No Strings Attached

12 One day in one of the villages there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus he fell down before him in prayer and said, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”13 Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there his skin was smooth, the leprosy gone………………… 14-16 Jesus instructed him, “Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed self to the priest, along with the offering ordered by Moses. Your cleansed and obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” Luke 5:12-16

When Jesus spoke to this to the leper, He was giving a command meant to last the rest of the man’s life. Six months from now when the newness wears off, three years from now when the crowds are no longer paying attention to you, when your story become old hat, and everyone has heard it a dozen times…………  yes, from now until the day you die, your cleansed and obedient life, not your healing, teaching, preaching, singing, leadership skills, or any other talent or ministry, but your humble obedience should bear witness of My work in your life..

Is your cleansed and obedient life reflecting Christ to others?  Is your obedience humble or begrudging? Is your obedience barometer constantly changing, total obedience one day and questions and stipulations the next? Is your obedience based on your strength or His? Is your obedience automatic?

As a child I remember standing in church one Wednesday night to testify. I compared my life in Christ to being a puppet, and Jesus was pulling all the strings. And that’s the way my young heart thought it would be. I would always obey because He was controlling the strings. I grew to understand as a teen and adult that God wasn’t making me obey but allowing me to choose my words and actions. I kind of wish that childhood picture was true, but God didn’t create robots. He puts great confidence in His children and the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with a love and desire to please Him. My obedience is based on my choices. This leper was being challenged to choose to obey for the rest of his life.

Father, thank You for loving me and giving me the choice and the power to choose to trust and obey. Thank You for Your continual cleansing of my thoughts and actions as I depend on Your strength. Help me not to question Your will and direction in my life, but to trust Your greater plan for me and humbly obey Your voice for the rest of my life.

Not me, Never!

Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”33 Peter said, “Master, I’m ready for anything with you. I’d go to jail for you. I’d die for you”. Luke 22:32-33

Jesus was warning Peter of what lay ahead for him. Satan was out to trip him up, to separate him from Christ, but Peter was convinced he was too strong to give in to temptation. Jesus, knowing Peter’s strong personality and leadership potential, prays for him to remain faithful, never giving up or giving in during difficult times.

I have a feeling that passionate Peter may have had an inflated opinion of himself.  He had experienced some pretty amazing things with Jesus. He had changed so much and felt confident he was beyond temptation and would never fail when things got difficult. “Not me, never!”, declares Peter.

Jesus allows temptation and times of testing so that we, like Peter, can see and be warned that temptation and testing are a part of this world. We are not to let anything, even a failure, knock us down and out!  NEVER give up! Never give in! And never become pompous and proud of your strength! Your strength is from God. You will never be able to resist the enemy without the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you and faithfulness to God’s Word. Peter still has a lot to learn.

Father, help us never to become so proud of our strength and determination to follow You that we fall into the enemy’s trap of prideful declarations!  May we remember our strength and salvation are from You. May we be very careful of the words, “Well, I would never…,” but rely on the words, “Jesus, give us strength to resist temptation and stay strong during times of testing.  Help us to trust and obey!

Whatever It Takes

By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Luke 15:1-3

The Religious leaders were highly critical of Jesus for mingling with sinners, let alone eating with them and treating them kindly. The sinners were listening eagerly to Jesus while the “religious” could only find fault with Him.

When I was a child, the church expected people to come to Revival to get saved. Come to us and get saved and then we can become friends. The best way to witness at that time was to invite people to church. Come with me so the preacher can share the gospel with you. This was never the way of Jesus.  Yes, He taught in the synagogue, but spent more time on the hillside, in a boat, walking the streets and in the home of sinners than at church! In our day when the church is not as popular and the lost are more skeptical, “come with me to church,” just isn’t getting the job done. I remember a little saint in one of our churches whose husband was a bonified sinner! When we got to know her and found out she went to the bars with her husband, our eyes popped out. Then one day she told us if she was with him, he wouldn’t drink as much and his behavior and that of his friends was tempered. While she drank her coke and laughed with them, they could see her love for her husband and that she could be trusted. She didn’t compromise her faith; she shared it by her love for her husband and acceptance and love for his friends. He eventually accepted Jesus as His Savior. She wasn’t afraid of sinners but brought her light into their darkness. My question now as then is, am I afraid of sinners or do I welcome them and share my light with them where they are. Jesus seemed quite comfortable around sinners, because He had a mission and loved the sinner, not his sin.

