Always Be Ready

Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” (Matthew 21:18-19)

When Jesus encounters the fig tree, He finds it fruitless, and He is greatly displeased, because He was hungry. His disappointment with the tree is actually quite surprising, considering the fact that it was not the season for figs.

 

When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. (Mark 11:13b)

 

Yet, Jesus cursed the tree for fruitlessness anyway! Why was He expecting figs, even though it was not fig season. My conclusion is this — when Jesus is looking for fruit, we had better have fruit.

 

Be ready in and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2)

 

The Lord does not view times and seasons the way we do. He is not bound by the clock on the wall, because He is sovereign, and His perspective is eternal. When we were born again in the Spirit, He placed eternity in our hearts, and we began to understand life in the Spirit. We have grown in our thinking and doing having entered the realm of the spirit, where nothing is impossible, and the impossible is nothing!

 

When we rightly esteem the Spirit-filled life, we will always be prepared for the divine moments and encounters Jesus engineers. We are always ready to glorify our God, and we are true to Him no matter the cost!

 

May the Lord find our branches laden with the fruits of the Spirit, and may Jesus be refreshed and glorified in us no matter the season. 

 

Let's Pray - Father, I realize You will return like a thief in the night. Therefore, I am to be ready for Your return. May You find acceptable spiritual fruit on my branches, and may that fruit refresh You and bring You glory. Amen. 

For Disciples Only

Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1-6)

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26-27)

 

Everyone God calls to Himself will face the challenge of leaving what they have for what God has for them. In order for the Lord to draw disciples to Himself, He must draw us away from the familiar, and we have to lay down the life we know and love to receive the life He promises. 

 

Abram is a picture of true worship and devotion, which moves beyond words and good intentions and manifests in obedience, particularly when it's difficult. God is not asking Abram to leave a bad situation for a good one — any fool knows to do that! He's asking him to trust and believe Him, to leave all and follow Him, to prefer and prioritize Him, to go to a place without knowing what or where that place is, and to walk by faith and not by sight. 

 

"Sell all you have . . . and come follow me." (Luke 18:22)

 

A crowded life is one God cannot (and will not) use. Those of us who come to Him cannot bring along our rights and possessions; those things will not fit through the narrow door of service and sacrifice. 

 

You will notice that everyone who profoundly affects your life for Christ is one who is "sold out" to Him. That is the one God sends, because he or she will be faithful with the strength He pours into them. The Lord is looking for the one He can trust with souls, and that one is willing to forsake all he has to receive all the Lord would give. 

 

Jesus will not share His disciple with anyone or anything else. Are you His disciple? His and His alone?

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, I will respond when You call, and I will do so without doubting. I have learned that You are trustworthy, and You always lead me in the righteous path. Here I am, Lord, at Your service. Amen.

The Chosen Few

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." (Matthew 20:16)

In other words, few will prove themselves worthy of the call by laying down their lives, picking up their cross, and following Jesus daily. Answering the call of the Lord is not merely agreeing to do things for God, but we must obliterate our allegiance to any other relationship, any other cause, any other creed, and any other obligation. Our commitment to Jesus must become and remain unrivaled, and few of us ever reach that place of surrender.

That being said, it is God's sovereign right to choose who He will. At times, His choices seem strange to us, certainly not what we would have expected or chosen. For instance, who would have chosen Saul of Tarsus to be the quintessential apostle to the young church of Jesus Christ? Didn't he brutally persecute the church? Who would have chosen Gideon over the more qualified soldiers and leaders of his day? Why was Abram chosen out of all the men on earth? Didn't David have seven older brothers when he was anointed by Samuel? Why did Jesus choose uneducated and uncultured men to be His disciples, not to mention Judas, His betrayer?

 

Yes, the Lord chooses some very unlikely and unworthy vessels. We must learn to see ourselves the same way, because God chose us, too. 

You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . . (John 15:16)

Let's Pray - Lord, please count me among the faithful; one who not only speaks what is right but does what is right. I know I am not worthy, but I want to be counted among the few. Amen.  

