Luke 12:48
“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” President John F. Kennedy is known for having misquoted this verse, but he still got the point across…“To whom much is given, much is required.” If God gave us only our salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, much would be required of us; but to think of all the many undeserved gifts He has given us, how much more is required of us? As we see in Romans, it is our reasonable service to be a living sacrifice for Him. As children of God, we have been entrusted with so many responsibilities. God wants us to be faithful and manage the things He has blessed us with in a well-pleasing manner. He wants us to be good stewards of our time, our talents, and our treasure. Have you ever tried to name them one by one, as the hymn says? “Count your many blessings, name them one by one…” Stop and take the time to ponder of all the blessings that you have… it quickly becomes overwhelming. It’s only by God’s grace that we have these blessings. We do not deserve anything. The only thing we have earned is spending eternity in Hell. But by God’s mercy, He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to pay the debt we could not pay. With all we have been given, God desires us to use those blessings for the furtherance of His kingdom and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is what gives Him the glory He so rightfully deserves. Be that living sacrifice today. Let’s remember our reasonable service for His glory. He gave us everything… We should be thankful He lets us serve Him! Bible Reading: Leviticus 7-8 | Luke 1 | Psalm 19
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February 18 – Overlooked.
Matthew 15:34 “And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye?” The Feeding of… Most probably finished that statement with “the 5,000”. A familiar and famous passage of Scripture; a miracle. A multitude fed by five loaves of bread and two small fishes. Often in the shadow of this great miracle that Jesus did, a chapter later in Matthew, and two chapters later in Mark, is a similar yet often overlooked event. Another multitude had gathered and followed Christ as He performed miracles and instructed the people. He again had compassion on them, and refused to send them away hungry. The disciples scoffed at the thought of finding enough bread to feed them within the wilderness. They must have already forgotten the feeding of the five thousand in recent days. Here, the crowd was a little smaller… four thousand men plus women and children. They found seven loaves of bread this time, and only a few fishes. Yet, in the Master’s hand it was enough, because He is always enough. The supply was greater, the people fewer, but it was still nothing short of a miracle. Much like the disputing disciples, we tend to overlook this miracle and focus on the “greater” one of more people with fewer resources. What a pity that we only focus on the seemingly “bigger” things that God performs in our lives while overlooking the countless ways He continually provided for us every day. Christian, don’t get tunnel vision to only focus on the well-known areas that God is working in. Take time to realize and stand in wonder at every thing He does for you, and remind yourself to look for His power in every situation. No matter how big or small the matter, He is always in control. He does it again and again, and He’ll do it again just when you need it. “He’ll do it again, if we’ll just take a look at where we are now, and where we’ve been. Hasn’t He always come through for you? He’s the same now as then!” Karen Wheaton Bible Reading: Leviticus 5-6 | Matthew 28 | Psalm 18 February 17 – Compel Them.
Luke 14:23 “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” The context of this chapter gives light to what occurs more often today than perhaps ever before. There is a banquet being prepared, to which many of those who have been invited have made excuses of why they cannot or won’t attend. Yet, the One preparing the banquet still desires to have His House full, so He commands His servants to go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in. He wants everyone to be invited. The servant in this story obeyed, yet there was still room for more… “for whosoever will”. Jesus Christ came down to this earth and gave His life so that all would be able to attend this banquet in the sky. In the last few days He walked this earth, He commanded us to go and tell others the glorious Gospel. We are to invite others to accept Him regardless of how they respond. That is our responsibility and our greatest purpose. How do we compel them? We are to persuade them. How do we persuade them? We can’t persuade someone unless we first invite them. If they reject your invitation, don’t stop there. You can live your life as an example to them of God’s love and how God can change someone’s life. Let your testimony set you apart, so that people around you realize that there is something different about you. Then try again to invite them, and attempt to share the Gospel with them. Don’t badger, but instead show them the love of Christ by displaying genuine care for them and their eternity. The best way to compel someone is to share your testimony. People are often willing to listen to a personal story or experience. Sharing what Jesus Christ did for you personally allows the person to relate and empathize with what you needed or were seeking. Don’t be afraid to share your personal experience. It might be just what someone needs to hear to ask more questions or see their need for Jesus. Let’s compel people to come, so that the Lord’s house may be filled. Bible Reading: Leviticus 3-4 | Matthew 27 | Psalm 17 I Timothy 1:12
