Reading 15

Luke 13-16

Jesus is alternative. Everything that he did seemed to go against the grain, against the culture, and he was just not what people expected. As I read the New Testament, I am struck by the number of times he surprised people by his actions. And the people in the Bible who really loved him for being different and sought him out were those who weren’t in high positions; they were other alternative people who needed something.

I was really convicted yesterday about needed and seeking God. John the Baptist was weird too (this is related, it will make sense in a minute). He wore weird clothes and ate messed up food and was baptizing people in the wilderness. If you wanted to be baptized you would have to go out to the wilderness to do it. I would suspect people who did go out to see him felt like they needed something too.

Whenever Jesus talks about the kingdom of God there is an element of seeking involved, of valuing what he had to offer above all else. Is that me? Do I need God like that? Sometimes I think I am just too comfortable. I want it, but not at a great cost.

Nils has been talking about his trip to the Congo and how one of his friends there said the prayer life of American’s suffer because, “Our hands are full.” In the story of the great feast the man throwing the party has friends that are too busy to come to the party. Instead the man opens up the party to those who would really find value in it, those who do not have their “hands full”. So even if I have much, I must become like one who has nothing. I must get to a place where I want what God has to offer so much that I am willing to go out into the wilderness. I bet God knows how to throw a cool party and I don’t want to miss out on that because I enjoyed my own party.

Luke

Reading #15 (audio)

Reading 14

Luke 9-12

Don’t get me wrong, I’m always thankful for my food, but I have to admit that sometimes praying before a meal comes more from habit than anything else. And when I read Luke 9:16, I didn’t think anything of Jesus praying and asking God to bless the five loaves of bread and two fish. I’d always thought Jesus was making a point to honor his Father in front of the crowd before making a miracle. But then it occurred to me that maybe the miracle happened because Jesus asked for a blessing on the food. And as a result, there was enough food to feed thousands of people—as if that wasn’t enough, there were leftovers! Twelve baskets of leftovers!

A blessing, indeed. I see now that Jesus was showing the result of asking God for a blessing and demonstrating faithfulness by believing God was going to provide for the needs of all those who had come to listen to Jesus.

Because God loves to provide, Jesus tells us in Luke 12 that we shouldn’t worry. We should have faith. Jesus says that it gives our Father great happiness to give us the kingdom, and that God will give us all we need from day to day if we make the kingdom of God our primary concern. But because we are human, this one-mindedness towards God is probably the hardest thing. Submitting those things to God that we think are so important is painful!

For me, sometimes it’s hard to part with money. I’m not always the most cheerful of givers, but I do give, knowing that the money will be well spent. And from Jesus’ example, I can clearly see the results of being faithful with money and receiving blessings as a result. Last year at tax time, Jim and I had a major blow. We owed the IRS almost half of our monthly income due to a mistake I made on my W-4 form. That was the hardest check I’ve ever had to fill out. I really didn’t know how we were going to make it through the next couple of months. Honestly, though, after the check cleared, I forgot all about it. We noticed no differences anywhere. It wasn’t until weeks later that I realized how non-stressful the situation actually was. I admit, I was surprised, and I really shouldn’t have been. That still, small voice reminded me of our faithfulness with our money and all the different ways it’s gone to benefit the kingdom, and when we were in trouble financially, God took care of us. So I guess it doesn’t really matter if it’s food, money, talents, etc.

If our eyes and hearts are concentrated on the kingdom, we can ask for blessings, and know that we will be provided for. Maybe we’ll even get some leftovers.

Stacey

Reading #14 (audio)

Reading 13

Luke 6:1-36

I am a planner. I’ve devoted so much time to discerning my path in life. I never go on a trip without mapping out the entire experience. In high school, I took a test that showed me what things I might be good at. Of course, I already knew what it would say – I had known what I wanted to do in life since I was 10 years old.

Like most college students, I prepared for my career in college. I built my resume, and hoped for the best. Even though things didn’t turn out exactly like I had expected, I still find myself at age 25 just about where I thought I would be. Married, kids, saving money for a house…I even have a retirement plan!

