ever dreamed of, in other words, from the bondage of sin, death, and hell. They had wanted a political and social revolution. He was providing a spiritual revolution.

People often have a sad and hopeless reaction to the good news even today. That’s because they want a Jesus that isn’t really there. Jesus comes to us, but we don’t recognize Him because we are looking for someone else. It isn’t that Jesus lets people down. But our hope must be in who He is, not in our ideas about what we think He is supposed to do.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 15

2011-12-15T03:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 28:11-15…

The evidence of the enemies…

The Roman soldiers were supposed to guard the body of Jesus (Matthew 27:62-66). But the body was now gone, and they were in trouble. So some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. No doubt the soldiers feared for their lives, and surely they spoke of the earthquake, the angel, and how the stone had been rolled away. However, they did not report that the body had been stolen; only that it was no longer there.

This brought fear to the Sanhedrin, but it did not bring repentance and faith. They weren’t worried about whether this was true. They were only worried about losing their power over the people. So instead of investigating, they bribe the soldiers to say that the body had been stolen while they slept. The soldiers were also given assurances that Pilate would not give them trouble.

Of course this was ridiculous. The whole idea of the guard was to keep watch at all times. The group would work in shifts, with some watching while the others slept. No one could have stolen the body without a struggle. And if all the guards were asleep, how could they have confirmed that it was the disciples who stole Jesus’ body? Anyways, the disciples had disappeared when they came to arrest Jesus. They would be too afraid to take on a Roman guard now.

The story that the Sanhedrin concocted is so full of holes that it actually confirms the truth of the resurrection. The evidence of the enemies is some of the strongest evidence there is. The leaders were willing to lie for the sake of maintaining their power, and the soldiers were willing to lie for the sake of money and protection.

It’s a lot easier for the believer to believe the truth than it is for the unbeliever to deny the truth. But denying the resurrection is still prevalent to this day, because if the resurrection is true, it has unavoidable and eternal implications for people. Therefore people, despite evidence and experience, are willing to do anything to deny and lie about it.

Just as it was back then, their hearts are harder than the stone that had been rolled away.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 14

2011-12-14T03:01:00.003-05:00

Matthew 28:8-10…

Good morning Jesus…

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. These women were excited. They saw the angelic evidence, and heard the angelic announcement. Now they were obeying the angelic exhortation.

And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" Mary Magdalene had met with Jesus on the way, and now it was their turn. Their response to this revelation was like Mary’s. And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. They didn’t want to let go.

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Jesus’ response to the women was like what He said to Mary. He confirms the message given by the angel at the tomb.

Often in our most intimate, joyful moments with God, we wish that we could just stay right where we are and never leave (cf. Matthew 17:2-4). But the truth is that we must have faith, we must move on from one scene to the next, trusting that Jesus is sending us to deliver the message. No matter how incredible and intense a worship experience is, there will come a time when that worship leads to work and witness. We can’t just continue to soak up without being sent out.

After all, we are not called to be monks, but missionaries.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 13

2011-12-13T00:56:00.000-05:00

Mark 16:9-11 / John 20:10-18…

He knew her name…

Then the disciples went back to their homes. While Peter and John left the scene, Mary stayed behind, weeping outside the tomb. Looking inside she saw two angels, who asked her why she was crying. Mary had assumed that Jesus was still dead, His body had been stolen, and that she wouldn’t be able to find it. The truth was that Jesus was very much alive.

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Even after Jesus speaks to her, asking her why she was crying, and who she was looking for, she doesn’t realize it is Him. Perhaps this was because the last image she had was of Him being beaten, bloody, and broken (Isaiah 52:14).

Jesus said to her, "Mary." Now she knew who was speaking to her! It wasn’t a case of “seeing is believing”, and even hearing Jesus speak didn’t seem to be enough. It was when Jesus addressed Mary as a loved one that her soul was enlightened. When we encounter a personal, loving Savior, this is when our tears of sorrow turn into tears of joy.

Do not cling to me…Mary obviously got excited. Now Jesus was not trying to prevent Mary from touching Him (cf. John 20:27). He was making it clear that He would be returning to His Father. Clinging to Him wouldn’t prevent His departure.

I have seen the Lord. Mary goes to report her encounter with Jesus to the disciples, as they mourned and wept, but they don’t believe her. People can tell you about Jesus and about their personal experience with Him. Those things are necessary and wonderful. But the truth is that people need their own personal encounter with Christ.

Knowing that He knows and loves us, personally, is what turns our weeping into witnessing.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 12

2011-12-12T03:01:00.001-05:00

Luke 24:12 / John 20:3-9…

The setting tells the story…

Peter and John (“the other disciple”) both go to the tomb to investigate what they had been told. When they arrive on the scene, they found that the tomb was empty and the grave clothes were vacant. They do not see Jesus there. Peter wonders what has happened, but John believes Jesus has risen, even before he had realized that he was supposed to.

Jesus had foretold of His resurrection, but amidst all the sorrow the disciples were not putting the pieces together, for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. The truth is that John saw the evidence, and drew the right conclusion.

One important piece of evidence was the folded face cloth, or napkin. Apparently, Jesus had taken His own sweet time in exiting the tomb. The face cloth was not simply wadded up, or thrown away, but instead it was arranged in an orderly fashion. This was evidence that Jesus was in no hurry. He was in full control of the situation.

The folded face cloth stands in the way of false claims. If someone stole the body, why would they take the time to remove the grave clothes and fold the napkin neatly in another place? If Jesus had not actually died, but only fainted from the torture, why would such a beaten and bloody man take the time to care for the neatness of the place before he supposedly snuck out of the grave and away from the guards?

The truth was as John had realized it. The setting told the story. Jesus had risen.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 11

2011-12-11T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 24:8-11 / John 20:2…

Dare to share…

Mary Magdalene and the other women had found the empty tomb, but while Mary ran off to tell the disciples that the body might have been stolen (John 20:2), the other women are told by the angels that Jesus has risen (Luke 24:4-7). The other women were too afraid to say anything at first (Mark 16:8). But their joy overcame their fear, and they tell the disciples. But the disciples do not believe their story (Luke 24:8-11).

Have you ever made some discovery, and you were so excited about it that you just had to run and tell somebody? How many times did the person on the other end get as excited as you about it? Yeah, we’ve all been there, where they just don’t have the same reaction. Well, what can you expect? Hearing it from someone else isn’t the same as having been there.

Your witness, your testimony, your evangelism are important. But many times, no matter what you say, people are reluctant to take it as anything other than mere enthusiasm. They might even think you’re delusional. That doesn’t make sharing your faith and giving testimony any less vital. Evangelism, apologetics, whatever the endeavor, it is all part of a process (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Think about it. The Holy Spirit draws people to Christ. Drawing means it takes time, like pulling up water from a well. Most won’t be as excited about Jesus as you are. Even Christians might not be as excited as you are about a passage of scripture or some spiritual experience you had. Share it anyway (Philemon 1:6). It’s all part of the experience God uses to draw them closer to Him.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 10

2011-12-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

Matthew 28:1-7 / Mark 16:1-8 / Luke 24:1-7 / John 20:1…

A powerful encounter…

In this passage, we see God building a sure foundation for the faith of believers. These dear women, who loved Jesus, were still having a hard time believing that His words about rising from the dead would be literally fulfilled. This is why they were bringing spices to anoint the body, and wondering who would roll away the stone for them.

Still, among the followers of Jesus, these women were the last to leave the cross, and the first to see the tomb. Although they didn’t as yet believe, their courage and commitment led them to go to the burial site. As they make their way, they encounter several signs of God’s victory.

First, an angel causes an earthquake, rolls back the stone covering the tomb, and sits on it. The stone wasn’t moved so that Jesus could get out; it was moved so the disciples could get in. These women would be able to see the empty tomb for themselves. Christ is victorious over death.

Then the women actually see this angel in a glorified state. This terrifying sight causes the guards to pass out in fear. Both the women and the guards witness the same evidence, but they have different reactions. It depends on your commitments. For those who are against God, the truth is actually a terror. Christ is victorious over His enemies.

The angel speaks a word of comfort (do not be afraid), makes an important announcement (He has risen), and gives a vital exhortation (go quickly and tell). The women were the first to see the signs and became the first evangelists. God is victorious over unbelief.

This is the pattern of God’s victory over you. When we first encounter God’s presence and power, we are most often frightened by the experience. But through His Word, God comforts us with His love, convicts us with His truth, and then commissions us with His message.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 9

2011-12-09T00:36:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:62-66…

Guarding the evidence…

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate. Jesus was dead, but the religious leaders were still afraid of Him. They were willing to do anything to put a stop to people believing in Him. The day before, they would not enter Pilate’s palace, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover (John 18:28). But now they broke their own law by entering into a Gentile dwelling on the Sabbath.

Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise.' Now they also change their story, admitting their deceitfulness. During Jesus’ trial, they had used Jesus’ words to say that He was talking about tearing down the temple building. Yet they knew all along that Jesus was not talking about tearing the temple down. They knew He was talking about dying and being raised again the third day (Matthew 12:40).

Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day. They were afraid that the disciples would fabricate a resurrection to keep the movement alive. Of course the disciples had no such thought at all (John 20:9), even though Jesus had mentioned it many times (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:18-19 / Mark 9:9-10). The religious leaders convince Pilate that if Jesus was a problem before, when the people had believed He was the Messiah, it would be much worse if people thought He had risen from the dead.

