My thoughts on today’s text:

• 13:1-5. Sometimes we see people who experience tragedy and think…they really blew it. What we fail to comprehend…is that we’ve all really blown it. If a man doesn’t realize his own unrighteousness and the righteous judgment of God toward it…He cannot be saved. This is the point Jesus is making…and we need to “GET it.
• 13:14. God help us. The church leader became indignant because a woman was “set free” from her spiritual suffering and it wasn’t on the church program. We need to get over ourselves. When we come into the presence of God…don’t we expect Him to set people free? If He uses someone else to do it…don’t we need to rejoice? I wonder if we miss God’s work in lives at times simply because we are too fixated on the minutia of Greek and Hebrew or fine points of our Theology. If a woman was healed this way in church tomorrow…would you rejoice and praise God…or doubt and wonder how this could be?
• 14:27,33. Jesus does not call us to (as John MacArthur puts it) “easy-believism. Jesus did not promise an easy life, but an eternal life. No one doubts that our eternity in the presence of God is going to be more amazing than we can comprehend. However, some think that coming into the faith is one where we call the shots and it is comfortable. Jesus said that kingdom citizenship requires a denial of self-will and self-preservation, and a surrender of all that you have…your life, your possessions, your everything. For he who surrenders all, he gains the whole world, but he who seeks to hold back, keeps what he has and surrenders his own soul. There is no other way to understand the call to Kingdom living. There is also no better plan and purpose to embrace. This is Abundant life…to KNOW HIM and to MAKE HIM KNOWN to the Ends of the Earth.
• 15:11-32. When your enemy repents and yields control of his life to God…do you rejoice with the angels or reject the good news and cling to your bitterness?

Proverbs 28:13 is the takeaway today. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

A couple of observations from the text for me:

• 7:18-23. When John the baptizer had questions about the identity of Jesus as Messiah, Jesus did not give a speech or publish a resume. He fulfilled the Scriptures in the presence of those asking. The Scriptures authenticate authentic messages.
• 7:30. A rejection of baptism (the baptism of repentance-baptism of John) was a rejection of God’s purpose. While believer’s baptism differs somewhat in its meaning and purpose, it is still ordained by God for believers…so to reject it in practice or in form is to reject God’s purpose for you. Baptism is SIGNIFICANT.
• 8:34-39. Real transformation scares people and it can even cause them to reject the transformer as well. We all get comfortable in our sinful lives of self-control. When this man was changed, those who knew Him rejected Him, and Jesus sent Him back to His own village. While others rejected this man’s transformed life, he did not reject Jesus. This is an excellent example of what biblical faith truly is.
• 9:37-43. What some today would call minimal faith, Jesus calls wicked, unbelieving, and perverted. Have we so softened up our definition that we miss the unrelenting intent of the Lord?

Proverbs 27:18 is the takeaway today. “He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored.”

• 10:8-9. The disciples were instructed to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. Where they found faith, they authenticated the message with signs of healing. (It is God who heals and it is faith in God that allows us to see it.) Where they did not find faith, they were to authenticate the message with a sign of judgment, the dust and the sandal). Some think that the only sign of the Kingdom is that of healing, but it is not so. It is also not our primary concern. We are to preach and to act obediently. God saves and God judges.
• 10:20. Those who went out also came back rejoicing that they power of God had been manifested through them. Jesus told them that the greater miracle was that God manifested His power toward them in their own salvation. ARE WE MORE in awe at our salvation, or at the miraculous events of healing?
• 11:37. Jesus was invited to eat a meal by a Pharisee…and HE WENT! Would you?
• 11:42. Some tell me that the “tithe” is never taught in the New Testament. This is one of the clearest verses affirming the validity and ongoing nature of that which was extensively taught to the people before. These things (giving of the tithe with meticulous care) are to be done without leaving the others (justice and generosity) undone.
• 12:13-15. Just for me. I was in an extended conversation this week with someone who believes that it is ok…and even preferrable for the government to tax the rich to do justice toward the poor. I think this word speaks to the fact that Jesus is not concerned with the civil tax codes or the idea of fairness in the world. He IS concerned with the sense that His people represent His kingdom and as such are to proclaim Him as King and point others to trusting in Him as King!
• 12:22-34. We can be covetous whether we have an abundance of things and want more…or lack abundance and are anxious to get some…rather than trusting in the God who provides always for His children (12:32).
• 12:47-48. There is a scale of judgment in play where not everyone is treated the same at judgment. Those who have been given more and failed to steward it, will receive a stricter judgment than those who have been given less and failed to steward.
• 12:49-53. More to come on Sunday as I preach on the subject of unity. Christ came to divide and then unify under the banner of righteousness.

