Going the Extra Mile

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Luke 10:30-35 

Jesus describes what it means to love your neighbor with the parable of the good Samaritan. Though expected to do the good deed, Jesus describes the Levite and the priest both ignore a half dead man on the side of the road. By association these men were both Jews. The priest was associated by occupation were as the Levite was associated for his family blood line. Addressing this parable to other Jews must have startled the crowd, as the only one who had the compassion and mercy was a gentile. The Samaritan not bound this man up, but took time out of his busy schedule to take care of him for the night.

Having heard this verse many times, I didn't fully understand what it meant to take care of someone like the Samaritan did. Sure if I saw a man injured I would immediately stop and help the individual, but to go the extra mile is something I haven't done in the past. The Samaritan man could have easily walked away after bandaging up the half beaten man and left him for the next person to take care of him, but instead he showed compassion and sacrificed not only his time, but also his money to love on him. He made sure this person was taken care of to the very end. I realize how much more effective the Gospel can be spread through this simple act of kindness. It's easy for someone to accept Christ when they're taken care of physically. If spread the Gospel is the ultimate goal for me on this earth why am I not helping people to the extent of how this Samaritan treated this man who was about to die?

Forgive me Jesus for not going the distance during those times when I was helping someone out. Help me to take every interaction with a Christ like mind not only taking care of their physical needs, but also their emotional needs. Help me to love on my neighbors as you have loved on us.

In Jesus Name Amen.

In Vain

¹ Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to^[a] those he loves.

Psalms 127:1-2 

The writer of psalms, most likely Solomon in this case, is not stating the literal, but the figurative. Solomon states that the work we do should ultimately be done to glorify God, if not, then the workers have toiled in vain. Essentially this passage is saying that if we do not work for God's glorification, our work is done to glorify us. Coming from the wealthiest, wisest and extravagant ruler of the Jewish Kings, if anyone, Solomon had knew what all his toiling in his life was for... “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). In the end his life's work was meaningless and he lost favor and sight of God. At least this saves me the trouble of finding this out for myself.

The message of pride once again hits home for me. Why do people build the largest towers, or hold the most wealth? Ultimately if they don't do it for God, its for themselves. To prove to everyone that they are great. But what kind of lasting legacy does that leave them? Sure I feel like these people might be recognized for a few decades or even a centuries, but in the end... compared to God's timeline, they are easily forgotten. The work I do for God leaves a lasting impression on the grander scale of eternity. The time, effort, finances, sweat, tears, pain... for God's glory can save a life that is meant to be eternally condemned. Yet whenever I do work I do it for selfish gains. I lose sight of why God has put me on this world. I got to remember... It's not for self glorification, but it's for God glorification. Everything goes back to the one who created me. The blessings, gifts and talents. All goes back to God.

I need to stop living pridefully, and start living humbly.

Jesus forgive me for living such a selfish life. I do lose sight of what you called me to do. Help me to better practice living selflessly and humbly, so that my work and toiling can ultimately impact eternity for someone's life. Help me to love the unlovable and to show compassion for those lost. Bring me to situations where I can exercise what you are telling me in this passage.

In Jesus Name
Amen

Producing Fruit

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Jesus spoke in parables not to withhold the Gospel message to the masses, but he used these stories to pierce the spiritually harden hearts and allow those who did have the ears and the eyes to understand the truth. Though Jesus did speak commonly of repentance and love, these stories were like the illustrations pastors use today. In this verse, Jesus spurs us on to be the seeds that grow on good soil. He lists qualities of those who are of crop producing seeds: Noble, good heart, who hear the Word, Retain it, And Persevere the message by producing crop (spreads the gospel message).

It is clear when Jesus uses this parables, it does show the health of my spiritual life. I do strive to be one of the seeds that are not wasting on infertile ground. Since I know who Christ is, I do see myself as a seed that fell on good soil. But how many of these characteristics can I claim that I am practicing? If i do have the ears to hear God's word, why am I not producing crop that he demands? If I am not producing fruit, I am useless.   Help me God be more beneficial to your kingdom work.

Jesus forgive me for lacking in spiritual fruit. I hear your words and I see what you want me to do, but I still turn a blind eye towards your command. Holy Spirit spur me to think Christ like. Help me to seek every facets of what you have in store for my life. Let my time here on earth not be a waste.

In Jesus Name
Amen

Laying Aside My Pride

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalms 84:10

To be in God's presence is far greater honor than anything else in this world. As the writer of this psalms proclaims, the one day to experience God is equivalent to a thousand days elsewhere. He also states that being a lowly doorkeeper to God's house is far better than being among the wicked. 

My initial thought when reading this passage was that I would not stoop so low to being even a doorkeeper in Gods house. My pride and wickedness demands a far greater position in God's kingdom than serving God at the bottom. Forgive me Jesus! I should not have any pride when it comes to God. In my best, is in His smidgen of worse. There is no comparison to how perfect and Holy our God is. Who am I do demand things from God? I need to throw away this selfish pride. Though I function at work without thinking of God, I need to realize that all things come from Him and rely on his providence to get me through the day. When I am self sufficient that is when I become God and lose sight of He who is God. 