So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. By placing the Roman seal on the stone, it would be known if anyone had tampered with the tomb. Ironically, by making sure that there was no way that anyone could steal the body, they actually provided additional witness to the fact that the resurrection wasn’t a fake. The enemies of Jesus guarded the evidence! Indeed, God uses the wrath of men to praise Him (Psalm 76:10).

Think about it. God had all these details worked out, in the midst of all this hardship and hatred, this darkness and deceit. Doesn’t it make sense that you can trust Him with your details, no matter who is against you, and no matter how dark it seems right now (Romans 8:28-31)?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 8

2011-12-08T00:16:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:57-61 / Mark 15:42-47 / Luke 23:50-56 / John 19:38-42…

Secret no more…

In His burial, Jesus would be fulfilling prophecy. Even though He was counted as a criminal, He would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9). In facilitating this, Joseph of Arimathea, who, like Nicodemus, was a “secret disciple” of Jesus, was now out in the open and would soon be ousted from the religious elite. His love for his Lord compelled him out of hiding.

Nicodemus was also “buried” that day. His old life was gone. His spiritual growth parallels that of many believers. As we see him developed in the scriptures, first he was being drawn, then he was being challenged, and finally, here, he was being bold. We can trace the grace in Nicodemus’ life, as he grows from curious (John 3:1-5) to courageous (John 7:32, 44-52) to crucified (John 19:38-42 / cf. Galatians 2:20, 6:14).

Nicodemus’ love for Christ grew, and he showed the most love for Jesus after He had died. He had received grace and was willing to give graciously even though he would be opening himself up to losing his means. Nicodemus was a prominent man but he was willing to take a risk, and then appear foolish to his peers, and then even to lose it all for the sake of Christ.

Having finally died to his old life, it is easy to imagine that Nicodemus was one of the 120 in the upper room, waiting for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:15). His faith was out in the open, no longer a secret.

How about you? Are you still in the secret stage? Remember, if you are truly growing in grace, the secret will eventually get out.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 7

2011-12-07T05:30:00.002-05:00

John 19:31-37…

Blood and water…

The Jews had to be “done” with this crucifixion before evening so that they could observe the Sabbath on time. The Romans would often leave the bodies of those crucified exposed for some time, to serve as a warning to all. But in this case, the Jews wanted the men to die more quickly than normal so that their bodies could be taken down (Deuteronomy 21:22-23).

The Romans had a procedure for this. They would use a large hammer to crush the victims’ legs, making it impossible for those crucified to push up in order to facilitate the breathing process. Once their leg bones were broken, the victims would die within a short time. But when they came to Jesus, it was apparent that He was already dead. There was no need to break His legs.

Once again, the things which were taking place were the very things God had prophesied. Everything was truly going according to God’s plan, and in spite of the Jews’ request. Perhaps at a whim, one soldier thrusts his spear into the Savior’s side. The result is that two prophecies are fulfilled in one stroke. The legs of Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), are not broken (Exodus 12:46 / Numbers 9:12 / Psalm 34:20), and the side of Jesus is pierced (Zechariah 12:10).

Jesus was a real human, not some type of ghost (1 John 4:2, 5:6). He did not just “swoon” that day. He really died that day. But even in death, our Lord perfectly fulfilled the Scriptures.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 6

2011-12-06T03:01:00.002-05:00

Matthew 27:55-56 / Mark 15:40-41 / Luke 23:49…

Women of worth…

Here they are, these women who had helped support the ministry of Jesus, with Him until the very end. They followed Him all the way to the cross. As everyone else ran away they continued to draw near. The people of the day marginalized them as insignificant, but the Word of God marks them as entirely significant, even naming their names.

In our day, many of the “name” people, those who seem to have access to titles and achieve the tributes, run away scared when Jesus may cost them their position in life or standard of living. Some “celebrities” won’t get their hands dirty, while the meek and lowly will rise up and fill the void. This proves a point about whom God actually uses (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

The world, even the church world, may try and marginalize you for your gender, race, age, social status, educational background, or any other of a number of things, but Jesus doesn’t do that at all (Acts 2:17-18). In Christ, the barriers to drawing close to God have been broken down (Ephesians 2:11-22). When everyone else seems to run away, you can run ahead (James 4:7-8).

You don’t have to let others limit you. Certainly, they may mock your credentials, they may put you at the back of the building, and they may dismiss your devotion. But you don’t need their permission or endorsement. You don’t have to have a seat at their table to find a place at the Throne. You can draw near to God without fear, and with faith (Hebrews 4:16, 10:22).

Don’t worry about being noticed by others. Your worship is worth it to God.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 5

2011-12-05T03:01:00.003-05:00

John 19:28-30…

It is finished…so get with it…

On the cross, at the end, Jesus cried out “it is finished”. What was finished? Sure, we know it was the crucifixion of Jesus that was finished. However, not everything was completely finished; Jesus was going to rise from the dead, ascend to heaven and will be coming again. So let’s unpack this; what did the crucifixion of Christ finish? And now that it is finished, what is God calling you to do? What are the things we don’t want to miss? We can rest in these things as we receive them. It is finished, so get with it.

It is finished – The sinless life that fulfilled all of the Law (Matthew 5:17, 48 / Hebrews 4:15)

So get with it – Romans 10:4 – you can go to God in the name of Christ (Hebrews 4:16)

It is finished – The words of the prophets that had to be fulfilled (Acts 2:23-24, 3:17-18)

So get with it – Romans 8:28-30 – God’s plan for you will be fulfilled (Philippians 1:6)

It is finished – The conflict with the leaders and the people (Acts 4:27-28 / 1 Corinthians 2:8)

So get with it – Romans 8:31-39 – God is on your side (Romans 5:1-11)

It is finished – The plan that was foreshadowed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15)

So get with it – Ephesians 1:3-9 – you are in the paradise parade (2 Corinthians 2:14)

It is finished – The plan that was pictured in the sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:1-14)

So get with it – Galatians 5:1 – you can please God (Romans 12:1 / Hebrews 13:15-16)

It is finished – The atoning work for sin (Isaiah 53:5-7 / Acts 8:32)

So get with it – 1 Peter 3:18 – you can have forgiveness and fellowship (1 John 1:8-10)

It is finished – The wrath of God has been satisfied (Isaiah 53:10-12 / Luke 22:37)

So get with it – 2 Corinthians 5:21 – you don’t have to fear (Hebrews 2:14-15, 13:5-6)

It is finished – The triumph over the evil powers (Colossians 2:13-15)

So get with it – Romans 8:1 – you can tell the devil to “talk to the hand” (Isaiah 49:16)

It is finished – The vindication of God’s justice (Romans 3:23-26)

So get with it – 1 Peter 4:12-19 – you can trust God will sort everything out (1 Peter 2:21-25)

It is finished – The validation of God’s love (John 3:16 / 1 John 4:10)

So get with it – 1 John 4:11 – you can love (Matthew 22:37-40 / Romans 13:8 / Galatians 5:14)

On the cross, God treated Jesus as if He lived your life so He could treat you as if you lived His life. That’s the Gospel, but now it is your turn to finish (Romans 10:9-13), so get with it (Matthew 10:32), before it is too late (Hebrews 9:27-28).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 4

2011-12-04T03:01:00.000-05:00

Luke 23:44-48…

Paid in full, not paid in Hell…

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” These words of Jesus were used to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 31:5. Jesus had laid down His life voluntarily, when He wanted to and how He wanted to (John 10:18), which we know was in accordance with the Father’s will. He suffered the wrath of God for us on the cross.

There is a sinister teaching out there that says that Jesus, before His resurrection, while He was in the tomb, was actually suffering at the hands of demonic forces in hell, paying the price for our sins there, not having finished the matter on the cross. That is blasphemy. Jesus didn’t suffer additional torment in hell at the hands of demons (Psalm 16:10 / Acts 2:27). He had control over His own spirit, and after the Father had poured out His wrath upon our Lord, Jesus suffered no additional punishment. The Father crushed His soul, not Satan (Isaiah 53:10-11). The cry of John 19:30, it is finished, is a victory cry. Christ meant what He had said; the price for redemption was paid in full at Calvary.

This brings up another point. Have you ever seen pictures, cartoons, comics or other depictions of people in hell with Satan ruling, and demons tormenting them? This isn’t what the Bible depicts hell as being like. Demons will not be tormenting people in hell; it is God who will be punishing the wicked. The devil and his angels are going to be tormented themselves, not allowed to assist in tormenting others (Matthew 25:41 / 2 Peter 2:4). Remember the demons that wondered and asked Jesus, “Have you come here to torment us before the time” (Matthew 8:29)? It is Jesus who will torment the demons, not the other way around!

Jesus won the victory on the cross; He paid our sins in full right there (Colossians 2:15). Jesus didn’t have to make a deal with the devil; those demonic forces weren’t going to have a beat down session in hell with Christ as the whipping boy. This is why Paul preaches Christ, and Him crucified, not Christ, and Him suffering in hell (1 Corinthians 1:23).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 3

2011-12-03T01:52:00.001-05:00

Mark 15:33-39 / Matthew 27:51-54…

Amazing signs…

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. This was no natural event. The darkness reflected the truth that this was the time when the Son of God was suffering the wrath of a just and holy Father God against sin. It was the Lamb of God, Jesus, in our place (Isaiah 53:10-11 / 2 Corinthians 5:21).

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple (Exodus 26:31-35) was large (60 feet long and 30 feet wide), and as thick as a man’s hand. Christians see this event as a sign that we can all now enter into the presence of God. Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 9:3-12, 10:19-23).

