Is the end near?

Reading: Job 32-33 and Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21:12, But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Thoughts: Most people when looking at the end times talk about Revelation and Daniel both giving some interesting imagery and things that will happen. Here in Luke, Jesus mentions something that will happen and possibly could already be happening. People are being persecuted with physical violence against them all over the world. And it goes on to say that we will be delivered up to synagogues and prisons, this seems to be saying that there will be religious rules placed against us. I do not see these rules coming from within the Judeo-Christian community but I think it will be from the Islamic world. There are communities in the United States where the Islamic community has taken over and is requiring people to live by their laws and be judged by their courts. This sounds like those opposed to Christ taken into synagogues (mosques) to be judged. Let us not be unaware that the enemy is lurking, seeking an opportune moment to come to steal, kill, and destroy.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the creator of all things, you knew me before I was knit together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the wisdom and knowledge that you give us. I ask that you help us to discern the schemes of the evil one so that we cannot be deceived. Open our eyes to your ways and your plans so that we can continue to overcome those schemes that are formed against us.

I don’t know!!!

Reading: Job 30-31 and Luke 20

Scripture: Luke 20:7, So they answered they did not know where it came from.

Thoughts: I know there have been times when I weighed the options for answering a question and chose to say, “I don’t know.” Even when I knew the truth or had an opinion on the question. These men knew how Jesus and the people would respond and did not want to pick a fight with either side. Do we try to play both sides with God? Are we trying to play dumb with the one who knew us before He knit us in our mother’s womb? I know I allow my anger to control my words sometimes and say things I do not really want to say and now my children are using some of those words that I should not say and all I get from them is, “I don’t know.” Let us seek God and His wisdom so that we can know why we are doing and saying those things that cause us to say, “I don’t know.”

Prayer: Father God, I stand in awe of how you can love me even when I fail. I thank you for your steadfast love. I ask for help understanding where my anger and harsh words come from. I long to lay down my anger and harsh words. Lord purify me, remove the dross of my life that I may reflect you.

Hang on It

Reading:  Job 29, Psalm 121, and Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:47-48, And He was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy Him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

Thoughts: Because the crowds of people were hanging on every word and seeking what Jesus had, those in charge had no way to get to Jesus. Today so many people get their Sunday morning fix and then they are good for the week. That is if they have any connection to a local church or even God. There are so many distracting voices in the world today that it is easy to set God aside for some entertainment. When we hand on His every word it does not matter what they do to us there is no way for them to take Him from us.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for sending your Son, that we may have a way back to you. I thank you that no one can blot out our name from the book of life. I thank you that He is the way the truth and the life, that he opens the way to you. I ask that you help me to seek you first and to hang on your every word that I may know you more. Lead me and guide me in your ways.

Have Mercy on Me

Reading:  Job 27-28 and Luke 18

Scripture: Luke 18:37-38, They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he Cried out. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Thoughts: This blind man had only heard that Jesus was going to pass by and started crying out for Him. The Pharisees, the priests, and the scribes saw and heard Him yet they cried out against Him. Are we crying out to Him as followers or are we so religious that we are not truly seeing what the blind man saw without seeing?

Prayer: Lord God you are the creator of all things; you know the hairs on my head and the days of my life. I thank you for calling me a friend for adopting me into your eternal family. I ask that you help me to know when I wonder and if I stray. Help me to want to cry out to you.

Praise Him

Reading: Job 24-26 and Luke 17

Scripture: Luke 17:17-18, Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Thoughts: When God does a work in our lives we should be the first to praise him, yet so often God provides and blesses us and we do not acknowledge that it came from God. Just today as we have been looking at our bank account dwindle and bills coming due, God brought a rebate check that we had forgotten about. I deposited the check and thought about how to use it. I forgot to praise Him for taking care of our family. Are you going to be like the 9 or like the foreigner who saw he was cleansed and came back and praised God?

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of all praise, I thank you that you are our provider. You have made all things, and all things come from you. I thank you for the breath in my lungs and the strength in my body to do the work placed before me.

Are you a good steward?

Reading: Job 22-23 and Luke 16

Scripture: Luke 16:10-12, One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

Thoughts: In the United States the American dream used to be a family with 2.5 kids, a dog, and a house with a white picket fence. Today it seems like the American dream has changed to be rich and famous. It is common to want more than you have. As we strive for what we think we need are we listening to God and stewarding what He has given us thus far? If we are not good stewards, why would anyone entrust us with anything?

