God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.  Ephesians 2:45

Not much is revealed in the Bible about Barabbas except that he was a criminal being held under sentence of death for insurrection and murder. After Jesus’ trial, Pilate released Barabbas and sent Jesus to be crucified. How strange that a criminal should be set free and the sinless, spotless, perfect Son of God should die! In movies about the Easter story, Barabbas displays a detestable demeanor; he is not the sort of person that anyone would die to save. But that is exactly what Jesus did.

When I am tempted to look down on people as unworthy of salvation, I remember that Jesus died to save Barabbas just as he died for me — and everyone else in the world. God loves everyone equally, and Jesus died for the sins of each of us, without exception. In the sight of God, everyone has equal access to the gift of salvation though Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thank you, God, for the gift of salvation. Help us to see others with your eyes of love. Amen.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:10

I love noise — steady, constant reminders that I am not alone. Radio, television, the sound of other family members clanking around in the kitchen — all of these are a joy to me. And when no one else is around to make noise for me, I create the illusion of company by making noise myself. This need for company even carries over to my relationship with God. More often than not, when I’ve run out of things to say, I start saying the same things over again.

Unfortunately, while I am busy talking, no one else is able to. Over the years, I have discovered that God is a very polite listener and refuses to talk when I am talking. God consistently waits to speak until I’m ready to listen.  Finally, knowing this day might never come, God gently began nudging me toward going outside — an activity that occupies me so well I didn’t think about talking. Amazingly, when outside, I am silent. I hear the birds and feel the wind, but I am content with no need to comment. Thoughts about my day, my friends and family simply drift away, and I am with God. For me, time outside is prayer.

Lord, help us always to find a setting where we can listen to you. Calm us to hear your quiet whisper. Amen.

Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.  John 15:20-21

One of the most surprising facts that people learn about the Christian faith, is that obedience does not equal a comfortable life. Jesus says in Matthew 10, that he did not come to bring peace. He came to bring a sword.  God never promised that we would have it easy in this world. Some of God’s most obedient followers have been imprisoned, tortured and have even forfeited their lives because of their allegiance to Christ.

Most Christ-followers today will not lose their life for faithful obedience. The costs are often more subtle. You may have to sacrifice some social events in order to attend church, or give of your time to volunteer serving others instead of serving your own wants and needs. But these are small inconveniences compared to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. 

Don’t let minor sacrifices keep you from focusing on the bigger picture. Consider what the Bible says. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus sacrificed his life because of the blessings on the other side of the cross. What are you holding on to, instead of sacrificing it so that you can experience the joy of a much bigger blessing?

Lord, thank you for your ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Because of your endless love for me, I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself. Give me the strength and courage I need to sacrifice my self-serving desires so that I can be fully obedient to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:59-60

Many of the hours that melt off the clock fall victim to procrastination. “I know I should resolve that issue, but it’ll just have to wait until tomorrow.” “I need to complete that task, but I’ll wait until my TV shows are over.” There are many important things we know we should do, yet we put them off in our effort to buy more time.  No matter how much we try, we will never be able to buy more time. It’s not for sale…especially when it comes to eternal matters. One of the biggest things people procrastinate is their decision to follow Jesus. They tighten their grasp on the things of this world and tell God, “Wait until I’m finished having a good time. Then, I’ll follow you.” 

Jesus knew the dangers of procrastination. He invited a man to follow him, but the man hesitated and procrastinated with an excuse. There will always be a reason not to act. There will always be a reason to put off the decision. But you will never overcome procrastination until the benefit of moving forward is worth more to you than the cost of staying put.  There is no better benefit to pushing back from the table of procrastination than following Jesus. He came from heaven to give us life—not only here on earth but also eternally with him. We are not truly living until we have decided to follow him. Don’t let a life full of procrastination keep you from living the best life ever!

Lord, thank you for coming from heaven to give us life. Search my heart and my life, and get rid of anything that will keep me from following you. Help me to stop procrastinating and start living a life that’s pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What does it matter? The important thing is that … whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.  Philippians 1:18

One night years ago while I was on a Scouting wilderness camp, raccoons tore into a bag of trash I neglected to hang up. I rose early to find a mess. I pondered three simple thoughts. First, This is what raccoons do. Second, They really didn’t hurt me. Third, Next time, I’ll tie my trash up higher!

God led me to write about the “raccoons” in my life, the people who seem to go through my “trash” — my weaknesses, scars, and unresolved pain — making a mess and causing me problems. One by one, I prayed for and about them, remembering the three thoughts above.   In Phillipians, Paul spoke of those who “preached Christ out of selfish ambition, … supposing they could stir up trouble” for him. But Paul had learned to let go of anger at people like this. He said, “What does it matter?” 

Some people seem to rummage through our weaknesses, trying to “stir up trouble.” But anger, retaliation, and distress are unnecessary. As Jesus told his disciples, we can be “wise as serpents” and “harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). All of us, even troublemakers, are welcome at God’s table. 

Lord, help us to face life’s troublemakers with confidence in your power. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them.  Luke 18:78

In the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, we meet an extraordinary woman who refuses to accept her fate. She voices opposition to injustice without relenting. As a result of her persistence, even the unjust judge is prompted to act.

