Matthew 9-10 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Matthew 9:1-10:42.

“And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David.’ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened…” (Matthew 9:27-30).

I have lots of things I want Jesus to do in my life. I have lots of struggles I want Him to overcome. I have lots of work I want Him to accomplish in me. I have lots of desires for the local congregation that I want Him to grant.

What if He said to me, “According to your faith be it done to you”? What would happen in that case? I recognize Jesus doesn’t have to have my faith to get things done. At the same time, I can’t help but see that Jesus most often works through and based on the faith of the people He is dealing with. So, with all these things I’m wanting from Jesus if He only works based on my faith what would He be able to get done?

No doubt, I need to say, like the man in Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!” But I also need to work on my faith. A lot of times how much I believe God will determine how much work I’m willing to do. After all, the reason these men kept following Jesus was because of their faith. If they hadn’t had that kind of faith, they wouldn’t have followed Him and then come to the house where He was, they would have just let Him pass on by.

Today, I need to think about my faith. What do I believe about Jesus? How much do I believe? Do I really believe He is able to do what I want and need? How is that impacting the way I live?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? Click the following link to add your input: Post a comment.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 17-18 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-18:43.

“And he cried out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38-39).

How much faith did the blind man need for his miracle? Did he need to be 100% doubt free? No. He simply needed enough faith to continue to cry out to Jesus no matter what anyone else said to him.

How much faith do I need for my miracle of victory over sin? Do I need to be 100% doubt free? No. I simply need enough faith to continue to hang on to and cry out to Jesus no matter what anyone else ever says to me about it.

No doubt, they will say things to  me. They will say there is no Jesus. They will say Jesus won’t help me. They will tell me that I just need to try harder. They will say there is no help for me. They will tell me to be quiet because my crying out to and hanging on to Jesus makes them uncomfortable. I just need to keep turning to Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading? You can leave your input by clicking here.

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 7-8 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

“But Jesus on hearing this answered him, ‘Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well’” (Luke 8:50).

Jairus heard this moments after he heard Jesus tell the woman with the issue of blood, “Daughter, you faith has made you well; go in peace.” Faith was the key. But how much faith. Did this mean Jairus must have no doubts whatsoever? I don’t think so.

Rather, the messengers had told him to trouble Jesus no more. He simply had to have enough faith to continue troubling Jesus about it. He had to have enough faith to let Jesus come see his daughter. He had to have enough faith to let Jesus declare to the crowds the seemingly foolish statement, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” He had to have enough faith to ask the mourners to stay out when Jesus asked them to. He simply had to have enough faith to do what Jesus said and let Jesus do what He wanted.

That’s how much faith I need today. I simply need enough to do what Jesus has asked me and let Jesus do what He wants with me. That’s all.

Today, I think I’ll work on that faith. Who knows what amazing work Jesus might do in me if I simply have that much faith.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Luke 5-6 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 5:1-6:49.

“And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all” (Luke 6:17-19).

Have you ever had one of those days in which you were just disgusted with yourself. Despite trying to do right and serve the Lord, something happened that laid bear to you exactly how rotten your spirit has been. I’ve had those days. It is not pretty. On days like that, it is easy to get discouraged and think about giving up. How could Jesus be interested in someone with a spirit as unclean as mine.

Yet, here we see Jesus healing folks troubled by unclean spirits. Yes, I’m sure this is a reference to some form of possession that was occurring during the life of Jesus and the days of miraculous gifts. However, I can’t help but think if Jesus could cast out unclean spirits, He can also cleanse my spirit.

He will heal me. I simply need to reach out and touch Him. Today, I’m going focus on drawing near to Him so He can heal my unclean spirit.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

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*Thanks to Jason Hardin for giving me this idea. Throughout the following six months, I’m going to use Wordle as my illustration for each day’s reading. It is a great way to get a snapshot of what is talked about the most in each reading. I’ve created these using the online tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

“Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age,) and they were immediately overcome with amazement” (Mark 5:42-42).

by Royce Bair

I have seen the miraculous healings of Jesus’ ministry as allegories for our own spiritual healing. To be sure, these miracles took place, but the purpose for recording them is to say if Jesus could give physical life to these people, He can give spiritual life to me.

Thus, the story of Jairus’ daughter really hit me this morning. Her name is not given. She is just Jairus’ daughter. She did not go seeking healing or resurrection. Jairus went on behalf of his daughter. Many of the miracles say if Jesus could heal them physically or resurrect them physically, He can do the same for me spiritually. But what does this one say? It says if Jesus could heal or resurrect Jairus’ daughter, He can spiritually heal and resurrect my daughters (and my sons).

I needed to read that today. As I grow and see my own defects that Jesus is conquering in me, my biggest fear is how those defects have been harming my own children. At times, I think their salvation is hopeless because they’ve been stuck with a father like me. In despair I think, “I’ll never be able to raise them up or heal them. They are lost for sure.” But that is exactly the point. Just as Jairus could not heal or raise his daughter, I cannot heal or raise mine. But Jesus can.

What does that mean for me? That means today I don’t have to go about trying to manipulate the right action out of my kids as if their salvation depends on me. What it means is I simply need to do the right thing. I need to behave in right ways because they are right, not because I’ve decided if I act this way my kids have to be alright. If my kids will be raised and healed, Jesus will do it. I can turn it over to Him. Of course, I understand that my kids may decide they don’t want that. That will be sad for me indeed. But that won’t be my fault.