Jesus, we need to remember to love the sinner while hating the sin and to teach and live out this principal in a focused way. Help us never to forget our mission to stay in the Word and close to You so you can protect us from temptation and compromise. May we see the sinner as one in need of Jesus rather than label them by their sin. May Your love and compassion be evident in us.! Help us not to be trapped in tradition, but to be captured by a love that says, ‘whatever it takes!” Help us, Jesus!!!

Rules and Unreasonable Requirements

But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well, because you weigh men down with burdens [man-made rules, unreasonable requirements] which are hard to bear, and you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers [to lighten the load]. Luke 11:46 Amplified Version

Jesus had just rebuked the Pharisees because they appeared to be clean on the outside (where people could see) but were unclean on the inside (where God could see). And a lawyer pipes up and says he is insulted by what Jesus said, thus this passage is Jesus’ response.

I love the clarification of the word burdens – man-made rules, unreasonable requirements! Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.”  So, what is the difference between God-made rules and man-made rules? I believe God-made rules are always from the heart of a good, good, loving Father who desires to see us succeed and find joy in life. God’s rules are rooted in a heart of love, compassion, and protection for His children. Man-made rules often have no basis in scriptural love and wisdom, but in man’s sinful desire to control and make others like himself. Do we desire to make disciples who look like God or who look like us? Are the burdens we place on others based on truth in context with compassion or do we just want to make ourselves look “holier than thou”?

  I look at the rules of the church that I grew up with and I realize they were made in sincerity to protect me from evil, but when they took scripture out of context or set rules that were not based on a solid scriptural principal, they were wrong. When they said this or that was wrong and yet it was present in scripture and Jesus was not condemning it, they were in error. As a youth I would question these things in my heart because I saw them in scripture but chose to trust that my leaders were right (“smarter than God”). It is easier to make something black and white than to wrestle with the principal and help followers learn how to make decisions based on love. I am thankful for my heritage, and know our leaders were sincere and doing the best with the knowledge they had, but some of those rules weakened rather than strengthen my walk.  We must seek Jesus in all things! Was His day and culture really that different from ours?  I think not, so if I seek Him and accept what He accepted and condemn what He condemned, I should be on solid ground and in good company!

Jesus, please help me not to create my own reality and set of rules, but to live in obedience to Your understanding and rules which always start with a loving and forgiving heart and desire to seek good for and in others. Forgive me, Father when I fall far short of this goal. Help me see what You see, hear what You hear and obey from a heart of love.

The Almighty Optometrist

Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.  Luke 11: 34- NLT

Jesus had just explained that we are to put our lamp on a lampstand to provide light for others to see the way. Then He compares our eyes to the lamp and how if we believe and serve Him, our entire lives will be filled with His light.

This reminds me of what happened to me in First Grade. I loved school but I had a bit of a problem. I was seated in the third row back from the chalkboard. When the teacher would write letters or sentences on the board, I would immediately drop my pencil on the floor so I could bend over and turn my heard sideway to be able to read the board. Finally, the teacher noticed and moved me to the front row, but that didn’t help; I still needed to tilt my head. One day she talked to my mom about this strange behavior and having my eyes tested.

I’ll never forget the day I left the Optometrist office with my new plaid glasses and walked out into the sunlight. I was a bit dizzy at first because everything was so bright. The grass was a beautiful bright green and the stop lights a brilliant red. Everybody we passed on the street seemed friendlier. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to show my teacher my plaid-rimmed glasses. I wouldn’t have to tilt my head to read any longer. My little six-year-old life changed that day.

I think that is what happens we ask Jesus into our hearts. His light of salvation and unconditional love is so brilliant, it fills our whole body, mind and soul with sunshine. I still remember vividly asking Jesus into my heart at age seven. When I finished praying, I felt lighter, and everything around me seemed brighter. I can see it in my mind’s eye today and feel the joy and peace of that moment. Now, seventy years later, I still live in wide-eyed wonder and belief that the Light of the World continues to illuminate my heart and mind and challenges me to share that Light with others.

