November 30

1 Corinthians 1-4
Throughout the years, as I have worked with different congregations, it has always been a challenge to direct those I teach to focus on Jesus, not me.  Those who labor in the Lord have a tremendous amount of influence, and we aren’t careful we will produce a group of our own followers.  Paul said it right when he says, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”  No matter how fine the preacher, how righteous his life, how uplifting his message, our faith should always rest on God.  We are mere men, prone to error, simply being used as tools by the Lord.  Even though we should honor and respect those who devote themselves to teaching, we must never exalt them to a place equal with the Lord.

November 29

Acts 18-19
The saying, “Follow the money” comes into play in our reading today.  Those making money with the sale of idols had their business threatened with the preaching of the gospel.  So, they devised a plan to get rid of Paul and his associates.  It’s amazing that such a strong church was established in Ephesus.  Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world.  Ephesus is a good demonstration of the Lord’s power over evil.  My wife and I have often commented on how much smut we find in Houston.  Alongside the smut, we find an abundance of churches.  Satan keeps the attack going where he finds his biggest threat.  On a smaller scale, we can know that if we are living our lives in the way of the Lord, there is a good chance we will be attacked by Satan.  However, we are in good company when we are thus attacked.

November 28

1 Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3
What do you write to a church that is already doing all that you’ve taught, living above and beyond the instruction given?  Well, Paul uses the opportunity to encourage them, while reminding them of some of his teachings.  The students I found the most difficult were those who were extremely intelligent.  These challenged me, because I had to look for ways to help them improve what was already excellent work.  This is what the apostle was doing with the Thessalonians.  One of his teachings near the end of these two letters bears repeating:  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”  In our present condition we find many able-bodied people who are perfectly happy to live off the welfare system.  While we have an obligation to help those who cannot help themselves, we should be encouraging the others to earn their living.  Even so, we should be taking a lesson from Paul’s play book, seeking to encourage all.

November 27

Acts 17
Paul found himself among the intellectuals of his day and he ceased the opportunity to present the gospel in a way that would appeal to them.  Being people who sought out learning, they were a willing audience.  Even though they didn’t all accept the good news, they all welcomed the presentation.  My wife and I enjoy a small group study on Sunday evenings with a group of older, mostly retired people, most of whom just happen to be either former or current educators.  Studying the scripture with such a group as this presents some interesting challenges, as well as many enlightening moments.  Being highly educated, these folks don’t automatically go with traditional teachings with which many grew up.  They are constantly pushing the envelope.  The end result is a deeper faith in God, a greater appreciation for His word, and a richer relationship with the Lord.

November 26

Galatians 4-6
There have always been those who would impose as set of rules upon believers, leading them to believe that their salvation is based upon those rules.  There must be, of necessity, laws to guide mankind, to keep us from harming one another in a civil society.  However, in the church, Paul says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  Those things that are wrong to do are obvious, so we avoid them because to do otherwise would not be an expression of our faith through love.  As followers of Christ, we do that which is good and right, not because those things earn our salvation, rather, we grow in the fruit of the spirit because our faith is demonstrating itself through love.  Anything less is hypocrisy, and just as harmful as legalism.  Because we love as the Lord loves, we do not need a law to guide us.  Love is the guiding principle.  God’s Spirit is the means by which we are able to put that principle into practice.

November 25

Galatians 1-3
A fundamental teaching of Paul, if followed, would do much to restore order to the church, as well as, honor in the sight of man and God: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  This basic teaching removes all prejudices, promoting the freedom Christ died so that we might receive in Him.  It is in this freedom that unity can be had through harmonious fellowship with saints of all stripes.  Through this, we would no longer make harmful distinctions by elevating one above another.  Pride would take a backseat to humility as we would allow the Spirit to guide us into all righteousness through the love of Christ.

November 24

Acts 15-16
It has been said that truth is stranger than fiction. We live in a world that is fascinated with action heroes. Blockbuster movies are made filled with the exploits of real and fictional characters. Today's reading could easily be the basis for such a film. Paul and Silas' missionary journey has all the makings of an action packed, larger than life, adventure movie. I can picture a strong leading man playing the part of Paul, with his faithful companions, Silas, and Luke, the recorder of events, being directed and empowered supernaturally by the Spirit of God. This would truly be an edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter, movie! Perhaps we could get Peter Jackson or Steven Spielberg to direct it. What do you think?

November 23

James 1-5
The primary message of James is the control of the tongue.  I don’t know how many times I have seen lack of control results it disaster.  We often say things that are hurtful, destroying relationships, reputations, and this very often happens to those we love the most.  When we are, ourselves, hurt by another we strike back with ugly words.  The result it two hurt people.  When, if we were to respond with kind words, even if rejected by the other, the end result is less harmful.  Words mean things.  They are easily spoken, and impossible to take back.  We live in a nation that celebrates freedom of speech.  Unfortunately, that freedom is often abused.  Profanity is rampant, and this “freedom” is often used in ways that ought not be.  As Christians, we should know the boundaries of our freedom of speech, and gladly live within those boundaries.