The tombs also were opened. Jesus is the proof of the principle of resurrection. The destruction of death was foreshadowed by this powerful evidence, when many holy people were raised from their graves to testify about Him, that Jesus would be the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Everyone who has ever lived will actually live forever. But not all have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. The truth is that all will be resurrected at some point, some to eternal life, and some to suffer the second death, which is eternal damnation (John 5:28-29 / Acts 24:15). Death will be dead (1 Corinthians 15:26 / Revelation 20:5-6, 13-15).

And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last…The centurion in charge of this crucifixion could clearly see that Jesus was different, and the darkness and earthquake that accompanied Jesus’ death clearly indicated that He was divine.

What say you to these amazing signs?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 2

2011-12-02T10:31:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:45-50…

A very certain call…

This cry from Jesus illustrates the depth of His suffering as He felt Himself regarded as sin though He was sinless (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are reminded of John 3:16, Isaiah 53, and 1 Peter 2:24 as we see the Son of God bearing the sin of the world. This cry of desolation comes at the close of the three hours of darkness. However, it was not only a seeming cry of desolation but also a declaration. Jesus was not simply acting out a part. No, His pain and suffering were very real, but even amidst this agony He knew what the conclusion would be.

Still, Jesus suffered the ultimate loneliness. Some of the people that had shouted “hosanna” now shouted “crucify Him”. Some of the disciples who had stayed with Him now denied, deserted, and betrayed Him. But much worse than all of this, more worse than we can possibly imagine, was the forsaking by the Father of His Son. The Father had spoken words such as, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” but now was silent. The Father had let the Son be beaten, spit upon, mocked and mangled at the hands of men, finally to be hung on a cross, a tree, a curse to a Jew, which Jesus was.

But He was more than a Jew, He was the Son of God, and all this other pain and suffering was nothing compared to the absence of that sweet communion Christ had always known. Jesus’ faith did not fail. He cried out to God, not against God, but the Father did not answer Him in tenderness, but with wrath (Isaiah 53:10). Even when Jesus had poured out His own blood in the prayers at Gethsemane, God the Father was still with Him, and He had the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, as He had always known. But He had known nothing of the pain of desertion and the suffering of damnation He endured on the cross.

Yet this wasn’t an uncertain cry but a very certain call. When Christ called out to God in this manner, clearly He was consciously quoting this part of Psalm 22 as an illustration of the fact that He was fulfilling all of this Old Testament prophecy. Jesus drew the attention of the Jews to this scripture while He was hanging on the cross. Psalm 22 was a Messianic Psalm, and the second half is hymn of victory (vs.22-31).

Certainly Jesus was in a real sense “forsaken”, yet He also knew the final outcome of all this, and so therefore endured the greatest suffering of all time. Jesus’ cry was about suffering the world’s penalty due to sin, but it was signifying more than just that. It was the voice of the eternal victor who proclaimed the eternal victory of the Messiah to His people who were the victims of their own sin. He was supremely confident of the Father’s ultimate deliverance of Him through the resurrection of His body before it had even seen decay (Psalm 16:8-11 / Acts 2:24-31).

Every person who has ever been born has felt alone and forsaken and wonders if God is real and if He cares, even Christians go through these sorts of things. But only Christians, those born again to a living hope can also cry, “it is finished” (John 19:30), and thereby know that God will never leave nor forsake them (Hebrews 13:5), on account of Christ. When you do that it is not an uncertain cry but a very certain call.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: December 1

2011-12-01T00:25:00.000-05:00

Luke 23:39-43…

The gospel for criminals…

As He hangs there seemingly helpless, we see that Jesus was still ready to reach out and share the good news. On His left and right are two criminals. In Luke we see one trusting Jesus, but when we look again in Matthew we see that it didn’t start out that way (Matthew 27:44). So they both felt a momentary superiority to Jesus when He was being scorned by all. Yet, as everyone else continued to berate Jesus, one of the criminals is transformed.

What caused this man, on the cross and on his way to hell, to turn and trust Jesus? The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The man with no hope heard Christ, beaten, bloody, crucified, dying for our sins, pouring out His heart, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (vs.34). Jesus appeals to God, not for justice, but for mercy; and not mercy for Himself, but for the ones who are actually guilty.

What does he do now? He goes against the grain, against the crowd, and he rebukes the other criminal. He admits his guilt and confesses his faith. He knew that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, and that He had a kingdom, and he came to Jesus on His terms, and was saved. Time was short, death was near, but this was about eternity, and time stood still. The moment of truth had arrived. Jesus looked at the man and pronounced his salvation!

Jesus can save you no matter what your situation looks like. Jesus can save you no matter what His situation looks like. One of the criminals had given up hope, and just wanted to curse God and die. The other knew that even a dying Jesus still had something for a dying man.

Do you hear His word of forgiveness today, or will your shouts of scorn continue to drown out the call of Divine Love? If you hear His voice today, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 4:7).

We are all like those two criminals on the cross, but which of those will you be?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 30

2011-11-30T00:46:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:38-44 / Mark 15:27-32 / Luke 23:35-38…

Triumph over taunting…

The mental and spiritual suffering that Jesus Christ endured while He was on the cross was immense and intense. The rejection of Jesus was demonically inspired, and was in direct fulfillment of Scripture. Imagine the temptation to react as they all taunt Him.

The taunt is one of Satan’s sharpest arrows; and he uses people as the provoking point. When the passersby taunt Jesus, they tempt Him with the very words that Satan had tempted Him with (Matthew 4:3, 6). Yet the instruments of the devil only proved that Jesus was telling the truth when He said that the devil had no claim on Him, no power over Him (John 14:30).

It is ironic that as they insulted Jesus they admitted that He saved others, and they recognized that Jesus trusted in God. Ironically, they were condemning themselves. By saying that Jesus was a righteous man, they admit their participation in this wrongful murder. Even as these people question who He is, they’re actually proving who He is. They prove that He is the Messiah by fulfilling Scripture (Psalm 22:7-8).

Jesus could have come down from the cross and showed those unbelievers that He was indeed the Son of God. It wasn’t the nails that held Him on the cross, but His will. The desire to do His Father’s will. In suffering their condemnation, they were condemning themselves, but Jesus was determined to do what was necessary to free us from sin’s eternal condemnation.

People want a Savior who comes down to them on their own terms. But we don’t need a Savior who comes down from the cross, but a Savior who ascends the cross. And one who comes up from the grave. Not one who would save Himself, but one who desires to save us sinners.

Imagine Jesus when temptation taunts you, and realize He triumphed over your temptations (Colossians 2:13-15).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 29

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:33-37 / Mark 15:22-26 / Luke 23:33-34 / John 19:17-27…

Gory glory…

The beauty in this brutal scene can only be seen with spiritual eyes. In this cruel context we see the wickedness of men, but we also see the wonder of Jesus. They continued to mock Him and even now the priests still want to marginalize Him (John 19:19-22). Yet in the midst of this savage and shameful torture Jesus was thinking about others.

He thought about the pain we all experience because of sin. They offered Him something that would ease the pain a little (Proverbs 31:6), or perhaps shorten the agony (Psalm 69:21). But He did not take it, choosing instead to experience the maximum amount of pain. Jesus was giving testament to the vicarious nature of the Atonement for sin.

He thought about how sin blinds us in ignorance. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The Bible doesn’t describe His agony, only man’s misery. He knew that we are often aloof to the sin, sorrow, and suffering that is right in front of us. Men often look to gain off of the misfortune of others. But Jesus was fulfilling the plan of God (Psalm 22:18).

He thought about His Father’s mission for Him. The irony of the inscription above His head is that even as they mock Him, they are identifying Him correctly. The charge against Him was that He claimed to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah, the Son of God, and it’s true. He is paying the penalty on the cross for the crime of being who He really is.

He thought about His mother, making provision for her. He was thinking about you, making the only provision for salvation you have, and the only one you need (Hebrews 2:3 / Acts 4:12).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 28

2011-11-28T00:44:00.000-05:00

Luke 23:27-32…

Correct crying…

But turning to them Jesus said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Jesus is pointing to the future. What He was experiencing was indeed a tragedy, but Jerusalem would soon experience its own tragedy. Things will be so bad that blessings such as children will be seen as curses, and people will be wishing they could just die rather than have to go through this experience.

For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? Green wood still has the sap in it, and the moisture prevents it from burning well. Dry wood has been cut and aged so that it burns very easily. The point Jesus is making is that if the Romans are willing to sanction such injustice and put an innocent man like Him to death, what will they do to the Jews, and what will happen to Jerusalem, when the Romans no longer see them as relevant?

Jesus wants them to consider the rising tide of evil sweeping through Jerusalem. What will happen to Jerusalem is a picture of what hell will be like. Accordingly, people should be concerned for the multitude of souls who face the danger of eternal damnation because of the sin in their lives. This is always the big issue, the eternal state.

Certainly, it isn’t wrong to cry about catastrophe or weep over injustice. But our most correct cries are not about the personal tragedies we can see but the permanent tragedies that we can’t yet see. Christians are supposed to be compassionate, but with an understanding that temporal tragedy is nothing compared to eternal destiny. Do you cry out to the Lord for souls to be saved?

In the end, and as always, God will do what is right. For now, what is right for us to do is to weep for the lost, warn them of the judgment to come, witness to them of Jesus, and hopefully, by God’s grace, win them to Christ.

What are you crying about? Don’t just weep, but warn, witness, and win. Do that, and make your cries count.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 27

2011-11-27T05:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:32 / Mark 15:21 / Luke 23:26…

Bearing the burden of honor…

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. We see this scene and are reminded of how God will providentially arrange a bystander to become one of His followers, intimately bearing the burden of knowing Jesus.