Beware of Ambition

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." (Mark 10:35-37)

Wanting to be first or great was not the disciples' only problem. Having Jesus right before them and not recognizing Who or what they were looking at was the real issue. God Himself was living among them, not only as Lord, but as the Son and Servant of Man — bearing their burdens, healing their diseases, feeding, caring, teaching, sacrificing, and blessing. Yet, they could only see the perks of power and the awe it inspired. They were called to be co-servants with Jesus, but they were blind-sided by pride and ambition. Nothing much has changed. 

 

But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask." (Mark 10:38)

We must beware of ambition, no matter how "spiritual" it is. David's ambition caused him to number God's people. Moses' ambition caused him to slay the Egyptian. Aaron and Miriam's ambition caused them to challenge Moses' authority. There are many more examples of selfishness in the scriptures, and there are many in the church today. But our Lord humbled Himself, laid down His life, served us, and suffered the most shameful and painful death imaginable out of obedience to the Father. We, then, must reject the temptation to glorify ourselves, and we must sit in the lowest place, not the highest. That is what our Lord did, and now He is seated next to the Father. Let Him be your Example and follow Him today.

 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Let's Pray - Precious Lord, teach us that humility is the highest attribute, and we must lay our lives down in order to be lifted up. Save us from the craven sin of selfish ambition. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Best Laid Plans

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. 
(Genesis 16:1-2)

Far too often, we compromise the work of the Lord by seeking to accomplish our goals by our means, when He would have us humble ourselves, be patient, be still, and wait. Even today, much that is promoted as Christian ministry is actually the result of restlessness, prayerlessness, and human ingenuity which the Bible simply calls foolishness. If the Lord is teaching His children anything at all in this day, I believe it is, "Jesus alone is enough!"

 

Our efforts to save, rescue, serve, and change the world are more a hindrance to His plan than a help. Christ alone is the Word of God, and the only thing the Lord has to say to the world is, "This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!" Let us not produce "Ishmaels" through our ambition and the works of our flesh, when the promises of God are fulfilled in Isaac. May the Lord teach us to be still and know that He is God!

 

Let’s Pray – Father, give us the wisdom and patience to wait on You, no matter how long that wait may be. There is no substitute for the divine, and may we not look for or employ any. Christ and Christ alone! Amen.

At His Feet

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. (Luke 10:38-39)

There are many things one might want to be known for, but Mary of Bethany will always be remembered for finding her place at Jesus' feet. She was the one who sat at His feet and heard His word, while others found themselves busy and distracted. She was the one who poured precious and expensive perfume on His head and feet, wiped His feet with her hair, filling the air with the fragrance of extravagant worship. She fell at His feet and rose up to witness Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. No, she never took her eyes off Jesus, or left her place at His feet. Mary will always be remembered for being at the feet of Jesus. May I be remembered the same. 

Let's Pray - Lord, thank You for showing us the value of worship in the Kingdom. Let us be a people noted for the praises we lift to our King. In Jesus, Amen.

Ready to Serve

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13:12-15)

 Jesus understood what it meant to be a Son, so He was not ashamed or embarrassed to be a servant. In His mind, there was no contradiction. We tend to see servants as less-than or inferior to those being served; therefore, servants are often treated roughly and lightly esteemed. Not so in the Kingdom of God! A servant's heart is highly valued by the Lord, especially among His sons and daughters. That is why Jesus is the perfect example of royalty, sonship, and servanthood — and His example reflects the heart of the Father.

 

We can never fully know what it means to rule well until we learn to serve well. Our Heavenly Father is a most profound picture of selflessness and service, and it all flows out of His deep and abiding love for us. He serves us daily with provision, care, health, and protection; and He has provided us an eternal inheritance by the atoning work done for us by the Son of His love.

 

God’s grace and mercy are ours in endless supply, and our help comes continually from His sanctuary. We are most like Him when we serve others like He serves us. May we do for others as Christ has does for us. 

 

Let's Pray - Lord, You have adopted me and made me a son. Now give me a servant's heart, just like the heart of Jesus. I am ready to serve. Amen.