The ‘right’ path is well marked in America. And I have to admit – I like that! I like the certainty of being able to go down the checklist and say, “Yep, I’m headed for the top!” It seems like God is different. He doesn’t want us to get distracted by the great American checklist. The problem with the ‘Great American Checklist?’ Sometimes in the midst of choosing colleges and neighborhoods and clubs to belong to we actually forget that we are making choices. Sometimes, we let our fear of missing checkboxes or completing them to late get in the way of our relationship with God. And sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we let that fear stand in the way of offering up our choices to God first. We forget to ask God if our career, our dreams of marriage, and our expectations for a perfect life, are really part of his plan for us. Luke 6:1-12 reminds us that being in relationship with God is the only way to stay on the right path.

Jesus lived in a time when the Pharisees had taken ownership of the Sabbath. They had a ‘Great Sabbath Checklist’ which was a very convenient way to tell everyone what they should be doing on the Lord’s day. The best Pharisees were just trying to be helpful. The checklist was a surefire way to avoid doing anything ‘wrong’ on the Sabbath that might stand in the way of your eternal life. But sometimes, all of those checkboxes kept people from doing the right thing out of fear of judgment – not by God, but by other believers. Then came Jesus. Jesus never used the checklist, yet he still always managed to do what was right. What the Pharisees really disliked about the reaction Jesus has to their checklist was that Jesus gave ownership of holiness to God, not to them.

Concepts of ‘happiness’, ‘success’, and ‘love’ are well-defined in America. On any day of the week you can find the secrets to a great career on-line, the secrets to a smoldering hot relationship in Cosmo, and the complete response to a variety of social problems from pundits and analysts that dominate the media. Whatever our moral dilemma, Google and Yahoo are quick to supply an answer.

As you make decisions about your future, remember that no one holds your happiness, success, or worthiness of love other than God. Pray vigilantly, and when you look up and find yourself on a path that gets strange looks from passers by, remember that God likes to shake things up a little bit.

Melanie

Reading #13 (audio)

Reading 12

Luke 1-4

Ahhh, Christmas time. That’s what I thought as I read Luke 1 and 2…the passages that are so often read around the holidays.

While it’s fun to nestle into the warmth of a baby who brought hope, have you considered how impossible and unlikely it all was?

Elizabeth was old and she had been unable to have a baby when she was young. Mary was a virgin. They both became pregnant.

John the Baptist’s dad, Zechariah, was considered “righteous in God’s eyes.” However, he didn’t believe Gabriel’s message that he and Elizabeth would have a baby. Here was someone who had loved and served God for many years but found this too impossible to believe.

In contrast to Zechariah, the very young girl, Mary, did believe Gabriel. How likely is it that that the one who had walked with God so long was shown up by a teenager?

Shepherds were held in low esteem in that time and society. Why didn’t God announce Jesus’ arrival to the political and religious leaders? Or at least to some respected, wealthy citizens?

But we know that God was at work because it was all so unlike how we would do it.

In Luke 1:37, Gabriel says, “For nothing is impossible with God.” God does what he will.

We often do not understand and our patience wears thin, but if we watch and wait, we see amazing things…like God became human…in the form of a baby…and rocked our world!

Sue

Reading #12 (audio)

Reading 11

Mark 13-16

It’s easy for me to get caught up in the stress of dire predictions about famine, war, and disaster. Everywhere I turn it seems that the world is coming to an end. There is news of war, global warming, ecological disasters, extreme poverty, crime, and well the list goes on and on. I get depressed thinking about how messed up the world is and then I read this first chapter and I think maybe the world is ending. I have known friends that are obsessed with trying to figure out which of the current events is most related to the end times and what exactly the seventy sevens are and how close the temple is to being rebuilt. But I believe that our challenge is to not get caught up in that conversation, after all Jesus says no one will know when that time is, but rather to focus on what he tells us to do…watch. At the end of chapter 13 he gives us the example of servants left to watch the house of their master. I think of what he would want them to do, keep up the place, take care of his family, farm, animals, business, and not to get too comfortable. This isn’t their home they are just entrusted with it for a time. Remember what started the conversation in the beginning of the chapter? One of his disciples was marveling at how amazing the buildings were around him. I do the same thing. I find security and comfort in the man made things around me every day. I forget that my purpose is not to build my kingdom here on Earth, but instead to be about the business of the owner of the house. That’s my challenge every day. To not get too comfortable, to not receive my identity and security from my possessions, and to remember that I have a master and he is coming back.