Of course, this burden was actually a glorious honor for Simon. We can also infer that his family came to a saving knowledge of Christ (cf. Romans 16:13).

Honoring others has a lasting effect, especially as it pertains to our brothers and sisters in Christ. But think about the text here and realize that it can be quite the burden when honoring means we have to help bear another’s shame.

It may be a hard thing to take, but your brothers and sisters in Christ are worth it because Jesus has made them so. No matter their shame. We are one with the Lord and one with each other (1 Corinthians 6:17). They are a part of you (Romans 12:5). We are called to honor them (Romans 12:10), and we help do that by helping them bear their burdens (Galatians 6:2).

When Christians are beaten, bare, burdened, and broke, this is when you can be like Simon. When the world would mock, spit on, and curse them, we can honor them (1 Corinthians 12:23). A maturing mind will realize that taking up our cross at times means we are carrying someone else’s burden, and enduring their shame, as well.

In honoring others, we serve men to the glory of God.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 26

2011-11-26T05:30:00.001-05:00

Matthew 27:27-31 / Mark 15:16-20…

The pattern of passion…

This is another scene of the sin against the Savior. Whether or not this event is sort of a repeat performance or the same instance as seen earlier (cf. John 19:1-3) it all underscores the sin in the hearts of men and the holiness of Jesus Christ. The exact timing of events here is not as important as the exact nature of their essence. This is Jesus triumphing over sin by torture.

The vicarious victory of Christ for us, in spite of us, is full of prophetic significance. The scarlet robe reminds us of verses such as Isaiah 1:18, 61:10, the symbol of the bearing of our scarlet sins. In their sin of mocking His majesty, it reminds us of how He became sin for us, as well as our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21 / Jeremiah 23:6).

The crown of thorns brings us all the way back to Garden of Eden. Thorns were brought about by sin (Genesis 3:17-19). Now, the Creator would wear a crown of thorns as He bore the sins of the world. I don’t think it is accidental. Thorns and thistles will come up as a result of sin and Jesus will bear the sins of the world and actually have a crown of thorns and thistles, which were actually beaten into His head.

The study of these things is rich, and it shows us why learning of Christ, putting on the new man, and being renewed in the spirit of our minds is a lifelong pursuit (Ephesians 4:21-24 / Hebrews 12:3). The Passion Week gives a picture and a pattern for a passionate pursuit of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-13).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 25

2011-11-25T05:30:00.002-05:00

Matthew 27:23-26 / Mark 15:14-15 / Luke 23:22-25 / John 19:12-16…

Washed but dirty…

Pilate was doing all he knew to get the priests and the people to stop this madness and release Jesus. He tried to appease the bloodthirsty cries, but it wasn’t going to happen (Acts 13:28). He knew that he was risking a riot if he failed to deliver Jesus up. You can imagine his thoughts. “Oh what am I supposed to do, I want to do the right thing but I can’t, the people won’t let me”.

He took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” Think of the difference between other men and Jesus here. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. Pilate washed his hands of Jesus. It is a case of “let me cleanse you” vs. “let me be cleansed of responsibility for you”. Washing his hands didn’t get him clean.

Don’t divorce yourself from this scene so easily, my friend. We have all played the part of Pilate, and yes, against Jesus, no less. It happens when you know something is wrong and you want to do what is right, but you just can’t seem to do it. It isn’t that people won’t let you; it is that the pressure won’t let up. Yes, the pressure may be great, but your perspective on pressure needs to change.

It is called repentance. It means that doing what is right will cost you. Repentance means we may lose things such as friends, respect, position, prestige, power, finances, health, or even life. It involves self-abasement, not self-preservation, or self-promotion. Repentance says that what matters is God’s glory, not my comfort. Repentance consequently strips us of our worldly goods, achievements, and satisfactions; it does not pile them upon us.

Repentance is the very antithesis of what is taught these days. People say if you live clean, then God will be obliged to bless you. The truth is that you can clean the outside and still be dirty on the inside. You can wash your hands as much as you want, but it takes God to wash your heart.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 24

2011-11-24T05:30:00.001-05:00

John 19:8-11…

Cards on the table…

When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He was already worried, but this new revelation caused Pilate to be terrified. He knew that Jesus was innocent. He knew that he had compromised justice by scourging Him. He realized this was no ordinary criminal, but now he has to consider, was this Jesus actually divine?

Still, Pilate’s only motive was his own welfare. “Where are you from?” Pilate wanted answers, but Jesus gave him no answer (Isaiah 53:7 / 1 Peter 2:20-23). Frustrated, Pilate decided it was time to push his weight around. "You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?"

Pilate tried to play the punishment card, but Jesus reminds Pilate of the ultimate source of authority (Romans 13:1). Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. God purpose is present even in Pilate’s posturing (Proverbs 21:1). We suppose we are in authority, but ultimately it is God who is in authority.

Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin. Pilate’s sin was great, but the greater sin belonged to the religious leaders, who sinned against the Scriptures they claimed to believe and the light God had given as they heard Christ speak (Luke 12:47-48).

Here is where you should ask yourself, “what am I doing with the Light I have been given?”

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 23

2011-11-23T05:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:22 / Mark 15:12-13 / Luke 23:20-21 / John 19:4-7…

Behold the man…

Pilate once again acknowledged that he thought Jesus was innocent and that He wished to release Him. He tried to appease the crowd that he might appease his conscience. It was similar to Judas, who had declared Jesus’ innocence and tried to give the money back to the priests.

But no matter how hard he tried, Pilate could not get the leaders or the crowd to settle down. He could not change the course of redemption, because this was the plan of God, that both Jew and Gentile would have a hand in the death of Jesus (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28).

Pilate may have been upset by this dilemma and convicted by his conscience, but he was not innocent. He was unwilling to listen to his convicted heart, listen to the voice of his wife (Matthew 27:19), listen to the objective evidence, or listen to Truth Himself (John 18:37, 19:11).

Pilate could have done what was right. He had the power to let Jesus go. But his “repentance” was only remorse that he had to choose or face trouble. This is only going half way, and it isn’t enough. Pilate feared the people and made his decision to appease the masses.

How often do we bow the knee, not to the will of God, but to the will of the people who are opposing Him?

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 22

2011-11-22T05:30:00.000-05:00

John 19:1-3…

The coronation of contempt…

Here we are now, the picture of perversion. Just because people don’t understand the full weight of what they are doing doesn’t mean they aren’t doing it. And they are doing it with malice. They don’t just deny the divinity of Jesus they defy it. They don’t just mock the King of Kings they are malicious against Him. This is the pit of hell that the unbeliever must be rescued from.

If you are a Christian, this is what you have been rescued from. Yet there are those who don’t believe that they are capable of inflicting such injustice on an innocent man. But this ugly scene plays out day after day. This is what is in the hearts of men. Here we can see clearly what the human heart is capable of. Every human heart, that is.

People do it today. They have contempt for Jesus and the people who follow Him, and would wipe them out if they thought they could, and they often do. The human heart is not near God, it is completely afar off from God. If pressed it will lash out against that which is true Life and embrace the violence of death, and inflict destruction upon others.

It is in the context of man’s malice that we truly see man’s misery. Yet with our Lord in this position we truly see God’s majesty, His grace under fire (Matthew 5:38-42). It is when we see the heights of His holiness compared to the depths of our depravity that we see the measure of God’s love.

Just remember, when the world strips you bare, beats you down, burdens you and breaks you, Jesus was there for you (1 Peter 4:12-14). He was there first. He took the beating and He took care of the eternal penalty of people just like you.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 21

2011-11-21T05:30:00.002-05:00

Matthew 27:15-21 / Mark 15:6-11 / Luke 23:13-19 / John 18:38-40…

Crowd control…

Imagine the scene here. Pilate, the Roman governor, was scrambling for a solution. The pressure was mounting to do something about Jesus. But He couldn’t find any fault with Jesus. He was suspicious of the motives of the Jewish leaders and the charges they were bringing against Jesus. He had sent Jesus away to Herod to be tried, but Herod had sent Him back.

The evidence of His innocence has also been mounting. Judas, His betrayer had declared Him innocent. Pilate knew of the fanfare that surrounded Jesus upon His triumphal entry into Jerusalem only a few days before. Pilate himself thought that He was innocent. Pilate’s wife also thinks He is innocent. Only the chief priests and other religious leaders seem to be against Him.

Yet those religious leaders will not relent. They want blood. Pilate tries to pit the leaders against the people, offering up the notorious criminal Barabbas as a substitute. Surely the people wouldn’t let this menace loose again. But the leaders would rather let the devil run amok than let Jesus go, and they were master manipulators. They convince the people to let Barabbas go.

It is quite amazing to realize the malice that can be mustered within a mob. Still, most of us believe that we are beyond a mob mentality. We are more mature than that. But hanging around the wrong crowd begins to destroy the way, the will, the word and the worship of Jesus in your life (Psalm 1:1 / 1 Corinthians 15:33). The crowd we are in makes a difference.

Most of us probably don’t believe that we will ever have to make a decision between Jesus and Barabbas. But the truth is that we do it every day. Lots of little choices we make count for more than we may think. We think it will be so obvious, we think the choice will be easy, we think we are beyond the influence of the crowd.