November 22

Acts 13-14
Paul uses a really great line when he is bringing the gospel message to the Jews: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life . . .”  Those who reject the gospel do not consider themselves worthy of eternal life!  I wonder how many of those who are rejecting our message would reconsider if we brought this to their attention?  Of course, there are those who truly do not consider themselves worthy because they are so filled with guilt and remorse from a sinful past.  We would probably need a different approach with them.  However, there are many who reject the truth out of pride, thinking that our message is archaic, and that our God is a myth.  For these, it might be worthwhile to ask them if they consider themselves worthy of eternal life?

November 21

Acts 11-12
When Peter was giving his testimony concerning the conversion of Cornelius and his household, he makes the statement: “So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”  There is a principal in that statement that extends beyond this event, a principal we Christians should heed.  When we witness the gift of the Spirit in other believers and we refuse to offer our hand in fellowship because they might not share all our views, we may want to ask ourselves, “Who are we to think we can stand in God’s way?”  God is sovereign, and He will save who He chooses to save, regardless of our views about who should or should not be saved.  Jesus stated it another way when He said that a house divided cannot stand.

November 20

Acts 9-10
Such exciting times were these in the infancy of the church! Saul, the powerful enemy of the church, becomes the apostle Paul, specially chosen by Jesus to be His appointed messenger to the Gentiles. And, then Peter opens the door to the Gentiles through God-delivered visions, and a faithful Gentile centurion, Cornelius. Through these well-orchestrated events the gospel was opened up to the entire world, no one can be denied! God's chosen people are no longer limited to an earthly nation. We are now a heavenly nation, without discrimination regarding race or nationality. The only requirement for citizenship in this nation is faith in the Head, that is, in the Lord, Jesus Christ. May He be forever praised! Amen.

November 19

Acts 7-8 Stephen, the first recorded Christian martyr, died in much the same pattern as the Lord. He asked the Lord to receive his spirit, and he also asked God to forgive his executioners. A brave and heroic ending, Stephen represented the Lord admirably. And, as much as we are able to see the similarities, there is one glaring difference -- Stephen died, and he remained in the tomb, while Jesus died, was buried, and then arose. He who was completely dead was completely alive three days after His death! Because of His resurrection, Stephen, along with all his fellow Christians, will experience a resurrection into God's heavenly home!

November 18

Acts 4-6
As the Pharisees were attempting to still the voices of the apostles, Peter tells them that they cannot help but speak about what they had seen and heard.  The message of the gospel is so compelling that it must be told!  Do we modern Christians have that same drive?  I often hear the words, missional, or mission-minded in our churches.  However, mission work begins wherever we are.  One doesn’t need to go a foreign land in order to proclaim the good news.  We are surrounded by throngs of people that we come into contact with every day.  The enemy would have us be silent.  But, we, along with Peter, should not be able to help but speak the words of the gospel!

November 17

Acts 1-3
As Luke begins his history of the beginnings of the church we see Peter taking charge and leading the movement.  He preaches powerful sermons, convicting his hearers of their guilt; calling on them to repent and be baptized.  Along with the preaching, miracles are performed, confirming the teachings of the apostles.  It is important to see that the apostles never take the glory for themselves.  They always turn their hearers eyes toward Jesus.  Peter reminds them that the works they are seeing are only accomplished through the Lord.  He performs these deeds through His apostles, confirming their word, so that people might believe and be saved.  It is the goal of any preacher of teacher of the gospel that our hearers would focus on God.  Salvation is found in no other name!

November 16

Luke 24
John 20-21
After the resurrection, the Lord appeared to many people, leaving a strong witness to His resurrection.  However, Thomas had said that he wouldn’t believe until he saw the nail-scarred hands and the pierced side.  When Jesus appeared to Thomas, he loudly proclaimed his faith.  Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  In our efforts to prove that God is real, we often forget that faith is believing in the unseen.  God is bigger than any proof we might be able to offer.  He doesn’t need our physical proof.  He is God!  That is really the sum total of the discussion.  And, we know this, not because of any proof that has been offered.  No, we know this because of our faith!

