Today’s Reading: Matthew 10:16 – 11:1

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:37b-38

Right after saying this, Jesus called his twelve disciples together and equipped them for ministry. He gave them the authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. He gave them instructions for ministry that are still helpful to us. He taught them to be generous (10:8), to be wise (10:16), and to make the most of every opportunity — even in the moments where ministry is hard.

“But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.” – Matthew 10:17-18

Be filled with the Spirit.

“When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Matthew 10:19-20

Be a humble follower of Christ.

“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!” – Matthew 10:24-25

Be strong and courageous.

“Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.” – Matthew 10:26

Be a voice.

“What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” – Matthew 10:27

Be God-fearing.

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” – Matthew 10:28

Be aware that you are valuable to God.

“What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31

Be loyal and true.

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-33

Be faithful and put God above everyone else, including yourself.

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” – Matthew 10:37-39

Be the body of Christ.

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” – Matthew 10:42

After giving these instructions, Jesus left to teach and preach around the region (Matthew 11:1). Jesus taught his disciples by what he said and by how he lived. He ate with them and walked with them. By doing life with the disciples, Jesus was strategically positioned to teach them and to show them love. Jesus became an example of what it means to truly BE about the Kingdom of God – how to BE a servant and how to BE a follower. Now it is our turn to BE all that God is calling us to BE.

Lord, thank you for the privilege of serving you today. I am postured this morning to receive your instructions and willing to be used by you in the lives of others. Thank you for the instructions laid out in your word for those who are called to be a light in a dark world and a voice of hope for those who are lost. Please fill me with your Spirit, giving me the words to say and the courage to say them. I long to be your faithful servant today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6

As Jesus traveled from village to village his twelve disciples stayed by his side, but today was different. Jesus gathered his disciples together and sent them out to various places in groups of two. He gave them the authority to cast out demons and heal the sick by anointing them with olive oil. The disciples took nothing with them except the clothes on their back and a walking stick, and Jesus gave them these instructions:

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” – Mark 6:10-11

Jesus’ instructions to his disciples are another great reminder that we are responsible to do what God has called us to do, but we must leave the results of our obedience in God’s hands. We cannot make the decision for someone else; we must trust God with the results.

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples…” – Luke 9:1a

JESUS CALLED THEM.

When I was a child, I accepted what Jesus had done FOR me by dying on the cross for my sins. I acknowledged that I was a sinner in need of God’s unmerited favor. I understood God’s love for me and invited Jesus to live in my heart. As a teenager, I became tired of my tendency towards selfishness and pride. I stopped striving towards my own version of perfection and submitted to the work God wanted to do IN me through the Holy Spirit.

As I studied the scriptures and grew in my understanding, I began to long for a specific calling from God. I consistently prayed for less of me and more of God in my life. I surrendered my plans for the future and told the Lord He could do whatever he wanted to do THROUGH me. At age seventeen, the Lord called me and I gave Him my “Yes”.

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.” – Luke 9:1

JESUS EQUIPPED THEM.

The Lord does not call us without equipping us! I am so grateful for that truth this morning. He gives us what we need to fulfill His purposes through us. No matter what He is asking you to do, He will equip you to do.

Now I must admit that there are times when I feel overwhelmed by what God has called me to do. My first reaction is to focus on my shortcomings and deficiencies, forgetting that I was never meant to lean on my own strength by to rely on His. In fact, His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Do you believe that this morning? Do you have faith that He will accomplish His will through you today by His power and not yours?

“Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.” – Luke 9:3

Sometimes following God’s call comes with specific instructions about what He wants you to leave behind. It can be just as much about what He wants you to let go of as what He wants you to hold on to. Listen carefully to Jesus this morning. Ask Him if there is something you are clinging to that is obstructing your availability to be used by Him.

Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. – Luke 9:2

JESUS SENT THEM.

So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick. – Luke 9:6

Scripture does not mention that any of the disciples refused to do what Jesus was instructing them to do. As far as we know, they did not poll their friends and family to see what they thought they should do. They neither filled their pockets nor packed their bags. Jesus sent them and they went. God equipped them and miracles took place. The Spirit gave them the words to speak and many received salvation. It was their choice to obey but the results were due to the wonder-working power of God!

