People Mistakenly Think
Isaiah 53:1-4
He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

This passage is timely for Believers not only because Easter is right around the corner but also because of our current global situation. Clearly, the world misunderstood Jesus' purpose at the time of his death. He wasn't receiving a punishment from God, and every modern Believer knows this. But back then the "God fearing" Jews were very mistaken. Actually, Jesus truly was carrying OUR sins to the cross, not his like they thought.

People who say the current pandemic is a punishment from God, God's way of getting our attention, or that it's his judgment on us are just as mistaken about Jesus' purpose as people were back then. John 3:17 clearly states that Jesus didn't come to judge us but to SAVE us.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 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. And the judgment is based on this fact: 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.  But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. (John 3:17-21)

If God's not judging us, then what is really going on?
​We have an active Enemy who loves death and destruction. Jesus warned us about this when he said we would have "many troubles" during our lifetime (John 16:33). But Jesus' solution isn't what we expect. He prayed, I’m not asking you (heavenly Father) to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one (John 17:15). Why would he pray this if the bad things that happen were supposed to be little judgments to keep us in line and teach us a lesson? He wouldn't. 

Jesus' purpose is to give us a rich, full life for our souls (See John 10:10).  Jesus is the RESCUE not the source of all the bad stuff that goes on. God sent his Son to rescue us not condemn, for the whole world already is condemned for not believing in Jesus. So he gives everyone an opportunity to be UN-condemned by believing in Jesus. And we are invited to believe in Jesus before, after and even during pandemics. 

I hope Believers will not be mistaken or mistakenly spread misinformation. Just as sure as the crucifixion of Christ was NOT a punishment for him, COVID19 is not God's judgment on us all. All circumstances (good and bad) are simply invitations for us turn our hearts to the one who has overcome the world!

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Dear God,
You being in control doesn't mean you're spreading out illness, it means that anything awful that happens can't interfere with your presence, protection, provision and peace. You have made us right with you through your Son and no one and nothing can take that away. This virus is a huge reminder that life is short and temporary and thankfully in no way disrupts your eternal plan for all who love and trust you. Thank you! I love you and I pray in Jesus' name, according to your good will. Amen.

22 October 2019
Never Ending Generosity
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

When Rob was teaching on Sunday, he reminded us that when Jesus fed 5,000 people, there were 12 baskets of food leftover. (See Matthew 14:20-21) This is no random number of baskets full of food. There are 12 disciples & 12 baskets of leftovers. One for each of them. They had worried about food earlier – the place was remote & there were thousands of people with nothing to eat. Jesus told his disciples, “You feed them.” (See v.16) But their resources were small. They only came up with a couple of fish and some bread between them. They were worried what they had wouldn’t even be enough for just them. But when they gave what they did have to Jesus, they had way more than what they started with!

This is such an obvious spiritual illustration, but it’s also a practical one. God never means for me just to exist. His portions are always extremely generous!

James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
John 4:14
But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.
John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Proverbs 3:10
Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
Psalm 23:5
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.
Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

By the way, those 12 baskets probably get really soggy during the storm that follows on their boat ride back, but that is because we do not need to hoard. God never runs out of his generosity!
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Dear God,
Thank you for you generosity in every single area of my life that is good and pleasing and truly new every day. I love you and thank you in Jesus’ name, amen.

4 October 2019
Circle of Life (A rich, full life!)
Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

I believe everything I believe about God to be true. If he says that he will provide everything I need, then he will! His promises are for everyone, so I believe this is also true for everyone.

What about poor & hungry people? Well, what/who are they putting their faith in? No? They’re too busy being poor and hungry, right! Not coincidentally, Matthew chapter 6 begins with this title: “Teaching About Giving to the Needy.”  Makes sense. Personally pursuing the things of God is actually good and beneficial for everyone!

What does seeking “the kingdom” even look like? It has to extend beyond coffee with Jesus in the morning, daily devotions & podcast listening. Those things fill my heart bucket, but “seeking the kingdom” must be something I can do all day.

When I’m doing dishes, ask God what’s next on the agenda (See Galatians 5:16). When I’m at work, work like Jesus is my boss (Colossians 3:23). When I’m interacting with a person and losing my patience, ask God for some. When I need joy or self-control (See Galatians 5:22-23), or when I need wisdom (James 1:5), ask, ask, ask. Whatever life is like in God’s Kingdom, I can pursue right now, all day, everyday in my heart, words & deeds, and no one can stop me. God promises that I am free to pursue life like this because he will meet my needs that pop up.

