​gettheWordout
17 September 2020
John 8:36 NLT Free vs. Not Free
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

A companion passage to this verse is 2 Corinthians 3:14-18
But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Only Jesus removes the “veil” that covers up our understanding. The moment we believe in him we have eyes to really see and ears to really hear and minds to really understand spiritual things. And that is where freedom is. We have another option besides our sinful nature. 

Free people choose to deny their sinful nature and get to be more and more like Jesus every day simply by believing in him and continuing to believe.

People who don’t believe aren’t free, for they only have one option – follow their sinful nature and finite amount of human understanding. One option is like living life with one food, one store, and only one pair of underwear = not free.

Dear God,
Thank you for the option to believe in your Son, Jesus and the freedom that accompanies this life. I appreciate knowing real right from real wrong and receiving power from your Holy Spirit to be more like Jesus every day. Thank you for all the infinite good things available to me and for making me free in every way. I love you and this good plan of yours and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
14 September 2020
John 8:10-11 NLT Simple and Kind
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

It is very hard for our human understanding to wrap our brains around what Jesus has done for us. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

We want to see judgment and condemnation for the people who deserve it. That what’s fair. But what is actually fair is that God knows how weak we are and doesn’t demand that we be punished like we deserve. No one would punish a toddler for not being able to walk across the floor without falling down. We are the toddlers. 

Jesus has already taken our punishment for us. We may live with consequences of our actions, but he doesn’t condemn us. He invites us to simply Go and sin no more. That’s pleasant. That makes me want to be like him. When I read about Jesus interactions with sinners, it makes me want to follow him and please him and be like him. It doesn’t make me feel like, “Whew, dodged a bullet; I’ll have to cover my tracks better next time.” Kindness, not judgment, really does lead to repentance just as the scriptures say! 

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth... For he knows how weak we are. Psalm 103:8-11 & 14

When Believers are feeling guilty, condemned, or just plain bad, it isn’t God judging us. Remember forever that Jesus simply invites me to be with him and Go and sin no more.

Dear Lord Jesus,
These are kind words, loving words and life-giving words. Thank you that they are for me too. Thank you for your invitation to follow you and that you never get tired of inviting me or withdraw your invitation. Your compassion is great. I am so thankful for the things that are behind me and the things you will still show me to have a heart like yours. I love you and thank you for saving me and showing me and I pray in your name, amen.

​gettheWordout
8 September 2020
Excuses Excuses
John 5:14 NLT
But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”

There is one key ingredient missing from the interaction between Jesus and the paralyzed man at the pool...

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (See John 5:1-15)

Did you notice anything missing in this exchange? Jesus usually asks people what they want him to do, and then they tell him the obvious. This time Jesus states the obvious: Would you like to get well? Followed up is something else we haven’t encountered – a list of excuses in place of a dare to hope. 

Jesus knows what this guy needs; the guy does not. This guy did not put his hope in Jesus at all. Instead, he makes excuses and tells Jesus why he isn’t healed. Jesus doesn’t let him complain for long and orders the man to stand up, and instantly the man does.

Furthermore, have we ever seen Jesus warn someone like this after he’s healed them? Jesus often gives instructions to those he’s healed but never such a dire warning as this guy gets. Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you. This guy got healed without the key ingredient – faith. He has to be told to stop sinning; his heart hasn’t changed, his faith is not in Jesus, and is still the self-professed victim of circumstance he was before he was healed. His encounter with Jesus was not one of faith, and he is still in danger of judgment.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is the key ingredient the man with the mat was missing. We can choose to keep believing in and clinging to our entitled excuses OR we can believe in God’s remedy for sin through faith in his Son, Jesus.

Dear God,
Thank you for including this warning about excuses in scripture. Excuses don’t change hearts, your forgiveness does. Thank you for the forgiveness and restoration available through Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.

​gettheWordout 
2 September 2020 It’s Free to Get Free
John 3:18 NLT 
There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

Jesus came to make our hearts good again.

It’s a fabulous thought to think about that once upon a time, mankind had self-control. But  then one day they didn’t. Mankind may have only been 2 people back then, but the reality is that no one has what they used to have until Jesus.

Everyone chooses their own way because God allows everyone to have free will. Life is spent experimenting and guessing if we are being good or not unless we use our free will to believe in Jesus. Only by believing in Jesus is a heart made good again, otherwise we remain in the judgement category. (See Romans 3:21-24) 

It makes no sense; it’s contrary to human understanding to not try and do something or make amends or pay a penalty. It makes sense to God, though because it’s the kind way, and he is kind. Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  (Romans 2:4) 

It’s the simple way, because he knows we are weak. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 8:3) 

It’s the best way because his ways are better than ours. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
(Psalm 18:30)

It is free to get free! Isn’t that crazy? We aren’t judged for our sins by simply believing in Jesus. And he brings to our lives all that was available to our ancestors in the Garden... But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  (Galatians 5:22-23)

No law. No judgment. Right standing with God for those who use their free will to let Jesus make their heart good again.

