Today’s reading is Acts 1:1-2:47.

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37).

Too often for us, this is a boilerplate question. We’ve heard it over and over again. Sermons have been renderd, “What must I do to be saved?” But is that the basic question here? Can you hear the desparation. They had crucified the Messiah, the one they claimed to be awaiting. They thought He would be the solution to all their problems. When He came among them, they spat on Him, beat Him, mocked Him, and killed Him. They cried out, “Let his blood be on our heads and the heads of our children.”

This was a question they were expecting to go unanswered. What on earth could they do? They had killed their one hope. All was lost. And yet, it wasn’t. What a surprise it must have been when Peter actually had a response. He didn’t say, “Too bad for you. You blew it. You stupid morons.” Instead he said, “Repent and be baptized everyone one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Gasp! There is something we can do? It isn’t over? Our hope is not lost? Perhaps some of our problem today is the question “What shall we do” is a boilerplate question. It is sermon fodder. It is not a despairing cry. Today, I need to remember how amazing it is that when I ask that question, God has actually provided an answer. Because of what Jesus did, there is something I can do.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 23:1-24:53.

“And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!’” (Luke 24:25).

I like to think this rebuke doesn’t apply to me. I very readily accept the resurrection of Jesus. I have no problem with the prophecies that claim Jesus would come, live in the flesh, be a servant, die, be buried, then be resurrected on the third day. Then I recognize, that while I don’t have a problem with these things, there are numerous other prophecies I struggle with. Not the ones that talk about the future, but prophecy simply in the sense of a message from God.

For instance, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Or “be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” Or “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Part of me wants to hang on to my old, in the world, way of thinking. I will seek God’s kingdom first, right after I get my salary in order. Maybe a little sin while I’m angry is okay. After all I’m angry; surely that can’t be held against me. It’s not conceit; it’s conviction (what a laugh).

I’m a foolish one when I won’t just believe what Jesus said through His word and live accordingly. After all, God’s way works and mine doesn’t.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 21:1-22:71.

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

For me, this should be the model prayer. I know I need to pray for my daily bread and for forgiveness, but at the heart of everything I do, I need this prayer. “Not my will but Yours be done.” I need a daily reminder that today is about God and not about me. A friend once shared a prayer he prays with me, “Lord, let me know your will for today and grant me the strength to do it.”

That’s really all I need for today. I need simply to do the next right thing. What does God want me to do next and may I surrender to God’s strength and power to accomplish it.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 19:1-20:47.

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable agaisnt them, but they feared the people” (Luke 20:19).

How sad. Jesus had not told this parable “against them” to attack them, but to warn them. It could have saved their eternal lives. Instead of letting it save them, they fought against it and let it be a means to condemn them.

But that leaves me with a question. How do I respond when God’s word says something “against me”? Do I listen humbly and let the warning and direction save my life? Or do I turn against the messenger somehow? Do I figure out why that part of the Bible doesn’t really apply to me?

I have two choices today. I can either surrender to Jesus and what He warns me and directs me or I can keep fighting against Him. But where will that second option take me? Better to just give up the fight and gain the victory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

“Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan” (Luke 17:15-16).

God has healed me of more than leprosy. However, I find it is easy to forget about that as I press on with my daily life and routine. How quickly I can take for granted God’s precious gifts. When I take the time to write out a gratitude list and then pray it, I can’t believe the grace that fills my life. I am reminded that God really isn’t picking on me with the bad things but is abundantly supplying me with good things. How can I be depressed and despairing when I remember these blessings? My fears that God won’t take care of me tomorrow start to abate. Thanksgiving is good for me. 

An example: Right now I’m breathing deeply and there is still oxygen. My fingers are able to move across this keyboard. I am able to get out of bed and drive to the office today. I still have food in my refrigerator and pantry today. I have clean clothes to wear today. My children are sleeping healthfully this morning; so is my wife. But more than these physical blessings, I’m able to pray today, read my Bible today, be in fellowship with loving brethren today. I am cleansed today by Jesus’ blood. I am an adopted son of God. My Father owns the universe. (That beats out your Father, unless you are my brother or sister, then we can be thankful together.)