Help Me Believe

And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. (Luke 24:11-12)

Jesus never speaks idle words. The apostles did not believe, because they did not yet realize that every word He spoke to them was eternal truth, and nothing was spoken lightly or carelessly. If they had understood this, they would not have been surprised that He rose from the dead, because He told them He would. What was it that made the disciples unable to hear the truth spoken to them for three and a half years? Likewise, what is it that keeps me deaf, blind, and afraid to take the Lord at His word?

 

Why am I so often stressed when the Lord has promised me peace? Why am I so easily ensnared by sin when the Savior has put sin to death on the cross? Why am I so slow to believe?

 

Help me, Lord!

 

Believing God is simple, and that is where we so often fail. When we are simple enough to keep our eyes on Jesus, we are capable of walking on water; but the moment we look away, we begin to sink in doubt and fear. The lilies of the field, birds of the air, and fish of the sea never fret or worry – yet, they have all their needs met. Oh, that we were that childlike and simple!

 

Only the saint who is simple enough to trust God finds the perfect peace He promises. May the Lord help us and give us the Mind of Christ and a heart that simply believes Him. Always.

Let's Pray - Father, I believe - help my unbelief! May I receive every word of Jesus as spirit and life, and may that word be my daily bread. Amen.

Remember His Words

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” And they remembered His words. (Luke 24:5-8)

There is nothing more important for us to believe than Jesus died and rose victoriously from the grave. That fact is the most important truth of all because it transcends history and opens the door to eternal life for those who believe. If we keep this in mind, we will stay focused on Jesus, overcome every enemy, and thrive even in trying times. Our faith will not fail in the crucial hour, because it is based on the glorious truth that Jesus is alive, and now He lives in us!

 

And they remembered His words.

 

We must make a determined practice of calling to mind the words of our Lord. The difference between heaven or hell coming to bear in our lives are the words that come to mind when we are pressed. Encouragement or discouragement? Light and life, or darkness and death? Earthly wisdom or godly counsel? Are we developing the disciplines of the Spirit by prayer, worship, and meditating on the Scriptures?

The choice is ours.

 

Be sure to take the Lord's instructions to heart. Receive and believe His words. Let His words be the words you remember, and the words you obey.

 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11)

 

Let's Pray - Lord, may we remember Your words in the crucial hour. Whenever we are perplexed, may we harken back to Your words. We look only to You. Amen.

Wait for Him

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;" (Acts 1:4)

The Lord instructed His disciples to wait. Wait for what? Wait for who? They were to wait for the Holy Spirit, who would come upon them and take up residence in them and among them. The Kingdom they were to receive would not manifest around them, but in them. Only then would they be fit to be witnesses to Him, to make up His Church, and to show the world His glory. They could not earn or buy the Kingdom. They could not discover or invent it. They could not imagine or reimagine it. They simply had to wait for it, and wait they did.

You, too, must wait! 

Many have gone out into ministry without waiting, only to find that they do not have the "stuff" it takes to endure the difficulties and complete the work. No man or woman is sufficient for the task apart from the commission and power of the Holy Spirit. Oh, we can do church, preach, meet, and perform all the duties and tasks one might expect of a minister or a ministry on our own —  and there is more than enough dead religion in the world to prove that point.

If the Lord is going to work through us, we must first wait, receive the Holy Spirit, and then go forward in His strength. Jesus will give us the power to do what He commands, and that power is ours in the Spirit, and in the Spirit alone. 

We may not like to wait, and we may not want to wait, but woe to us if we don't. 

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalms 27:14)

 

Let's Pray - Lord, may I not move until I am filled and sent by Your Holy Spirit. Then I will be a witness to Your glory and grace. Thank you for every opportunity to bless Your name. Amen.

Rejoice in This

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)

It is unwise to desire great things on this earth, especially great "Christian" works. Jesus was not concerned or impressed with any of those things, and He did not want His disciples to be either. They were to be fully focused on their relationship to the Father, just as Jesus was. The greatest thing a saint can do is to be found in Christ, and that saint must wage and win a great battle to stay focused on Him. Life in Christ is the paramount thing, so let us rejoice in Him and Him alone!