THIS WAS THEIR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND THEY CHOSE TO WALK IN IT.

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. – Mark 6:12-13

Lord, I am listening. Renew in me the willingness to be called by you to go anywhere to anyone at any time. I want my heart to be fully available to you, as well as my calendar and my resources. Thank you for the reminder that your grace is sufficient for me, and that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13:44-46, 53-58; Mark 6:1-6

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!” – Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus painted a beautiful picture of what God desires from us — to be all in. He wants our full attention as we give ourselves completely to the life He is calling us to. Nothing is more important; nothing has more value than the Kingdom of Heaven.

The man in the parable discovered the treasure in a field. Perhaps he was not looking for it but knew the value of what he had found. He sold EVERYTHING in order to have the treasure. On the other hand, the merchant was searching. He was on the lookout and his attentiveness caused him to discover a pearl of great value. He was looking for choice pearls and found one of even greater value than he was expecting. He sold EVERYTHING. He bought into it and fully owned it.

When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. – Matthew 13:53-57a

The merchant was amazed at what he had found, just as the people of Nazareth were amazed at the wisdom and healing power of Jesus. They had always known him as the son of Joseph, but they struggled to see him as the King of Kings. Their struggle to believe became an aggrievance as they dug in their heels, refusing to accept Jesus as anything more than the son of a carpenter. They had found a pearl of great value, but walked away empty handed.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. – Mark 6:4-6

THEY MISSED OUT ON THE EXPERIENCE OF JESUS.

They did not see Jesus as special. They went from being amazed by what Jesus could do to offended that he was trying to be anything other than a hometown boy. They hardened their hearts and refused to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah. And because of their unbelief, many went unhealed. Their experience of the ministry of Jesus was minimal because they lacked the faith to believe he could make that level of impact on their town.

When God’s people have a strong faith in God and spend much time rejoicing and praising Him, He moves in their midst and the evidence of His presence is marked by miracles and healings. When negativity, pride and jealousy are stronger than our praise and faith, we miss out on what God could be doing in our midst.

I CAN CHOOSE TO BE OFFENDED BY OTHERS OR AMAZED BY GOD.

It saddens me how often I run into people who are “deeply offended” because I believe it affects their ability to experience what God has to offer them. Their focus turns inward and they spend more energy feeling sorry for themselves and expecting an apology from someone else than they spend focused on God. I know I have been guilty of this myself, and it is a miserable existence.

Today, I choose to praise God and not worry about who has offended me. I want my coffee with a little room – room for faith and praise, not room for self-pity and pride. I want my coffee to be sweet with grace instead of bitter with unforgiveness. I want to empty myself of anything that would block the presence of the Lord in my life.

Where do you see yourself in this morning’s coffee? Do you see the experience of Jesus as something worth seeking? Are you willing to give your all to that which has eternal value? Perhaps this parable describes who you used to be, when you were searching and discovering Jesus for the first time. Beware, my friends, it is easy for the stories of Jesus to become so commonplace that we no longer treat them as special. We allow Jesus to be so familiar that we are no longer expecting something special from him.

Lord, I need a fresh passion from you this week. Give me a hunger to search your scriptures like a merchant searching for choice pearls. Open my heart to the discovery of something of great value. May I be intentional to give you my full attention, experiencing you in new and powerful ways this year. Surprise me beyond what I can even comprehend — a pearl of greater value than expected. Empty me of all that blocks your presence in my life. Forgive me for believing in my own rights more than just trusting in you. I love you, Lord. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 9:18-34

Let’s consider this day in the life of Jesus through the eyes of Matthew, a disciple whose life was forever impacted on the day Jesus walked by him. Consider with me whether or not we are postured to experience Jesus today.

As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.”
So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. – Matthew 9:18-19

HE KNELT BEFORE JESUS.