Let me quickly add something. This is not just about our relationship with God. I’ve found great benefit in being thankful to others. Write thank you notes, make thank you calls, send thank you e-mails, just plain old say, “Thank you,” when people provide a benefit to you. Be amazed at how actually saying thanks lifts your day and your outlook on life.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 15:1-16:31.

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Luke 16:13).

Jesus applied this to material goods, but it is true for anything. I have learned that I can’t follow Jesus halfway. When I do, whatever else is pulling at me always takes me in the wrong direction. Half measures avail me nothing. If I don’t completely and totally surrender myself to Jesus today, I can just about guarantee by the end of the day I’ll be wondering how I ended up committing that sin over again.

When I want just enough Jesus to feel good, but also want to hang on to some other goal at the same time, I always come out on the losing end. Jesus needs to be my master today. That’s the only way for me to have the abundant, joyful life.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 13:1-14:35.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit int he lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you” (Luke 14:8-10).

Do I actually need to even comment on this? Part of me simply wants to say, “‘Nuff said.”

We must not jockey for position. This isn’t a competition. If we treat it as such, the only outcome will be our own shame. However, when we, with love and without manipulation, put others ahead of ourselves, then we will begin to have the joy that comes with honor.

Today, I need to figure out who I can honor. Not just as a manipulation to receive greater honor for me, but because I need to practice some humility today. How about you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spiritis more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).

I have learned that making a change is not the same as quitting something. I’ve quit bad things a thousand times only to wonder how they got even worse later. Making a change means putting something in its place. Jesus uses the metaphor of spiritual possession to talk about a changed life. We may “cast out the demon” and tidy up the heart. But if we do not invite a different spirit to live there, the evil one will return with a vengeance.

I’ve learned that I invite the Spirit to dwell in my heart by spending time in God’s word, by spending time in vulnerable, intimate prayer, by spending time with others who are making changes, by calling someone and talking to them about what is happening when it seems the “evil spirit” is trying to get back in, by getting outside myself and serving others, by singing, by listening to others, by teaching others, by meditating on God. As these things change my life, I can’t describe the joy and peace they bring. In this case, the last state is much better than the first and even than the second.

I need to spend some time today inviting the Spirit to take residence within me so the evil spirits won’t have any room.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What did you get out of today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

“And as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger” (Luke 8:23).

What? God in the flesh asleep on the job? How can that be? Doesn’t He know we are in danger? Doesn’t He know we might perish? Doesn’t He know if He doesn’t act right now all will be lost?

I know that feeling. Too many times I’ve thought God was asleep on the job. Why doesn’t He fix this problem? Why doesn’t He resolve that issue? Why doesn’t He help me overcome some struggle? I can’t see the ends from the moment. But God does.

The disciples could have had faith that even while Jesus was asleep, God would do what was right by them and take care of them. I need that faith as well. It may seem to me like God is asleep because He isn’t calming the storm on my timetable. But God knows how to calm the storms. More importantly, God knows when to calm the storms. My job is to keep bailing water and turning to Him for help. I’m sure that He is probably giving me more help already than I even realize.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is Luke 5:1-6:49.

“And Simon said, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets’” (Luke 5:5).

What on earth could a carpenter turned itinerant rabbi know about fishing? That was Peter’s job. He had done it his whole life. He knew the good spots. He knew the good times. He even knew that some times you just came up empty netted. Now, here’s this guy telling him to let down his nets again.

But there is something about this Jesus. I don’t know what Peter’s prior experience with Jesus had been, but something convinced him to listen. Something convinced him to move his faith from his own experience, his own ability to measure, his own ability to see and grasp and get his mind around the directive. Something convinced him to place his faith in this man, Jesus. His doubts weren’t completely removed. He did make sure to voice an objection. But he had enough faith in Jesus to do what He said, even if Peter didn’t get it.

Peter surrendered to Jesus. Instead of fighting, he had faith–at least enough to surrender. Look at the payoff. That is the kind of faith I need today. I can’t always get my head around why Jesus asks me to do all that He does. I simply need enough faith to quit fighting against Him and surrender to what He says. I doubt I’ll end up with a netload of fish. But I’m certain the blessings will fill my nets to overflowing.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?