Jesus had compassion on [the two blind men] and touched their eyes. Matthew 20:34

Years ago, while in training to be a Boy Scout camp counselor, I had to go rock climbing — blindfolded. The height alone petrified me, but the thought of attempting to climb without being able to see turned my stomach into cement. I felt desperate and was utterly dependent on the others. I slipped. Reaching up, I couldn’t grasp the next handhold. Dangling blind from the side of a cliff, I didn’t care if people knew that I was vulnerable and couldn’t make it alone. Eve though secured by ropes I felt terrified that I was about to fall. Then I heard the deep, confident voice of my teammate cutting through my fear, giving me the directions I needed to find the handhold.

Much like me in my situation, the only thing that the two blind men on the road to Jericho could “see” was their problem, their helplessness. Desperate, they only shouted louder when the crowd tried to quiet them. Just as I had to tune out everything but my teammate’s voice, the blind men had to focus on Jesus and not let the condemning voices or their helpless state deter them.  When the blind men ignored the crowd and focused on Jesus, he heard and responded. Their turning to him in complete vulnerability freed God to work. In the same way, when we call out in our need, God will hear us and respond to our cry.

Dear God, help us to see our weakness, to center on your voice above the noise of the crowd, and to completely depend on you. Amen.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:28-30; 33

Nearly every major city is undergoing construction. New buildings, shopping centers and homes are popping up everywhere. But in the midst of all of this development, there are unfinished construction projects scattered throughout our urbanized world.  But the physical world isn’t the only place we find unfinished projects. Jesus knew that a spiritual life could easily become like an unfinished building—empty and wanting. And that emptiness happens when we don’t follow through with our commitments to God and to others.

As you walk with Christ, think about what all you’ll have to do to fully embrace the life God has for you. And remember that God wants to empower you to carry out the commitments you have made.

Lord, search my heart and show me the areas of my life that are unfinished. Help me to focus on doing what I need to do as I follow you. And give me the strength to always be a true follower of your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“And I say, ‘Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8

I’m not normally one to sense family secrets about people’s lives, but this time I did. The moment “Sarah” walked through my front door for a Bible study some years ago, God whispered to me, “She needs help.” A few weeks later she asked if I could come over and talk.  She welcomed me to an immaculate house and peppered me with questions about how I managed our home. At first I answered her questions directly, but as she kept asking, I realized she was really asking something else: Why can’t I be enough for my husband’s expectations? She seemed frightened, jumpy.  That day my new friend Sarah confessed that her husband abused her. Emotionally. Physically. Psychologically. I prayed for her, gave her my phone number, and felt her burden in my gut.  She called after a violent episode, her two children crying in the back of her car. “I’m afraid,” she told me.

I encouraged her to come over. Nearly at that moment, a friend of mine arrived and, through a series of God-moments, we worked together to get Sarah and her two children to a safe place.  In doing so, we feared for our safety. Her husband stalked us, called me in the middle of the night screaming. During one conversation, I  asked him, “Why are you in seminary?”  “Because I want to pastor people.” He said it as if the answer were obvious.  I cleared my throat in the quiet of my room. “If you can’t shepherd your own family, you can’t expect to shepherd others.”  The man erupted, spewing obscenities. “She just needs to learn to submit!” With that, he hung up.

Since this time, I’ve encountered several hurting women married to men who pursued this type of submission. These women felt trapped, worried, and afraid. And because their husbands held the position they did, these wives didn’t know how to find a safe place.

Do you know a “Sarah”? Whether she is a friend, acquaintance, or the person you look at each day in the mirror, there is something you can do. Pray fervently that God will give you the wisdom to find shelter. Pray for the courage to tell the truth, or to be a safe place for her to tell the truth. And believe that no one “deserves” punishment, violence, or verbal thrashings by a spouse. Remember that God’s heart for marriage is unity, mutual understanding, longsuffering, love that overlooks shortfalls, and camaraderie.  May we all seek God’s design for marriage and may those who need to find shelter hurry towards it.

Dear Lord, As a friend of a Sarah, give me wisdom. Make me aware if You desire for me to take a role in helping someone. I give You everything, including my fears, worries, and stress. Shine Your light on my family, I pray. And lead us all to Your safe place. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  Matthew 7:24, 26

Do you remember the story of the three little pigs? The first pig built a house of straw. The second pig built a house of sticks. But the wolf came and easily blew those houses down. The third pig, though, built a house of bricks. And no matter how hard the wolf tried, he wasn’t strong enough to prevail against the brick house. That children’s story is similar to the parable told by Jesus in Matthew 7. Every time you hear principles from God’s Word you have the choice of building your life on sand or rock. When you chose to ignore God’s principles, you are building on your own personal foundation that is destined to crumble. But when you choose to follow God’s principles, you are building a life that cannot be destroyed.  