But remember this; if you don’t believe that you can be deceived, that is when you already are.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 20

2011-11-20T00:46:00.001-05:00

Luke 23:6-12…

Friends against the faith…

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. Because the religious leaders had mentioned that Jesus had come from Galilee, Pilate figured that he had found a way out of dealing with this situation. Herod was the one who ruled over Galilee, but was in Jerusalem at the time, and so this would have seemed like an ideal solution. Pilate’s authority superseded Herod’s authority, but his decision was not unlike how the Supreme Court will refuse to rule on a case, and will instead send the case back down to the state courts.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. Herod had been looking forward to seeing Jesus for some time (Luke 9:9). But make no mistake, Herod was not a friend of Jesus, he only wanted to see Him for a sense of entertainment. Perhaps he could get this miracle worker to become his ally. Still, as the priests and scribes accused Jesus, and after He refused to answer any charges, Herod and his men mocked and sent Him back to Pilate again.

Herod forced Pilate to make the decision, but apparently in such a way as to befriend a man who had been an enemy before (cf. Luke 13:1). They were now friends united in contempt for Christ. It is the same today; enemies often unite in their opposition to Jesus. Indeed it is the world against Christ, but Christ loves His own in the world, and He wins in the end.

The question is whose friend are you going to be (James 4:4)?

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 19

2011-11-19T05:30:00.003-05:00

Luke 23:4-5…

The menacing message…

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man." In this trial, Pilate was a one man judge and jury. He could find no evidence that Jesus was worthy of the death penalty the religious leaders wanted. He wanted no part in this seemingly petty and parochial struggle. This wasn’t an important matter for the Roman state to be concerned with, it was simply a Jewish matter, and Pilate was looking for a way out of directly dealing with it.

But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." They insisted that this was no small thing, that Jesus was indeed a threat to the whole region. Jerusalem was not the only place that Jesus had been causing unrest. He had been spreading His message all over the place. He was a menace that must be stopped.

The message is indeed a menace to those who oppose it. The Truth may be mocked, sentenced, silenced, cast down and killed. But it doesn’t stay dead. It can’t really be killed. The truth about the truth is that the Truth is forever. You can try and pawn that off for now, but you can’t forever. Everyone will have to deal with that eventually, and eternally.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 18

2011-11-18T05:30:00.003-05:00

Luke 23:3 / John 18:33-37…

The king of truth…

Pilate brings Jesus into a private place to ask Him about this claim of kingship again. Jesus reassures Pilate that He is not some sort of political or military revolutionary, otherwise His followers would be fighting to save Him from this mess He seems to be in.

However, Jesus makes a much bolder claim. Yes, He is a king, but He is a king of something greater than a worldly kingdom, Jesus is the king of the truth. Jesus says that the way to know if you are of the truth is if you listen to His voice (John 10:27). In other words, true people want to understand the truth. If you are hearing Him, you are hearing truth.

What is truth? Pilate does what all who think they are the captain of their own soul do; he places himself as the arbiter of truth. In this case, Pilate denies that truth is actually knowable, or absolute, or universal. You could say that he denies the power of truth when the truth faces power. What good is this truth to him, when Jesus is in his grasp? Or so he thinks.

Pilate would fit in well with today’s so-called postmodern thinking. It is the idea of the damned, who think that truth is merely a relative thing. Pilate mocks the idea of truth, yet absolute, universal truth is staring him in the face, waiting to be known (John 14:6). He found no fault in Jesus but he also had no faith in Him, either.

How about you? What are you doing with this, the King of Truth?

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 17

2011-11-17T05:30:00.001-05:00

Matthew 27:11-14 / Mark 15:2-5 / Luke 23:1-2 / John 18:29-32…

The loudest silence…

Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus has now been transitioned from the church trial to the civil trial. Because they were under the Romans, the Jews did not have the right to execute. And so Jesus, having already been condemned by the Jewish court, now stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

You have said so. By His answer Jesus confesses that He is a king. Still, Pilate knew full well that the Jewish leaders, who despised Roman oppression, wouldn’t bring someone to be executed because he was a threat to Rome. He could easily see that Jesus was no threat to Rome, but that he was a threat to their system (Matthew 27:18).

Still, Jesus continues to refuse to answer the questions of the Sanhedrin. By not responding, Jesus is not only showing contempt for the wickedness of their unjust charges, He is adopting a strategy to assure that He died for your sins. Jesus could probably have given Pilate all the reasons he needed to be set free. Jesus refuses to do it, because He’s already been in the garden, He knows the consequences, and He will not do anything to get in the way of dying.

Jesus’ silence is not a model for how Christians ought to respond in a trial when we are unjustly accused. His actions are unique because He is unique. His silence is reflective of His commitment to die for you because of His love for you. His silence is sending a loud message to you that He wanted to bear your sin. He loved to do the will of His Heavenly Father, even if it means being condemned unjustly, even if meant the torture and death which He would have to endure in order to release you from the bondage of the condemnation of sin.

The silence of Jesus is powerful. With no words it speaks of how committed He is to you. And remember the silence of those who on judgment day will have nothing to say before the just condemnation of God (Romans 1:20, 3:19). Give thanks that you will not be in that silent party because Christ took that silence for you (Acts 17:31).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 16

2011-11-16T05:30:00.002-05:00

Matthew 27:6-10…

The witness of blood…

But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money." This scene provides insurmountable evidence of the wickedness of the religious leaders. They had seen fit to use temple funds to pay for the betrayal of Jesus, but now when those funds come back to them they all pretend as if they would never have blood money in the temple treasury. But they had used the temple treasury to pay for His betrayal in the first place.

Think about this. Now, not only has Judas testified to the innocence of Christ, but here is the testimony of the whole Sanhedrin. They said it was blood money, in other words, money illegitimately paid to someone to get someone else killed. They’re so self-righteous, they didn't mind taking it out of the treasury to be blood money, but they acted as if they were too pious to put it back where it came from because it was blood money. They confirm with their own mouths the bloody deed they did in bribing Judas.

The perversity of the plot and the iniquity in their hearts is clear. The hypocrisy continues as they use the blood money to do a charitable work. The potter’s field would be where Gentiles could be buried if they had no money and died while in Jerusalem. Ironically, Judas was the first person who used this field (Acts 1:18-19). The people knew the field was at the price of blood. This was all a part of God’s plan (Jeremiah 18:1-12, 19:1-13, 32:6-9 / Zechariah 11:12-13).

This gives us a picture so that we might understand what the atoning death of Christ means for us. Having seen Jesus condemned by the religious court, you have seen what you ought to receive at the hand of the divine court. Having seen Jesus’ innocence, you should recognize your own guiltiness. Having seen the wickedness of the people, side by side with God’s plan, you ought to bow the knee to God’s sovereignty and realize that Jesus is a substitute for your sin.

The difference between Judas and Peter is that Judas confessed to his co-conspirators, but Peter sought the mercy of Christ. Like them, you are also guilty. But the question is what will you do with the witness of blood?

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 15

2011-11-15T01:18:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:3-5…

Only two ways to turn…

I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. Judas had apparently followed the crowd to the scene of Jesus’ trial. Having seen what has happened, Judas began to feel the crushing weight of his own guilt. He had betrayed the most innocent man that ever lived.

He is now faced with a choice. As the person responsible for getting Jesus arrested, he knew he must declare Jesus’ innocence. He needed to try and make things right. But he only went half way. He didn’t seek forgiveness from Jesus; he only tried to give back the spoil of his sin. The attitude of the chief priest and elders shows their wickedness, but it also illustrates the point that sometimes we cannot undue what we have done.

This is why we need forgiveness. This is why Jesus came to us, not only to pay for our actual guilt, but also to cleanse us from our emotional guilt. There are only two ways to turn. We can turn inward, and allow the guilt to continue to pile on ourselves, or we can turn outward, and find freedom in Christ. Many feel sorrow over their sins, but they decide to turn over a new leaf without turning their lives over to Christ. Judas is the embodiment of this difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10).

You can renounce your past all you want; you can proclaim your devotion to Christian principles without fail. But that doesn’t mean you’re walking the walk. That walk doesn’t mean turning in your thirty pieces of dirty money in remorse, it means turning your life over to Christ in true repentance. Instead of letting guilt be the thing that hangs you, let it be the bridge to God’s grace. Admit your wrongs to Jesus, trust Him, and feel His forgiveness (1 John 1:5-10).

Some Christians are not enjoying their forgiveness, because they say that they can’t “forgive themselves”. They have become their own idol and the lord of their life. In saying Jesus has forgiven them but they can’t forgive themselves, they are in effect saying they are a god above Jesus. Although the lesser God, Jesus, is forgiving, the highest god, themselves, is not.

Receive God’s forgiveness. Find your true freedom. You don’t have to be like Judas.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 14

2011-11-14T08:44:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:1-2 / Mark 15:1 / Luke 22:66-71 / John 18:28…

You heard that right…

This is the third part of the church trial. The first two parts, before Annas and then Caiaphas, were a mockery of justice on many counts. These were held at night, which was illegal, and Jewish law forbade forcing someone to incriminate themselves, but that is exactly what the high priest was attempting to do as he put Jesus under oath. Jesus was repeatedly mocked and beaten by the soldiers before, in between and after the trials on the way to his death.

This third trial was by the full council of religious leaders, called the Sanhedrin, and was after day light, giving the proceedings a veneer of legitimacy and due process. The council was seeking to charge Jesus with blasphemy. Jesus had already done that, as far as they were concerned, but now they wanted an official, legal, account.

Jesus answered their question, but not before He gave them a rebuke. He knew that they would not believe the truth of what He told them, and they would not allow Him to cross examine them if He did testify against Himself. Jesus affirmed He was the Messiah, but reminded them, just as when He was questioned before, that they were in His hands, not the other way around (Matthew 26:64 / Psalm 110:1 / Daniel 7:13-14). The council was judging Jesus, but in the end, He will be the one who sentences them.