Consider the posture of this leader as he approached Jesus. Consider the heart of this father as he responded to his grief by going to the one who had been healing so many others. In this moment of physical submission and emotional heaviness, this man of God did not make a request of Jesus but instead he made a statement of faith.

This is… but you can… This happened… but I believe you are able…

Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matthew 9:20-22

SHE REACHED OUT TO JESUS.

Consider the posture of this woman as she approached Jesus. She did not feel worthy of interrupting Jesus. She was not culturally as important as the leader of the synagogue and her illness did not compare to the death of a child. But what stands out to me in this passage is that she did not wonder if touching the hem of Jesus’ garment could heal her; she believed it would.

This is… but you can… This happened… but I believe you are able…

JESUS TURNED AROUND.

Just as Jesus acknowledged the faith of the man, he responded to the faith of this woman. Feeling the power go out from him (Luke 8:46), Jesus turned towards the woman and he gave her his full attention. He called her “daughter” and he recognized the discouragement that had weighed her down after twelve years of bleeding. If she questioned her value in the eyes of God before this moment with Jesus, she now received the affirmation that her faith in Jesus had made her well.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside. – Matthew 9:23-26

SHE STOOD UP!

Consider the posture of this 12 year old — a posture that represents the healing power of Jesus. The fact that she could stand was evidence that Jesus lifts us up out of the death we are experiencing and gives us the strength to be upright. He breathes life into our darkest moments and takes us by the hand when we are waking up from our spiritual sleep.

This is… but you can… This happened… but I believe you are able…

THEY FOLLOWED JESUS.

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! – Matthew 9:27-30a

Believing that Jesus could heal them, the two blind men followed him. Knowing he had a reputation of compassion, the men called out to Jesus for mercy. When asked if they believed, they testified to their faith. And because of their faith, they were healed.

This is… but you can… This happened… but I believe you are able…

How am I postured to receive Jesus today? Am I postured in faith for the miracle Jesus wants to perform in life? I want my story to include kneeling before Jesus believing that he can do anything. I want to reach out in faith believing that Jesus has the power to heal. Recognizing the impact Jesus has had on my life, I want to stand in faith and follow his every lead. Lord, give me a faith that moves mountains and a heart that responds in mercy to the needs of those around me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 5:1-43; Luke 8:26-56

“Who is this man?”

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them.

When he saw the storms, he silenced them.

When he heard their cries, he answered them.

When he saw evil, he commanded it to flee.

As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside of town…This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. – Luke 8:27,29

This man may have been under the demon’s control, but Jesus had authority over the demons. He cast them out of this man who had been forced to live among the dead. He freed him from bondage and gave him a new life. No power was too large for Jesus to control. He had power over the storm, the demons, and even death itself.

When the sick reached out to him, he healed them.

Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”

But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” – Luke 8:41-48

What a lonely, isolated life this woman must have experienced. She was considered unclean for twelve years and “untouchable” during her time of bleeding. Only her bleeding never stopped. That is, until she reached out to Jesus. In the midst of her suffering and sickness, she reached out to touch the hem of her Savior’s garment and her life was forever changed.

When death threatens to undo us, Jesus takes us by the hand and says, “My child, get up!”

While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”

When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. – Luke 8:49-56

“Who is this man?”

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them.
When he saw the storms, he silenced them.
When he heard their cries, he answered them.
When he saw evil, he commanded it to flee.
When the sick reached out to him, he healed them.
When death threatens to undo us, Jesus takes us by the hand and says, “My child, get up!”

I don’t know what you are facing or the emotions you are struggling with, but my Jesus knows every detail. The One who can heal, who can calm storms, and who can bring back the dead knows. Reach out and touch the hem of his garment. Stretch out your hand and hear him say, “My child, get up!” It’s time to be fed. It’s time to be strengthened again. Jesus is here to restore and it’s your turn to receive.

Today’s Reading: Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Psalm 93

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:35-38

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them.

When Jesus sees our needs he has compassion on us. But how often do we feel like God does not care about what we are going through? How often does it feel like Jesus is in the back of the boat asleep during our storm? We cry out to him — Do you see me down here, Lord? I’m drowning! I’m doing everything I know to do but it’s not working! I need you!