There is a correlation between what I seek & what I get. This is true for the rich and the poor. A rich person can’t dismiss the promises of God because poor people exist. A rich person can help a poor person; in doing so God is glorified because the poor person got a glimpse and now is free to seek God with all their hearts too. Circle of Life – Circle of a rich, full life!

Jesus has made his purpose clear & the needy people need to hear it from us:
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
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Dear God,
I believe all your promises are true. I want to believe that even if I have nothing, you would still meet my needs everyday because your Word tells me you will when I simply stay with you. You feed, you sustain, you make well in every way, and I am so thankful. Give me wisdom and opportunity to help those who need help today. I love you and thank you, for your ways are good, economical, right, satisfying, nice, and very helpful, and I pray & thank you in Jesus’ name, amen.

​2 October 2019
Prayer & Faith
Luke 18:40-42 NLT
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” 42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” 43 Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
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Why does Jesus ask a blind man what he wants; isn’t it obvious? Why do we pray when our Heavenly Father already knows our needs? (Matthew 6:8)

Of course Jesus knows our needs. Of course he knew what the blind man needed and wanted. But when we ask him we are openly declaring what we believe HE can do, and we are openly admitting what we cannot do for ourselves. If we expect God to just read our minds, which he absolutely can do, when would we ever declare his goodness and our great needs to ourselves or anyone?

Jesus told the blind man, “Your faith has healed you.” (v.42) We express our faith every time we pray. We pray believing, hoping, expecting, and knowing that God will move on our behalf. We absolutely exercise our faith when we simply tell God what we need. Asking reminds me of my need for him. Presuming isn’t prayer, and it isn’t humbling, and it leads to casualness and  misdirected feelings that Jesus is my peer or my genie in bottle. He’s my Rescuer not my butler.

I pray so that I will put my faith where it belongs – in Jesus. 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 NLT)
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Dear God,
Thank you for listening to all of my prayers, even the immature ones. Thank you for meeting all of my needs, big or small. Thank you for your constant faithfulness that has never made me feel shame or regret for putting my hope in you. Thank you that you tell me to come to you and then you always show up. I love you and appreciate you so much and I thank you in Jesus’ name, amen.

1 October 2019
Ball’s in Our Court
Mark 1:41-42 NLT
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.
          
This passage is an exchange between a poor, sickly outcast who comes to Jesus for a miracle. He’s heard about Jesus and is hopeful, but at the same time he’s also used to rejection because of his circumstances. So he asks Jesus if he’s be willing to heal him. No surprise; Jesus is willing, and Jesus does.

Jesus is the one who is willing. Always. In fact, he gives us this amazing promise: You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (John 14:13-14 NLT)

We have it backwards. Jesus is willing to make us well. Are we willing to let him?

God declared his willingness long ago... If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)

Of course Jesus was willing to heal that poor leper; God has been inviting mankind into fellowship since the beginning. The ball is in our court. We don’t need to ask him if he’s willing to take us, for this has been made clear. Our position is to take him up on his amazing and gracious offer!

Romans 10:9-13 NLT
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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Dear God,
Thank you for being willing to not only save me through your Son, Jesus, but also to keep taking my hot mess self in. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who keeps working in me to follow you and please you. I’m so thankful that I’m in with you with no rejection by you. How freeing and peaceful this news is to reflect on for me this morning. I have and I will experience rejection but not ever from you – the only place that it really matters anyway! Thank you! I love you and praise you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​25 September 2019
Ridicule & Repentance
2 Kings 22:19
You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said...
 
This passage is from the historical account of King Josiah’s response to finding the Book of the Law and reading it. He realized right away that his whole kingdom had been offending God with their lives. When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair (v.11). He didn’t make excuses even though he had many – like having ungodly parents. He went straight to the LORD and discovered that God doesn’t make fun of people who repent. We are so accustomed to associating ridicule with repentance, but this has actually never been God’s practice.

James 4:6-7
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves before God...

Josiah humbled himself, and God extended grace to him and his whole kingdom. What if I humble myself instead of making excuses for my actions – and I can come up with some good excuses. But what I really need (and my “kingdom” needs from me too) is simple. Apologize. Repent. Be humble. God isn’t looking for excuses, he’s looking to extend his grace on us all!
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Dear God,
You are so good, and I am so crazy. Thank you for making things actually simple. Thank you for your grace – that you never withhold. I even actually deserve for you to withhold it, and you don’t. Thank you that repentance is available everyday and you don’t ridicule for it. You are so kind and good; there is NO ONE like you. And I love you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

24 September 2019
A Special Invitation
Luke 23:40-43

​But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This criminal had no time to make up for anything he had done. He was crucified next to Jesus and getting ready to die. And Jesus forgave his sins right then and there. Jesus is absolutely for people who have no where else to go, unable to make up for what they’ve done & no opportunity to show their “worth.”