They pressed Him further. Would He admit that He was the Son of God? If so, they had the evidence they wanted. Now all they needed was the cooperation of the state, to kill Him. Their attempts to phrase the questions differently were not attempts at justice as much as they were attempts to justify their hatred. They understood the testimony but were blind to the Truth.

We are called by God to proclaim the light of Christ. But you must remember an important truth about truth. You can make something as clear as crystal, but a darkened heart will never see the Truth unless God illuminates the soul (2 Corinthians 4:3-7).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 13

2011-11-13T07:53:00.002-05:00

Luke 22:63-65…

Piling on…

Jesus was being mocked and ridiculed on all counts. If the leaders do their sort of condemning, so will the followers. It happens today. People feel safe to attack a person once they think they are on the winning side. People love to pile on. It’s in our fallen nature.

We must remember that Jesus was still in charge, even at the time of His betrayal, abandonment, arrest, abuse, trials, and denials. In all these events we see that men of all stations rejected Him. So that men of all stations might be saved by Him.

While Jesus remains faithful to His calling, all other men consistently fail to be faithful. No one understands fully what is going on. People are abandoning Him. But even in this “hour of darkness” He is in control. His prophecies are coming to pass, through the agency of sinful men. Jesus was taken captive and condemned because He purposed to do so.

Think of yourself and this mocking and abusing. We come to realize that we have done this to Jesus. It is like when we first start to feel the pang of conscience about our sin. Our first thoughts, when we are being drawn by the Spirit to worship Christ, might come as a feeling of, “yeah I’m not perfect”, but then we see that we are personally responsible, and they move to “yeah, I’ve done some bad things”.

Then, as we are being drawn into the moment of saving faith in Christ, we see the truth more fully. We have attacked Christ personally. Our hand was the one that drove the bitter nail into His on the cross. Instead of seeing ourselves as somehow just indirectly sinning against God, we realize that we have sinned directly against a holy and just God, directly attacked His person. It is cosmic treason.

We ask, “How can we trust God?” This is the answer, because while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly. He cared for us, not only when we didn’t care for Him, but while we actively opposed Him, whether we realized that or not. Now we do realize that, and it makes all the difference (Romans 5:10). He doesn’t need to prove himself to us, He’s done it. See it right here. All this betrayal, abandonment, arrest, abuse, trials, and denials are things you have done to Him. This is all a piling on of the evidence of His love for you.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 12

2011-11-12T05:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 26:69-75 / Mark 14:66-72 / Luke 22:54-62 / John 18:25-27…

Hiding in a snowball…

The thing about lying is that not only do we have to keep lying unless we want to be found out, but we also have to invent new lies on top of the lie we originally started. Ironically, we have to lie some more if we want to stay consistent in our story. What a mess.

This is what was happening to Peter. He got caught in a lie and didn’t know what to do. It was not that Peter was just a fearful coward. Remember, he had made some bold claims about his loyalty to Jesus. He had attempted to fight at the arrest of Jesus. He had followed along and bravely entered into the courtyard at the trial of Jesus. But in doing that he had denied Jesus.

Now, because he had initially denied that he was a disciple of Jesus (John 18:17), Peter has to reiterate that denial more and more emphatically. He was already committed, invested, and if he were to change his answer, it would invite questions of “what are you trying to hide?” His denial seems to be the “path of least resistance”, even when things began to snowball, as he is faced with someone who saw him draw his sword in the garden (John 18:26).

Peter probably thought he needed to keep up the ruse in order that he might be in a position to do some good later. However, he was sadly, sinfully mistaken. This is what happens when we invest in iniquity. In a wicked way, sin is the most successful enterprise we can be involved in, because it always returns with a higher yield. It just keeps on growing.

The best way to avoid a snowball of sin is to keep a short account of it. If things have already snowballed, you will still have to confess and repent at some point. It will cost you; true repentance means you lose things, and often it means we have to lose some dignity, position, and trust, things that we will have to earn back from others, even if they have forgiven us.

There is mercy and grace to be found (Hebrews 4:14-16 / 1 John 1:5-10), but you have to confess. Even a snowball can be stopped, and for you, Christian, it must be stopped. Otherwise, you will roll all the way down to hell (Revelation 21:8).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 11

2011-11-11T00:41:00.001-05:00

Matthew 26:57-68 / Mark 14:53-65…

The truth about the truth…

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. There are actually two trials, in six total parts, that Jesus would face in the last hours of His life before the crucifixion. There was a church trial and a civil trial. Here Jesus is in the second part of the church trial. He had come from the former high priest, Annas, and now was before the current high priest, Caiaphas, and the other religious leaders.

Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death. Their minds were made up, and there was all sorts of injustice and malice going on here (Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 19:15-19). Yet even among the false witnesses and twisted testimonies about Jesus’ words, they had a hard time getting their stories straight. The high priest asks Jesus to answer the charges. But Jesus remained silent (Isaiah 53:7 / Acts 8:32-35 / 1 Peter 2:23). He didn’t need to defend Himself; the opposing reports were obvious lies.

Frustrated, Caiaphas directly questions Jesus under oath, asking Him to confess whether He had claimed to be the Christ, the Messiah. Did Jesus claim deity? Jesus answered, not to defend Himself, but to proclaim the truth. Jesus was perfectly clear, informing them with Scripture (Psalm 110:1 / Daniel 7:13-14). Not only does He claim to be the Christ, the long awaited Messiah prophesied about in the Old Testament, He tells them that they are not His judge, but that He is theirs. In other words, that He is God. They understood what Jesus was claiming, but this unscrupulous crowd accuses and attacks Jesus for telling the truth (Isaiah 50:6).

You know, Jesus had said that the truth would set us free (John 8:31-32), but here it didn’t happen. What gives? Well, you see, it all depends on what you mean by being set free. The truth is that His truth will set you free from the tyranny of the temporal. The fabrications of false witnesses and the slander of Satan’s minions can only go so far (Matthew 5:11, 10:28 / 1 Peter 2:19-20, 3:14-16, 4:14). As a Christian, the crimes committed against you are a testimony to the truth in you (John 15:18-19 / 1 John 3:13).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 10

2011-11-10T05:30:00.000-05:00

John 18:19-24…

Jesus and jurisprudence…

Annas asks Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine, seeking to compel Jesus to testify against Himself. Jesus rightly refused to respond to this questioning because this hearing is illegal. Under Jewish law, a man was presumed innocent until he was demonstrated to be guilty. The preliminary appearance was supposed to be where witnesses brought testimony. Annas had no right to ask Jesus anything until the evidence of witnesses had been taken. If the stories of the witnesses matched, then a charge would be brought. However, this whole process was not about truth, but about power. The establishment felt threatened.

Why do you ask me? Annas was fishing for incriminating information, and Jesus knew this was a mockery. One of the officers who stood by considered the response of Jesus to be insolent, and so he struck Him. Jesus points out this obvious injustice. This is what happens when a supposed inquiry doesn’t follow the rule of law. When legal rights do not exist, or are violated, “interrogation” becomes synonymous with physical abuse and torture. This is precisely what we see in the New Testament (cf. Acts 22:24, 29), and today.

Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. And the greatest “kangaroo court” in history rolled on. People talk about Christians being judgmental a lot, but ironically, it is the unbeliever who often has passed sentence ahead of time. Professing Christians will also be prejudicial towards you at times. Most often, devoid of any real knowledge of what they are speaking about. You should be ready to give an answer, but you don’t have to defend yourself, if your life speaks for itself (Colossians 4:5-6 / 1 Peter 3:15-16).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 9

2011-11-09T05:30:00.000-05:00

John 18:15-18…

Guilt by association…

This “other disciple” was probably John himself. His acquaintance with Annas got him into the courtyard, and he was able to convince the servant girl to let Peter into the courtyard also. But when questioned, Peter denies being a disciple of Jesus.

Let’s not dismiss Peter as altogether cowardly. Remember, he had begun to fight back in the garden when they came to arrest Jesus. Peter was in a very awkward and dangerous situation, once again surrounded by those same people. They knew John was a disciple of Jesus. The presence of another disciple there might arouse suspicions about an escape plot.

For most of us, it has been true that we have denied Jesus in far less dangerous circumstances. You aren’t supposed to be violent, but you aren’t supposed to be silent either. When others are maligning Him and His modern day disciples, do you deny Him by your silence? Do you hope no one asks the question of you?

Could a court convict you by the company you keep? It is easy to identify with Christ during church time. But outside of the comfort zone, do the friends of Jesus, the enemies of Jesus, and those who are supposedly non-committal about Jesus know which side you are on?

Jesus knows you will be persecuted for proclaiming the truth about Him, and He doesn’t want you to hide the truth about yourself.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 8

2011-11-08T05:30:00.003-05:00

John 18:12-14…

Behind the scenes…

Jesus was being taken before the religious rulers for a trial. In this mockery of due process, before He was to be examined by the current high priest Caiaphas, there was to be a preliminary examination by a former high priest, Annas, Caiaphas’ father in law.

Annas was no unbiased judge; he had the reason of revenge against Jesus. You see, it is most probably Annas who was the one that had established the money-changing traffic within the temple courts. Remember the tables which Jesus had disrupted? So it is clear that this is not going to be a just trial. This extra examination is all just for a show of due diligence.

In fact, Caiaphas had already determined that Jesus must die (John 11:49-50). The high priest was a very important man, the religious, political, and judicial leader of the nation. Ordinarily the priests came from the tribe of Levi, and the high priest came from the family of Aaron, who held the office for his lifetime. But under Roman rule the high priest was appointed whenever the Roman ruler saw fit.