Today, I’m going to quit trying to manipulate my kids into salvation. Instead, I’m just going to do the next right thing and let Jesus do His job of raising people and healing them, even my kids.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

PPS. For just a little fun, since the story of John the Baptist’s beheading was in this reading, I thought I’d share a cute story I heard once. Perhaps it will give you a little chuckle and brighten your day.

In the kindergarten Bible class, the teacher was dramatically telling the story of John the Baptist. She told how Herod had promised his step-daughter anything up to half his kingdom as a reward for her dancing. She told with flourish as the young woman asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

“Tommy,” she said, “What would you have said to this wicked woman if you had been Herod?”

Tommy tilted his head and replied, “If I had been Herod, I would have told her, ‘No, no, I meant something in the other half of my kingdom.’”

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 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?

Today’s reading is Luke 9:1-10:42.

Jesus commissioned the seventy (some manuscripts say seventy-two) to go forth and prepare the way for Him by teaching and healing. When the disciples returned to Jesus, they said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17). Jesus validates their joy but then pushes them to further maturity.

He let them feel joy in the work they were accomplishing by His name. But then He says something odd. “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

It seems odd that Jesus rejoiced with the disciples as He proclaimed, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18), but then He said don’t rejoice in that. What’s up with that?

I believe Jesus is using a figure of speech called the ellipsis. That is He purposefully left out understood words in order to emphasize His point. If we were to supply the words He left out the statement would be something like this: “Nevertheless, do not merely rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but more importantly rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Using the ellipsis figure of speech really highlights the point. It is as if to say, “As much as you are rejoicing in this, you need to rejoice so much that your names are written in heaven that it seems like your rejoicing over these miracles is no rejoicing at all.”

The point is that as great as being able to perform miracles is, it is greater that our names are written in heaven. This is important today. I believe the Spirit no longer use miraculous gifts because His will is now recorded for us. (If you disagree with me, perhaps we can talk about that sometime, please don’t get distracted by it just now, keep reading.) I remember studying with a woman who was certain they did exist. I was very saddened because as we studied the Scriptures, she said she saw that the Bible does say what I was teaching, but she simply couldn’t believe that was right because, “If God doesn’t give me miraculous gifts, then I’m not special.”

Even though that is not a scriptural argument, I understand the emotion behind it. We want to be special. I want to be special. In our minds, what could be more special than God granting me some amazing power that makes us stand out? I so desperately want to be worth something because as I look at my sins and as I consider how I’ve been treated by many people, I often feel worth nothing. I want to feel special and wouldn’t it be great if I could say the word and someone would be healed? Wouldn’t it be great if I could evangelize the hispanics because I can speak their language miraculously? Then I’d know I’m special.

Of course, I don’t believe God works that way in the modern day. So what do I do? I try to prove I’m special by still looking at all the things I do. Look at my preaching. Look at my writing. Look at the people I’ve baptized. Look at the folks I’ve helped. See, I’m special. I’ll give a nod to God’s strength and God working through me, but really I’m rejoicing in me trying to prove I’m special.

Jesus says, that isn’t the way I should think or act. Sure, God working through us to accomplish things is great. But I’m special without that. My name is written in heaven. God looked at me and sent His Son to die for me. He adopted me and redeemed me. My name is in His book of Life. It just doesn’t get anymore special than that.

I’m going to rejoice today because my name is written in heaven. I hope you can rejoice with me.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

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

Today’s reading is Acts 11:1-12:25.

I’ve heard many people repudiate the Christians who were praying at Mary the mother of John Mark’s house for not having faith in God to answer their prayers. When they heard Rhoda’s report that Peter stood at the gate, they didn’t believe her. They said it must be his angel instead. I simply want to share two ideas here that are a little different from the norm. You can let me know what you think.

1). I try to give these people who were praying into the middle of the night a little more credit. I’ve usually found that people who don’t have faith in God to grant their prayers, don’t pray very much. I’m not so sure that they were praying but not expecting God to do anything. Rather, I think they were praying but weren’t expecting God to work in this way. They were expecting God to work in some way that Herod changed his mind and just let Peter go. They weren’t expecting God to send an angel to miraculously release Peter in the middle of the night. Therefore they were surprised.

What I learn from this is not to put God in a box. God can work however God wants. Usually, when I’m praying for something, I not only have the end result in mind but a method as well. I need to let God know my desires and leave the methods up to Him. He will not always do what I expect.

2). This is just kind of a side note. But in the past, when I’ve thought about the statement “It is his angel” in Acts 12:15, I’ve thought the people meant Peter must be dead and now is coming as an angel. Of course, there is no indication that dead saints become angels. So this would be their misunderstanding. However, what about this possibility. Since a spiritual being like an angel wouldn’t be kept outside by a locked gate, perhaps the Christians meant something entirely different. 

Remember that the word translated “angel” means messenger. Is it possible that what these folks meant was not that Peter was dead and coming to them as a spiritual being, but rather that he had sent a messenger to them. Tell me what you think about this possibility.

***Question: What are some things God has done that were unexpected to you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC