Temporarily Clean

Luke 11: ²⁴ “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ ²⁵ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. ²⁶ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

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Seeing the results of attending church, I decided to attend more often. Things were going well in my life and I started attributing this to my relationship with GOD. I was up for a promotion and really wanted the position. I took an inventory of the sins I was doing at the time. “Maybe I will stop this particular sin for a while. At least until I get the position.”

• There were times when I thought I could temporarily clean myself up.
• There were times when I thought I could control the outcome of my life by temporarily stopping sin.
• There were times when I thought I could accomplish more by temporarily “not” sinning.

JESUS continues HIS explanation of the spirit realm. HE had just chased an evil spirit out of a man, enabling him to speak once again. JESUS says spirits have a tendency to return after a person has been temporarily cleansed.

• GOD wants me to ask for HIS cleansing on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.
• GOD wants me to ask for HIS eternal protection so I will not need to worry about HIS love.

JESUS is the answer to protection from the evil one. No one can snatch me from HIS mighty hand, not even myself. I am not in control of how GOD reacts to my sins and I am thankful. HE sees through my temporary “goodness” and counts it as dung. HE reacts with patience and grace, wanting me to grow up and bring many to HIM. HE is my salvation.

• Are you temporarily trying to act temporarily good so you can get your way?
• Do you think your temporary goodness is fooling GOD into allowing you to have what you want?
• Will you turn your life over to HIM and allow HIM to thoroughly cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Unity Ingredients

Luke 10: ¹⁶ Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. ¹⁷ But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.¹⁸ If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹ And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹ When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. ²² But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. ²³ He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

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“I don’t like that music” I said to myself so I avoided gatherings that played certain types of music and gravitated to what “I” liked. “I don’t like that food” I said again to myself so I would travel to places to get something “I” like to eat. I wasn’t avoiding people. I mean “I” just like what I like.

• There have been times when I sought “my” space.
• There have been times when I wanted what “I” wanted.
• There have been times when I sought crowds that liked what “I” liked.

The crowd saw JESUS cast out demons and healing mute people but they still called HIM “the devil.” JESUS explains that it does not make sense to heal someone if HE were trying to ruin the person. The premise of the kingdom would fall. HE then explains that HIS kingdom requires unity.

• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom by seeking unity.
• GOD wants me to be “with” people instead of criticizing the differences.
• GOD wants me to bring people to HIM which may require me to like more things than I am used to.

Unity is hard when I am selfish. I lose my patience and ask “What about me?” I mean why don’t “they” want to unite with “me?” BUT GOD sees through that and builds me up to mess up and try again. Unity requires patience for which I sometimes have little. It requires variety, encouragement and plans to prosper those who do not look or act like me.

Giving myself away for others is a sacrifice GOD helps me with daily. In my mind “they” may be selfish or even rotten. BUT GOD sees them as wonderful. GOD wants me to be “with” the selfish and rotten to show HIS grace to a variety of people who do not deserve it. Maybe in the rotten selfish crowd, there may be someone who can even reach a rotten selfish person like me.

• Are you divisive?
• Do you spread unity or poison to “your” crowd?
• Are you so focused on “winning” that you side with people quickly?
• Will you stop trying to “win” and seek the unity that GOD wants you to have today?

Mislabeled

Luke 10: ¹⁴ And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

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“Sneaky” was the label I placed on this particular person. I mean they were always caught up in politics and I could sense they were simply using me to keep their power. This person was now on my side and mentioned my performance publicly. They couldn’t just like me for me, right?

• Sometimes I label people to protect myself.
• Sometimes I label people when I cannot explain their actions.
• Sometimes I label people so I can deal with them a certain way.

JESUS had just performed a miracle. HE cast out a demon and healed a mute person. Everyone was amazed except those who placed a negative label on HIM. They called JESUS “The Enemy.”

• GOD wants me to drop my negative labels of HIM.
• GOD wants me to stop thinking HE is out to get me when things are not going the way I want them to.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as my Savior and trust that HE has the best in mind for me.

Placing trust in GOD means I have better labels for HIM. Each day I can see “Mercy”, “Patience”, “Care” and “Forgiveness” if I simply open my eyes and accept HIS love. GOD does care for me even when I mislabel HIM.

