​gettheWordout
20 August 2020 Lorders Love to Lord
Luke 22:25-26 NLT
Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.

Last night at church, Rob was teaching about the Rich Man and the poor man, Lazarus, from Luke 16. You can listen to the whole message here, but one thing Rob pointed out was that even from “the place of torment,” the rich man was still trying to call all the shots. He tells Abraham what he should make Lazarus do while he was in no position to bark out orders to anyone. (See Luke 16:24 &27) Why is that? Because people who love to lord over others love to lord over others.

Rob also said, “People who love to control others have no self-control.” So true. They may seem put together, but it’s an illusion. Self-control is a product of the Holy Spirit working in someone’s heart (See Galatians 5:22-23). We need Jesus for that. That’s why Jesus says for those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. It’s a practical way to practice self-control. Practicing self-controls allows the Holy Spirit to guide my life.  Otherwise, I’m a lord-er who loves to lord. 

2 Timothy 1:7 NCV God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control. Real power isn’t being able to lord over other people barking out orders and commanding compliance. Real power is not doing those things. Jesus has actual real power and never lorded over anyone. He invites, and he serves. And (I) must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had (Philippians 2:5).

Dear God,
I do like things a certain way, and thank you I am not without the Source for self-control that would make me stuck like that. Forgive me for the times I demand to be served instead of serving. Thank you that self-control that comes from you actually is a more freeing way to live. Thank you for making these truths known to me through your Son, through your Word, and through personal experience and finding that I am not disappointed but pleasantly surprised when I live in your perfect economy.  Help me serve my family in love today. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
19 August 2020 Discernment is Real
Luke 16:14-15NLT
The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.  Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

It cracks me up how relevant scripture is! People who profess the Bible to be outdated must not have ever actually read it. We are bombarded right now with public officials posing sympathy appearing to have the public’s best interest at heart, and the surrounding oppression and destruction completely contradicts what they say. 

God seeing inside the human heart is indeed an invisible and divine process. How can we discern something only God can see? Jesus shows us there are clues to the invisible motives of people. The Pharisees loving money is an obvious fact. They may give to the poor, but they certainly didn’t live like the poor. The other thing that is obvious and can be seen is what the world honors. Anyone with a heartbeat can see what society values and endorses. Plus, God very clearly instructs us in his Word what is detestable in his sight.

We can recognize blatant hypocrisy. 
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God.  (1 John 4:1)

We can see what the culture honors and compare it to God’s Word. 
...Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.  (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

It is only God who sees all hearts, but he has definitely taught us how to guard our own.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. (Philippians 1:9-10)

Dear God,
Thank you for your Word this morning full of direction and hope. I am not crazy; I am seeing one thing and being told another by authority figures. Thank you for discernment that comes from you. I don’t need to know a persons heart, but I do need to know what to stay away from and you guide us daily through your Word and your Son. Thank you so much. Help me guard my heart, not be a hypocrite or be swayed by one, and only value and honor what you value and honor. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

gettheWordout
18 August 2020 A Sacrifice that is not a Sacrifice
Luke 21:4NLT
For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.

A sacrifice isn’t a sacrifice if it cost you nothing. Also a sacrifice isn’t something you can demand of someone either, or it’s not a sacrifice but a chore. Sacrificial love is voluntary, genuine, thoughtful and costly.

Jesus said it this way, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  (John 15:13)

If the virus shut down is rubbing you the wrong way, it might be because of the truths of these passages of scripture. The government requiring sacrifices to be made of perfectly healthy, young, aspiring individuals isn’t a sacrifice of love like they’re telling us it is because this isn’t the model for sacrificial love. 

The individual gets to choose. The one who gave a tiny part of their surplus, from what they didn’t need and wouldn’t miss isn’t actually making any sacrifice. The people getting paid during these shut downs (politicians, union workers and arbitrarily deemed  essential workers) are in no way making any real sacrifice at all like the person who works at a hair salon or a gym. If you want to scream at the tv when you hear: “We’re all in this together,” or when they talk about everyone making sacrifices right now, you are not alone. For the one who says those things while not actually making a voluntary, genuine, costly sacrifice at all is really a tyrant.

My husband posted the following on social media:
Stop asking that an entire generation give up everything for you today so that you *might* not get sick.  Jesus already gave His life for you - without being asked - and He offers you eternity with Him.  Through Jesus, you can lay down your life for this generation instead of demanding they lay theirs down for you. Greater Love.

You can also click here hear more about this from his message last Sunday:
​The Big Invite 

Dear God,
Once again, our world has something so wonderful and good absolutely backwards and wrong. What they call sacrifice is actually tyranny. Good is bad and bad is good. Thank you that we know real right is and real wrong and real sacrifice because of your Son and your Word. Thank you that in Jesus we are not hypocrites, and we are given everything we need for life and godliness and even navigating a pandemic. Please, give us godly leaders with common sense. The leaders in charge of my state have no idea what they’re doing. Don’t let their destructive, irrational, tyrannical plans succeed in anyway. And thank you that all of my trust and hope is in YOU not them! I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
17 August 2020 Bearing the Weight
Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked into their eyes and said, “Then what does this verse mean: ‘The stone that the builders refused to accept became the cornerstone’?

Jesus had just told a parable about what happens to people who reject him and should expect God’s judgment. The verse he quotes is from Psalm 118 describing the coming Messiah. Now the Messiah is among them quoting this familiar verse to them. Of course, they got angry.

