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 9:1-10:42.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41-42).

I needed to be reminded of this today. While your reading this, I’m probably working on my Tennessee house because it still isn’t ready to sell. We have built retaining walls, worked on landscaping, rebuilt the deck, painted. Yesterday, I discovered that shampooing the carpet probably isn’t going to cut it. Looks like we’ll have to have new installed. Needless to say, right now, I’m easily distracted, troubled, and anxious.

Certainly, I’m allowed to work on my house today. However, I need to keep things in perspective. I can get my house in top notch shape but that won’t necessarily help me glorify God. Today, I need to remember that the most important thing is getting to know Jesus a little better. That will help me glorify God and help me find eternal life. In the midst of hammering, painting, planting grass, etc. I need to keep Jesus at the center.

Yes, it is easy to be anxious and troubled about all these things, but if I make sure to focus on the one necessary thing, God will provide the rest.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

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

Today’s reading is Philippians 3:1-4:23.

I’m glad to read Philippians 3:7-11 today. It reminds me of what is most important for me today. It is not most important that I make money today or that I sell any books today. It is not most important that I rub elbows with some important person today. It is not most important that I pass on some great knowledge and education to my children today. It is not most important that I solve some great problem facing our world. What is most important is that I get to know Jesus just a little bit better today. If that means I have to give up something else, then so be it. 

Only by knowing Jesus will I attain the resurrection and have my lowly body transformed to be like his glorious body. 

I think I’ll go spend a little bit more time reading His word and praying. Perhaps I should spend some time with His other brethren. I will probably also take some time to do some meditating on what I learn of Him through the word. All of these things can help me know Him better and draw me closer to Him. That is what is most important today. Maybe God will use me to do some other things today as well, but most importantly, I need to know Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

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