Luke

Reading #11 (audio)

Reading 10

Mark 10:17-31

Mark 10 is the story of a devoted young man who stands face to face with Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” I can’t imagine a better question to ask in a one on one with Jesus. This man must have been wise. Of course, he must have been brave as well. Standing face to face with Jesus, he asks how to get to heaven. And if Jesus tells you your very own path to heaven, there really aren’t any excuses, are there? Just asking the question was an act of submission.

Jesus tells our friend that if he sells everything he has to give to the poor, he can go to heaven. Sometimes, when I read this parable I think to myself, “Big deal! What’s so hard about that?” My status in the world has always been high as an American, but some days I can actually imagine selling everything – especially if that meant being a missionary – one of God’s exciting servants serving in the world, so obviously an amazing Christian storing up treasures in heaven. I mean, don’t all missionaries go to heaven? A reality check quickly reveals that if my only motivation for given up my possessions was a quick pass to heaven, my salvation might not be as sure as I had hoped.

A deeper look reveals more than a simplistic parable about giving your money to the poor. This parable is really about giving God what is his. As a young person, I have been blessed with a wealth of ambition, a wealth of time, a wealth of energy. Each of us have different gifts and talents. Even traits like an ability to persuade, or being a beautiful person, are from God. The question that young man asked for all of us was “God, what do you want from me while I am on Earth?”

How will you invest your gifts? You may not have great wealth to give to the poor yet, but how can you put your personality to work for God? How can your time be invested to help others develop a passion for Christ?

Every Christian has been richly blessed. Unfortunately, the world continues to deceive us into believing we are deficient – that somehow our success in this world depends on pouring every drop of our time, money, and talent into something dubiously referred to as “just getting by” or “keeping up with the pack”.

Remember each day that your gifts belong to God first. If you find that fears or expectations from your job, your friends, your classes are driving you to invest your gifts unwisely, take a moment to ask God, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” And, if he shows you an area of your life that you are clinging too tightly to, ask him to release you from the fears of not having enough or not being enough.

Melanie

Reading #10 (audio)

Reading 9

Mark 5-8

Do you sigh? I sigh. Sometimes all too frequently. And most times, if I’m perfectly honest, my attitude is usually not the best when I’m sighing.

But you know what? Jesus sighs. We’re told twice in today’s reading that he sighed. Deeply. So why did it catch my attention? Truthfully, when I read the first mention (Jesus “looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said…”) in Mark 7:34, I didn’t think much of it. That is, until only 15 verses later I read that “he sighed deeply” (8:10) and it struck me that I had just read those words. I had to find them again and when I did, I kept thinking about them.

Jesus sighed deeply.

Today, I sighed deeply too. I was frustrated and disappointed. And that attitude of mine? You guessed it: not so good. The strange thing was I heard myself sigh. I remember when I was a child, my family told me that I was a “sigher” – I sighed a lot. And the reason they informed me of that tidbit was because the vast majority of the time, I didn’t realize I was doing it. But today was different. I heard it. *sigh* And almost instantly, I was very aware of my not-so-stellar attitude.

I realized that for me, the simple words that Jesus sighed deeply were significant to me because they served as a reminder that he understands. He understands frustration. Concern. Relief. Disappointment. Contentment. Grief. Relaxation. He sighs. He gets it. He knows what it’s like. He’s been there. He knows my situation, my struggles, my attitude, my sighs.

And because of that understanding, I can know his hope. The hope that he knows my situation and he is right there with me through it all. He knows my struggles and he gives me strength. He knows my attitude and still he loves me. He knows my sighs and he sighs with me.

With that comes a sigh of relief. *sigh*

Cristin

(Reading #9 audio)

Reading 8

Mark 1-4

Mark describes Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River as the “heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” My mind paints a picture in my head of beautiful white light descending down in the shape of a dove transforming Jesus, in a manner similar to the transformation each of us goes through the moment we accept Christ into our hearts. Jesus, already being the son of God, did not require a “rebirth” in the same way we do as sinners seeking salvation, but the concept of the Holy Spirit descending on us from heaven to be our ever-present counsel is accurate and to me – inspiring.

By now you have probably noticed the many similarities between the first two Gospels. Yes, some small variations are apparent, but many of the concepts and teachings are identical. I find it easy to gloss over something when I think I understand it or have even just read it before because I have the tendency to focus on what is new and different in the world around me. Do you find your self doing this? The four Gospels all have many similarities and some differences, as they should when you consider that they are historical accounts of the life of Jesus described by different authors.

You may ask yourself, what can I get out it if it’s just another account of similar parables, teachings, conversations with disciples, etc? Here’s a better question: how much better do you now understand the scripture written in a little different manner from last week? Did something different stand out to you in the same parable that didn’t last week? Are you still wondering which soil you (the seed) are growing in? Is your light still hidden under a bowl?

I learn best with repetition, but when reading the scriptures I understand that God directed what was written on the pages, so I try to keep an ear pointed in His direction while reading. I encourage you to listen to what He wants you to learn as you read through the Gospels – even the repetitive parts.

Zach

Reading #8 (audio)

Reading 7

Matthew 25-28

Today’s reading of Matthew 25-28 includes Jesus’ death and resurrection. As I looked it over, I thought about the movie, The Passion of the Christ, which so graphically portrayed those events.

Because I know Jesus and have experienced his love, it was especially painful to watch the movie and see Christ, of all people, treated so violently and with such hatred. I didn’t want to keep watching. How could this happen? Couldn’t it have been prevented?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t defend himself when he was falsely accused and why he didn’t show his power when he was mocked?

Over the years I’ve come to realize that Jesus had to die on that cross. It was a major reason He came. He knew his mission and so he did not try to prevent it.

God became human and then gave himself for each of us by dying on a cross to pay the penalty for our turning our backs on him.

Now that is love. He created us to be in relationship with him and we rejected him. So, does he send lightning bolts? (I would!) No! He sends a way back to him. That doesn’t make sense to our human minds.

He loves us so much that he allowed them to mistreat him.

Reading or watching the story can look like Satan won and God lost. But I love the part at the end of The Passion when Jesus stands up and walks out of the tomb. I always want to yell “YES!!”

And isn’t that just like God to bring victory out of something that looks like disaster. When we read the Bible, there are many instances of God bringing good out of seemingly bad situations: people freed from demons, the lame are able to walk, tax collectors return money and on and on it goes.

God lets things look bad but we can trust that he is at work, bringing hope and victory to everything that we give him.

Sue

Reading #7 (audio)

Rading 6

Matthew 21-24

I will admit that in my quiet time, prayer often gets less attention than scripture reading. In fact, when it comes to petitioning God in prayer, I sometimes struggle with the necessity of it. Doesn't He already know what I need before I ask? I often come to Him with both a request and a mind already made up. And then there's my faith in His ability to answer—which sometimes is more akin to crossing my fingers and hoping I can find a way to take care of it myself.

I was struggling with this attitude towards prayer when I began hearing stories from individuals working in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Groups and individuals were praying very specific prayers and God was answering in very specific ways. God used those examples to challenge me to begin to pray specifically. Answers to prayer are correlated with faith—each time I saw Him at work, it both strengthened my faith and humbled me.

Jesus addresses his disciples in Matthew 21:21-22, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." ." Later on in James 1:5-8 the author writes that when we do ask we "must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable, in all he does." These passages encourage andremind me that God expects me to come to Him—and that I can do it with confidence that He hears and answers! I can cross my fingers and rely on my own ability, or become totally dependant on Him.

Allie

Reading #6 (audio)

Reading 5

Matthew 17-20

I like lists. I write them on sticky notes, in my day planner, even in my journal. Checking off items leaves me feeling accomplished, makes me feel that I've done what is required. I need to do things and finish tasks. However, this is also how I spent many years as a Christian—believing my relationship with Jesus consisted of a series of definite tasks I could finish and check off my 'good Christian' list.

Go to church. Check.

Memorize John 3:16. Check.

Volunteer at VBS. Check.

So I empathize with the young man in Matthew 19:16 who asks, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" He wants a list from Jesus too.

As I was reading through the Gospels several summers ago, Jesus' answer to the man in verse 21 changed from just a part of a familiar Bible story to a clear and timely message for me. Though Jesus does review with him the list of commandments, he ends with, "Then come, follow me." This is what had been missing from my previous approach to my spiritual life—a real and dynamic relationship with Jesus.

In John 10:10 Jesus speaks of the abundant life available now for those who follow him. In reducing my relationship to a set of tasks, I had been missing out. He is asking of me that I daily follow him—listen in times of reading and prayer, seek his will, obey. I still attend church, work on memorizing scripture and volunteer time. But in the context of relationship with Jesus, these things have new purpose and meaning.

Seek Jesus and get rid of my 'good Christian' list. Check.

Allie

Reading #5 (audio)

Reading 4

Matthew 13-16

Jesus’ story of the farmer scattering seed is a parable that always stands out to me. I can never just read through it. I always seem to ponder over which type of soil I am; and after deciding, I continue my way through chapter 13. This time, however, verse nine, the last verse of the parable, caught my attention: “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!” After reading Jesus’ explanation of the parable later on in the chapter and going back to verse nine, it seemed to be more than just something to ponder over. It seemed to be a call to make a choice. Instead of asking ‘what kind of soil am I?’ I should be asking, ‘what kind of soil do I want to be?’ I think this choice is important. It means not being satisfied with a comfortable life, but actively seeking and pursuing faith—the kind of faith exhibited in Matthew 14:36, where the sick begged Jesus to let them touch even the fringe of his robe, knowing that if they could they would be healed. They desperately wanted grace and mercy and the message Jesus was bringing. They remind me of a few verses I read in Hosea 2 over the summer, where the Lord is speaking with Hosea about his love for Israel, even though they are unfaithful to him. He says in verse 23, “I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” This definitely makes me want to be a part of this crop and have a heart of good soil. But I’ll have to throw off complacency and instead of just deciding what type of soil I am, working towards becoming the type of soil I want to be.

Stacey

Reading #4 (audio)

Reading 3

Matthew 9-12

By this time, Jesus has performed a number of miracles, but not using the words “your sins are forgiven” until now. Why did he choose those words? Well, as always he was intending to teach, yet not as many of us still in school are accustomed to. The thing is, once we learn to listen to God and recognize when he is teaching us or answering prayers, do we respond as the crowds did in Mat. 9:8 – “filled with awe; and praising God”?

Later on when Jesus has dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors & sinners, the Pharisees are confused as to why he would associate with sinners. Jesus explains very directly that he came to heal the “sick” or the “sinners” as it were and I can’t help but wonder why today so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ chose to isolate themselves with other Christians when we are supposed to be “Christ-like” as the name Christian denotes. Is it easier to be surrounded by like-minded individuals? Sure it is, but it’s not how Jesus lived and though I’m guilty of retreating to my comfort zone at times, I know it’s not where Christ would have me.

Jesus sent out his disciples to harvest human beings and he also gave them some incredible assurances. When you are serving the Lord, you can trust in one thing – He WILL provide whatever means necessary to sustain you. If you’ve ever had anxiety over sharing your faith with somebody because maybe it’s your first time doing so, or maybe someone you respect is challenging the foundations of Christianity and waiting for you to respond, then just remember that “it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Your Father will not forsake you!