• Are you mislabeling GOD?
• Have you forgotten the grace HE has shown you?
• Will you stop labeling people and listen to GOD by serving those who are difficult to serve?

Knock, knock

Luke 11: ⁹ “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

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Rubbing my hands together, I tried to keep warm but there was no sign of relief in sight. The bus was nowhere to be found and my friend and I danced around just to keep the blood flowing in our feet. A car pulled up and the driver looked like one of people who was going to our destination who we knew. Should I ask for a ride? “Yes!” It was delightful being in a warm car!

• There were times when I asked and I received.
• There have been many times when I was given exactly what I asked for.
• There were times when I thought I would not get what I asked for so I didn’t ask.

JESUS explains the heart of the HEAVENLY FATHER to HIS disciples. Right after HE explains how to pray, HE tells them to “Ask and it will be given to you.”  HE also explains that the HEAVENLY FATHER gives much better gifts than any human can give.

• GOD wants me to depend on HIM for all my needs.
• GOD wants me to believe that HE desires to give me what is best for me.
• GOD wants me to know HE can and will provide when I ask.

I guess asking is part of the free will GOD gave me. Even in my “evil” state I know how to give good things to people and GOD says “Ask ME for anything. I know how to give to you beyond anything you could ask for.” GOD’s heart is for me and HE seeks me daily. HE does want the best for me.

• Are you tired of asking?
• Do you fear GOD will say “no” so you have stopped asking?
• Will you simply believe GOD has the best in mind for you and ask HIM to fill you with HIS SPIRIT today?

Inconveniently Ready

Luke 11: ⁵ And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? ⁸ I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

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“Can you take me to the emergency?” I asked. It was the middle of the night and I had no one to turn to but a coworker. I explained the problem and he got out of bed and took me.

• There were times when I inconvenienced people.
• There were times when I was in need at an inconvenient time.
• There were times when I was at the mercy of others and I did not want to ask for help, but needed it.

JESUS was actually speaking of persistence in HIS example, but HE did it in a way that also showed the need for persistence and humility. The “friend” in HIS illustration, was not ashamed to ask for help, even at an inconvenient time.

• GOD wants me to respond to helping others even if it is inconvenient.
• GOD wants me to swallow my pride and express my needs even when it is “inconvenient.”
• GOD wants me to seek HIM with persistence.

GOD has the right to say “No” to many things I ask for, but I ask anyway. In fact, GOD does not mind if I ask over and over and over again. HE can handle my request and, in the meantime, I grow spiritually because I have faith that HE will deliver in HIS time.

• Are you in need and are afraid to ask for help because it is inconvenient?
• Do you have someone you need to help but it is not at a convenient time?
• Will you grow your faith by continuing to ask GOD for HIS favor, even if it means asking for the same thing over and over again?

Inclusion Prayer

Luke 11: Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

² So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
³ Give us day by day our daily bread.
⁴ And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”

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Nervous about, just about everything led me to turn to my last resort, prayer. It had been years that I went without praying so I was a bit rusty. I did not know where to start. I mean, do I ask for GOD to fix the stuff I broke?

• There were times when I was so overwhelmed that I did not know how to pray.
• There were times when I felt so broken that I did not even know how to ask for help.
• There were times when my sins seemed to cancel out any blessing I could ever receive.

JESUS saw through the disciples question about prayer and gave them what they needed. They had performed miracles, like healing people and removing demons from the innocent, and now they sought to be even more amazing like JESUS is. JESUS gave structure to communicating, humbly, with the FATHER.

• GOD wants me to recognize the FATHER’S name and position as being the only holy name.
• GOD wants me to see HIS power is the only power that I need.
• GOD wants me to know that HE cares for me, forgives me and protects me.

“Give me stuff” was my old prayer. BUT GOD wants me to pray a new prayer. “Give US this day our daily bread.” HE wants me to include others in my thoughts and be included in how I see others. My prayer is not longer “Help them” rather “Help us!” LORD “we” need you right now. amen

• What has your heart been asking GOD for?
• Are your words to GOD different than what your heart desires?
• Will you allow GOD to change the words coming from your heart so HIS will can be done in your life?
• Will you include “that” person or “those” people in your prayer for blessing today?

Doing Over Being

Luke 10: ³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

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Upon arrival I immediately went to work. I balanced the books, input all receipts by giver and drew up plans for a new parking lot. When I went home I wondered what the sermon was about. I had missed it because I was too busy to listen.

• There have been many times when I was extremely busy “doing” church.
• There have been many times when I thought “the more I serve the closer to GOD I will be.”
• Three have been many times when I believed that other people were lazy, selfish, ungiving people who needed to get off their butts and simply serve.

Martha wanted her house a certain way, and she was probably extra careful when a special guest was around. JESUS was that special guest and she had to have everything right. BUT HE said something strange to her. Mary, who was sitting at HIS feet worshiping, had chosen the right thing to do.

• JESUS wants me to stay away from burn out types of service.
• JESUS wants me to simply worship HIM so I can serve cheerfully.
• JESUS wants me to slow down so I can hear HIM and when HE fills me up, then I can go back to serving.

There is nothing worse than grumpy service. When I serve people, it is not just the act that counts, it is the heart. GOD wants me to serve with my heart rather than just with action. But sometimes my heart is filled with the wrong things which can taint my service and I get no reward from HIM for my grumpy service.

GOD wants me to ask for a clean heart first so I can serve others the way HE wants mt to. HE wants me to put HIM first, then HE will guide me to serve those who I feel do not deserve being served.

• Are you serving people in a burned out state?
• Do you judge others in what they are “not” doing?
• Can you ask GOD for a heart filled with grace so you can truly desire the best for even your enemies?
• Will you put “grace” over service today?

Heart Widener

Luke 10: ²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

³⁷ And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

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“Say you are sorry!” was the exclamation of an adult to me. After a few stubborn moments, I grunted “Sorry!” and stormed away knowing I was not apologetic at all.

• There have been many times when my heart is closed.
• There have been many times when my heart guides my actions and my mouth to no good.
• Three have been many times when my heart shows just how bad I really am.

JESUS spoke to the lawyer in a parable about an attacked person laying in the street. The victim received no help from those who were supposed to be helpful. They were not only the victim’s race, they were so called, “followers of GOD” yet did not help. JESUS used this story to show the poor condition of the heart.

• GOD wants me to show mercy on those who do not deserve mercy.
• GOD wants me to examine my heart and ask for HIS mercy to heal it.
• GOD wants me to be healed by HIM so I can show mercy to others.

Hard hearts have complaints rather than solutions. The people of the church seem to do the most damage to other people because they are supposed to be “followers of GOD.” When I am not following GOD, my example hurts worse than someone who hasn’t followed GOD at all.

GOD sees my actions and hears every word I say. HE wants “love” to widen my heart rather than the “poison” that can shrink people out. The wider my heart the more love comes out of my mouth and my actions will guide people towards HIM.

• What is your heart full of?
• Can people see GOD in you or do they walk away from you more empty than they came?
• Will you stop to help hurting people become healed so GOD can draw them to HIM?

Simple Hard Instructions

Luke 10: ²⁵ And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

²⁷ So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

²⁸ And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

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Blindfolded, I sat in the chair in the middle of the room of a group of people. The first question was “If you wanted to kiss someone in the room, what would you take off first?” trying to bait me into removing my clothes. “The blindfold” was the answer to this ridiculous game.

There are times when I walk around blind.

There are times when my blindness keeps me from “hearing.”

There are times when something obvious is right in front of me yet my blindness keeps me from perceiving it.

A certain lawyer tried to catch JESUS off guard rather than seeking an answer. His blindness is not obvious in this conversation but was still present as he “tested” JESUS with the question of eternal life. JESUS spun the question back to him, specifically focusing in on “the law.” The lawyer could do nothing but answer exactly what was in the law.

• JESUS gave me simple instructions to follow.
• JESUS gave me simple instructions to maintain a strong relationship with HIM.
• JESUS gave me simple instructions for eternal life as well as peace in present days.

When JESUS wrote the law, HE placed love in it as the ultimate answer. HE simply wants me to “Love the Lord my GOD with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my mind,’ and ‘my neighbor as myself”. Sounds easy, Right? Not really.

Sometimes I make excuses for not loving GOD with all my heart as I place impure things in it. My thoughts sometimes take over and I fall into traps that I am inadequate or worse yet, GOD is mad at me or constantly punishing me.

