Zacchaeus had several disadvantages the day Jesus came through his town.
His statute alone could have prevented him from getting the desired
glimpse of Jesus because of the large crowd gathered around Jesus that
day. Zacchaeus determined to see Jesus even from a distance, climbed a
sycamore tree instead of surrendering to his circumstances. A glance
from the tree was all he thought he needed that day.
However, we are told that Jesus "saw" Zacchaeus, called up to him in the
tree to come down, and invited Himself to Zacchaeus' home. He joyfully
welcomed Jesus and then when confronted with his sins as a dishonest tax
collector, he repented. Zacchaeus so aware of his sinfulness against
the Lord and his fellow men sought to repay quadruple the amount he had
taken (Luke 19:1-10).
Zacchaeus only believed he needed a glimpse of Jesus from a tree that
day, but the Lord knew he needed so much more. Jesus saw a desire in
Zacchaeus and took him to the next level. Are we willing to take the
necessary steps in the right direction? The Lord faithful comes to us
when we take the initiative.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
What are You Drinking?
When the temperature outside is hot, then the most refreshing beverage
would be one served with gobs of ice. It soothes the parched lips and
mouth, and renews the energy level.
However, on a freezing cold day when one might have shoveled tons of snow away, a hot beverage warms one from the tip of the toes to the top of their head. With both drinks there is the sense that all is truly good in the world.
John gives a serious warning when illustrating that a lukewarm drink just makes a person want to puke (Rev. 3:16). It neither refreshes nor soothes the spirit. It accomplishes absolutely nothing. It has no value whatsoever to one truly thirsty and needing a drink.
In fact, John drives an important point home to this particular church in Laodicea about their blindness regarding their true spiritual condition. Believing themselves to be wealthy and without need, they are actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17).
One might wonder, was John talking about American Christianity today? Does the Lord see us and want to vomit us out? We are a nation in need of great healing, and that will come when those who are called by His name humble themselves and pray (2 Chron. 7:14). It begins with me and you, if we are willing.
However, on a freezing cold day when one might have shoveled tons of snow away, a hot beverage warms one from the tip of the toes to the top of their head. With both drinks there is the sense that all is truly good in the world.
John gives a serious warning when illustrating that a lukewarm drink just makes a person want to puke (Rev. 3:16). It neither refreshes nor soothes the spirit. It accomplishes absolutely nothing. It has no value whatsoever to one truly thirsty and needing a drink.
In fact, John drives an important point home to this particular church in Laodicea about their blindness regarding their true spiritual condition. Believing themselves to be wealthy and without need, they are actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17).
One might wonder, was John talking about American Christianity today? Does the Lord see us and want to vomit us out? We are a nation in need of great healing, and that will come when those who are called by His name humble themselves and pray (2 Chron. 7:14). It begins with me and you, if we are willing.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Worthy of Praise Always
Job received news that not only did he lose his physical wealth, but all
of his children died, too. To humans it appeared to be several freak
accidents all in one tragic day in the life of Job.
However, we receive a glimpse into heaven, something Job didn't have the privilege to possess. We see that in the hands of the Lord permission had been granted for Satan to take it all from Job.
The treasure in this story is Job's immediate response. Tearing his clothing in deep grief he says, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes. Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21).
The Lord entrusted the enemy with Job's character. He allowed the enemy to inflict a deep physical pain on Job, too. Job's friends comforted him at first, but suddenly they pointed fingers of condemnation in his direction. They determined some sin must be the cause of Job's suffering.
Like Job, we remain clueless to the reasons the Lord may allow our lives to be touched deeply with suffering. However, if like Job, we haven't sinned, may we like Job respond with trust and praise. Whether the Lord gives or takes away, He is worthy of our trust and praise.
However, we receive a glimpse into heaven, something Job didn't have the privilege to possess. We see that in the hands of the Lord permission had been granted for Satan to take it all from Job.
The treasure in this story is Job's immediate response. Tearing his clothing in deep grief he says, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes. Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21).
The Lord entrusted the enemy with Job's character. He allowed the enemy to inflict a deep physical pain on Job, too. Job's friends comforted him at first, but suddenly they pointed fingers of condemnation in his direction. They determined some sin must be the cause of Job's suffering.