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for allowing me to steward what you have entrusted me with. I thank you for choosing to bless me even when I fail. I ask that you give me wisdom to better steward those blessings and provisions you give me. I thank you for leading and guiding my family.

Running to what?

Reading: Job 20-21 and Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15:20, And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Thoughts: I had heard a teaching that in the time that Jesus would have told this parable, anyone hearing this would have known that anyone from the town could have put this person to death for the blasphemy against his father. So this father was sitting there waiting for his son to return to him. When he sees him he runs to him not only to greet his long lost son but also to protect him from those who had the legal right to stone him to death. As a sinner, I can relate to the son coming home to work as a servant. Yet as a father, I can relate to wanting to protect my children. I don't want them to have the hurts that I have had. I want them to grow up strong in the Lord. I want to run and be the shield that will cover them.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are our Father, you are the one I strive to emulate. I thank you that I have the opportunity to steward my children and some of the cattle you have on those thousand hills. I thank you that you are blessing us every day even when we don't recognize it. You are the one in control and I long to walk in your ways.

Seat yourself.

Reading: Job 17-19 and Luke 14

Scripture: Luke 14:8-10, When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.

Thoughts:  It seems like every time this passage comes around in the reading plan it sticks out and points at me. Don't take the place of honor, take the place of humility, and let the host honor you by moving you to the proper location. I know that I have pride and ambition. I don't want to be the bottom of the pecking order, I want to move up I want to use the training got from going to school. Not sure if it is my sin nature, because I know the work I put into my degree, or just seeing the appearance that everyone seems to be doing better than me. I know that I need to spend less time thinking about what others think of me, and what others appear to have that is better than what I have. I need to cut off the input of the world and listen to what God is saying about me and who He says I am.

Prayer: Father God you are the only one who can tell me who I am. I am your son, I am who you say I am, and the only one who can raise me to my proper place. Help me hear the name you have for me and who you say I am.  Lead me in your ways and open my eyes to the things that draw me from you that I may seek you fully.

Who needs enemies when you have friends like this?

Reading: Job 15-16 and Luke 13

Scripture: Job 16:2-3, I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Thoughts: In yesterday's reading, Job called his friends worthless physicians, and today, calling them miserable comforters, got me thinking… who do we have around us? To the most part our coworkers and work environment are out of our control others then we have the option to find employment elsewhere. But who are those fiends whom you call for advice or whom you can confide in when things are rough? Are you listening to people who do not have the same beliefs and convictions as you? Does the world have more influence on your choices than God? Also when others choose to confide in you are you pointing them to God and the Word or do you put your faith in what the world says? Are we being worthless and miserable helpers?

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for helping me to see that I needed a mentor in my life and that you brought the right man into my life to speak into me what you have for me. I thank you for leading me to friends who are not worthless and miserable. I ask that you help me to be the right kind of friend to those around me, so that if they confide in me then I can lead them and point them to you and your word.

What is said in the dark?

Reading: Job 13-14 and Luke 12

Scripture: Luke 12:3, Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Thoughts:  When this passage was written people had a greater sense that what was done in private would stay there, it was much less likely that someone would overhear or see what was done in those dark and private places. The idea of this being said or done in secret being broadcast to their neighbors let alone the world was absurd. Yet in today's connected society, there are many private things that are broadcast to the world whether wanted or not. Between all our devices listening to us and those things we voluntarily put out for consumption, we are in a society that really has little privacy. What are we saying in the dark? Are we tearing down? Are we pointing fingers? Are we lusting after others? Even if we can keep those sins hidden this side of eternity, the Father knows. Let our private talk and actions be worthy of being broadcast to the world.

Prayer: Father God, you know what is done in the dark and what is said in private. I confess that there is sin in my darkness and private time. I ask for your forgiveness and ask for your help to turn from those thoughts words and actions that take me from your presence. I ask that you help me see the root cause of these things so that I can find a way to combat the problem with your power and strength. Help me to hear who you say I am and not listen to the world or myself. Lead me in your ways.

Hear and keep the Word!!!

