Please read Mark 13:32-27, Matthew 24:36-51, Luke 21:34-38, and Matthew 25 today. For me, I like an early morning – but not everyone is the same.  The goal is to read daily, pray daily, practice being in the presence of the Lord daily.  We have several familiar passages today – 

Mark 13:34 stood out to me:

““It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left.”. Mark 13:34 MSG

That’s us – the servants who have been entrusted as the boss went away.  We have been entrusted with the work of Jesus, each of us having different talents or assignments – but the and goal is the same. Let’s purpose to steward it well.  Jesus is returning soon!

I also notice how in Luke 21:34-36, Jesus puts the same emphasis on worrying about the cares of this life as He does on drunkenness and carousing (that’s significant).

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 MSG

We are not to be so concerned with the cares of life, so distracted, so worried that it pushes out our ability to focus on the Lord and trust Him and operate in faith. When we are so weighed down with the cares of the world that we lose our ability to trust God, we lose sight of His goodness. There isn’t one sin worse than another. We can be busy about things and not be busy about the Lord.

It’s a milestone today: 300!  Wow!  65 days to go…. seems to me like it sped up since we made it to the New Testament, does it seem that way to you?  Were you surprised at all how long it took to get through the Old Testament, how quickly we are making it through the New Testament? Please read Mark 13:1-23, Matthew 24:1-25, Luke 21:5-24, Mark 13:24-31, Matthew 24;26-35, and Luke 21:25-33.  What stands out to you today? 

“As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, ‘Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!’ Jesus said, “You’re impressed by this grandiose architecture? There’s not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble.’ ” Mark 13:1-2 MSG

Isn’t it remarkable how this nearly describes exactly our world today? Maybe the architecture is impressive, but it will not stand…

“Stay with it – that’s what’s required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry – you’ll be saved” Mark 13:13 MSG

The Lord knows it will be hard. I’m so encouraged by this as well: God has “already intervened” (Mark 13:19 MSG). It IS DONE:

“These are going to be hard days—nothing like it from the time God made the world right up to the present. And there’ll be nothing like it again. If he let the days of trouble run their course, nobody would make it. But… He has already intervened.” Mark 13:19-20 MSG

Though times will be hard, God will be faithful.

Here we go – day 299, can you believe it? Please read Mark 12:28-34, Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:35-37, Matthew 22:41-46, Luke 20:41-44, Mark 12:38-40, Matthew 23:1-12, Luke 20:45-47, Matthew 23:13-39, Mark 12:41-44, and Luke 21:1-4.  There’s so much – like every day, it’s tough to pick out a short thought (it’s just that you read so much already, I don’t want to burden you with lesser words like mine – I just want you to know that you are not alone in this journey.  We are together, learning together, reading together).  I picked out one – did you pick out one?  Come back after you’ve read – let’s share!

Jesus always had a perfect answer – and He still does today. We can learn from His written Word, and with the benefit of His Holy Spirit (and I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, but isn’t it exciting?), we can hear His rhema word as well.

I love this one:

“Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of ‘Father’; you have only one Father, and he’s in heaven. And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ” (Matthew 23:8-10 MSG)

We are all classmates – I love the visual that brings to mind!

Here we go: John 12:37-50, Mark 11:12-14, Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17, Luke 19:45-48, Mark 11:20-33, Matthew 21:23-27, and Luke 20:1-8.  What’s your highlight today?  Read it again if you didn’t have one – let Jesus teach you something new today!

“Jesus summed it all up when He cried out, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me’ ” John 12:44-45 MSG

John 12:44-50, Jesus teaches us such an important truth: believing in Jesus is the same as believing in God. Jesus only acts on God‘s authority. It’s so important to know that.  it’s so important to take the example ourselves: just do what the Father does, just say what the Father tells you to say. (easier said than done, right?) 

“Jesus was matter-of-fact: ‘Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large.’ ” Mark 11:22-23 MSG

Mark 11:12-14, then 20-24 – it was important for the disciples to HEAR what Jesus spoke in order for the lesson to be understood. The impact was made as they remembered His words.  God always hears us when we pray.  Our words (good or bad) have power – let’s speak with grace and love and confidence in the Lord!