One mistake in this line of thinking is that GOD should act a certain way to show HIS love for me. GOD wants me to love how HE made me and accept me for who I am. If I love the gifts and talents HE has given me, as they are, then I can love HIM and others the way HE wants me to. GOD’s love is the right answer. I am no longer blind.

• Are you blind towards loving others?
• Does your world center only on you?
• Can you remove your spiritual blindfold and allow GOD to guide you with HIS love for others today?

Illogical Thankfulness

Luke 10: ²¹ In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. ²² All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

²³ Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; ²⁴ for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

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Driving down the road, I hit a huge patch of water. The car spun all the way around then wound up sideways to oncoming traffic. I corrected the car and was able to continue without any harm to me or my family. I thanked GOD for HIS protection.

• Sometimes I am tempted to give myself credit.
• Sometimes I think “I” performed all of “my” accomplishments.
• Sometimes I think “I” am in control.

JESUS did something extremely strange. HE thanks the FATHER for hiding things from the “wise and prudent.” HE then thanks the FATHER for revelation to “babes.” Afterwards HE turns to the disciples and says HE reveals who, HE and the FATHER is, to whom HE chooses.

• GOD says to me “I accept your thankfulness.”
• GOD says to me “I enjoy your thanksgiving.”
• GOD says to me “I know it is difficult sometimes but I AM there for you and I appreciate your praise and thanks.”

Sometimes it is all about GOD. HE deserves praise whenever I can. Sin makes me want to run and hide from GOD, but HE appreciates illogical thankfulness, even after sin. HE enjoys my confession that I need and want HIM to cleanse me of unrighteousness.

HE is pleased when I credit HIM for “everything”, large and small. GOD is my protection, HE is my strength, HE is my savior. I owe everything to HIM.

• Is your logic larger than GOD?
• Do you believe in “some” parts of the Bible and not others?
• Do you think GOD made you incorrectly and that humans have a better answer than HE does?
• Will you yield your life to HIM today and know HE made you, only HE can cure you?

Accepted Authority

Luke 10: ¹⁷ Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

¹⁸ And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

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“Do you have an escort?” I said with a stern voice. I was an office clerk at the dorm and I was not supposed to allow anyone who did not belong into a particular part of the building. If they ignored me, then I could have them removed.

• Certain jobs gave me authority to do things.
• Certain positions allowed me to have authority to say yes or no.
• Certain titles gave me the authority over certain groups of people.

JESUS tells those who HE sent that HE has given them authority over “All the power of the enemy.” HE did this after they returned rejoicing over the amazing miracles they performed. HE then said the real reason to rejoice is because their names were written in heaven.

• GOD has given me the authority to speak about HIS kingdom with power.
• GOD has given me the authority to speak about JESUS as my savior.
• GOD has given me the authority to ask for “anything” in JESUS’s name.

At one time my faith did not believe in demons, miraculous healing or supernatural protection. I mean isn’t that sort of stuff only for the movies? BUT GOD says different. HIS power and authority are supreme. HE reigns over the physical world as much as the spiritual.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that JESUS is the CHRIST and the LORD of all. GOD wants me to have faith in HIS power and authority through JESUS. The “anything” that I ask for should align to what HE desires. I accept the authority HE gives me.

• Do you believe GOD has power over your situation?
• Do you know with your heart that HE is in supreme control?
• Will you ask for what GOD wants you to have and do it in JESUS name?
• Will you rejoice that your name is written in heaven versus the special power HE has imparted on you?

Fear of the City

Luke 10: ¹³ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. ¹⁶ He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

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“What should I say?” were the fearful words that ran through my mind. I had never spoken to a large crowd before and this crowd was over a thousand people. When I organized my outline I felt a little better, but not for long. “What if you fail?” and “What if they don’t like what you have to say?” were questions that popped in my head as the time to speak drew closer.

• There were times when I was nervous about “my” message.
• There were times when I feared not being heard when I had to speak.
• There were times when I got nervous about being rejected.

JESUS gives a different take on HIS appointment to those HE was sending out to spread HIS loving message. HE tells HIS messengers, “Do not worry about rejection. If they reject you they reject ME and the one who sent ME.”

• GOD says to me “Go out and boldly spread MY gospel.”
• GOD says to me “Remove your fear of speaking to others about ME.”
• GOD says to me “Human rejection may happen to you , but I will be with you always.”