Still, Annas had been in a place of power for a long time. He had succeeded in arranging for the appointment of each of his five sons as the high priest, followed by his son-in-law, Caiaphas. He may have been behind the scenes, but make no mistake, he was still very much in power, especially to the Jews (Luke 3:2 / Acts 4:6).

We know that as Christians we will face pain, persecution and pressure. We also know that there are secretive, spiritual forces scheming against us. But the most important truth is that we can still stand firm, because behind our scenes is the Lord (Ephesians 6:11-13).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 7

2011-11-07T08:03:00.003-05:00

Mark 14:51-52…

A mystery for now…

Why is this story included at all? There are many commentators who believe that this young man who fled was John Mark, the author of this gospel (Acts 12:12, 15, 13:5, 13, 15:37-39 / Colossians 4:10 / 2 Timothy 4:11 / Philemon 1:24). If so this was his way of letting us know he was there at the scene when Jesus was taken. Of course, we won’t know for sure who it was until we get to heaven.

In any event, there are no unknowns in the kingdom of God. You may not be noteworthy in the world system, or you may not be a “somebody” in the visible church realm, but if you are a Christian then you are somebody in God’s kingdom, a saint. Of course, our work is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), and we will all be rewarded in heaven.

In the grand drama of the ages, there are many roles to play, and all Christians are a part of the unfolding mystery of God’s redemptive story. We may not understand why we have to go through this or that ordeal, or how this or that experience was a help to someone else. Of course, we will understand all of this and everything else when we get to heaven.

Some things may be a mystery for now, but they won’t be forever.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 6

2011-11-06T05:30:00.000-05:00

Matthew 26:55-56 / Mark 14:48-50 / Luke 22:52-53…

Thy will be done…

At that hour Jesus said to the crowds… After setting Peter straight, Jesus then addresses the crowd that has come to take Him captive. He calls them out for being cowards. He is no social or political revolutionary. He is no criminal. He is not leading some military insurrection.

But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Jesus then explains exactly why they are acting the way they are; it is according to His predictions, in order to fulfill the Scriptures. They are all instruments in the hands of God. Jesus wasn’t being taken against His will; He was embracing His Father’s will.

Then all the disciples left him and fled. This was also just as Jesus had said it would be. Jesus had to face the cross alone. There is no other mediator. The apostles, the martyrs, Mary, the saints, a priest, or your pastor, these cannot save you; only Jesus can (1 Timothy 2:5).

Beyond the fact that we must not ultimately place our faith in someone else, the actions of the disciples also teach us that we must count on Christ and not place our trust in ourselves. Thank God that He remains faithful to us despite our lapses (2 Timothy 2:13).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 5

2011-11-05T10:55:00.001-04:00

Matthew 26:51-54 / Mark 14:47 / Luke 22:50-51 / John 18:10-11…

Not so fast…

Jesus had told the disciples that things were going to get tough, and that they must prepare for rejection (Luke 22:35-38). But although Jesus mentioned carrying a sword, He was not advocating violence. He was simply saying that instead of expecting popularity, they would experience persecution. Still, Peter misapplied this truth to this situation, and probably felt like he was doing the most right thing at the moment.

We often do the same thing. We think we have good intentions, but they lead to bad actions. We have truth, but we lack trust. We have liberty, but we use it as license to protect our own self-interests, even in the name of ministry to others.

We may desire to do what seems right in the moment, but it is not as right an action as we think it to be. We make hasty decisions, not having patience and trust in the sovereignty of God. Peter knew that Jesus was God, but his flesh was “rash to do good”. We must be on guard today against such a presumption, especially when we, or someone we know, is persecuted. It is our pride that tells us “how dare they!”

It can be easier to deal with tribulation for ourselves, but when loved ones are involved, we feel a strong urge to intervene, sometimes when we shouldn’t. In such cases we must still cling to our Lord. Consider this; that when Job had lost his children already, this is when he said “though He slay me yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15), and so he is also saying “though He slay someone I love, yet will I trust Him”.

Just because we are doing God’s business does not necessarily give us the right to attack. Indeed, we must remember that the wicked are caught in their own trap (Esther 9:25 / Psalm 7:15-16, 9:15-16). Defend the gospel, not yourself, and the glory of God will rest upon you (1 Peter 4:14). Instead of giving place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27), we need to give place to God (Romans 12:19 / Hebrews 10:30).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 4

2011-11-04T09:17:00.000-04:00

John 18:4-9…

More than they were looking for…

Jesus was not a helpless victim, knowing all that would happen to him. The religious leaders expected trouble when they came to arrest Jesus. This is why Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. But Jesus did not flee from them or put up a fight. Instead, He boldly approached them.

Imagine the amazement of the disciples when they saw Judas, supposedly one of their own, arrive as the head of the mob sent to arrest Jesus. It would seem as if everything was out of control, or that the mob was in control. But indeed, Jesus was still in control…they drew back and fell to the ground. They were looking for Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus lets them know that He is the man, but that this man is also God.

Jesus was doing exactly as He promised, bringing about future events, and taking care of His disciples every step of the way (John 17:12). Even in the midst of chaos, confusion, and corruption, He was in control. His plan was being executed by all sides, perfectly.

How often is it that we go about our days knowing about Jesus, but we see Him as some far off, ineffable idea rather than the very much alive, all present and all powerful Almighty that He actually is? It is quite a reminder when, sometimes, as our greatest threats draw upon us, Jesus unveils Himself just a little, and lets us all know who the boss of all this really is (Psalm 46:1).

It may seem as if your situations have Jesus all bottled up, but just one word is all you need. Unleash His power and presence into your life; behold the great “I AM” in His Word.

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 3

2011-11-03T05:42:00.000-04:00

Matthew 26:47-50 / Mark 14:43-46 / Luke 22:47-49 / John 18:2-3…

The kiss of death…

It is amazing to watch the calm of our Lord as He is betrayed and seized. Usually, if we know someone is out to get us, we will fight back or flee. But here, Jesus tells Judas to go ahead and do what he came to do. To know that someone is out to get you and yet to allow it to happen seems unthinkable to the natural mind. Crises have a way of revealing our character, and here the character of Jesus shines through the darkness, more than any of the torches and lights that the mob was bearing.

Jesus was spiritually prepared. He was calm because He knew God’s Word and He was counting on God’s providence. He was not thinking that He would be spared from the suffering, but that righteousness would prevail in the end. This was not about the protecting of His life, but the power of His resurrection. Jesus knew His role in the gospel required His death.

Christians are the friends of God and the enemies of evil. Because of that, there are many who would be instruments against us. Some people seem like they are sent directly from the devil as a personal minister of malice. Yet, while they may cause us great distress, the “kiss of death” cannot stop the gift of eternal life.

There may be times when we will be betrayed by those close to us. When Judas comes for us, we do well to consider the dignity of Jesus considering the indignity of the event. We do not have to be happy about things to be holy about them (1 Peter 4:19).

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 2

2011-11-02T10:02:00.000-04:00

Matthew 26:36-46 / Mark 14:32-42 / Luke 22:40-46 …

Into the silence…

Imagine the scene that night in Gethsemane. Eight of the disciples were near the entrance to the garden, but they were unaware of what was unfolding. The Master and the temptation, the prayer, the great drops of blood from our Savior’s brow, these were evidence of the most extreme spiritual crisis of all time taking place. In the silence the battle of the ages raged on.

The inner circle of Peter, James, and John had been taken further into the silence by our Lord. They were witness to the troubled, distressed spirit of the One whom they had known as the Prince of Peace. Suddenly they also knew Him as the Man of Sorrows. Jesus told them to watch and pray, knowing that they, too, were about to enter their greatest hour of temptation.

Jesus had told His disciples to pray, and it didn’t seem like there was much activity, but the silence of the night betrayed the violence of the fight. The human crowds were gone, but the hosts of heaven looked on as the sinless Son of God faced His greatest hour of need. In the silence of that night the greatest spiritual battle of all time took place.

The road to the Cross leads through Gethsemane. It may seem as if there is no action going on in your life, within your family, at your church, but indeed, it is in these moments that all hell is lining up against you to try and take you down. Sometimes we are in the silence, without a clue or a care. Often we are caught and taken off guard even though we have been warned and exhorted to watch and pray (1 Peter 4:7).

Are we following the crowds as they turn away to where the fun is when Christ makes us uncomfortable? Are we revolting against what Christ wants to do in our lives, drawing near to Him, but with our own agenda? Are we settled outside the gate, having left from following Christ because we have not actually come in to the inner circle? Are we devout followers of Jesus, only to be sleeping in the most critical hour?

In the silence, when it seems that all is quiet, right before the drama intensifies, when the great spiritual battles take place, where will you be?

Daily Gospel Devotional: November 1

2011-11-01T05:30:00.002-04:00

Matthew 26:31-35 / Mark 14:27-31...

Because of me…

Jesus tells the disciples that something was about to happen in partial fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture (Zechariah 13:7). He was the shepherd about to be struck, and they are the sheep about to be scattered. But while they would be temporarily scattered, Jesus also affirmed that they would not be scattered for long. He would return to lead His sheep.

Still, the disciples didn’t understand; they all boasted of their devotion, especially Peter. Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away….And all the disciples said the same. How often are we like this, where we deny the very words of Christ in our spiritual bravado? Oh no, not us, we will never fail, never fall, we won’t sin, we’ll always win. This is because when we hear Jesus say, “Because of me” we think it is about us, but it is about Him.