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, DON’T YOU CARE that we’re going to drown?”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” – Mark 4:35-41

When he saw the storms, he silenced them.

The disciples had watched Jesus do many miraculous things for other people. Now it was their chance for Jesus to do something miraculous for them. The disciples thought they were simply crossing the lake but Jesus knew there was more for them to learn. He wanted them to see things from the other side of the lake — to see him from another perspective.

“Who is this man?”

Jesus knew his disciples were not fully aware of who he was, that they still underestimated him. I heard a friend say once that Jesus probably knew it was storming. Perhaps he chose to sleep while his disciples tried everything they knew how to do. They were fishermen and had been in storms before. Jesus was simply waiting for them to ask, waiting for them to stop trying on their own and call on him for help.

Oh, how often we are guilty of this! Troubles come into our lives and we try to take care of them in our own strength first. The winds and the waves threaten us and we grab a bucket and start throwing water overboard. When we have tried everything we know to do, we finally fall to our knees and do what we should have initially done – we pray.

The floods have risen up, O Lord.
The floods have roared like thunder;
the floods have lifted their pounding waves.
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore—
the Lord above is mightier than these! – Psalm 93:3-4

Jesus has power over creation — over the elements and over the storms. Jesus has power over the things going wrong in our lives, whether it is the natural circumstances of this broken world or the consequences of our own sinful decisions. Jesus is bigger than all of it. Let’s not underestimate our Lord today. Let’s PUT DOWN THE BUCKET and stop looking for our own solutions. Let’s make prayer our first reaction to today’s situations.

When he heard their cries, he answered them.

David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
“The waves of death overwhelmed me;
floods of destruction swept over me.
The grave wrapped its ropes around me;
death laid a trap in my path.
But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
yes, I cried to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
my cry reached his ears.” – 2 Samuel 22:1-7

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13:31-35

Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.” – Matthew 12:34-35

I love a good story. There is power in hearing a story and letting it change your life. Stories keep us engaged and help us remember God’s teaching. Jesus’ stories do the same thing. They bring theology into full color and make it easier to understand.

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” – Mark 4:26-29

We have to trust the way God uses His Word in the heart of another person. It is mysterious and beyond what my human effort can produce. I can plant the seed and I can pray for the harvest, but I have to leave the results up to the Lord. In the words of the apostle Paul: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

God calls us to plant the seed but what happens after that is beyond our control. We cannot make the decision for another person. We can stay close by to support them and encourage them; we can answer their questions, but the decision to live for Christ is theirs and only theirs to make.

I CAN PLANT THE SEED AND I CAN PRAY FOR THE HARVEST, BUT I HAVE TO LEAVE THE RESULTS UP TO THE LORD.

Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” – Matthew 12:31-32

What an encouraging verse! We cannot get discouraged at our small attempts to plant seed, even when we do not see immediate results. Like a farmer, we need to have patience and trust that there is growth below the surface that we cannot see. We need to have faith and believe that God can grow that seed into something large and spectacular — something that will one day help others who come to rest in its shade.

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” – Matthew 12:33

The Kingdom of God is permeating and has the power to transform! Jesus started with 12 disciples, and now look how the gospel has spread across nations, cities, communities, and neighborhoods! One by one, the gospel is shared and new life springs up. The change in a new Christian is small compared to the work that God intends to do over time in the life of His children. Transformation and growth will take place and continue in that person’s life, and soon they will be planting seeds in the lives of those around them. This is how the message of Jesus spreads and takes root; this is how the Kingdom of God continues to increase.

Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9

OH THE LOVE OF OUR JESUS, THAT HE WOULD NEVER GIVE UP ON US!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

If He does not give up on us, then we should not give up on the lost. Even when we cannot see the growth that is happening below the surface, we must TRUST GOD FOR THE RESULTS. We must listen carefully and obey what He prompts us to do and to say. We must never give up on the seed. We must see in it the potential of being the largest plant in the garden. For the sake of the birds who will someday nest in its branches, we must give it time, special attention and plenty of prayer.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-52

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.” – Matthew 12:35

Good and evil. Jesus spoke of these two opposites many times, often in the context of judgment. He spoke of dividing what is evil and what is good, and then separating them into two distinct places — heaven and hell. Jesus told a story that answers the question that we continue to ask today.