Proverbs 26:4 is the takeaway today. “Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will also be like him.” [As a friend once said, "Don't mudwrestle a pig. You'll both just get dirty but the pig likes it."]

• 4:20-27. Jesus is teaching (preaching) in the synagogue and they are very complimentary of Him…but it changes suddenly. Why? In the hearer’s mind, they are the centerpiece of God’s redemptive story…not God. When God was rescuing (them in their own understanding) they were happy. God is rescuing us! When God passed by them and showed grace to other (25-27), they were indignant and wanted to kill the preacher. The story of grace was true in both accounts. The response to it was based not on the speaker (Jesus) or on God, but on where the audience saw themselves in the story. THIS is still common today I think. When people look at group pictures of event they attended…they look for themselves first. When they come to worship services, they look for agreeable environments, things for their kids, and principles of the message that apply to them. Could it be that this is the definition of “self-centeredness” and that we fit the definition more often than not? When we want to react to the message that we hear…would we not be wise to simply pause and ask of ourselves and of God, “Why does this create such an emotional response in my life? Is this indicative of a sin in me, or is it really an insensitive preacher?” (Most in that day just considered it a problem with Jesus. They tried to kill him for it that very day. In truth…they were not at synagogue to hear from God, but to be encouraged in their own role and “god” in their own little universe.)
• 5:19-20. How awesome it is that Jesus would show grace toward someone in response to someone else’s faith. It was the faith of the friends that He responded to. It was because of their faith that He healed this man. So…does God ever see our faith and show grace toward others? IOW: Are you actively BEGGING God and going the “extra mile” (whatever that is) to get your friends to Jesus…and does He show grace to them because your faith is compelling? WOW- That’s a convicting thought in my mind.
• 6:46-48. There is a huge difference between someone who calls Jesus Lord and one who acts on the Lordship of Christ. You can tell, by what He does with the message…and that is usually revealed in the midst of the storms that are non-negotiable.

Proverbs 25:11 is the takeaway today. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” [Speak the same word in wrong circumstances, and it has no value.]

A couple of observations struck me in these first three chapters:

• Mary’s Magnificat is a powerful prophetic word about the role her yet to be born Son would play in the world. This isn’t just some lofty aspiration of a loving mother; rather, it is a divine sense of revelation about the significance of the advent of the Messiah. (1:46-56). BTW: I thought it interesting that God used one supposed “impossibility” (the conception fo John by an old, barren mother) to encourage Mary with her impossibility (a young virgin giving birth). [NOTE: Just in case you miss the significance, this is a physician writing...who was well-versed and interested in the science of medicine. He offered no explanation as to how this occurred other than the divine hand of God.]
• 1:62. It hit me this morning that the people tried to communicate with Zacharias with SIGNS and not words. He couldn’t speak, so they ASSUMED that he could not hear as well. It was his ability to speak that was interrupted (1:20), not his hearing. Notice: Here is what I have found to be true in my experience…when I talk to South Asians, I speak with an attempted accent and a choice of vocabulary that I think they can understand. To Arabs, I do the same thing. Same with Latin Americans. To those who are hard of hearing…I change the way I talk with them too. I ASSUME that since they talk funny (Said tongue in cheek of course) that they must also hear funny. I assume they can’t understand what I have to say if I just say it and I try to modify what I say to fit what I think they can understand. So…I wonder how many times we do not engage the LOST at all or accurately because we ASSUME they won’t understand where we are coming from? Are we cheating them…and all the while they would understand perfectly if we would simply SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT?
• 3:10-14. I observed that the act of repentance in all three cases dealt with physically meeting the needs of people around them, contentment with what we have (no coveting) and fairness in our dealings with others. All three incidents involved MONEY to some degree. NOTE: Some people want to believe that there is/can be repentance without it affecting how they deal with their money (again…tongue in cheek since we don’t have any money of our own…but are merely managers of God’s money.) According to John…if there wasn’t a clear outworking of repentance…and in this case, that which was evidenced by generosity, satisfaction, and charity…there was no confidence is the grace of God operating in one’s life. So…when God is at work, there is clear evidence…and I might argue that you can measure that work with a calculator. [Now before you delete this or argue...just meditate on it and ask God if this could be true. Listen for His answer...not mine   ].