The truth is that we cannot trust in the power of our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9 / 1 Corinthians 10:12). We think of Jesus telling Peter that he would indeed deny Him three times later that night, and he did. But think about this. Peter denied Jesus two times right there in that same conversation! Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you! Here he is defiantly denying that he will deny, yet failing to realize that this was a denial right there in itself. He was telling Jesus that He was wrong, about this application of the scriptures, and about Peter himself!

You’d think we would all learn a little quicker, and a little less ironically at times. But that’s just the point, isn’t it? Still, even our failures do not thwart God’s purposes. We remain responsible, but He remains in control. It is a comfort to know that the Lord can use those who have failed Him. It should give you confidence, not in the power of your will, but the power of His will.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 31

2011-10-31T07:14:00.000-04:00

Matthew 26:30 / Mark 14:26 / Luke 22:39 / John 18:1…

Entering into destiny…

They had eaten the Passover. Jesus had finished His priestly prayer to the Father. They sang a song. Now it was time to go to the place of betrayal, and abandonment. This was the next necessary step on the way of destiny set for Jesus by the Father. It was not to be avoided, but to be embraced, even though it was the most difficult step Jesus had yet taken in His earthly life.

There is a certain pressure that will come upon a person as they begin to draw closer to Christ. This is what the Apostle Paul was speaking of in his yearning for an increasingly intimate, experiential knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:10). To enter into resurrection power means walking into the fellowship of His sufferings. The life that Jesus wants for us is on the other side of our most difficult steps (1 Peter 4:13-14). This is the path we must pursue if we are to know His passion in our personal experience.

Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17, 25) means that we will be led to places of pain that prove the overcoming power of the Spirit within us (Romans 8:14-17). We are tempted to step back, as we discover that we are going to the garden, where we will be left alone, to face trials to suffer and temptations to struggle. Yet we must go to the garden, in order to get to the cross, if we are ever going to practically live in resurrection power (1 Peter 4:1-2).

To walk away is to turn back from our destiny.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 30

2011-10-30T05:30:00.000-04:00

Luke 22:35-38…

The cross and the crown…

To understand these words of Jesus we need to look at the passage Jesus cited as the basis for His words (Isaiah 53:12). The hope of the disciples was based upon their understanding of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, whom they knew Jesus was. But they didn’t as yet understand all the prophecies that pointed to Messiah, like Isaiah 53. This text was not recognized as messianic until later, because the people didn’t expect the Messiah as a suffering servant, only as a triumphant king. Men would reject Jesus because He would not conform to their expectations about the Messiah.

What the disciples did not understand was that the glorious kingdom of righteousness was to be brought about by a “king” who was rejected as a sinner, a criminal. The cross was God’s means of gaining the crown. All of this was revealed through this prophecy of Isaiah. Yet the disciples failed to grasp it, because they were looking at matters through the eyes of their own ambition.

If Jesus was to be rejected, this also meant that His disciples would be. Jesus wanted to focus the disciples’ attention on the change which was occurring in the minds of the people toward the Messiah. When the disciples first went out witnessing, they were popular, but now they would be despised. The people would not like what they see, even as Isaiah predicted. Jesus was not advocating violence. He was simply saying that instead of expecting popularity, they would experience persecution. They must prepare for rejection.

So must we. Our labor is not in vain, but it is always the cross before the crown.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 29

2011-10-29T05:30:00.000-04:00

John 17:20-26…

Jesus and the next disciples…

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word…The disciples had been prayed for, and they would fulfill their mission, to spread the Word through their witness, and to write the Word in the New Testament.

Jesus also prayed for all of us down through the ages that would believe and be involved in spreading the Word to the glory of God. The unity, glory, witness and love that is in the Trinity, and had enveloped the disciples, is also part of our destiny (1 Corinthians 6:17). Our spiritual position is settled (Ephesians 2:4-7), even while our earthly condition may be unsettling.

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Just like the first disciples, we have been given the glory of servanthood and of sacrificial service. It may not seem glorious at times, but one day we will know just how privileged we were. There is a glory, a deeper fellowship to be had through our suffering (1 Peter 1:3-9, 4:1-4, 12-19). One day we will see Jesus in all His glory.

So that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. This power is meant to be a powerful witness to unbelievers. This prayer has been answered, whether we realize it or not. Christians are one (Romans 12:4-5 / Ephesians 4:1-6).

I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. There are three dynamics of God’s love we are brought into; the love of God toward us, the love for God from us (and to others), and the love of God within Himself (to each person of the Godhead). The depths of this can only be discovered in eternity.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 28

2011-10-28T05:30:00.000-04:00

John 17:6-19…

Jesus and the first disciples…

During His time on earth, Jesus made the Father’s name great and His Word clear to the original disciples. These men were chosen by the Father, and given to Jesus. They had glorified Jesus, understanding that He was from the Father, and they accepted His teaching.

Jesus had prayed for the Father to be glorified by His death, and now He prays for the disciples. He is not praying for the whole world, but for those that the Father had given Him. These men had been unified with God. Jesus had equipped them for their mission.

Jesus prays that the Father might protect His disciples from “the evil one”. While the world will hate the disciples and oppose them, the source behind this resistance is Satan. He seeks to undermine the faith of believers and to defeat their witness to the world. He desires to rob believers of their unity and their joy. Jesus prays that they may fulfill their mission in the face of opposition. The mission is to spread the Word to the glory of God.

The grounds of Jesus’ prayer are rooted in the eternal purposes of God. Jesus consecrated Himself for this purpose: that we might be set apart for God’s truth. It is by receiving and abiding in His Word that we realize our unity and are filled with joy. The Word is what sets us apart for the power of truth. It was so for the first disciples, and it is so for us.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 27

2011-10-27T00:42:00.001-04:00

John 17:1-5…

Jesus prays…

Jesus begins this greatest prayer, the “High Priestly” prayer, by praying for glory. He desires that the Father would be glorified, and so He asks to be glorified that He might glorify the Father in return. Jesus is God, yet He submits to His role, in submission to the Father. He wanted to do what His Father wanted to do (John 5:17-19).

He had glorified God with His life, and now wants to glorify Him with His death. Jesus speaks of the eternal glory He already had with the Father, but He looks for that glory to be manifested in a place where none other would do so, the cross.

Look at these verses and realize that submission is not a loss of freedom, purpose, identity, or joy; it is where we find them. Jesus already knew that this prayer would be answered. He already knew the outcome, and still, He prayed. This is not a frivolous show, it is evidence that prayer is not about results as much as it is about relationship. If Jesus says that eternal life is to know God, then He is teaching us that this life is to be bathed in prayer.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, through prayer, God invites us into the wonderful freedom, purpose, identity, and joy that are inherent and present within the Trinity itself.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 26

2011-10-26T05:30:00.002-04:00

John 16:29-33…

Overcome…

Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? The disciples, who had seemed overwhelmed, now seem overconfident. Jesus informs them that they aren’t as valiant as they think (cf. Zechariah 13:7). They do have faith, but Jesus is looking to guide them into a faith that is less about how they will perform under pressure, and more about how He will even when they don’t.

They would grow in grace, of course. And we are often just like they were. We read that Christ has overcome the world, and we think it is just an example that we should follow with a stronger resolve so that we will overcome too. But our focus should not be on ourselves and problems that we need to overcome. Our focus must be on God and His victorious accomplishments. Many still think they’re heroes, but Jesus is the champion, not you.

The truth is that there will be times in your life when it seems like everyone has let you down. You will be “down and out” and feel all alone. And you’ll know that you can’t even count on yourself. But Jesus has overcome all, including you. This is part of what rejoicing in the Lord is all about. We may at times be overwhelmed, but we are to have faith, not in our ability to overcome but in the fact that He has overcome for us (1 John 5:4).

It is not so much that He gives us the power to overcome as it is that He gives us the faith to understand that He has overcome. We overcome by having faith in Him (Romans 8:35-39 / 2 Corinthians 2:14, 4:7-18 / Galatians 2:20). This is not in the first place about our practice but about our position. Yes, we learn to overcome things in this life. But we can focus on our works, or we can focus on God’s works. Think about it. The reason that we can experience peace in this world is because Jesus has already overcome the world.

Daily Gospel Devotional: October 25

2011-10-25T05:30:00.001-04:00

John 16:23-28…

In the name of prayer…

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Troubling times call for prayer. Jesus is explaining that when He has left them, they will have access to the Father directly, by praying “in Jesus’ name”. We are to pray to the Father in the name of the Son (Colossians 3:17 / Hebrews 4:14-16).

Praying “in Jesus’ name” is not some meaningless insertion we tack on the end of our prayers to make them spiritually correct. It is also not some magical incantation that makes our prayers have power. It is representative of our being under His authority. We must pray consistent with His character and His will, which is what “in His name” means. When you pray according to His will, you will receive (1 John 5:14-15).

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. It is a stunning revelation for many to know that His will is for us to be filled with joy. Many things can seem to hide our joy, but Jesus told us that no one can steal it (John 16:22). Indeed, we have something that money can’t buy, poverty can’t lose, and no one can steal. Praying for, receiving, rediscovering, and reveling in the joy of our salvation is wholly consistent with Scripture (Psalm 51:12 / Isaiah 61:10 / Micah 7:7 / Habakkuk 3:17-18 / Luke 1:47 / Romans 5:2-11 / 1 Peter 1:8).

Pray for God to put the big picture of eternity on the front burner of your mind and heart. This is living for today by having an eye for tomorrow. It is about understanding that all Jesus is and all He has done makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God and to be recipients of His love, forever, and for right now.