Excruciating pain didn’t change Jesus’ mind about his purpose when he met that criminal. Jesus previously clearly stated his purpose to everyone... The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. (Luke 19:10) Not just save. SEEK and save. He sought one more even while he was dying. The last miracle he ever did was seek & save someone in his own last moments.

Since we live in the modern era, we accept this idea of an umbrella of forgiveness as Jesus died for all of our sins once and for all. This is true. But he doesn’t just save. He seeks and saves. He is still inviting everyone into a refreshing relationship with him for whatever amount of time a person has left, for that time grows into eternity. His invitation to find and save me wasn’t part of any impersonal, blanket statement made to faceless people. He personally wants me to be with him where he is.

Jesus is recorded as praying very specifically: I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message... Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. (John 17:20-24)

This is all Jesus. There is nothing I add or bring to the table to receive this. I may as well have no time to show for it like the criminal on the cross next to Jesus. He isn’t asking for any kind of proof of my potential, and he didn’t ask for a resume; he simply asked his Father to bring me to him. I’m fooling myself today if I don’t make spending time with Jesus my priority. I got an education from the thief on the cross. Jesus isn’t only a person’s last resort; he can also be our only!
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Dear God,
Thank you for your Son. He made the way for me to have a real relationship with you. He did all the work for such and impossible task. Thank you so much. Thank you for thinking of me, for saving me, for loving me & for inviting me everyday to simply fellowship with you. I love the peace that accompanies your presence and I love you and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

19 September 2019
Mourning and Mourning Regret
2 Kings 19:1
When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the Lord.

The report the king heard was that the Assyrian king was coming for the Kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah had already tried to pay him off with all the gold from the Temple he could find. That was his idea. But now, he’s out of ideas. He doesn’t have anything of value left. Tearing his clothes and wearing burlap is a sign of utter morning. Is he just mourning the devastating news? Maybe he’s also mourning the sobering realization that he tried to solve a problem with his wealth. Now, he doesn’t have any wealth. He has nothing. But he prays anyway.

This is what separates God from the pack. His arms are open when we come to him. He never says, “You made that bed...” or “It’s too late,” or a nice sarcastic: “So NOW you come to me, aye?”  No. Not God. He knows our ginormous failures and what follows that often is deep and utter regret for not coming to him in the first place. The reason I know God doesn’t mock us when we come to him late in the game, or made him our plan B, is because of how this event in Hezekiah’s reign shakes out.

That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there. (2 Kings 19:35-36)

God showed up. He would’ve showed up the first time, but Hezekiah was hoping his treasury of gold would work. Not only am I glad that God doesn’t mock us for forgetting he is our Plan A, he shows up when we come to our senses. It’s never too late to come to him. His arms are outstretched in our direction.  We don’t even have to clean up or try and fix anything first. We come to him for forgiveness, wisdom, joy and resolve.
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Thank you God!
Thank you for your incredible love that doesn’t shame or condemn. Thank you that we never regret putting our hope in you. My regrets come from when I didn’t seek you first. Thank you for forgiving me, for loving me, and for always being willing to help me. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​17 September 2019
No Small Space
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

When Rob was teaching on Sunday, he said, “We shrink our life and expectations when we get discouraged.” And then he shared this passage from Ephesians 3.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is (v.18)... God’s intention is for our tiny hearts to expand to fit all that he is. We let life make us smaller when we get any negative feedback, suffer any embarrassment, or listen to the critics of our dreams. But God and his mighty power is at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think (v.20). He is certainly stronger and more powerful than any critic we encounter. Why do we let these people and these experiences get a word in edgewise in our hearts?

Rob also said that God’s glorious, unlimited resources to empower us with inner strength though his spirit (v.16) will not fit into our shot-glass-sized heart.  So true. I must ask God to expand my heart so I can receive all that he has for me – all the love, patience, joy & peace he can cram in there. That’s what I want. And I do that by increasing my faith. And we increase our faith by God’s Word (See Romans 10:17). That’s how the nay-sayers & negative experience don’t rule while I try to put God and all that he is in an itty bitty living space. Letting God be the biggest is what makes my heart expand to experience roots that will grow down into God’s love and keep me strong (v.17).
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O Lord,
Be BIG in my life today. Let any negative, embarrassing, or discouraging setback never be what I focus on. Don’t let these things give me a resolve to make myself small & unnoticeable. That’s exactly what the enemy wants – for me to keep you in a teeny tiny living space. I want you to expand my heart with your mighty power and for you to accomplish infinitely more than I could ever ask or think today. I love you & I want you to fill my heart up, and I pray in your Name, amen.