Category: Daily Thought

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Perfume for the Savior

Daily Reading

Matthew 26

Daily Thought

A woman approached Jesus with a flask of top-shelf perfume and poured it on him, and the disciples objected, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor” (Matthew 26:8-9). But this is Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The Son of God became Son of Man, was born in a manger to die on a cross for the sins of the world. In “two days,” Jesus tells his disciples, “the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified” (Matthew 26:2). And, so, Jesus also tells his disciples, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me” (Matthew 26:10).

Look what everyone else did. The religious leaders hated Jesus and “plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him” (Matthew 26:4). They enlisted one of Jesus’s disciples, Judas, to betray Jesus into their hands, “and they paid him thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15). They put Jesus on trial before a jury of the Jewish council, and declared him guilty; “he deserves death” (Matthew 26:66). The rest of the disciples abandoned Jesus, and Peter, with a last chance to defend Jesus, denied him instead, “I do not know the man” (Matthew 26:72, 74).

But “a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table” (Matthew 26:7) and worshipped her Savior; and she got it right. “Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world,” said Jesus, “what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13). It just happened again.

Daily Prayer

My God and Savior, You ask for my worship, nothing more, yet nothing less than to love You with all my heart and and soul and mind and strength. To give You my all, just as You gave yours.

May I simply follow You, every step, every day. I want to do grand things for You, God, but the simple are harder, and I must begin there, to be content, to tell the truth, to serve others, to love my neighbor. This is the perfume of worship that pleases You. May my life smell good.

Amen

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Thy Kingdom Come

Daily Reading

Matthew 24-25

Daily Thought

A theologian named Harold Camping was setting dates and making all sorts of noise about the second coming of Jesus. It would on May 21, 2011, he announced. Those who listen to Jesus rather than Harold went on with life as usual that day, not because they do not believe Jesus is coming back, but because they do not believe Harold knows when; “See that no one leads you astray, concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:4, 36).

Followers of Jesus do not expect Jesus to return on a certain day, they expect him any day and that makes anticipation a part of every day, which makes a difference in life as usual. Life as usual, then, for those always prepared for the second coming of the King of kings includes giving food to the hungry, drinks to the thirsty, welcoming strangers and clothing naked people, and visiting the sick and those in prison. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” ~Matthew 25:35-36

This is the true surprise about the return of Jesus, not that he is coming back or when he is coming back, but that he has been here the whole time.

“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” ~Matthew 25:37-40

More important than anticipating Jesus could return at any time is knowing Jesus is already here all the time.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You came to save the world, and You told the world You will return. God, may all find Your salvation, so that all will be prepared when You come back. Even though I don’t know the day, may I live everyday anticipating your coming, that great day of the Lord.

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen

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Heaven Has a Dress Code

Daily Reading

Matthew 22-23

Daily Thought

Jesus described God’s kingdom as a wedding feast, and the celebration promises to be spectacular, “my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” (Matthew 22:4). Everyone is invited, but many do not accept the invitation–“they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:5). Perhaps it was the dress code. Yes, heaven has a dress code. “Friend,” the king asked, “how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” (Matthew 23:12). 

There is an attitude in those who “make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5-6). They dress for success and exalt themselves, but Jesus exposes their woefulness with the harshest of words, “you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence; you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones; you serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell” (Matthew 23:25, 27, 33). That is quite a rampage over clothes.

Jesus is exposing what the clothes are covering, their hearts. “They do all their deeds to be seen by others” (Matthew 23:5); but seen by God, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6), like filthy rags. You do not wear filthy rags to God’s party, thus, the dress code, the need for our wedding garment. Oh, but there is good news, the clothing is free, bought by the groom and offered to you, “he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). Just accept the invitation to the wedding.

Daily Prayer

Holy God, remove from my heart all that stains who I am. Clean me from the inside-out. Dying for my sins, Your Son made me new again, then clothed me in his righteousness. I wear these clothes with pride, not because they make make me look good (which they do), but because they show off Your glory.

May I wear boldly your clothes of righteousness every day so that people see Your salvation.

Amen

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Touchdown!

Daily Reading

Matthew 20-21

Daily Thought

The religious leaders thought themselves the best in Israel, but Jesus told them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you” (Matthew 21:31). You see, the religious thought themselves righteous and God needed them. The ones on the bottom know better. It is not God who needs, but us, and sinners need a Savior.

Sometimes, when we were kids, my dad played street football with us. He was the quarterback and he drove us crazy. The best players were the first chosen, of course, and my dad would send all the best running to the right with the best defenders in tow, then toss the ball left to Billy. Billy had been chosen last and was undefended. Touchdown Billy! My dad had this annoying habit of making winners of the kids chosen last.