If even an unjust judge can be moved to grant justice, then imagine how much God desires to help those who are wronged. God looks upon the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow with deep concern for their plight. With our help, God can respond. The image of God wanting justice gives me hope as I think of Darfur, Sudan, where more than 300,000 people have died in the past three years as a result of civil unrest, lack of food, and disease. It is probably the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.  While I am easily overwhelmed and feel discouraged, I draw strength from our God who does not forget us. The cries of people around the world do not go unheard. I pray that Christians will unrelentingly pray, demonstrate, and call for peace with justice on behalf of our brothers and sisters everywhere.

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11

It is very early in the morning. Not many people are stirring yet.  Though my body begs me just to roll over and go back to sleep, my soul is stirring to get up and go sit with Jesus.  Though I can’t physically see Him, I know He is present.  I decide to open my Bible to the Psalms and use the verses I read as prayers to start my day. And the more I pray those verses out loud the less I hear all the nagging things of the world. A beautiful melody of truth starts to rise up and suddenly my worries fade in the light of God’s truth.  His perspective on things that are troubling me starts to overshadow my anxiety. Like shade on a hot summer’s day, I feel relief in His presence.  I know that He is preparing me for what I will need throughout this day. He is already standing in every minute of my day and He sees what I will face. So, He’s equipping me to be able to handle what is ahead of me with His gentle boldness, quiet strength, and loving grace.
In Psalm 81:10b, God instructs me, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” He will give me what to say today. What to say in happy moments. What to say in aggravating moments. What to say in moments where I feel insecure and what to say when I feel completely confident. What to say in disappointing moments. What to say in response to questions.  He also reminds me that sometimes it is good to keep my mouth closed and say nothing at all.
All the words that rumble about in my brain and those that will proceed out of my mouth, Lord, You be the author of those.
Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God’s dwelling place is lovely. So, I ask God to dwell in me richly. I want Him to be what radiates about me. I want Him to be my looks today.  Not my hair. Not my clothing. Not my efforts. But simply Him and His spirit dancing invisibly about me… shifting a wrong attitude, guarding my words, and whispering constant truths into my heart.
Psalm 86:11 is what I ask the Lord to give me. “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart…”  Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the truth and not my feelings.
Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. bHelp me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity…rather than a personal inconvenience.  And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13a, “Great is your love toward me.”
You already see all the many ways I will surely fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all.  Have mercy, that’s amazing.
But what’s most amazing is that the God of the Universe, the Savior of the world, would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this.

Dear Lord, I love You.  All that I have read here is the desire of my heart.  I know and confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You.  Please forgive me.  Thank You for Your grace that is able to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:61-62

What would you do if you were offered the opportunity of a lifetime? Think about the one thing that you would love to do above anything else would you immediately take advantage of the opportunity? Or would you go consult your family and friends to see what they would say first?  This is exactly what happened to the man in today’s Scripture. Jesus personally offered him the greatest opportunity of his life, yet he told Jesus to wait while he went back to say good-bye to his family. He was given the chance to walk with Jesus and learn from his words, yet he hesitated. He started thinking about other things in his life, and was left in limbo. 

The Bible says that our life here on earth is just a vapor compared to the big picture of eternity. Nothing on this earth will last—not our family, not our relationships, not our possessions. But there is one thing that we can do on earth that will affect our eternal life. And that is to make the decision to wholeheartedly follow Christ.  You have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Don’t linger in indecisiveness. Instead, commit to passionately follow Jesus.

Lord, thank you for the invitation to follow you. Sometimes, the things of this world distract me from passionately committing to you. It’s easier to straddle the fence than it is to take a stand. But today I come off of the fence and I choose to follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Sovereign LORD says, “I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”  Ezekiel 11:19

While watching a television documentary, I learned that heart rhythm problems in some cases can be caused by dead heart cells. Heart cells can die from internal as well as external causes. The dead cells do not conduct electrical impulses along the correct, predetermined path.

Likewise, the spiritual heart can be impaired. If we allow it, over time emotional injuries and personal offenses can harden our spiritual heart. The callous remarks we sometimes make to others can hurt them and cause them to harden their hearts as well. A hardened heart is spiritually impaired and doesn’t work as it was designed to. Jesus implied that a hardened heart impedes faith, discernment, and understanding.  As far as I know, dead cells in a physical heart cannot be revived. But this is not true for our spiritual heart. God’s grace creates in us a clean, new, and perfect heart when we recognize our need and call on the Lord.

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  Luke 9:57-58

Do you wonder what must have been going through the mind of the man who made that pledge to follow Jesus wherever he went? This guy must have thought following Jesus would be a piece of cake! But Jesus knew that once he explained the weight of that commitment, the man would have second thoughts.  Jesus did not have an extravagant lifestyle. He didn’t live in a gated community or ride the latest Bentley chariot. He didn’t even have the security of constant food and shelter. All he had was a commitment to his Father that he would live out the principles he taught as he prepared to save the world. 

Following God comes with a cost. Jesus counted the cost by leaving his comfortable place in heaven and paid the ultimate price by sacrificing his life. We, too, will have to sacrifice our life. We will have to sacrifice going to some places. We will have to sacrifice doing certain things. But every sacrifice you make for Christ has a greater reward than anything money can buy.  Jesus made unbelievable sacrifices to carry out his commitment to God. Are you willing to do the same? God is calling each of our names to come join the winning team. Will you answer the call?

Lord, I want to answer the call today. Help me to take those steps toward a life that is more pleasing to you. I love you, and I am willing to make the sacrifices necessary to follow you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.