Reading: Job 11-12 and Luke 11

Scripture: Luke 11:27-28, As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Thoughts: I have been reading a book called “Gold from Golgotha” from 1945, in this book we look at the seven things Christ said when enduring the cross. Just read the chapter on when he told Mary that John was now her son and John that Mary was now his mother. In this chapter, it looks at how Jesus separated his familial ties to Mary. But in this passage, a woman was trying to add blessings to Mary yet instead of blessing only Mary He points to how we all may be blessed. Mary was a sinner who needed a savior just as we all do. Yes, Mary had the special privilege of being the vessel that God chose to use to bring His Son into the world but that does not grant her any greater access to Jesus and the Father than the rest of the believers.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you that we can hear your Words. I thank you that you are speaking to us through the scriptures and through your servants. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you pour out on us, even when things look the bleakest you still somehow provide the things we need. I thank you for taking care of us, taking care of my family, and leading us in your ways.

Lambs and wolves

Reading: Job 9-10 and Luke 10

Scripture: Luke 10:3, Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Thoughts: As we continue every day to get closer to the return of Christ the evil one will fight harder and harder against the Love of God. Like the disciples who were sent out, we are sent as lambs in the midst of wolves. When referred to as a lamb I think about how weak sheep are and how they need a shepherd to protect them but also how unintelligent they can be. As the lamb in this analogy there are two ways that we can look at this, first is we are weak and unprotected animals who can be destroyed by the wolves of this world. Second, I see that even though we are weak and helpless our shepherd is there with us keeping an eye on us. God went with them even though Jesus did not. How are you walking? As a scared sheep not knowing how to survive or as a sheep that knows they are safe because the shepherd is watching.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are watching over us. You lead us to green pastures and still waters. I thank you that when we are sent out, you go with us giving strength and boldness that could only come from you. I thank you for the provision and blessings you pour out on us. I ask that you help me to steward it well. Open my eyes to the things in my life that lead me to anger and hurt.

What are you sharing?

Reading: Job 7-8 and Luke 9

Scripture: Luke 9:13, But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”

Thoughts: As I read this passage and thought about how in the John 6 account a boy gave up his lunch to help feed the 5000. We all have something to give, talents, money, time, anything. Yet the great American dream of becoming rich and famous has so many people seeking after a different god and are unwilling to give. Is there something in your life that God is calling you to give to Him so that He can use it to touch someone?

Prayer: Father God you own the cattle on a thousand hills, and you have the power and authority to make all that is needed. I thank you for calling me to share what you have given me, and for stewarding what you put in my hands to take care of my family and those around me. You are the provider and you give us all that we need.

What is so Funny?

 Reading: Job 5-6 and Luke 8

Scripture: Luke 8:53-54, And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.”

Thoughts: Sarah laughed when she overheard that she was going to have a child in her old age, these people laughed when Jesus said he was sleeping. Are there situations in your life where God has said something was going to happen and you laughed at the absurdity of the idea? How often do we solely look at a situation with our worldly eyes that only show the can nots and the should nots and the impossible? When God is calling us to walk on water do we step out of the boat like Peter and try to do as he says or are we like the other apostles not willing to get out? So who is laughing now?

Prayer: Lord you know our heart and you know the plans you have for us. Help me to walk in those plans and not laugh when I cannot see how. Help me to not doubt that you are taking care of us and that no matter the situation you will use it for our good. Lead me and guide me through the trials and tribulations that are going our way.

What Faith!!!!

Reading: Job 3-4 and Luke 7

Scripture: Luke 7:9, When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Thoughts: I know that I have faith, and I know that God has done things through me, yet I still struggle and I wish I had faith like this Centurion. I know that when reading the Bible, we are reading the highlights reel of thousands of years of history. Even looking just at the Gospels each book primarily covers the 3 years of Jesus’s Ministry on earth, so I know that there were many days and many things that happened in those three years that were down times or not worthy of being written down. As we walk through our day-to-day lives, we need to remember that just because we are not seeing God’s big moves every day, it does not mean they are not happening. As we walk out our lives stay in the Word of God and seek him the best you can. Salvation may be a one-time covering but we are all on the journey to sanctification and I know there are parts of my life that have been in a state of arrested development and that I need to put more work into and seek God in those areas.

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, I thank you that you placed it on Luke's heart to put the encounter with the Centurion into writing that we could be encouraged by it. I thank you that you are not done with me and that, even when I fall back into my old ways, you are still calling me, still working with me to make me the husband, father, and man that you call me to be. Open my heart to your correction, open my mind to hear your voice. Help me soften my life and my heart, making them moldable so I can be formed.