Like Job, we remain clueless to the reasons the Lord may allow our lives to be touched deeply with suffering. However, if like Job, we haven't sinned, may we like Job respond with trust and praise. Whether the Lord gives or takes away, He is worthy of our trust and praise.
Where We are At
We tend to come down hard on ourselves when we realize we have not arrived. We want progress, but often times get caught up in our old habits and ways of responding to things. We wonder at times if the Lord has just put up His hands and given up on us.
The story of Thomas (John 20:24-31) reminds us that the Lord is willing to meet us where we are at and stays with us in our some times snail walk forward. The Lord could have forced Thomas to believe without seeing, but His tender heart toward Thomas and us, shows us that He was willing to meet Thomas where He was in his doubting.
Jesus made the second appearance when Thomas was present and invited Thomas to touch and see that indeed He had risen from the dead. Oh sure, Jesus commends the one who believes without seeing, but he doesn't disregard the one who needs to see.
We must never forget that the Lord knows what we need. He sees. He will meet us where we are at and will journey with us to new levels of faith. We must not give up because the Lord doesn't give up on us.
The story of Thomas (John 20:24-31) reminds us that the Lord is willing to meet us where we are at and stays with us in our some times snail walk forward. The Lord could have forced Thomas to believe without seeing, but His tender heart toward Thomas and us, shows us that He was willing to meet Thomas where He was in his doubting.
Jesus made the second appearance when Thomas was present and invited Thomas to touch and see that indeed He had risen from the dead. Oh sure, Jesus commends the one who believes without seeing, but he doesn't disregard the one who needs to see.
We must never forget that the Lord knows what we need. He sees. He will meet us where we are at and will journey with us to new levels of faith. We must not give up because the Lord doesn't give up on us.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Need to be Quieted
Zephaniah 3:17 says that the Lord "quiets us with His love." He invites us onto His lap. He wraps His arms around us. He sees the hurt. Even when we are over-reacting, He doesn't push us away until we get a grip. His desire is to be with us in those emotional states in order to bring the healing we need from whatever pains us.
Often times we don't recognize His presence with us in the dark times. However, He is there. We need to ask Him to open the eyes of our heart and help us recognize His open arms and invitation to quiet our hurting spirits with His love.
Often times we don't recognize His presence with us in the dark times. However, He is there. We need to ask Him to open the eyes of our heart and help us recognize His open arms and invitation to quiet our hurting spirits with His love.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
When Life is Hard
Often times when life gets difficult and we stress out from it, we find that the shoulder we need has disappeared. The extent of our emotions and the drama that accompanies it causes people to flee.
When all others find it difficult to handle us in this type of state, Jesus invites us to Himself. These times are when He wants us most. He wants us to understand that no amount of emotion will keep Him away from us. He wants to enable us to work through it and find Him in it all.
In fact, His promise to us in Matthew 11:28 is the opposite of what humans can handle. He says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." He doesn't want us to wait until we have our act together to be near us. In the storm, He wants to walk with us.
When all others find it difficult to handle us in this type of state, Jesus invites us to Himself. These times are when He wants us most. He wants us to understand that no amount of emotion will keep Him away from us. He wants to enable us to work through it and find Him in it all.
In fact, His promise to us in Matthew 11:28 is the opposite of what humans can handle. He says, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." He doesn't want us to wait until we have our act together to be near us. In the storm, He wants to walk with us.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Take a Step
The man was born blind. He had no idea what it meant to see the faces of those he loved. One day, while Jesus is passing his way, he is noticed by Jesus. Jesus puts mud on his eyes and tells him to go wash it off in the pool of Siloam. The man does as he is instructed and receives his sight. (John 9:1-11)
Do we miss out on what the Lord intends for us because we're unwilling to take the steps to the pool to wash the mud from our eyes? Let us wash the mud from our eyes so we can see!
Do we miss out on what the Lord intends for us because we're unwilling to take the steps to the pool to wash the mud from our eyes? Let us wash the mud from our eyes so we can see!
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