Dear God,
May I preach the Gospel to myself everyday like this so that the joy of your salvation will never fade in my heart. You are kind and your ways are great and you know I am weak, and you have worked this out for me. Thank you so much. I love you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
1 September 2020 Human Nature
John 2:23-25 NLT
Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. 25 No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.

Did I read that right? Many trust in Jesus, but Jesus is suspicious of their sincerity?  Wow. 

It’s true that a good turn out doesn’t mean anything. People flocking to a phenomenon isn’t equal to mass conversions. We see this all the time  when we look at the football field flooded with people at the end of the night at a crusade. If THAT many people were making sincere declarations of faith, the cities would be ridiculously impacted. This doesn’t mean we should stop having crusades or big churches or Christian concerts; we cast our net wide to catch a few fish sometimes, aye?

Jesus explains about human nature when he explains one of his parables:
1. There are people in a crowd who hear the message, but they let the enemy prevent them from believing and being saved. (Luke 8:12)
2. There are people in the crowd who believe, but don’t have deep roots, so they believe for a little while then fall away when they face temptation. (Luke 8:13)
3. There are people who hear the message but they think about their problems, riches, and pleasures more. (Luke 8:14)
4. Lastly, there’s a few in the crowd who hear the Word and cling to it regardless of the Enemy, temptation, problems or desires. (Luke 8:15)

Jesus knows human nature. That means he knows that all the people in the crowd do not identify with this last group of people from the parable of the soils. So how do we identify with that group, then; is it luck?

Paul says that the people in the last group of soils do this:
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith... 7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction... Do the right thing... 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth... 9 We pray that you will become more mature. (2 Corinthians 13:5-9)

1. Examine what I do – compare my thoughts and actions to what Jesus teaches.
2. Trust in God’s Word over my ideas.
3. Accept correction when necessary; don’t double down & make excuses.
4. Do the right thing.
5. Never oppose the truth in the Word of God.

This is they way to maturity. This is not automatic human nature. This kind of relationship is available to everyone who lets Jesus take over their lives; it is not available to the casual converts exiting the stadium.

Dear God,
Thank you for helping your seed fall in fertile soil. Thank you for reminding me to examine what I think and do so that I will be more like your Son, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

​gettheWord out
31 August 2020 I Smell Life
Luke 24:32 NLT
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

Yesterday at church, Rob was teaching from Luke 23 about Jesus and the two criminals being crucified. It is interesting how at a time when it would be excruciating to speak as you slowly die of asphyxiation, one man used his painful last breaths to join in with the others mocking Jesus. The other criminal used his painful last breaths to get forgiveness. Both men heard, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (v.34) But their responses were completely different. Jesus dies first, so the mocker died in misery and hopelessness, but the other criminal died in misery while clinging on to hope that he would wake up and see Jesus, just like Jesus promised. I’d rather die with hope like the second guy.

Three days later, two men are walking with a stranger on the road to Emmaus. They marvel at the conversation and even ask the stranger to stay with them and eat. And when they realized it was Jesus who had been walking and talking with them all day, he was already gone. But they also realized they should’ve known! They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

When Jesus speaks, he invites. Our hearts “burn” within us one way or the other. When we read the Word and all that he teaches, we are invited into it, or repulsed by it. Two men on crosses heard about forgiveness at the very end of their lives, but their reaction to the exact same words were not the same at all. Here's why...

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

I smell life. 

By the way, how kind of Jesus not to leave anyone out,; even two hard core crucifixion deserving criminals hear about forgiveness of sins! 

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your work on the cross that is an invitation for us all, everyone of us – even the mockers have an opportunity to grab hold of your great and precious promises. Thank you that I won’t ever suffer or die in hopelessness, but that I always carry around the hope of your promises, and thank you that your words smell like life to me! I pray for my unbelieving friends to smell life before it’s too late for them. Thank you for this great, good news for everyone, and I pray in your name, amen.

​gettheWordout
28 August 2020 Like HE Said
Luke 22:13 NLT
They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.

I’m so thankful that trusting Jesus always leads to finding everything just as he said. His promises are so amazing, and to find out for myself they are trustworthy and true grows my faith more and more. Like David wrote many times... No one is ever ashamed for putting their trust in him.