When GOD sends me out to speak there is no such thing as getting personally rejected. HIS loving message of salvation should be on my lips coupled with the question “Who would reject this?” BUT GOD knows the message will sometimes be rejected.

To those who do reject the loving words GOD has given me, reject HIS very being. HE wants me to be HIS ambassador. I can leave my fear of speaking about HIM at home and boldly go where HE sends me.

• Are you afraid of being rejected?
• Do you think you have too many problems to be heard?
• Will you stop thinking “you” are being rejected and take GOD’s message of love to as many people as HE sends you to today?

Accepted or Rejected

Luke 10: ⁸ Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. ⁹ And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ ¹² But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

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Street witnessing was a scary challenge that I accepted. As I sat in the class and learned an approach, I felt a little more comfortable about the task. “These people need to hear this” was my thought.

When I went out and approached someone in the neighborhood the person said, “Get away from me with that church .” “This is going to be a lot harder than I thought” I said to myself.

• There were times when I went out to speak about CHRIST with the wrong attitude.
• There were times when I went out to speak about CHRIST with a chip on my shoulder.
• There were times when I went out to speak about CHRIST with a “holier than thou” attitude.

JESUS gives HIS final instructions to those HE sent to spread HIS wonderful message. HE let’s them know what to do if they were accepted and more importantly, if they were rejected. HE sent them with a purpose.

• GOD tells me “When you speak about ME, let MY grace be the center of attention.”
• GOD says to me “When you go to and speak to people about ME, have true compassion for them.”
• GOD informs me “Even when you speak humbly about ME, you will be rejected by some.”

“Expect to be rejected just like MY SON was rejected” are the words that one could take away from this passage. But there is more. HE sends me out seeking those who will listen. My attitude for going out needs to be one with compassion and determination.

At the first sign of rejection, I can’t just give up and say “Too bad that person is going to hell.” GOD wants me to view all people around me as a part of “me.” When someone rejects HIS message, it should hurt as much as cutting off a finger. When HE says, “move on” it should feel devastating, yet I must obey. GOD wants me to seek the lost just like HE sought me.

• What is your attitude towards helping people understand who CHRIST is?
• Do you think only a select people “deserve” hearing about the Gospel of JESUS?
• Are you willing to go out and be rejected by some and accepted by others when speaking about GOD’s wonderful grace?

Abnormal Thinking

Luke 10: ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴ Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵ But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

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“What is all of that?” exclaimed one of the higher ups. “It’s all of the information printed out about various projects I am working on” I replied, referring to the large stacks of papers in folders I was carrying. I just wanted to be prepared for everything!

• There were times when I thought I had to be prepared for any eventuality.
• There were times when I worked hard at being prepared.
• There were times when it seemed logical to me to try to be prepared for thing to happen.

JESUS tells those HE sent out into the world, that there is no such thing as “being prepared.” In fact, JESUS makes them less prepared by telling them to leave anything they would depend on, home. HE further impresses on them to go out with a purpose, HIS purpose. And when they went out, they were not prepared to fight like wolves, but harmless as lambs.

• GOD wants me to depend on HIS protection .
• GOD wants me to allow HIS thoughts to become my thoughts.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of the world, trying to meet any expectation, rather allow HIM to shine through the change HE made in me.

Wherever I work, GOD will shine on that place and bring it peace a long as “peace” is accepted. HIS only desire is that I am at peace with myself and my relationship with HIM. The world will tell me that something is wrong with my relationship with GOD because I may not have human status or possessions that prove I am blessed.

BUT GOD holds the tally and HE says I am greatly blessed, so much so that I am filled to overflowing and must tell others about HIS love.

• Do you look at GOD as the great “punisher” or the great forgiver?
• Do you feel inadequate in life?
• Will you say GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS love for you is more that any human status?

Willingness

Luke 10: After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ² Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

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With the proposal due in a very short time, I decided to stay at work until I finished. Hour after hour passed and before I knew it people were showing up for work again. It was the next day and I had not left work. I worked 36 hours straight.

There have been many times when I have put a lot of effort into work.

There have been many times when I put work first and everything else second.

There have been many times when I was willing to use all of my thoughts on work.

JESUS  appointed seventy people who were willing to put their mind and efforts into telling people about HIS kingdom. HE knew there were plenty of people who needed to hear HIS message, but so many people were focused on protecting their lifestyle, they would never help HIS cause.