“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.” ~Matthew 20:15-16

This smacks of Jesus, who likewise dismayed his disciples. In his kingdom, “the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16). Not sure what that meant, a couple disciples tried to come out on top the conventional way. James and John, the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17–and a great football nickname, by the way), coaxed their mom to approach Jesus, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom” (Matthew 20:21). Jesus, instead, explained, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. It shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25-26). One way to know if you are living like Jesus is to look around and see who wins and loses when you are in charge.

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~Matthew 20:28

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I do not deserve Your grace. Of course, I don’t. It wouldn’t be grace if I deserved it. You have so much love for me, and for all of us, and You never run short of grace. There is enough for all. Even the thief on the cross, who came into Your kingdom just in time.

I know I don’t deserve the riches of Your Kingdom, but I’m thrilled that they are mine. I look forward to eternity, to being in Your presence, being in Your Kingdom, being Your child, co-heir with Jesus Christ, sharing in His glory.

Thank You.

Amen

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Where Two or Three Are Gathered Together

Daily Reading

Matthew 18-19

Daily Thought

When Christians gather in small groups for a Bible Study, someone often quotes Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is with us! Well, of course, but is he with you when you are alone? Of course! So what makes this verse special? Not small group Bible studies, as good as that is. When we read what comes before and after Matthew 18:20, we discover it is about something much more, much better.

What follows is Peter asking how many times he should forgive his brother, suggesting seven, and Jesus replying, “not seven, but seventy-seven” (Matthew 18:22). Jesus then tells a story of a gracious king who forgave the extravagant debt of a servant, yet the servant was ungraciously unwilling to forgive another man of a meager amount. Because of the servant’s greed, the king rescinded his grace and cast the wicked fool into prison. God is the king, and the selfish servant could be us, and the lesson is, “so also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Earlier, Jesus explained how to forgive. “If your brother sins against you” (Matthew 18:15), go to him and seek reconciliation. If that does not work, take someone with you. If that does not work, take it to the church. Keep trying. Now we are back to that cherished verse, right in the middle, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20), but with a better idea of what it means. Jesus is so interested in the good relationships of his children, in reconciliation and forgiveness and love, that when two or three of us get together to work out an offense, Jesus says, “I am here to help. I am with you. I am all about this!”

Daily Prayer

Father in Heaven, forgive me my sins as I forgive others theirs. That is a dangerous thing to pray because I am not very good at forgiving. But You are teaching me. I know I have sinned against You. A lot. You not only have forgiven me, You paid the penalty for my sins. The more I understand Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, the better I share it with others.

Thank You, Jesus. For dying on the cross to free me, not only of the penalty of my own sins, but of the ugliness of bitterness I carry against the sins of others.

Amen

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Let Go and Hold On

Daily Reading

Matthew 15-17

Daily Thought

The disciples have travelled closely behind Jesus since he challenged them to “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:22; see also 8:22; 9:9). It was time, now, to find out why. Jesus asked the twelve men who have watched him heal the sick, feed the hungry, raise the dead, challenge those in power, and speak with the authority of heaven, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13). That question demands an answer from every person who has ever lived, and those who believe will respond as Peter did, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Peter gave the correct answer, but he failed to grasp the full meaning of why Jesus came to our world and called his disciples to follow. “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16:21)  Jesus is God, but Jesus said he was going to die, and Peter rebuked him, “This shall never happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). God does not die, thought Peter, but if the man you just called God says he is going to die, you do not tell God, “No,” and Peter did.

Peter did not yet understand that death is how you are saved. A lifeguard knows the most difficult people to save are those trying to save themselves. “Whoever would save his life will lose it,” Jesus warns. On the cross, Jesus would show Peter how to live, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46). When we give up ourselves and place our lives in the hands of the Savior, we will be carried to the safety of the shore. 

“But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” ~Matthew 16:25

Peter rightly recognizing Jesus is God, must now lose himself and place his life in the hands of his Savior. Do that completely, and you are ready for anything that follows.

Daily Prayer

Eternal God, no beginning, no end, you are all in all. I chase things that I want, things that get used up or rust or fall apart, things that cannot and do not last, and will not save me. 

Change my heart, Jesus, to seek what matters, to love what lasts, to love You, to love Your Word, and to love all the people You have created, which is all people. My most difficult, but greatest ambition is to release my hold on everything else, and hold tightly to the one who matters most, Jesus.

Amen

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Get Out of the Boat

Daily Reading

Matthew 13-14

Daily Thought

Jesus began to speak in parables to the hard of heart, because though “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). They were perfectly capable of hearing, but not willing, and so they do not try to understand and are blind and deaf to the words of God.

Peter, on the other hand, was not capable. He could not walk on water, yet when Jesus said, “Come,” Peter left the boat and walked on water and came to Jesus (Matthew 14:29). Half way there he realized he could not do what he was doing and sank, but for a brief time he did the impossible because he was willing to believe the impossible.

Jesus chastised Peter as he lifted him out of the water and back in the boat, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). God cares not what we can do, but what we will do.