Proverbs 24:21 is the takeaway today. “My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change.” [Avoid those rebellious people who simply want to change leadership rather than yield to it...recognize that God ordains all leaders, even evil ones, for His own purpose.]

Some people want to focus on the resurrection because it is cheerful and hope-filled. But there is no resurrection without the crucifixion. Others focus on the crucifixion and its atoning work…but there is no crucifixion without the willful and intentional condemantion of the people (Israel and Rome)…both groups having handed Jesus over in rejection of His rightful and just place as the Son of God…the Messiah. [By extension, we fit into the condemantion category as well.]

See, part of the overwhelming nature fo the grace God showed in the resurrection is best seen when juxtaposed against our willful rejection of His Lordship. When we delivered over Jesus to die…we rejected God and His Messiah. Yet…He forgave us. He forgave us not due to our merits but due to His nature…due to grace.

It is in light of this grace that we see the commission. Go and preach the gospel to all creatures. Every created being must hear…is the scope of the gospel. God directs us to tell the story of His love to everyone…to our clients, our co-workers, our employers, our neighbors, the market owners, those like us, those different from us, to those of our language group and to every other language group…to every creature.

How could we freely receive the grace of God and not freely serve the God of grace?

Proverbs 23:29-35 is the takeaway today.

²⁹Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

³⁰Those who linger long over wine, Those who go to taste mixed wine.

³¹Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down smoothly;

³²At the last it bites like a serpent And stings like a viper.

³³Your eyes will see strange things And your mind will utter perverse things.

³⁴And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.

³⁵“They struck me, but I did not become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.”

Substitutes for real peace do not yield peace at all. Only sorrows.

Most would say she had “lost it” or that she was “duped” by some religious fanatic. Jesus said she worshipped…and in so doing, gained a legacy that would far outlast her physical life.

PAUSE and consider that for a moment. Do you worship in a way that is culturally or socially acceptable…or in a way that is so extravagant (tongue in cheek) that anyone who hears of it is flabbergasted and questions…”why would she do that for Jesus?” May we be/become so enthralled with Jesus that we leave a legacy like Mary.

The second observation has to do with promises and performance. Peter promised Jesus, I will never forsake you,” and all of the others were agreeing and claiming the same thing (14:31). Yet…in the end…all forsook Him (14:50).

Sometimes I read stuff about Peter and shake my head…as though my faith/faithfulness were any better. It is not. I make promises that I cannot fulfill in my flesh. I try but can’t do it. Whether it is an act of repentance, or simply disciplining myself to avoid the fridge after a certain hour. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I have read this story twice now in a week and it hit me both times…every one fo the disciples agreed with Peter…and every one of the disciples failed. I am every one…just like you are every one.

Thank God for His faithfulness and the security of our relationship being based on Him and not on us. We fail, we falter, and He is faithful to forgive when we confess (agree with God) about our sin and our sin nature. Repentance is a decision…one often repeated because we fail. God’s faithfulness…His character never fails. His mercies are new every day. He never runs low on mercy. He is always willing to receive us. He is gracious…demonstrating unmerited favor toward us in every circumstance…even in bringing us to repentance while we live in the midst of rebellion against Him. What a Savior!

Proverbs 22:3 is the takeaway today. “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.”

NOTE: The issue is not money, but ones trust in money. Solomon was a very wealthy man. Nicodemus was a wealthy man. Wealth is not the issue…but how we use it and the level of dependence we have on it…that is the issue. Jesus’ challenge exposed the shortfall of  the Pharisee. His choice…to forsake real peace by keeping a tight hold on that which brought him imperfect and temporal peace. (BTW: He would not describe it that way. He would say something softer and even more spiritual…but the fact is, he forfeited eternity on the altar fo the temporal.)

We do the same. We forsake financial security by holding tightly to control over our finances. We forsake relational fulfillment by refusing to embrace relationships God’s way. We forsake peace…by refusing to depend on God. We are all…the rich young ruler.

Who can be saved? (v.27). For men who want to control things, salvation is impossible…but for those who will trust in God as a little child trusts (10:13-16)…God will save.

My second observation: 12:2. The Vineyard owner (God) accomplished the construction and planting of the vineyard (the world) and entrusted it to lesees. He did so with one purpose…that they would cultivate and work the vineyard to bring a harvest for the owner that He might take a portion of. They refused. They mistreated and killed the envoys from the Owner. The desired to do it their own way. They chose to make their own destiny. Even when the Son of the Owner came…they killed Him in hopes of keeping the inheritance that was rightfully His. They failed.