Jesus forgive me for my pride. Who am I to say I deserve better when grace was freely given upon me for my condemnation that I deserve. Help me to humble myself in front of you and more importantly seek you with desperation like Mary Magdalena had. My sins are great and I have much to be forgiven. Help me to reflect on my sins as you are the only one who can purify me. Thank you for your sacrifice and clothing me with righteousness.

In Jesus Name

Amen

Words into Action

49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 6:49

In this passage, Jesus is addressing why we acknowledge him and his teachings, but not obey his commands.   46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? By listening to sermons, reading God's words maybe beneficial, but the message never ingrains itself to a life changing experience unless one takes that message and apply it in their life. The house I build up, will only be a house that falls down once the trials of life comes because of the lack of application. For me... namely loving the unlovable. 

My faith has devolved to just becoming an admire of Christ instead of a disciple of his teaching. I must get away from being just a fan of Jesus to a follower of Christ. As pastor Bob's messages these last few Sundays regarding walking in the light. I need to observe what God has called me to do and obey the Spirit is calling me to do. Which includes love my brothers and sisters.

Jesus forgive me for not completely obeying what you have called me to be as a Christ follower. Forgive me for selectively obeying commands that are most convenient in my life. Help me to become more bold and daring, to falling deeper in love with You and no longer hold back. Allow me to step away from my laziness and comfort zone to fully offer my life and accept you as Lord.

In Jesus name Amen

Waiting on the Lord

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Psalm 130:5-6

There is a sense of urgency in Psalms 130. The imagery he uses of the watchmen waiting for the morning is this desperate desire to see this break of dawn. I would imagine this watchmen is tired from staying up all night straining his eyes to be at guard each night. Instead of giving into sleep, the watchmen has been faithful at his post in protecting his domain. 

Instead of being faithful like the watchmen that David is describing in Psalms, I feel like I've failed and fallen asleep. I'm no longer at guard for Satans ploy, but follow into it careless as my spiritual life slumbers. God forgive me for being lazy with my walk and not keeping up with my life journal readings on a daily basis....

Jesus help me to wake up and be at guard against Satan's attacks. Allow me to find a deeper desire to seek after you, as David had long ago. Help me to be a man after Your heart. Forgive me for the lack of discipline  I display in not seeking after you.

In Jesus Name Amen

Lord is my Portion

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:19-24

Thought God leads us through times of trials, He is always faithful and will never leave us or forsake us. The trials might be presented to us based on sinful consequences or through happenstance, but God uses these trials to help us to grow and rely on Him. 

I feel like God is trying to grow me right now. I come upon a crossroad in my life where I'm not sure which to choose. This decision eats at me because its not partaking solely on myself, but influences the future of other people as well. During this decision, I need to rely on God's wisdom. I don't know the right answer, but I feel like Jesus will be my portion through all of this. To cut the ties or to move forward, God is in control. I need to wait on Him and rely on his strength and wisdom and not on my own desires or pressures. 

Jesus give me wisdom and serenity. I just pray that you would help me to choose the right path is pleasing to you. I pray that you would encompass your grace in the situation I'm in. Bring forth healing, discernment and protection as I feel like this is a time of trials.

Thank you and I pray in Jesus name

Amen.

I am not God

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘In the pride of your heart
you say, “I am a god;
I sit on the throne of a god
in the heart of the seas.”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god,
though you think you are as wise as a god.

Ezekiel 28:2

Pride is consider the root of all sins. It is pride that drove out Adam and Eve from Eden. It is Pride that exiled Lucifer to earth. Pride is ultimately what makes us choose our self interest rather than obey God's commands. It is our pride that makes us think we're wise enough to choose our path in life. We are not God and we do not deserve to sit on God's throne.

I am a mortal. I am not omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, only God is. I forget that God is the one who should rule my life and my actions, as I surrendered my will to my Lord Jesus Christ. Why is it that I'm still living this selfish life? It is apparent that I need to de-magnify myself and further magnify God. God is everywhere, hence my actions should reflect that God is inside my heart, at the center of my thoughts, actions and relationships. 

Help me Jesus to live more like you. Humble me Holy Spirit and I ask that You would take up the throne of my life. Allow your desires to become like mine and your thoughts to penetrate myselfish-prideful thoughts. Thank you for grace and mercy.

In Jesus Name Amen

Fear of the Lord is Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalms 111:10

To fear God is to, not be afraid of what God will do to us, but fear him as a servant fears a master, or a child fears a parent. Fearing God is the first step to being God-conscious in all things. It allows our selfish nature to be crucified to the cross and allows Jesus to work within our lives for the better God. We are not to walk around in fear of punishment, for Jesus gives us grace in that, but to be God conscious and always ready to please our master/parent. 

Am I fearing God? Most if not all of my time in conscious thought is for what can I personally gain. Rarely do I have moments were I'm being God conscious. In that sense I am not fearing God. I'm too busy living my life instead of getting returns on what God has invested in me with. I am blessed, but I do not use God's blessing to be utilize his Kingdom work. 

Jesus forgive me for not being fearful of you. Help me to be a more diligent servant in the blessings you have entrusted me with. Help me to not live in fear of punishment, but in fear of not pleasing you as the one I love. Holy Spirit be in my ever actions.

In Jesus Name
Amen