Any Day- Devo Lk.13:10-17

Jesus is preaching and teaching in the synagogue, when he realizes there is a woman there that had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. The religious Jews (lawyers, chief priests, Pharisees, etc.) thought that healing on the Sabbath day was breaking a rule. They had become so legalistic, yet there were things that they would do on the Sabbath that could be considered work. Jesus calls the woman forward and heals her much to the dismay of the local synagogue ruler. He begins to call Jesus out on it, saying that there are six other days a person could come and be healed, but the Sabbath day is not for that. Surely, the synagogue ruler is thinking what is one more day for this woman who had this condition eighteen years? However, Jesus is thinking it would be one day too many! Jesus fired back at the synagogue ruler naming things that this guy and others would do on the Sabbath day that could be deemed work. His opponents were humiliated and the people were delighted. Jesus came to lighten the load...the heavy burden of religion of the legalistic Jews. Jesus came to do work. He came to do the work that set men and women free and healed them. His work was good any day of the week.---Today's christian could take note: it is good to do good any day of the week.

Zechariah 10:2---Household gods

"Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd." (Zech.10:2) What are some household gods? The prophet lists a couple here in fortune-tellers and dream-interpreters. Yet, that list could have included more back then as well as today. Some others household gods or places people seek advice are as follows: psychic, astrology, and some even take fortune-cookies seriously. God was concerned that His people were wandering around like lost sheep without a shepherd. This is why Jesus came. He is the Great Shepherd. He is the One we look to for guidance. But you can't know what He thinks unless you know Him. And you can't get to know Him unless you spend time with Him. You want answers? You want the truth? Seek out Jesus in the morning, at noon, throughout the day, and when you're done end the day with Him. Following Jesus and consequently knowing Him takes time. If you're spending that kind of time with Jesus, then you will certainly interpret life.

Devo Luke 13:6-9

Jesus tells a story about a farmer and a non-fruit bearing fig tree. There are a couple of lessons to learn in the story. First of all, God expects us to bear fruit. While we are saved by grace through faith, the tell-tale evidence shows that God expects his people to bear fruit. This could be both the fruits of the Spirit, as well as the fruit from reproducing (making)disciples. In the story, we see that the tree has not bore fruit in three years, and the farmer tells the worker to cut it down. The worker asks for one more year after he has cultivated around the tree and fertilized it. God is patient in that He gives ample time for us to grow, but there is an ending point to His patience. Some work is necessary for fruit-bearing...cutting out old stuff and putting in the necessary nutrients for growth (good spiritual habits:prayer, Bible study, church involvement, etc.). Sometimes it may take longer than other times. We must be willing to do the work toward fruit-bearing. If you don't bear fruit, you're a waste. If you were a fig tree, then you would be dug up and thrown in the fire. That spot in the soil in which you existed was being wasted. These are pretty strong words from the Savior. Hello! For further study: Gal.5:22-23; John 15:1-17

Heroes of the Faith

Heroes of the Faith aren't always sawed in two. It's been a hot week up here in North Florida. A couple of our guys were relentless in their commitment to Christ by enduring the heat just for the chance to share Jesus with someone. A local church (Olivet Baptist) was heroic for hosting the Florida Baptist Dental Clinic for the seventeenth straight year. Folks from other churches and dentists were heroic in offering of their time to help poverty-stricken people get free dental treatment. Florida Baptists that give to the Maguire State Offering every year helped fund this venture as well. It was awesome to see Christians do what they do, not what the media says they do. Speaking of the media, I didn't see any of them around. I'm betting that in 17 years this church nor Florida Baptists have gotten any publicity for this show of care and concern for the community (not that they want it). Just sayin'. All of these folks were doing their part in the name of Jesus. There are different ways one can share the love of Jesus in the community. ---Do what you do. Oh yeah, at least one person came to know Christ this week, while others were challenged.

Lk.12:13-21 Devo

The Anti-Get Rich or Die Tryin' In v.15 Jesus says that a man's life does not consist of things. He tells a parable of a rich man building a new, bigger, better barn to store all his stuff. The man decides that he has enough possessions that he can coast the rest of life. He is going to take it easy, and just enjoy his stuff the rest of his days. Jesus calls such a man a "fool." He says that man is going to die tonight. This is how it will be for the man that stores up things for himself and is not rich toward God. According to Jesus, if we're not living (that includes all phases of life including our charity)toward God, then we're missing the point. The apostle Paul says,"And he (Jesus) died for all, so that those who live (the believer) should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." * Don't stop living for God. Our treasure should be toward His work. We are not long for this world!

Travel-sty Ball

I just couldn't help myself. I was thinking about a little fellow that could one day be a candidate for travel ball. It pained me to think that his parents might put him into this. Travel ball is for those budding young baseball players (it is for many sports now, but I'll limit this to baseball)to join with a group that is mixed with players that have the real skills and to players good enough(and maybe not so good enough), but much needed to the team, because their mommas and daddies got the dough ($$$). These travel teams play maybe 115 games a year where a local league plays only 20. --- I speak from the experience of a guy that grew up loving the game. I wore out tennis balls, wiffle balls, steps, windows, doors, and whatever during the off-season unless I was playing a different sport. Americans have been sold a bill of goods and it is a travesty. I played with several guys that did make it to the pros. While I chose not to go (pro-haha), the 20 game schedules didn't hurt their chances. In fact, it enhanced their opportunity to play longer careers when they were actually getting paid to do so. Think about that. Junior and you are spending a bunch of money for him to play 115 game seasons, meanwhile taking time off the career he could have in the future causing wear and tear on an immature body. Finally, it is a travesty that travel ball has become a god in the way that people spend their time and their money. Many are hooked because they are chasing a dream. Others think this is the only way to do it. Listen, if your kid is good enough, then he is good enough. If he is tearing up the local league, it will make it to the papers and to the scouts. Save his arm. Save his body for when he can make the big bucks. Take your super-star phenom and just say no to travel ball! When the pros bring in a young phenom, they take it slow with him. They monitor his innings, so that he doesn't get worn-out.

Use that standard. Your kid isn't even an adult. Save his body. If you don't, who will.---I'm out.

Pressure Washer and Sanctifier

Recently I left a time of prayer that included a time of confession. As I felt cruddy and immature, God loved on me and reminded me that that was part of the sanctification process. He is cleaning me up. The view to my patio reminded me that we had just spent time pressure-washing the house not long ago. That was an all day job (that still has a little left to go)! Even though the pressure-washer cleaned most of the house (vinyl siding) there were still tough spots that we would soak with bleach. However, that still didn't get some of the even tougher stains. Some would require a ladder and a brush and some extra-stong cleaner. Not only that, you know how it is when you're cleaning and then someone walks up or you see that you missed a spot. ---I could not help to relate to what my Heavenly Father does cleaning me up (the sanctification process). Sometimes I think I'm there, and it's like He walks around the other side and points out a spot; and begins to lovingly clean me up (which can be an ugly seen). Don't despise those times for what they are. Don't let satan lie to you. Face your sin and your failure. Turn it over to Christ. Let God wash you clean, and get out of the way. It is part of this life. There will be that day when we get to be with Him, and those spots that we never got too will be painted over. Our righteousness will be white as snow for we will be painted over with the blood of the Lamb. Jesus put on our sin and clothed us in His righteousness. There will be no more need for confession or pressure-washing, but until then, don't despise those times. 1 Jn.1:9; 2 Cor.5:21