As in John 3:16, Jesus states that only through himself can anyone “know God.” Along those lines He also lays out some guidelines for us to follow and repercussions if we don’t. “…whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Anyone who loves his father or mother…son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” There are no two ways about it! We are all raised to revere our family above all else, but Christ says NO! God first, whatever else second. Additionally, each of us must account for every “careless word” spoken here on earth on judgment day. I can’t even imagine how ashamed I will feel that day and I think it’s something that we ought to consider daily.

Nevertheless, we can rest easy because our Lord is “gentle and humble in heart and we can find rest for our souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” What’s even greater is that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, regards you and me as his “brother and sister and mother.” Wow!

Zach

Reading #3 (auido)

Reading 2

Matthew 5-8

In Matthew 5:38-48, we’re told to not retaliate when someone mistreats us and, in fact, to give to them. We’re also admonished to love our enemies and pray for them.

Wow! A tough assignment from God! We want to say, “But they deserve to be tongue lashed or whomped on!”

And if you listen, God will say, “They do deserve that…just like your sin deserves justice… but I want you to respond out of mercy. “

“But where’s the justice?!?”
God replies, “I’ll take care of it.”

Plus retaliation does not solve problems.

Someone told me about an incident where her dogs got into a neighbor’s yard. This angered the neighbor and so he complained to my friend. The dog owner responded by regaling the neighbor with observations about his character flaws. Even after apologizing, there is now a long-standing break in the relationship. They don’t speak…they don’t wave…The dog owner, who is a Christian, told me that the moment of satisfaction she felt in retaliating, was not worth it and she regrets her rash response.

Retaliation does not resolve problems and those of us with the Holy Spirit in our hearts will be pierced by our attempts at revenge.

It is hard not to retaliate but it does not serve God’s purposes. And the beauty of these situations is that we can see God at work…if we let him.

I’m old enough that I’ve had a few relationships end sadly. In the years since one of those endings, there have been continued direct and indirect difficulties with one of those people.

After one event, I must have been complaining to the Lord…and I must have had an ear open to his voice because at one point, I heard him say through a strong mental impression, “Whenever you see her, I want you to treat her with warmth.”

“What? Lord!!!” I blurted out, “she continues to be a problem for me. I’ll give her the wrong impression if I’m warm. We can’t be friends…” and on and on I railed.

When I finally settled down he said, “I’m not asking you to try to be friends. She needs to feel loved and accepted and I want you to be warm toward her.”

And so I have been…and his strength and mercy have been in me…and I genuinely want the best for her…God’s power at work in the midst of my frailty.

God is not crazy when he asks us to do what doesn’t come naturally. If it came easily, we wouldn’t need him and wouldn’t see the power that raises the dead…including the dead places in my heart.

Sue

Reading #2 (audio)

Reading 1

Matt. 1-4

One of the things that strikes me in this section of Matthew is the first verse in chapter 4

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”

The first time this caught my eye it struck me that not only was Jesus led by the Spirit, but that the Spirit led him into the desert. This went counter to what I had assumed to be true about being led by the Spirit. I had thought that a person who was led by the Spirit would be led out of difficulty, not into it! At that point in my life I thought that difficulty and hardship were indicators I was not in God’s will. And they may be, but not always. This verse said otherwise.

Sometimes to be led by the Spirit of God is to be led into difficult and trying times. Not all difficulty indicates being out of the will of God. In fact, it may confirm just the opposite.

Secondly, being Spirit led does not automatically protect a person from being tempted by the evil one. Of course, upon reflection, that makes sense. If you are in God’s will the evil one will want to tempt you and see you stumble. If you are out of God’s will, why bother since you are where the evil one desires you to be?

Thirdly, the desert is not a place to be feared or avoided at all costs. If the Spirit is leading you, there is a reason for the direction he is taking you. If it was necessary for Jesus to be led into the desert, it is to be expected that at some point the Spirit will lead you into a desert time, too. In one school of thought this is because the desert was a time of strengthening Jesus and preparing him for the public ministry he would be embarking on. And so for us as well.

If you are in a difficult time right now take a moment to prayerfully look back. Were you being led by the Spirit prior to the difficulties, or simply going your own way? If you were led by the Spirit, then don’t doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.

Nils

Reading #1 (audio)