How secure is your foundation? If you have been building on the wrong foundation, it is not too late to start a new building project. You can leave the sand and start a new construction site

Lord, the foundation of my life is so important to the quality of my life. I ask that you give me the wisdom I need to build my life on your Word so that I can stand against anything that may try to destroy me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.  Matthew 22:18-22 

Everyone wants to be innovative these days—from being the first company to introduce a new technology to being the first person with the latest and greatest cell phone. But the truth is that we didn’t invent innovation.  Jesus’ entire ministry was built on innovation, which intimidated the Pharisees. So, they devised what they thought would be a flawless attack on Jesus. The Pharisees asked Jesus a question about earthly authority versus heavenly authority, hoping to force Jesus into contradicting his earlier teachings. But as always, Jesus knew their intent, and turned their foiled plan into a creative lesson for everyone. 

Jesus’ ministry was intentionally innovative, and he was passionate about bringing the deep truths of God’s Word to the shallow waters of people’s hearts. We should be equally innovative in spreading God’s Word to the people we come in contact with each day. God has woven a thread of creativity through each of us, and he wants us to use it to draw people to him.

Lord, you have blessed me with many gifts and talents that I can use to draw people close to you. Help me to come up with innovative ways to share my faith with my friends as well as other people you have placed in my path. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Mark 1:35

What do you think would happen to your body if you only ate one meal per week? You would probably be very sick because your body would not get the nutrition it needs to keep its natural defense system in tact. Your body would be left vulnerable and the slightest germ could result in a total body breakdown.  Many of us suffer from spiritual malnutrition. We come to church once a week and think that we will be equipped to fight Satan’s daily schemes and tactics. But no matter how incredible the pastor’s message is, it will not sustain you. True spiritual health requires regular spiritual meals. You must spend time with God, regularly dining on his Word—the Bible—and enjoying his company through prayer. 

Even Jesus spent time alone with God, his Father. Jesus spent most of his public ministry teaching and talking about God’s truth, letting God work through him. But he knew that was not enough. Jesus knew he needed to spend regular time with God in order to stay energized and carry out his demanding schedule.  Jesus knew he couldn’t be a successful servant of God if he starved himself spiritually. And we need to realize that same truth today. God gave us his Word so that we could be equipped for the different situations in our lives. We need to feed on God’s Word everyday so that we can be spiritually strong and healthy and carry out the tasks God has placed in our lives.

Lord, I want to develop a strong, intimate relationship with you. Help me to be consistent in reading your word so that I will be equipped to handle spiritual attacks and able to encourage others in their faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“‘Come,’ he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!'”  Matthew 14:29-30

 A while back, I opened my daily devotion and the theme verse was the passage above.  When I first began reading I thought, “Oh, I know this passage backwards and forwards:  Peter stepping out onto the stormy waves. A great story of faith and keeping focused on Christ.”  But in this particular devotion, there was a different focus.  The key word used was “reckless.”  It explained we are to be reckless in our faith – not habitual, not routine, not guarded.  Reckless.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of reckless: Utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution. If you ask me, reckless doesn’t sound like a good thing!  When it comes to acting without caution, usually the consequences are negative, resulting in pain and problems that could have been avoided had common sense been used.  

 But when it comes to our faith, acting without caution is an awesome quality. Reckless faith is…Living out loud for God, regardless of the consequences.  Opening ourselves up to be Christ’s hands and feet in situations where most people close themselves off.   Reaching people others have deemed unreachable.
Loving those who are not very lovable and do not return our love.  Forgiving when forgiveness is not justifiable by the world’s standards and making others wonder if we have our head on straight.

 Changing direction in life because God called us to even if it doesn’t make sense.   Reckless faith is being abandoned for Christ, completely surrendered to Him without restraint, and at peace with the consequences of what might happen.  Peter was reckless in earthly terms.  He jumped onto the sea during a raging storm without a flotation device, into waves big enough to capsize his boat.  However, if you think about it, it really wasn’t Peter’s earthly actions that were reckless; it was Peter’s spiritual faith.
He had reckless faith: Without thinking, without distress over consequences, without anxiety over what might happen, and without concern for what his friends might think, Peter had faith.

Peter had reckless faith.  And we can too!  Reckless faith means doing what God has called us to do, commanded us to do, and prompted us to do – because it brings Him glory. Those who witnessed Peter’s reckless faith didn’t ooh and aah over Peter.  Instead, like Peter, they fixed their eyes on Jesus.  “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God'” Matthew 14:33.