Today, lots of Jesus ❤ Let’s read Matthew 21:28-32, Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19, Matthew 22:1-14, Mark 12:13-17, Matthew 22:15-22, Luke 20:20-26, Mark 12:18-27, Matthew 22:23-33, and Luke 20:27-40.  Come on back and let’s talk about what we read:

“even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe” Matthew 21:32 MSG

Wow.  Those words must have hit the disciples hard – they hit me hard today. We can’t depend on what our eyes see.  We have to trust God with and without “signs” – but how hard hearted must someone be, to see a God-change in someone and still not be inspired to act in faith?  Read that passage in context one more time (Matthew 21:28-32).  Here’s where people get it wrong: they decide whether someone is worthy of time or attention or even a life change based on their past behavior.  Here’s where Jesus gets it right: He just wants someone  to come home and be restored.  Where did you come from, what did you do?  It doesn’t matter to Jesus – just come on back and let Him change you!

“Finally there was only one left: a beloved son. In a last-ditch effort, he sent him” Mark 12:6 MSG

The parable of the vineyard (like Mark 12:1-12) – how much more powerful is that to us, given our context from the Old Testament? The MSG says the land owner sent his son as a “last ditch effort” – didn’t we see God try everything else in His efforts at restoration in the Old Testament?

I love today.  We are making such progress!  Here we go: Mark 14:3-9, Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19, Luke 19:41-44, and John 12:20-36.  I’ll just do a quick highlight – what’s yours?

“She did what she could when she could” Mark 14:8 MSG 

I love that Jesus mentions it when she does “what she could”.  It doesn’t sound triumphant, or cool, or popular – but it does sound like Jesus is looking at her heart and not just the gift she brought. Sounds like Jesus is looking at the level of sacrifice. Guess what? He is! We are not all the same. The expectation is that we will do what we can – not that we would do the same thing or do what everyone else does. Our Father loves us as individuals

“You can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she has just done is going to be remembered and admired.” Matthew 26:13 MSG

Sometimes the “small things” are not so small after all ❤

The Gospels record many of the same events, so we’ll have some “re-runs” this morning . That’s okay – repetition is great for learning!  Let’s read Matthew 20:1-16, Mark 10:32-34, Matthew 20:17-19, Luke 18:31-34, Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20:20-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, and Luke 19:1-27.  Did you circle anything or did anything stand out to you this morning?  Let’s read and then visit!

“He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’ “Matthew 20:13-15 MSG

Matthew 20:1-16: in this parable, Jesus demonstrates that it’s good to extend grace and mercy to ALL.  There’s that scarcity mentality we talked about yesterday again, too – some of the workers were upset that everyone was paid the same, but it didn’t hurt anyone for the landowner to be generous to everyone, did it? (Am I allowed to say “stay in your lane”?) 🙂 

 “the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence Him to death. They will then hand Him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day He will be raised up alive.” Matthew 20:19 MSG

Jesus again predicts His death. Even if it isn’t the ending the disciples hoped for, there is a certain comfort in knowing the end. There is even greater comfort in trusting the Lord, regardless of whether not we understand.  Even on hard days, trust.  Even when you know hard days will come, trust.

“Jesus stopped and called over, ‘What do you want from me?’ They said, ‘Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!’ Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes.” Matthew 20:32-35 MSG

Jesus was always full of compassion AND ready to heal. The man verbalized his need and Jesus healed him. The other blind man around heard the words and his sight was restored as well!  I love how Jesus is moved by compassion when He sees us hurt – He is still the same today.

Lots to read today – you can do it!  I love these favorite passages, but let me encourage you again to take your time 🙂 Don’t allow the Word to become common because it is familiar. Please read Luke 18:9-14, Mark 10:1-12, Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 18:15-17, Mark 10:17-31, Matthew 19:16-30, and Luke 18:18-30.  Come on back and let’s visit-  what’s your take-a-way today? 