Father, I pray You will continue to fill my life with Your Light and help me share Your Light with those around me. And, Jesus, if there are any dark places in my heart, expose them to Your love and forgive me.  Light the path before me and help me not to “hide my light under a bushel or let Satan blow it out.” Just let it shine. Let it shine! Let it shine!”

Upside Down to Right Side Up

“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront! From now on, when you find five in a house, it will be— Three against two, and two against three;… Luke 12:49-51 The Message  

Jesus is making sure His disciples know His real purpose on earth is exactly the opposite of what they have assumed. They thought He came to establish and earthly kingdom, which if you think about it would mean God would come down to us to live forever. Not so, Jesus came to prepare us to go the Father and live with Him forever. Therefore, Jesus must disrupt and confront us with His true mission so we will not be upset when we see these things happen. Could we find a more perfect description of where we are now?

When I read this I realized that instead of fretting and being discouraged and depressed, even angry over where we are and what’s happening today, we need to realize we area absolutely smack dab in the middle of God’s will and plan for this earth! No one section of scripture could better describe what we are living through. Everything is turned upside down, so much division even in families over how to respond to today’s circumstances. I know I need to seek the Lord to fully understand all this means and what my response should be. I am not to worry about tomorrow or act like one who is devastated by the events of today, or complain as a hopeless victim of these circumstances. I am to concentrate on preparing to live in my Father’s house by being pure in heart, steadfast in hope and actively sharing His truth with others.

Father, my spirit is screaming within me today to stop trying to convince everyone how right I am and start showing that even in times like these, rather than gloating or parading my views, I need to be loving others and parading God’s love and forgiveness. I need to cooperate with God’s plan and not be so full of my own version of the future. Oh, Jesus, just about the time I think I have a pretty good handle on love and righteousness, I realize every time I boast of my view and not Yours, I fall prey to Satan’s lies and tactics. It’s not about what I think, it’s about what YOU think and the truth about You!!!! Forgive me, Father, and help me to stay close to You to hear Your whisper of reminder and correction. I love You and so desire to live in the Father’s kingdom with You!

Charlie Knew Someone Cared

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. 1 Peter 1:17         The Message

God loves us and meets our needs, helps us in times of trouble as any good father would, but he also corrects us and hold us accountable for the way we live and respond to Him.

When I read this today my mind immediately went back to my first year of teaching 2nd grade in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. Charlie, came to my class mid-way in the year. I was told he had been kicked out of several schools and to do my best with him. He was obviously ADHD to the max!  I knew how important it was to be the one in control of my class and determined not to allow him to deprive the others of learning. Trust me he was a challenge for someone who had prepared to teach secondary students and was trying to teach phonics and arithmetic to second graders!!

One day when it was time to go home, it was snowing quite heavily. As the students lined up, I told them we wouldn’t leave until all coats and hats were on and zipped up. We waited nearly five minutes for Charlie to comply, but I was determined to win! I walked them to the door and said goodbye to each until I got to the last student, Charlie. He had taken off his coat and was ready to tell me where to go! Seriously!!!! I stood in front of him and reminded him that he could not leave without his coat on and zipped.as it was snowing and very cold. We stood there for about ten minutes in a staring contest. Finally, I took his coat forced it on him (that was back when you could touch children) He was furious! I told him I cared for him and would not let him freeze on my watch and marched him across the playground holding his hand so he couldn’t remove his coat. I let go once he stepped onto the public sidewalk and turned to go while he cursed me and took off his coat!

As I was preparing to leave for the day, the principal called me to her office and told me I had been reported by Charlie. He stomped into her office and told her to fire me! We both smiled, but then she told me a little more about how Charlie had a very poor home life and had been moved from school to school. I did not expect to see him again.

The next day, to my surprise, Charlies showed up for school and entered the room calmly. As I looked at him, he had a frown on his face but a hint of a smile in his eyes. He proceeded through the next two weeks as my helper and seemed quite happy. Then, his mother moved again, and Charlie was gone! But, I believe Charlie knew someone truly cared about him enough to make sure he obeyed and was safe and warm in the storm.