There are a few times in my life when I’ve exhibited reckless faith, and found God blessed me immensely as a result. Unfortunately, there are many more times I’ve chosen to remain safely in my boat.  It is so much easier to stay afloat in the safety of our comfort zone than to step out into stormy waters, putting all of our trust in Christ.

Reckless faith requires a vibrant and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we climb from the safety boat and exhibit that, we spur those still in their boats to fix their own eyes on Him, and worship the Son of God.
How is God calling you to be reckless for Him today?

Dear Lord, truly You are the Son of God. I know You have called me to reckless faith, but it is hard to step out. Infuse me with courage to climb out of my boat in whatever way You have called me to. Please help me hear You and give me bravery to move beyond my comfort zone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

The thunder and lightning of a powerful storm rattled my house last night.  As rain slashed against the windows and lightning lit up the dark sky.  I remembered being  woke up years ago to make room for my son to join me and my wife in bed.  I remember thinking with surprise that I didn’t even know it was going to storm. 

What a picture of my life lately.  It’s been a year of unexpected rain.  Some just drizzles, but others, like the storm hitting me most recently, have rattled windows with wave after wave of thunder and bursts of lightning.  What about you?  Is there stormy weather in your life right now?  Where are you finding shelter from the storms? 

My friends and family have been a shelter for me this year, just like my family was that night as we all huddled together in bed.  They’ve encouraged and supported me.  And most importantly, they’ve pointed me to the strongest shelter from the storms, my Heavenly Father.  As I’ve turned to Scripture this week, I’m amazed at the number of times it reminds us God is our shelter.  God knows that we will encounter hard times and His Word reminds us that the strongest and safest shelter is God Himself.

As always we have a choice: get drenched in the rain or seek shelter.  You see, the storms of life can cause us to run toward God, but just as easily they can cause us to turn away.  A whole range of emotions can leave us standing in the rain to get drenched: bitterness, anger, confusion, helplessness, or hopelessness.  If you can relate to these emotions, you might feel badly for having these emotions, but don’t let these feelings keep you from God.  Read the Psalms and you’ll see that God can handle every emotion. Negative emotions are not a reason to turn away from God.  They’re the very reason to turn to Him, desperately wanting the kind of faith and strength only God can provide. 

Keep turning to God, continue to tell Him in prayer how you feel, and leave your emotions with Him.  As you do, you’ll start to feel His nearness, His hope, His promise, and His comfort.  If you find yourself returning to feelings of fear or hopelessness, just go back to God.  Be honest in your prayers.  Acknowledge that you’re having a hard time, but that you want to trust Him in your circumstances. Know that He loves you and will consistently and constantly be your shelter from the storms.

Dear Lord, “Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.  Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings”. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:44-45

The service industry racks up billions of dollars each year in sales because people love to be waited on hand and foot. But this idea of being served isn’t just reserved for the hospitality industry.

Jesus’ disciples thought they were going to get a taste of the good life. After all, they were going to be hanging out with the Savior of the world. They kept waiting for Jesus to establish an earthly kingdom, and they postured themselves to be his right hand men. But in doing that, they completely missed the message Jesus was teaching.  Jesus came to earth to serve. He traveled from town to town spreading God’s life-changing message, healing those in need, confronting the oppressive religious leaders of the day, and ultimately, giving his life for anyone willing to accept him. Jesus gave us the ultimate example of what it means to serve.  Servanthood is a litmus test for the Christian life. Do you find yourself in the same boat as the disciples, expecting to be served rather than to serve? If so, you’re missing out on some of the biggest blessings God has to offer. Take your cue from Jesus, serve someone else and discover the fullest life possible.

Lord, thank you for leaving your comfortable place in heaven to serve us here on earth. I pray that you will teach me how to serve others so that I can experience the full life that you have designed for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures.   2 Timothy 3:14-15

I have a Doctor friend that is the proud owner of an antique medical book, The Practice of Surgery. It was written by Sir Ashley Cooper, “Surgeon to the King,” and published in 1828. The book was a gift from another close friend, and he keeps it in a prominent place in his office. He makes sure it is easily visible for people to see when they visit. He said he doesn’t often read it, and certainly doesn’t follow its recommendations in his practice of medicine! It is out-of-date; he keeps it only for show.

Many of us treat our Bible the same way. Though the Bible may be the greatest best-seller of all time, it is perhaps the least read book on our shelf. We like to display our Bible in a prominent place, but we don’t necessarily follow its recommendations. Many people feel it is out-of-date. The Bible was written by human hands but under the inspiration of God. It proclaims eternal truths. When we read the Bible, God will speak to us through its pages — as to countless others before us.

Lord, help us to read the Bible daily, discovering food for our soul and guidance for our journey. Amen.