Daily Prayer

Creator God, this world is marvelous, full of wonders. It displays Your wisdom and majesty. How great You are. You have power and authority over all things. And You are good. That’s why You can promise that all things work together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

God, may I keep my ears tuned to You, listening to Your words and following them. May I live a life full of joy and wonder and surprise, not at what I can do, but what you keep doing. May I do what I cannot do, but You can. May I walk in faith and see the greatness of my God.

Amen

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Like a Child

Daily Reading

Matthew 11-12

Daily Thought

On the wall over the fireplace is mounted a “Smart TV.” It is filled with hundreds of apps showing thousands of programs, all accessible by pressing a few of the thirty buttons on one of the three remotes laying on the side table. I just want to watch the Packers play the Rams. But which channel? Is it ESPN or Amazon Prime or one of the Networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX. I am ten minutes into the game before I figure it out. Sometimes I long for childhood when the TV had three channels plus UHF (which no kid watched because it only showed documentaries). Sure, there were too few stations to show all the games, and none may be showing the game I wanted. but the game that was on, I watched, and so did all my friends, and the next day at school we had something to talk about because we all watched the same game. It was something we shared. It was community. It was good.

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ~Matthew 11:25-26

The more we know, it seems, the more cluttered becomes life. “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date,” wails White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. “No time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late, I’m late.” You want to take away his watch. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Matthew 11:28

I am a grandpa now, “Bapa” to Zoë and Clarke. There are times when our cluttered life leaves them distressed, but I have two arms for two granddaughters and I open them and they snuggle in and their heads melt into my chest and life is simple and good again. Sometimes I long for childhood.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 18:3

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am amazed that you wait for me with open arms. I rush by you, rush away from you, so often, for things I think are important. They never satisfy me like You do. Keep reminding me to seek You first and let You take care of everything else. You are in charge of this world. I should let You order it. There is only one place of peace I know and that is in Your arms.

Amen

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Going Public

Daily Reading

Matthew 9-10

Daily Thought

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

The rancher wanted the farmers to pay for his drowned cattle. “Judge, you know we’ve been having a drought. The farmers had a prayer meeting and asked God to send rain. I don’t put much stock in prayer, but dad gum if it didn’t work. It rained the next three days and flooded my ranch. Their prayers drowned my cattle, Your Honor.” The farmers objected, “There is no proof that God sent the rain.”

“Let me get this straight,” clarified the judge. “What we have here is a man who doesn’t pray, but believes God answers them. And you guys who do pray say God doesn’t.”

“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

Humor is best when it bears the sting of truth, and this farmer joke is funny and stings. Jesus charges his followers, “What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops” (Matthew 10:27), and yet, with such slight opposition, we allow others to silence our voice. Jesus grants no Christian claim to a right to privacy; following Christ means going public in his Name, the Name of Jesus.  

“You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ~Matthew 1:21

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I desire to be one who trusts in You, walks in Your Word, and steps out in faith. Help me with my faith where it lacks. Test me and strengthen me where I lack. I believe in You in word, but may I also believe in You in action.

I know, God, that it is fear that keeps me from standing tall for You at times. Help me build upon the solid foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May I be one whose life points to You at all times. May I be one who stands for, lives by, and speaks aloud your Name.

Amen

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Judge Not

Daily Reading

Matthew 7-8

Daily Thought

John 3:16 may be the Christian’s best-known verse in the Bible, but the one most quoted by the world is Matthew 7:1–“Judge not, that you be not judged”–often employed to provide biblical cover to an “I can do whatever I want” lifestyle. The rub comes a few verses later, however, when Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15), which is an invitation to judge, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20), clearly judging them by their actions. So, which is it, to judge or not to judge? That is the question.

One thing for sure, everyone will be judged. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31). There comes a day when Jesus will judge and that judgment final. Jesus will sit on the throne of God and we will each stand before him. Some will contest, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” In final judgment, Jesus will respond, “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:22-23). You do not want to be one of those. This final judgment of Jesus ought to relieve me of my hunger to judge. No one is getting away with anything, and that includes me.

Perhaps our problem is our favorite verse, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We stop too soon. We should keep reading, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). The Bible is full of “you shall” and “you shall nots,” and the prophets judged people according to these standards, not to condemn, but to turn people toward God’s love. This is the heart of “Judge not, that you be not judged.” It is not our place to condemn, but to prepare each other to meet God. “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). God’s grace given to you, you give to others to help others see clearly, because when someone truly sees clearly, they truly see God and his saving grace and are prepared to stand before his throne.

Daily Prayer

Wonderful God, what a great work You do in my life. You meet me where I am, a sinner, and embrace me and live in me and change me from the inside out. There is nothing I did or do to deserve this. It is only because of Your love and grace that I see salvation. Then you never stop saving me, transforming my heart and mind so that what I do displays Your grace and truth. May others see that same grace and truth in me and find you.

Amen