God has entrusted the world to us…not for our lordship but for our stewardship. It is still His world. The inheritance belongs to the Owner’s Son…not to us. Even if we try to kill Him (or actually did) the inheritance is still the Son’s. God will hand over to Him the Kingdom. He POSITIONALLY reigns already. He will POSSESSIONALLY reign when all of His enemies are placed under His feet.

Proverbs 21:25-26 is the takeaway today. “The desire of the sluggard put him to death, for his hands refuse to work; all day long he is craving, while the righteous gives and does not hold back.”

Again, traditions are not bad. As I told someone once, I had a girl break my heart…but I didn’t swear off girls…I just found one who wouldn’t break my heart. Our traditions remind us of our heritage and serve as a guide to righteousness. After all, should we automatically assume that everyone before us were just “messed up” and we alone have figured out how to truly have a relationship with God? Isn’t that attitude the height of arrogance? As one fella from Texas put it…”You ought not tear down a fence until you know why it was built. There might be a bull in the adjacent pasture.”

Finally in 9:24, I have found a great deal of encouragement. This dude sings my song (or I his). “Lord I believe…help my unbelief.” I couldn’t say it better myself. I trust God but my faith is faulty and sometimes stronger than others. Sometimes…all I have to hold to are those “anchor points” in my journey (baptism, call to ministry, call to my current assignment, call to missions, etc.) Those things have, at times, kept me moving in the right direction when I didn’t have enough faith to think positively about the outcome. I have felt like the disciples when Jesus told them they were going back to Jerusalem. They said, “Let’s go with him so we can die there too.”

WHat I have learned though…is that if I “take the step, the path will appear.” It always…without fail…eventually…becomes clear WHY God has called me to a particular place in the journey. It just takes faith (even imperfect faith) to take the steps to see it.

Proverbs 20:27 is the takeaway today. “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being.”

• 4:26-29 is an explanation of the mysterious nature of the Kingdom. No explanation is given as to HOW the harvest comes about…only that it does and it is a work of God. The man (whose role is explained) is responsible to sow and to reap…but the rest of the process is left to its own. The obvious analogy is to the process of bearing witness/evangelism. Many times “heady” theologians and thinkers will try to define how salvation takes place…while ignoring the responsibility to SOW and REAP. I personally believe…that if we would be busy about our part…God has not changed His view or position…and would bring a crop ready for the harvest.
• 5:30. Jesus is aware of everything going on around Him. We may not see things or understand their significance…but Jesus does. This woman, at the end of her rope, came to Jesus in an act of desperation. Jesus said her FAITH made her well (5:34). There is a connection between our faith and His power. The power is not in our faith, but our faith unleashes the power.
• 5:40. The crowds laughed at Jesus. His statement defied all that they had come to believe and know from experience and reason. They had no faith. They did not trust in what they could not measure or explain. As such…the laughed. They missed the power of the miracle…because they laughed at Jesus. [How often do we laugh at Jesus? He leads us to undertake a project or an initiative and we discount Him by saying it requires too much money or it isn't the right time...or we've done that before. This is laughing at Jesus. The Christian life is a life of faith and not a life of reason. Our faith is REASONABLE when you consider that the One instructing us to act raises the dead, heals the afflicted, demonstrated power over the grave, and promises us POWER. So...is it unreasonable...in light of all of  the evidence He provides...to believe and trust?]
• 6:1-6. Sometimes we can become so familiar with Jesus that we can easily discount Him. Some have heard the stories so much, that the stories have lost their wonder with us. Sometimes, we can even take OFFENSE because Jesus leads us to believe that we are not doing something perfectly. (We think we are perfect and have it all worked out). Our lack of faith CONSTRAINS the power of Jesus to work. Not that we are more powerful than God, but that He will not deny Himself. He does what He does and He chooses to not do great wonders where people are unbelieving.
• 6:31-44. It hit me this AM that the disciples were exhausted and were going away for a sabbatical; however, when they arrived, the crowds were waiting. There was no rest. AND, it was out of their deficit that they ministered so powerfully. Sometimes we think we have nothing left to give…and it is at those times that Jesus gives abundantly and we get a front row seat.

Proverbs 19:15 is the takeaway today. “Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger.”