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL TO CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE WORLD, LEAVING BEHIND A TRAIL OF PAIN, SICKNESS AND DEATH?

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. – Matthew 13:24-26

Imagine the reaction of the fieldworkers when they saw the growing weeds. They asked the farmer where they came from, and he told them that an enemy had planted the weeds among the wheat. They asked if they should go ahead and pull out the weeds.

“‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” – Matthew 13:29-30

God has not wiped evil off the face of the earth because He is not willing that any should perish. There are many who have yet to accept the gift of salvation and God is patiently beckoning them to Himself. God loves His children and desires for their destiny to be heaven, not hell. But He gives us free will — the choice between good and evil, between serving Him or serving ourselves.

Peter understood what Jesus was teaching. Later he wrote: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God does not want anyone to be destroyed, or to perish. We do not like to talk about hell because it makes us uncomfortable. We have softened our talk on hell enough that there are many who doubt its reality. But Jesus did not back down from speaking about a judgment day or the harvest when good and evil will be separated. The reality of this separation should not quiet our discussion; instead we should be busy planting seeds and spreading the gospel in order to spare anyone from being “thrown into the fire.” Their destiny should matter enough to us that it impacts our behavior.

Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” – Matthew 13:36b-43

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” – Matthew 13:47-51

Jesus spoke of a day when evil will be separated from good. Until that day, we live in an imperfect world where evil and good coexist. We have a choice to either be influenced by the evil around us or cling to what is good. We have a responsibility to overcome evil and spread the good news to those around us.

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” – Matthew 12:30

Father God, remind us of our calling. Help us to see that there are those around us who need us to reach out and save them from the influence of this world. Let us not become so comfortable in our own salvation that we are no longer uncomfortable with the knowledge that others are without salvation. Remind us that you, God, can make great change in the lives of the unsaved around us, just as you are transforming our lives. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13:1-23, 9:35-38

Let’s consider Matthew’s version of the day the crowd gathered around Jesus on the shore of the lake. Jesus stepped into a boat and began teaching them in parables — a simple story with a deeper meaning.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 13:3b-9

My life has been greatly impacted by the book The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. The book talks about using lead measures and lag measures when trying to obtain your wildly important goals. These concepts are making a huge difference on how much we get done each year at work because it helps us determine where to place our focus.

Lag measures define the result you are trying to reach while lead measures determine what will predictably influence the lag measures. Here is a simple example that helps these concepts make sense. I am trying to lose weight. How many pounds I lose will be my lag measure, but I am probably not going to lose weight if my focus is on how much I weigh each morning. Stepping on the scales each day is simply not going to take the pounds and inches away. I need to focus instead on the lead measures — how many calories I am burning and how many calories I am consuming. It is reasonable to predict that if I burn more calories than I consume, I will lose weight.

Now let us consider Covey’s concepts while reading the parable of the farmer scattering seed. If the farmer’s goal is to grow more plants, and he knows that the more seed he sows the more plants he grows, it makes sense for him to plant more seeds in order to grow more plants. It is predictable. If he wants his harvest to be a certain size, his focus must be on how many seeds he plants and how many fields he works in.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23

Not everyone who hears the message of salvation is going to accept it. Not everyone who hears how they can receive forgiveness and freedom from sin will choose to believe. Some of the seed we plant will fall on the footpath, some on rocky soil, some among thorns, and some on good soil. If our lag measure is how many people pray to accept Jesus as their Savior, then what are our lead measures? If we want to lead someone to Christ, as the Great Commission commands us to do, what do we need to do?