November 15

Matthew 28
Mark 16
When Jesus was resurrected, the Jews devised a plan, involving a lie, to discredit His resurrection.  This sort of thing has continued on throughout the ages.  Many have come up with all sorts of ways to explain away the Lord.  My stepfather was an alcoholic and an atheist.  He spent hours pouring over the Bible, studying so as to discredit it.  He looked for contradictions, and came up with farcical explanations for different miraculous events.  However, as he lay in the hospital, dying with cirrhosis of the liver, he gave up on his life quest to disprove the existence of God.  Instead, he decided that he wanted to believe in one who could overcome death, offering eternal life to all who believe.  How about you?  Are you looking to discredit the Lord, or are you placing your faith in Him?

November 14

Luke 23
John 18-19
Just before He dies, Jesus fulfills His duty toward His mother, by appointing John to be her steward, thus, setting the example that He had earlier reprimanded the Jews for not doing.  He had convicted them of their hypocrisy by demonstrating that they were not honoring their parents.  So, in this final act, Jesus honors His mother by providing a caretaker.  During my parents final years I was separated from them by distance.  It gave me great comfort, however, to know that they had caretakers.  My dad’s wife faithfully looked after him until his death, and my brother did the same for Mom.  In our present era, the fifth commandment is often overlooked.  Instead of honoring parents, people often revile them, or simply ignore them.  Unfortunately, this even happens in the church.  Lord, help us to fulfill all your commandments!

November 13

Matthew 27
Mark 15
The crucifixion was a gruesome affair.  And to make it worse, the leader of the people, Pilate, knew Jesus was an innocent man!  However, he bowed to the people and allowed the Lord to be beaten, mocked, and crucified.  I think we often forget that those calling for His execution were the religious people of that time.  These were supposed to be the people of God!  When those who are supposed to be the ambassadors for God act in such a manner, is it any wonder that those in the world find it difficult to believe in a loving God?  And, before we start casting stones at the Jews, consider the crusades, along with all the other wars that have been fought using the Lord as an excuse to kill and maim our fellow man.  It is extremely important that we help others to understand that those who do such things are not true representatives of the one, true God.

November 12

John 14-17
“If you love me, keep my commands.”  Grace is truly the only way any of us can ever have salvation.  When judgment day comes, I want mercy, not justice.  However, we obtain that grace through our loving the Lord faithfully.  If we flaunt His commands, our love is a lie, and our salvation is a joke!  Some have been fed a false doctrine that leads them to believe they can live life on their own terms, just so long as they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  The word of God rebuts that teaching.  If we are to enjoy the grace of the Lord, we must obey His commands.  This is not a works-based salvation.  It is the reality of our love, or lack thereof, of the Lord.  Those who willingly go against the Lord’s commands are living in delusion if they believe they will continue to receive the grace and mercy of God!

November 11

Luke 22
John 13
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  This quote from the Lord should cause every Christian to take pause.  Most would read this and say, “Of course, we love one another!”  However, love is more than a four-letter word.  It involves action.  How do we treat one another?  Are we always kind to each other?  Is our love evident when the other doesn’t agree with us?  What happens when our brother or sister offends us?  Do we still display love toward them?  Over the past year, during the presidential campaign, I have witnessed many Christians using language toward their brothers and sisters in Christ that is very difficult to interpret as love.  In fact, it would be much more honest to say that they have demonstrated the very opposite of love!  We should be able to differ in opinions without being hateful.  Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray Him, but He still called him, “friend.”  He was still kind to His enemies, even when they weren’t to Him.  Your brother or sister may be wrong in the offense, but if you respond in kind, you are just as wrong.  One wrong doesn’t justify another.  Lord, help us to be more diligent in our love toward one another.  Amen!

November 10

Matthew 26
Mark 14
The last day before the Lord's crucifixion. He leaves His disciples with a sacrament to help them remember what was about to take place, His death, burial, and resurrection. We refer to this as the Lord' Supper, or Communion. For several centuries following this event the church observed this sacrament every Sunday. I don't know why some churches moved away from this tradition. The only reason I've ever been given is that to observe it weekly makes it too common. My response to this is, does praying or giving weekly make them too common? Such a wonderful sacrament as the Lord's Supper should never be taken lightly, or become common.

November 9

Matthew 25
This is one of the scariest chapters in the entire Bible for me.  Jesus says that at the end times He will separate the sheep from the goats.  His judgment will be based on whether or not we have fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and sheltered the homeless.  I must admit that I am seriously lacking in these areas.  To balance benevolence with good stewardship is a tricky business.  However, I think we would be much better off erring on the side of compassion, even when we are being taken advantage of.  While there are those who either cannot be helped, or are promoting a scam, unless we can know with certainty, it is better that we offer our help.

November 8

Matthew 24
The primary point of the Lord’s message concerning His return is that we must be ready.  The Lord’s return will come for any of us when we die.  Very few of us know when that day will come.  Even with a terminal illness, doctors predict how long we will live with a high degree of inaccuracy.  The old saying that we should live every day as if it were our last, is good advice.  If we knew that Jesus was returning today or tomorrow, how would we live our lives?  How would we treat each other?  What would we do with our possessions and wealth?  Jesus is telling us that He could come today or tomorrow, and we need to live our lives accordingly.