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” Many missionaries and full-time ministry workers have claimed this as their life or ministry verse. They have chosen to be thankful of their calling and that God has enabled them and counted them faithful enough to serve Him. Many preachers have used phrases like, “The greatest ability of a child of God is availability.” When we make ourselves available to be used, we are sure to given opportunity to do so. We find a great example of this in Isaiah, when the voice of the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah simply answered, “Here am I; send me.” He didn’t question what was involved he just offered to go. God wants our availability. He isn’t interested in our abilities. We are nothing outside of what God does through us. Countless times in the Scripture we see that He chooses to use the seemingly under-qualified to accomplish His will. Moses told God he couldn’t speak fluently, yet God used him to lead the children of Israel through the wilderness. David was young and ruddy, yet God had him use a slingshot and a stone to slay a giant. Saul was known for persecuting Christians, yet God changed his life and transformed him into the Apostle Paul who He used to pin most of the New Testament. Whether you are in the ministry or a secular line of work, God has called us all to be full-time Christians for Him; and He promises to enable us if we will only make ourselves available. Whatever weakness you think is preventing you from being used by the Lord will be strengthened as you yield yourself to Him so that He can get the glory. For when we are weak, He is strong. Thank the Lord today, and every day. Yield yourself to Him, so that He can enable you to be used for His glory. Bible Reading: Leviticus 1-2 | Matthew 26 | Psalm 16 John 6:35
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Do you find yourself hungered for something that food won’t satisfy? We find in our passage today that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Isn’t it great to know that He not only satisfies the hunger of those lost without a Saviour, but He also fills those who come to His Word daily hungry for answers to the problems of life. When we come to Him, He promises that we will never leave hungry. There are thousands upon thousands of people in this world today who struggle to find food for their tables. They have a physical need. Praise the Lord for people and churches that see their need and seek to fulfill it. Food pantries and missions offer food to those in need, only requiring for them to show up and ask for it. Isn’t that just like Jesus? He not only sees our need, but He is patiently waiting for us to show up and ask for His help. His Word is waiting for us to pick up our Bible and find our daily bread. Bible Reading: Exodus 40 | Matthew 25 | Psalm 15 Romans 5:8
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” On a day when love is celebrated all around us… The love of a spouse or significant other, the love of family and friends are all are God-given privileges; and they should be celebrated. However the Ultimate Example of Love was when “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” to this earth for one purpose… “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Greatest Love of All should take precedence over any earthly love that God has blessed us with. Few things are worse than seeing someone blatantly reject the Love of Christ and His sacrifice for us. Especially when the person is obviously under conviction, with tears in their eyes, and yet still refuses to trust Him with childlike faith. He is longsuffering and so patient. He isn’t willing that any should perish, “but that all should come to repentance”. Having only a head knowledge of what Jesus Christ did for us is so dangerous. We can’t make someone believe what He did for us, but its up to us to remind them, and pray that God will convict their heart until they trust Him. Valentine’s Day should ultimately remind us of God’s love and Jesus Christ’s willing sacrifice for us. Let’s use today to share the Love of God with others, and tell them what Christ did for us. Bible Reading: Exodus 38-39 | Matthew 24 | Psalm 14 John 19:17-18
“And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” When driving down the interstate, have you ever noticed the clusters of three crosses sporadically placed on the hillsides, and lit up for all to see in the darkness of the night? I’ve always loved seeing them. Often when I’m driving habitually lost in thought, my focus shifts to the three wooden crosses, a white one on either side of a yellow one in the middle. The reminder always shifts my focus back to Calvary, and what my Saviour did for me as well as the rest of the world. The story behind the existence of these roadside crosses is touching. A man named Bernard Coffindaffer of Craigsville, WV had a vision for the project. He began contacting landowners, and planted the first set in September 1984. His goal was to place this reminder of what Christ has done for us on the Cross of Calvary about every 50 miles on the highways of America. At one point, they