At the Pregnancy Resource Center, our desire is to equip women to make their pregnancy decision from a place of hope, faith, knowledge and support. So our lag measure is the difference we make in someone’s life but our focus needs to be on our lead measures. How many opportunities do we have each day to present a woman with her options, provide material assistance and parenting education to help her prepare for the birth of her baby, and comfort a woman grieving from her abortion experience? If we want to make a bigger difference in our community, we have to have a strategy for getting the message out there of who we are and what we do. So client marketing is one of the lead measures we are looking at, along with our availability as reflected in our hours, location, and team size. After all, how can we help her if she does not know we exist, and how can she receive resources from us if our doors are locked?

If our mission as believers is to see those around us finding hope in Jesus, we could ask ourselves what we are doing to encourage those opportunities. In light of Jesus’ parable, we could ask how many seeds we are planting each day. If we don’t plant seeds, there will be no harvest. But if I see myself as a planter of seeds today, I will look for opportunities to reach out to those around me, because it may just be the seed needed to grow a plant.

In a youth leaders meeting, someone voiced the burden they were carrying for some of our struggling teens. While encouraged by the spiritual growth taking place in the lives of some of our teens, we are also saddened by the choices being made by others. By the end of our discussion, we were reminded that we need to just keep “planting seeds” by creating opportunities for the teens to grow in their understanding of God as well as opportunities to live out their growing faith. We need to keep investing in their lives, trusting God with the results.

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” – Matthew 9:37-38

Lord, thank you for the reminder to keep my heart focused on you today. May this not just be another day about me but about the fields in which you have called me to work. Open my eyes to the opportunities around me so that I do not miss the chance to make a difference in the life of someone else today. May the seeds planted through my obedience help someone to grow in their faith. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 4:26-34; Luke 13:6-9, 18-21

Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” – Mark 4:24-25

The closer we listen, the more we will understand; the more we choose to block out or ignore the words of Jesus, the more our understanding will fade away. God is calling us to lean in and pay attention — to be a student of the Word, seeking to understand the Kingdom of God.

Spirit of God, give us a new understanding of the parables Jesus taught his disciples. Open our ears to hear, and give us clarity of mind to grasp the truth of your message. Help us to understand the Kingdom of God. Amen.

Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” – Mark 4:30-32

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A MUSTARD SEED.

The Kingdom of God has the potential to grow exponentially from even the smallest moment of faith or action of obedience. God takes our humble willingness to be used by Him and does things too amazing for us to fully grasp. In fact, we are often oblivious to the ripple effect set into motion when we respond to the nudge of His Spirit to do what He has told us to do or to say what He has led us to say. God takes even the smallest trace of our faith and grows it into something bigger and wider than we can fathom.

He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” – Luke 13:20-21

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A LITTLE YEAST.

Have you ever tried to make bread without yeast? Have you ever tried to make a cake without baking soda, or cookies without baking powder? Without these key ingredients, our efforts fall flat and our baked goods remain dense. What seems like the smallest ingredient in the recipe is often the most important ingredient of all.

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” – Mark 4:26-29

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS LIKE A FARMER SCATTERING SEEDS.

We cannot cause a plant to grow. All we can do is plant the seeds. What God is calling us to do is within our ability, but the result of our obedience is beyond our control. God takes the imperfect words that come from our genuine desire to serve HIm, and He blesses it for the sake of His Kingdom. When a seed begins to grow into a seedling, and then becomes a plant that bears fruit, the glory goes to the God who is able to take a humble prayer of repentance and make something beautiful out of it.

Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’” – Luke 13:6-9

THE KINGDOM OF GOD REQUIRES LONG-SUFFERING.

Father God, as we see the farmers preparing the fields this spring or as we pull back the dead plants from our landscaping, remind us of our calling. Help us to see that there are those around us who need us to reach out and save them from the influence of this world. Let us not become so comfortable in our own salvation that we are no longer uncomfortable with the knowledge that others are without salvation. As we see winter turning into spring, remind us that you, God, can make great change in the lives of the unsaved around us, just as you are transforming our lives.

Thank you, Lord, for today’s reminder that you are the One who does something magnificent through us, and that all we have to do is humbly allow you to use us in the lives of those around us. Give us the patience and strength needed to never give up on those who have wandered away or who are struggling to grow in their faith. May we be conduits of your grace and truth today. Amen.