November 7

Mark 13
This is the passage many people use to support the doctrine of the rapture.  Unfortunately, they miss the verse where Jesus tells them that these things will happen before that generation passes away.  Unless we have 2,000-year-old people running around, the “rapture” has already taken place.  Otherwise, we might be able to see the fulfillment in the first chapters of Acts, or in the spiritual realms which all Christians reside.  I don’t think this is really important, as it doesn’t effect our salvation.  However, it does speak to where our faith is directed.  Is it on things we can see with our eyes, or on those things that are unseen?

November 6

Matthew 23; Luke 20-21
Jesus compares the religious people of His time to whitewashed tombs with dead men’s bones inside.  I once worked at a TV repair shop that really put this on display.  It was the cleanest, most efficient shop I had ever worked in.  Fortunately, I only sat on a bench, repairing what was put before me, and listing what I did.  From there, it went to a supervisor who modified the ticket, padding the bill, in order to get the maximum amount he believed the owner of the product would pay.  The ticket was then given to a salesman who would call the customer and sell them on the repair.  Every repair, as presented to the customer, was a major repair, regardless of the truth.  The truth was that many of those repairs were very minor.  However, because of the clean, efficient process, the customer was never the wiser.  Jesus is saying that some religious leaders do the same thing, deceiving their followers with teachings that neglect the telling of the complete truth.  These kind neglect the weightier matters – justice, mercy and faithfulness.

November 5

 
Matthew 22; Mark 12
Jesus answers those who were against Him, trying to give Him questions He wouldn't be able to answer. Of course, He shamed them with His answers, because these left them without any standing. We need to take a lesson from our Lord. There are those who would attempt to trap us in the same manner, with questions about our faith. We must always be careful in how we answer these naysayers, providing solid Godly answers that demonstrate the love and grace of the Prince of Peace.

November 4

 
Mark 11; John 12
We're told in today's reading that there were Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue. Reading this reminds me of a conversation I once had with another preacher. He said, "Rod, I agree with a lot of what you teach, but if I were to preach it no church would ask me to preach." I thought it sad that a man of God would refuse to preach certain truths for fear of not being asked to preach.

November 3

Luke 19
When Jesus decides to dine with Zacchaeus, the tax collector, the religious people are offended because He is in the company of a sinner.  When Jesus interacted with worldly people, partaking of their food and drink, the only people offended were the very ones who should have been following His example.  His actions were not a stumbling block to the sinners, but they were a stumbling block to the religious people.  He encourages His followers to be light and salt in the world.  However, if our light or salt doesn’t go beyond the saved, we are not fulfilling His edict.  In order to influence those still in darkness, we must go to where they are at, interacting with them with the same love and grace our Lord did.  Unfortunately, when we do this, there will be some of our very own who will look down on us, perhaps even condemning us for the company we keep.  Take heart!  For when you are being persecuted for doing this, know that you are in good standing with the Lord, even if you aren’t with some of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

November 2

Matthew 20-21
The Lord offers a parable to demonstrate His sovereignty.  The workers grumbled because those who were hired near the end of the day received the same pay as those hired earlier in the day.  Of course, we find this practice to be unfair.  That those who work a fraction of the time would receive equal pay seems absurd.  However, when we receive that which we agreed to, we have no reason to grumble.  The one giving the wage can do whatever he wants with his money.  God can do whatever He wishes, regardless of how fair, or unfair, we might think Him to be.  In agreeing to work for an employer, or in accepting the Lord, we do so on their terms, not ours.  When we receive that which has been promised we have no right to place conditions on how others are treated.  If we want to keep our jobs, we allow our boss to be the boss, and we mind our own business.  In the same manner, we must let God be God, and mind our own business.

November 1

Matthew 19; Mark 10
Jesus addresses the sanctity of marriage.  Many in that day, as in our own time, failed to understand the importance of their marriage vows.  Divorce was not only an option, it was often the first option.  God feels so strongly about this subject that He modeled how it should be.  He married Israel.  Even though she was unfaithful, He continued to honor the marriage covenant He has established with her.  It was only after multiple episodes of Israel’s unfaithfulness, and her unrepentant spirit, that He finally decided to divorce her.  Divorce was not the first, nor the second, third, fourth . . . option, it was the last option.  And, it only happened because she had broken the marriage bond with her repeated unfaithfulness.  This demonstrates God’s feelings toward the marriage covenant.  It should never be taken lightly.  Divorce is to be avoided, only taken when all else has failed.