crossed 29 states, and were over 2,000 in number. After Coffindaffer died in October of 1993, the project began to decline and the crosses were not maintained. The Lord then burdened the heart of a lady in Mississippi named Sara Abraham to continue Coffindaffer’s ministry and vision. Crosses Across America, Inc. was formed in 1999, and currently repairs and maintains the clusters of crosses across the country. Thankfully, I’m blessed to live in a part of America that has several of these silent but effective witnesses on our main highways. What do the three crosses mean to you? They can be a peaceful reminder of the victory Christ won to set us free. They can remind us that He died for everyone, with no respecter of persons to all who come to Him. They can also remind us of our great responsibility to continue to spread the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. Think of the thousands or millions that pass a cluster of three crosses everyday. Do they realize what they truly mean? It’s our job to tell them. Bible Reading: Exodus 36-37 | Matthew 23 | Psalm 13 I Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Do you find yourself burdened down with the cares of this life? The Apostle Peter, who God used to pin the inspired Words of this passage, speaks from experience. He had to learn to cast all of his cares into the hands of his Saviour. When we learn to do the same, we will find the same Truth that Peter did… that He cares of us. Notice that the verse doesn’t say cast some of your cares, or most of your cares upon Him. The small little three-letter word encompasses every single care we have ever had or ever will have… all. This shows us the ability of the One we are to cast our care upon. He is able to bare the load of every burden that we have. We were not designed to carry our own burdens. If you’ve ever tried to do so, you know that’s the truth. God designed us to cast all of our cares upon Him. It’s not surprising that God is able and willing to carry our burdens. The amazing part is that in the middle of all of it, despite our weaknesses and failures, He cares for us. The Creator of this universe cares for us. There are over 7 billion people in this world, and He cares of you. He knows the very number of hairs on our heads, He cares for us that much. That is beyond amazing. There is no part of your life or your family’s life that God does not care about. His ears are open to our cry, and He is waiting to hear from us. Cast your care upon Him today. Cast it ALL! Bible Reading: Exodus 34-35 | Matthew 22 | Psalm 12 Ruth 2:12
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” If you’ve never seen a mother bird gather her young under her wings, you’ve missed out on one of the sweetest pictures in creation of the Lord’s care for His children. As the mother hovers over her nest of baby birds, she gently swoops each of them closer together so that she may cover them with her feathered wings. She does this to protect and soothe her young within the secret place of her nest. Psalm 91 gives us a picture of how we can find safety beneath the Lord’s wings. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” The young birds learn to trust their mother as she swoops them into safety with her wings. They trust in her wings. They trust her. How has the Lord swooped you under the shadow of His trusting wings? “My way was filled with danger, I felt alone The enemy had singled me, Out to do me wrong. And when he drew near, My heart filled with fear; Then I heard Someone dear; calling me to His side And I ran under His wings. There He covered me, and now I can see. And the enemy still looks for me, But what he can’t see; Is that I’m under my Lord’s wings! Under His wings, Under His wings! Who from His love can sever? Under His wings, My soul shall abide; Safely abide forever!” Trust Him to carry you through today! Bible Reading: Exodus 32-33 | Matthew 21 | Psalm 11 Matthew 6:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Wall Street is known for its wealth and investment strategies. Some people work all their lives trying to accumulate goods and riches, only to leave it all behind. We see this in I Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” As the Lord Jesus put it in our passage today, these people lay up for themselves “treasures” that will be corrupted by moths and rust, or stolen by the thieves of this world. A billionaire who dies without having placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished work on Calvary, has only made one real investment… in the Lake of Fire. We see in Hebrews 9:27 that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” The billionaire’s rejection of the free gift of God seals his eternity. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36 A good friend and I were out to lunch one day. As we went to pay our bill my friend pointed out two Gospel tracts from our ministry that someone had laid down before we got there. To this day I have no clue who left them. Likewise, the person who left them has no clue of the fruit that they brought forth. They were seeds sown of the sake of eternity, and only Heaven will reveal the yield of their investment. The true wealth of a person isn’t made up of their material goods, but rather what waits in eternity for them. How are you investing in eternity? Bible Reading: Exodus 30-31 | Matthew 20 | Psalm 10 |
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