JESUS wants me to take some time to tell people about CHRIST.

JESUS wants me to use some of my thoughts to let people know how wonderful CHRIST is.

JESUS wants me to be willing to give my life to grow HIS kingdom.

Willingness to say “JESUS is LORD of my life” is what GOD desires from me. HE doesn’t make it hard or weird. HE wants me to be willing to seek those who have lost their way back to HIM. HE says “There are plenty of people who need to hear MY message, but very few people willing to tell people about ME.”

When I ask “What does GOD want from me” the answer is very clear. “Tell people about the sacrifice MY SON made for you” is all I want from you, nothing more.

Are you waiting on GOD to give you direction?

Do you think obtaining human titles and human affirmation will prove GOD’s love for you?

Will you start believing the truth that GOD loves you and drop the lie of meeting human expectations today?

Looking Back

Luke 9: ⁵⁷ Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

⁵⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

⁵⁹ Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

⁶¹ And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”

⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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Stressful was the only word to describe this particular job. Long days and even longer nights, I toiled to make sure everything was maintained in this politically charged climate. When I left the company after years of fighting, I sat at home, worried about my income. “I miss the perks” I thought. “I remember being sent to an island retreat.” I wonder if they would take me back.

• There have been times when I wanted parts of my sinful lifestyle.
• There have been times when I did not want to accept today so I looked back at yesterday.
• There have been times when I was overwhelmed by current situations so I desired comfortable circumstance.

JESUS gives some very surprising words to those who really wanted to follow HIM. HE basically says “I AM homeless” and “Dead people hold onto dead people and get stuck where they are” and “By looking back, you can never look forward.”

• GOD says to me “Do not worry about your possessions for they will come and go.”
• GOD says to me “Life and death are MINE to own and MY relationship with you is extremely important.”
• GOD says to me “Do not look back on your sinful lifestyle as something to be gained but focus on growing MY kingdom.”

When I experience extreme loss, it feels like I have nowhere to turn. I wanted my “old” life back. BUT GOD wanted something much different. HE wanted me free to serve people and to see that HIS way is far better than mine. HIS word can be spread without money, or family guidance.

HE asks me to trust HIM more and more each day and to let go of the old and focus on the new life HE has for me. HE guides me daily through HIS amazing word.

• Do you feel lost?
• Have you experienced a great loss of possessions and loved ones?
• Will you allow GOD to comfort you by letting go of past possessions, relationships and lifestyles so HE can transform you into a much stronger you?

Addressing Racism

Luke 9: ⁵¹ Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, ⁵² and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

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While walking back to my dorm room a guy stuck his head out of his room and cried out “Hey (racial slur)!” This infuriated me! I not only wanted to fight, but from then on I called him “(racial slur)”. The fight for “justice” was on!

• There were times when I was enraged by others who treated me poorly because of my race.
• There were times when I was filled with rage when I perceived people not accepting me because of my race.
• There were times when I refused to serve anyone who was not in my race and I labeled “them” as being racist.

JESUS was rejected and not allowed to stay in an entire village because of HIS race. The Samaritans, who had been looked down upon by the Jews, saw an opportunity to give a little “justice” and sent JESUS and HIS friends away. When James and John saw they could not reason with hatred they asked JESUS “Should we have them killed?” JESUS had another plan.

• GOD wants me to love those who hate me.
• GOD wants me to stay focused on HIS kingdom rather than focusing on the many sins of humans.
• GOD wants me to examine my hatred towards others daily and to give it to HIM so HIS love may win them over to the kingdom.

Forgiveness of other races did not start with a few select humans in history rather it was started by GOD. JESUS was hated by HIS own creation simply because HE loved them. No matter what HE did or how hard HE tried, HIS owns creation blamed HIM for every problem. HE received no rest.

JESUS wants me to recognize the need for GOD rather than seeing yet another sinful act of a human.  Since HIS wish is not to send humans to hell, I should never wish someone there. GOD is the only one who can turn my furious hatred into genuine love for others. HIS love creates fruit for HIS kingdom through me.

• Do you see actions around you that can be labeled “micro-aggressive?”
• Do you perceive unfair treatment because of who you are?
• Will you pray for your rage to subside and for HIS love to enter you and those who are the aggressors?
• Will you ask for courage to treat the multitudes with love in spite of how they treat you?