 

God's love is not like ours; it is not based on emotion or affinity, but it is holy, and that is a different kind of love altogether. His love is righteous and pure, and it is perfectly and exclusively expressed in Jesus. Any understanding of love not founded in Jesus is counterfeit and illegitimate, for Jesus is God, and God is love. 

 

The Father loves all that pertains to His Son, and nothing else, and we make a grave mistake to think He loves anyone or anything apart from Jesus. For those of us who love the Lord, our names are written in heaven, and in blood — the precious Blood of the Lamb. That is why we rejoice in Him alone, and we will continuously do so until He returns.  

 

Let's Pray - Precious King, it is a joy to be found in You, to be led by You, and to glorify You. That is why I live, and that is why I rejoice. In Jesus, Amen.

A Heavenly Kingdom

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

The disciples still did not get it. Even after Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, they were still clueless about the kingdom of God, and it showed by the question they asked. They did not yet understand that the kingdom they would inherit is not of this world, but a heavenly kingdom. Even today, many Christians are trying to establish heaven's rule on earth through their activism, strivings, politics and religion; but the Lord desires to place His Kingdom in our hearts, if we will receive it. That is where He seeks to rule. Does He rule in your heart?

 

Those who are close to Jesus are prepared spiritually for the challenges and opportunities before them, and they faithfully and patiently accomplish the will of God on the earth. It is not for us to know times and seasons, but to know our God; and His abiding presence is the readiness to operate wisely no matter the season or circumstance. That is what it means to be His witness, and our lives are the undeniable proof that His Word is true. 

Yes, the King is alive, the Kingdom has been restored, and it has taken up residence in us. Long live the King!

 

Let's Pray - Father, give me eyes to see and ears to hear heavenly things. Thy Kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

 

A Better Plan

 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7)

There were things that Jesus' disciples could not do as long as He remained with them. Had Jesus remained on the earth, the Holy Spirit would never have been sent to abide with them and dwell in their hearts. They would have never received the power and ministry of the living Christ, and they would have never taken their eyes off Him to see the needy souls all around them. Still, it did not seem right to them that Jesus would leave. After all, He promised never to leave or forsake them, and He always keeps His promises — yet, He was going away. They did not realize He was preparing their hearts to be the temple He would dwell in by His Spirit. He would come again; this time to dwell within and remain forever.

 

Sometimes it seems that Jesus has gone away and left us in this mean and cruel world to fend for ourselves, but that is not true. He has gone to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit, and now He is present throughout the world in our hearts and His church. While He was on earth, His presence was localized in His physical body — but through us, Jesus is everywhere, and the Gospel is lived and preached wherever we go.

 

Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of God; and yet, He is alive and well on earth — that is, in us who are filled with His Spirit. That is the advantage Christ spoke of when he said it was best that He went away, so that He could send His Spirit, who will never go away. As long as He abides in our hearts, His love abounds through us, and there is hope for this dark and desperate world. That is the Good News, and that is God's plan. His plan is a good plan. 

 

Let's Pray - Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is given to me as a guarantee of all You promised me -- life everlasting. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Begotten of Him

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. (1 John 5:1)

Believing God's Word is the most important thing we will ever do. Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and the faithful saint is filled with the joy and Spirit of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we will overcome the world, all its temptations and lusts, and all preoccupation with that which is perishing, because we are settled and focused on our new life in Jesus. Faith points us upward and forward, and the life God gives us is evidenced in the power to live victoriously, to love our brothers and sisters, and to rejoice in the goodness of our God.

 

Jesus is the only obsession a saint can afford to have. We must not be overtaken by a passion for ministry or souls, and we must be careful lest we are overwhelmed by the desperate plight and needs of men. Remember, "The poor you have with you always . . ." Our faces must be set like flint toward the Savior, or we are sure to get lost in the controversies and stark realities of the world around us. We must remember that Jesus has not only set us free from sin, but from the pervasive powers of darkness that exercise sway in the world system of things. Ours is a new and better world, and a new and better focus; that is, the Kingdom of God which has come and taken residence within us. We are the ones "born of God," who set our minds on things above, not things below. We are the ones who believe.

 

Let's Pray - Dear Father, I believe! Help me to believe even more. I want all the benefits of trusting in Christ. Amen.