Luke 18:9-14 – I notice that the Pharisee is busy about the things of God, but not busy about pursuing God’s presence or character.  This is such an important distinction for us to make –  we can be busy doing good things and still miss the point, like the Pharisee did.

“Then Peter said, ‘See, we have left all and followed You.’ So He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.’ ” Luke 18:28-30

The disciples left ALL knowing that God would provide ALL.  God still provides all.  There is no reason to operate out of a scarcity mentality because there is never lack in God. Once we are confident of this truth, we can be free to care for others without worrying that we will go without ourselves.  If one was convinced of abundance, one would not worry about giving!

Matthew 19:14-15 is a favorite of course, as Jesus blesses children and encourages the adults to operate in child-like faith. Lord, let us operate in child-like faith today!

Today, we are reading John 11:38-57, Luke 17:11-37and Luke 18:1-8 . I have a few highlights today, but it’s hard to keep these little entries short sometimes! 

Luke 17:11-19 – the ten lepers were cleansed (healed) AS they went: as/while they were obedient.  Their healing came hand in hand with their obedience.

Luke 17:19-37 (I like 17:37 in the MSG: “where the body is, there the eagles will be”).  I think that means that as a carcass would draw vultures, the unrepentant will draw God’s judgement. In any case, “the action will begin around” the body of Christ. I wish we had time to stay here for a little bit together – what do you think?

In Luke 18, I think that Jesus is teaching us that persistence in prayer creates purity in prayer. If a man could be worn down, wouldn’t God desire to work on our behalf even more? After getting this far, haven’t we seen the persistence of God, how He pursues HIs creation?  Ask and persist after godliness.

I like that Jesus prayed aloud in John 11. Hearing Jesus say this out loud must have been powerful:

“Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me” John 11:41-42

In this way, Jesus made sure that people connected the prayer to Lazarus’ resurrection. 

Now we are already at the plot to kill Jesus:

“So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly” John 11:53-54

Does anyone feel the same way I feel?  How are we at the plot to kill Jesus already, we only just got Him.  

A little p.s. this morning: I find it so sad that Jesus could no longer walk openly.  It wasn’t out of fear (Jesus was not afraid to fulfill His destiny), it was out of making sure everything happened in order and at the right time.  It also makes me think about today: if I we are not displaying Jesus openly in our lives, what is the reason?  I’ll help: we do not have time to hide our faith – be ready to share Jesus now!

Today, continuing with Jesus’ ministry and the New Testament.  Let’s read Luke 14:25-35, Luke 15, 16, 17:1-10, and John 11:1-37.  Remembering back to the Old Testament, do you see any qualities of God the Father in Jesus the Son?  Oh, I hope that we can stop differentiating between the “God of the Old Testament” and the “God of the New Testament” – they are the same! Let’s read and come back together, share some highlights.  Here we go:

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” Luke 14:28 NKJV

The entire passage of Luke 14:25-35 is about following Jesus, being His disciple.  Jesus encourages His listeners to consider the necessary commitment and then make a decision to be His disciple.  He may not ask us to leave all we have, but we must be willing to leave all we have.  Our devotion to Christ must be first.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” Luke 15:4-5 NKJV

Jesus is relentless in His pursuit, the Shepherd that the Old Testament talked about, one who would care and heal and bind up the broken.  He wants us all to make it! It’s not wrong to leave the 99 – they had their community, they had their singular purpose – let’s bring back the one who needs us and bring that one back to the fold.  What a beautiful visual.

We all love the parable of the prodigal son, of course. In this parable, the father represents God the Father – and its the only time in Scripture that he is described as running (Luke 15:20). Oh, how I love the visual that this brings to mind! Oh how He loves us!  As He always did, from the original sin to the prodigal son to  sending of a Savior, God always wants His children back.  He always wants us restored.  He always wants us to come home. 

p.s. do you notice that the father does not ask where the prodigal came from?  Did you notice that the shepherd did not ask the one sheep why he left or what he was doing?  It is the same with us and God.  There is no judgement, it doesn’t matter to Him where we came from or what we have done – He wants us to come home!  He always wants us back.  Only love. ❤