That’s the kind of Heavenly Father I have. He loves me enough to hold me accountable for my decisions and actions and gives me warnings and sometimes correction to make sure I stay on the right track so I can be safe in the storms of life and spend eternity in the warmth of His love!!

Father thank You for you undying, unconditional love that not only helps me in trouble but warns me and corrects me to keep my OUT OF trouble!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

One in Christ

The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us. John 17:21

This is the second time Jesus has said this in this chapter. He is leaving this world and the only Jesus the world will see from this moment on is Jesus in His disciples. It is extremely important that his disciples know and do what He and the Father would do to fulfill God’s redemptive purpose for this world. We are to be one in heart and mind with Him and the Father.

One in heart and mind – what does that mean?  That we all dress alike, that we think alike, have the same taste in food or fun? Does it mean that every Christian is a copy of the other?  That makes no sense when you look at Peter, James and John, or Paul and Barnabas. It makes no sense when you look at different cultures and ethnic groups. Jesus continually calls us to be “one” with Him and the Father, but what does that look like?  We are to be One in heart and mind for the purpose of the gospel and kingdom of God. One in heart in mind in love for a lost world. One in heart and mind in our love for one another. I guess that answers it – ONE IN LOVE – the most difficult but redeeming and rewarding oneness!!

Here we go again, Father. Remind us of what Christlikeness really is and what it looks like – love in action! Jesus, help us to know what love looks like in different situations. Show us when to be gentle and compassionate and when to stand firm and let truth take its course. Show us when to hold on and when to let go. Teach us, Father, how to live and love in the mundane and routine of each day.  I realize today, the cost of love is DEATH!  Death to all things but Jesus and the will and love of the Father for His sheep, both in and out of the fold.  One day and one step at a time is all we can ask. Step into the whirlwind and routine of our daily lives and give us strength to be unified in heart and mind with You.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

If I don’t do the things my Father does, well and good; don’t believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. John 10:36-37

Jesus has been using the idea of a good shepherd to explain who He was, but the Jews weren’t getting it. When He said He and God were one, the Jews exploded and wanted to stone Him! Finally, His last defense was to point to the good things He had done, forgetting what He had said. Even then they refused to believe Him.

These verses shout out, “Actions speak louder than words!”  I may speak about love while displaying disinterest. I may speak about generosity and give sparingly. I may speak about kindness and respond with rudeness. I may expound on discipline and give in to desire.  I may shout out, “share Christ,” and walk in silent fear. Confession comes from the mouth, but action comes from the heart.  If I’m not living it, I’m not believing it!

Lord, this has always been a challenge for one who loves to talk and understands much more than she practices. You know my heart and mind, Jesus, and continue to show me when my walk isn’t measuring up to my talk.  Continue your work in my heart until both walk and talk are genuinely one in Christ. A slight twist on the idea of having the mind of Christ is … Let this heart be in me which was also in Christ Jesus! Help me to grow in heart and mind in YOU!

THE Lord’s Prayer – Joyce Version

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [e]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [f]evil. [g][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord has laid it on my heart to read Psalm 139 and pray the Lord’s Prayer for 30 days. Using the Lord’s Prayer as my model is refreshing my prayer life, and I pray it may be used to inspire your prayer life as well. A friend reminded me of this version that I wrote in 2023

Our Father in heaven, Your name is sacred and holy and worthy to be  praised.

May Your will be done in my life today to bring about Your plan and purpose. May my words and actions be filled with Godly wisdom.

Give me all that I need to live in obedience this day.

Forgive me for putting my thoughts and actions above Yours, for thinking I know better than You. Help me to see people and things through Your eyes, to discern and observe before I jump to conclusions or make hasty decisions.

May I realize You care more about Your kingdom on earth than I possibly can, and Your ways are higher than my ways.

Forgive me for not always being honest with others, in the name of peace.

May I learn to speak humbly but honestly before God and man. Give me the strength to give the same grace to others that I want given to me.

Please, protect me from the temptation of fear, inadequacy, and rejection. Deliver me from the lies of the enemy.

May all I do and say today be powered by the Holy Spirit and bring honor and glory to Your Name!

Only through you, Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit, can any of this be accomplished!!

Amen and Amen!