Bible commentators point out that the cornerstone, designated in antiquity, is the stone used at the building’s corner to bear the weight or the stress of the two walls.

The stone a building needs the most so it won’t collapse would NEVER be rejected or thrown out during construction. No responsible, sensible, intelligent builder would ever do that.  

1 Corinthians 3:9-11
And you are a house that belongs to God.  Like an expert builder I built the foundation of that house. I used the gift that God gave me to do this. Other people are building on that foundation. But everyone should be careful how they build. The foundation that has already been built is Jesus Christ, and no one can build any other foundation.

A life built by following any other way besides The Way cannot withhold the stress and bear the weight of life. Talent, popularity, relationships, and tax returns is not what a Believer should be trusting in and waiting on. Only Jesus can bear the weight of our sins and struggles and make it so we don’t absolutely collapse under stress. Everything else is subject to age, change and the economy, and all sensible builders would reject those stones.

Dear God,
Thank you for knowing exactly what my life should be built on, and that it is your perfect Son, Jesus. Thank you for real security and relief of sin, judgment, death and the minor disasters too. Thank you for never leaving me to my own devices but always showing me how to live by following Jesus, the One who can bear my sin and stress. I love you, and I just can’t thank you enough, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
15 August 2020 Dear Woman
Luke 13:12-13NLT
When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

Things to notice from this interaction:
1. Even though the woman was crippled, she was at the synagogue.
Hebrews 10:25 – And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do...

2. Jesus SAW her and labeled her “dear.”
John 10:14 – I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me...

3. She didn’t ask Jesus to heal her; Jesus called to HER and healed her.
Matthew 6:8 – Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him...

4. How she praised God! I wish there was more detail for this one. How did she praise him like crazy? Verbally, Physically, Repeatedly? Most likely all three.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ERV –  Always be full of joy.  Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.

My take away is to be where Jesus is regardless how I’m feeling because he is always willing to interact with me, see my need, and meet it. And I can freely praise him verbally, physically and repeatedly as he is due. Amen.

Dear God,
Thank you for this wonderful interaction between a plain ol’ dear woman and your Son. Thank you for the countless times you have seen me and seen my need and helped, rescued, saved and made better. Thank you for the hope I have that is based your goodness and what you’ve done. You see and you save. Thank you so much for the benefits and freedom in following you. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

gettheWordout
14 August 2020 A Little Bit of Poo
Luke 13:6-9 NLT
Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

For all the late bloomers, reluctant repent-ers, useless sinners, and cautious Christians, did you know that God is not mad at you? In fact, he seems to plan extra attention for you as he patiently waits for any evidence that you are all in with him. 

David Guzik points out in his commentary that the farmer, illustrating God, did not leave the tree alone. He gave it special care. When God shows special care for someone it may feel to them like they are surrounded by manure, but He is nourishing and preparing it for fruit-bearing to come. 

It makes me very happy to know that God isn’t following me around with a clipboard pointing out where I’ve failed. Instead, his solution is for me to have opportunities to turn to him MORE. Realizing my need for him and spending more time with him is how I will “produce fruit” the next time around; aka: my second chance. 

It’s also nice to know that God would rather work with “useless sinners” instead of writing them off. My prayer is for my unsaved friends and my fruitless friends to embrace the manure. Better to get a little poo on you than God’s judgment. 

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? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:4-5)

God has accurately been labeled, "The God of Second Chances," but there is also a final chance. 

Dear God,
Even following you whole heartedly, I am thankful for the times you gave me extra care and still do. You never write me off for needing to learn something more than once.  You know I am weak, and you make me strong. I am so thankful your way is this way. Please convict and convince my unbelieving friend. Let them see your kindness and their great need for you while they still can. I love you so much. Thank you, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​gettheWordout
13 August 2020 Two Jurisdictions 
Luke 20:25-26 NLT 
“Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

Jesus’ response establishes the limits, regulates the rights, and distinguishes the jurisdiction of the two empires of heaven and earth. The image of princes stamped on their coin denotes that temporal things belong all to their government. The image of God stamped on the soul denotes that all its faculties and powers belong to the Most High, and should be employed in his service. (Clarke Bible Commentary)

There is an arrangement between myself and my government that involves my wallet. There is an arrangement between myself and God that involves my whole self. My wallet is just a small part of my entirety. Another Bible commentator says had the Jews rendered unto God His due, they would have never had to render anything to Caesar. (Guzik) What an amazing truth!

We supposedly do not have a king where we live. But there’s an arrangement between us and our government, and it’s on ME to remember that in the Ven Diagram of life, my wallet is just a small and temporary subset of the whole circle that makes up me. My whole life (including the wallet) belongs to God. Obedience to Him affects what I do, what I say, where I go, and how I respond to authority. I can freely give the government what it is due according to our arrangement, but they do not get all of me because I do not belong to them no matter what they think.

While we live in this temporary world, there will be restrictive arrangements, but I choose to believe and behave like the faithful people mentioned in Hebrews 11. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.  If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 
(Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT)

I am sooooo looking forward to the city God has prepared for ME. With no taxes!

Dear God,
Thank you that what is going on in our country today is temporary. It may never get put back right, and that will also be temporary. Money is temporary. Political posts are temporary, and so is a pandemic. Thank you for being eternal with true and actual power and authority over everything. Give us wisdom to navigate troubled times, and thank you for the Joy of Jesus in the midst of it all. I love you and I just can’t thank you enough for my future home with YOU, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

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!
​
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.