Here’s a few reminders of his promises...
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  2 Corinthians 4:8

For when I am weak, he makes me  strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 
2 Thess. 3:3

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I have come to give you a rich, full life. John 10:10

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
​2 Peter 1:3-4

I do not need a magic genie, I do not need a time machine, I do not need good luck or a winning lottery ticket – just our gracious Promise Keeper, Jesus.

Lord Jesus, 
I love mornings where you just invite me to calm down and remember I am completely complete in every way with YOU. Amen!

​gettheWordout
26 August 2020 Light Received Brings More Light
Luke 19:26 NLT
...To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

“Light received brings more light; light refused brings the night.” (Pate)

In the story Jesus tells in Luke 19, all 10 servants are given the same amount of money. This represents the fact that the same Gospel message is given to ALL, but not everyone is going to do the same thing with it. And Jesus explains in John 3 why that is.

God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

But for those who accept salvation, we find that God’s generosity doesn’t stop there. We are given more...
James 1:5 He gives wisdom generously without making fun of us for asking.
James 4:6 He gives grace generously.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 He makes love in our hearts overflow.
John 10:10 He gives us a rich, full life!

For those who love the darkness more, do not be surprised... Your love does not increase, you do not have real wisdom or even any common sense, you have no concept of grace only grudges, and your lives are very small – and even that will be taken away just as Jesus said...

Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ (Luke 19:26-27)

Dear God,
Thank you for real life through Jesus and for adding to that a rich, full life because you are loving, kind and generous. Thank you for the Good News that is life saving and life giving. I pray today for my unsaved friends who love the darkness more. May your Holy Spirit urge them to come see all that you offer. I love you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
24 August 2020
Luke 18:41 NLT What do I Want
Jesus asks a blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

This is a funny question to ask a blind man. What else would he have asked for? Makes me think of me. God sees my greatest need, yet what have I asked him for?

My requests usually involve my personal mental, emotional and physical comfort, but God knows my real need is to have a heart like Jesus regardless of my circumstances. Do I ever ask for that? 

Revelation 3:20 says that Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.  I see him, I hear him & I’m invited by him, but it’s up to me to climb down the tree, like Zacchaeus did, call out to him like this blind man did, and open the door. Yesterday at church Rob asked which is more exciting – opening the door for time with Jesus or opening the door for an Amazon box? It’s funny because my priorities are often focused on temporary comfort and excitement of the box.

James 4:1 describes my natural and regular motives...
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have... You are jealous of what others have... Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you ask... your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. 

That’s why Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Clearly, regular me wants a magic genie not a Savior. What I want him to do isn’t what he came to do for us. 

Thankfully, he knows what I really need; he came to give me a new heart, a heart that isn’t lead my evil desires, jealousy or wishful thoughts. Jesus has saved me, and that doesn't mean that now it’s time to focus on what a person’s heart is focused on before he saves. My greatest need is to have a heart shaped like Jesus’ heart. And that will always my greatest need.

What do I really want Jesus to do for me?
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Dear God,
You are kind. You know what I needed before I did and generously offer it through your Son and through your Holy Spirit. Thank you that I do not have to be guided by my natural concerns. Thank you for helping me have a heart like your Son’s in whose name I pray, amen.

PS My take on the conclusion of the Blind Man’s story...  Jesus told him his faith has healed him. That means the man believed in Jesus before he restored his sight. That means that man didn’t just want his vision back; he specifically wanted to lay eyes on the One who saves. Jesus is the one thing to him that’s really worth seeing!

gettheWordout
21 August 2020
Luke 18:14 NLT Praying Much
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Everyone knows this story of the two men praying. One man was brag praying and the other man was sincerely sincere. Here’s the thing: I don’t need to make myself look good to God because he knows the real me. A prayer like the first man’s prayer is to impress others; it certainly isn’t to impress God.

Here’s what Jesus says about prayers:
1. Pray real prayers in the closet. 
Prayer time is not for boasting so others can hear (either way – boasting about your righteousness or even your awfulness – both are a means of getting attention, and that is not what prayer is for). But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) 

2. My prayers are not new. And 3. My prayers don’t need to be impressive.
God not only knows what I’m really like, he also already knows my real needs.
When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:7-8)

4. Corporate prayer is the solution for everything.
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 1 Timothy 2:8

5. Personal prayer is an ongoing activity not a special occasion.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4:2 & Ephesians 6:18 & 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

6. Prayer and perseverance are linked. (Luke 18:1)
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 

Dear God,
Thank you for this incredible system of communication you made that not only provides answers and direction and provision but also things my heart really needs like peace, comfort and joy. You are good to do things this way for us. Help me pray all day about everything, not because you don’t know but because it is your way to let me know you are here with me. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, according to your good will. Amen. ​