DAY #120: Luke 15:11-32

My favorite parable. Jesus continued to illustrate the point that God rejoices when lost sinners repent and find forgiveness. A man had two sons, the younger of whom wanted his share of his father’s estate (inheritance). This would have been one-third of the total estate, with the older son receiving two-thirds, a double portion of the other as prescribed by the law (Deuteronomy 21:17).

In most cases, the son would have received this at his father’s death, although fathers sometimes chose to divide up their inheritance early and retire from managing their estates. What is unusual is that the younger son initiated the division of the estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family.

Within just a few days, the younger son was on his way—indicating that this had been his plan when he had asked for his inheritance in the first place. He packed all his belongings and traveled to a distant land. The young man apparently had wanted to live his own way, be his own master, get out from under the rules of his home and his father. Money was his ticket out, so he took it and ran. In this distant land, he wasted all his money on wild living. But then his money ran out. To make matters worse, a great famine swept over the land and the boy did not even have money for food.

The young man became so desperate that he began to work feeding pigs. According to Moses’ law, pigs were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:2-8; Deuteronomy 14:8). To protect themselves from defilement, Jews would not even touch pigs. For a Jew to stoop to feeding pigs would have been a great humiliation. The pods were the seeds of the carob tree, which grows around the Mediterranean Sea. That no one gave him anything shows that he was neglected and insignificant; he had truly sunk to the depths.

Sitting among pigs that were better fed than he was, he reflected on life back home. With no money, no dignity, and, so he thought, no claim to sonship in his father’s household, he decided to go home to his father, confess his sin, and ask to be taken on as a hired man. At least there he would not go hungry. The key lies in the words that he planned to say to his father, “I have sinned against both heaven and you.” He wanted to tell his father he was sorry. He wanted to repent of the selfishness that had led him to leave and spend all the money that his father had set aside for his future. Even if it meant living as a hired man in his own home, he would return there in order to say these things to his father.

So the son returned home to his father, not knowing what to expect—the best he could anticipate was a cold shoulder, a halfhearted welcome, or a chance to be hired as a slave. The father, however, seemed to have cast his eyes on the horizon many times since his son had left, hoping one day to see him returning. Finally, his father saw him coming even while he was far away. The father ran, embraced, and kissed his son. He was filled with love and compassion at the sight of his son who had come home. The son began to give his father the speech he had prepared, but he didn’t even get to the part about asking to be hired, for the father wanted to welcome his son back into his home with a grand celebration.

The father immediately restored this destitute and humbled young man as his son. Then the calf that was being fattened up for the time when a special feast should be prepared was to be killed—the father could think of no more fitting celebration. His son had been as good as dead to him, but now had returned to life. He had been lost, but now was found. As the shepherd celebrated upon finding the lost sheep, and the woman upon finding her lost coin, so this father celebrated at “finding” his “lost” son.

At the report of the news, the older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in to join the celebration. While the resentment of this older brother is easy to understand, his volley of words reveals the same sort of self-righteousness that afflicted the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. The religious leaders, claiming how hard they “slaved” for God, were attempting to keep myriad rules and regulations, many of which God never even demanded. They had the Father’s love, but had chosen to reject it in favor of hard work and self-denial. So when God eagerly welcomed the sinful, common people into the Kingdom, the religious leaders were refusing to join the celebration. But God rejoiced that these sinful people had come “home,” and he invited even these religious leaders to join the party. They had only anger and resentment that their efforts had not earned a party.

The older son needed to get his perspective, be grateful that he had not had to go through such pain, and celebrate this happy day of his brother’s safe return. Desperate sinners, notorious outcasts, difficult people—all have been offered salvation. God’s people must not stand aside and above, but must join in heaven’s celebration when those who were lost have been found.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Pray fervently for the salvation of others. Pray expectantly. And when God moves in their hearts, welcome them with no reservations. I am the prodigal - we are all the prodigal - may it never be that we have any sense of superiority or ever look down on others.

Lord, I am so grateful for Your mercy. I am so grateful you picked me up (and continue to do so) from the dung pile and love me, accept me, embrace me and use me. Lord, help build a church at COV where everyone is loved, accepted and embraced.

"Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!" Matthew 9:35-38 (MB)

DAY #119: Luke 14:25-15:10

Great crowds were still following Jesus. Perhaps all these casual followers considered themselves “disciples” of this popular teacher. Jesus explained what it meant to truly be his disciple. His disciples had to love him more than their own family members. Certainly this caused a stir among the people. Who would possibly ask his followers to love him that way?

Jesus was not going against the fifth commandment to honor father and mother. Nor was he attempting to subvert the natural love that exists among family members. Instead, he was saying that his followers’ love for him should be so complete and wholehearted that their love for family members and for life itself would pale in comparison. In first-century Jewish family settings, deciding for Jesus could mean alienation from the family. Jesus warned the would-be disciples that they must be clear about their true allegiance. Those who cannot make that kind of commitment cannot be his disciple.

Besides being willing to love Jesus more than any others and more than life itself, the true disciple must be ready to carry his own cross and follow Jesus. Jesus gave this teaching to get the crowds to think through their enthusiasm for him. He encouraged those who were superficial either to go deeper or to turn back. Following Christ means total submission to him—perhaps even to the point of death.

Jesus promised his followers a Kingdom, but he also said that they would face difficulty and suffering because of their faith. Those on the fence needed to count the cost. When a builder doesn’t count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may be left half-completed. What are those “costs” to believers? Christians may face loss of social status or wealth. They may be hated, separated from their family, and even put to death. All people must carefully count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple so that they will know what they are getting into and won’t be tempted to turn back when the going gets tough.

In this second example, Jesus described a wise king’s decision to consider whether his ten thousand soldiers could defeat twice that number coming against him. He has to act, but should he fight or ask for peace? To rush out with his soldiers, without first discussing the options, would invite disaster for his nation. Far better to think it through beforehand. So those who want to follow Jesus should carefully consider their decision.

The cost to be counted is giving up everything for Jesus. To be preoccupied with money or possessions is to miss the demands and joys of true discipleship, as with the people who refused the host’s invitation to the Kingdom. Again Jesus painted no rosy picture of a high-paying job with all the benefits. He said that the way would be rough and would be a way of self-sacrifice. Oddly enough, however, this is the only way to true fulfillment and satisfaction.

In the ancient world, salt was used as a seasoning and as a preservative. The salt came mostly from salt marshes in the area southwest of the Dead Sea. This impure salt was susceptible to deterioration and could lose its flavor, leaving only useless crystals. Such salt was simply thrown away. Jesus’ question, “How do you make it salty again?” did not require an answer—for once salt has deteriorated, nothing is left but worthless residue.

Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive “saltiness,” they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, Christ’s disciples are to preserve the good in the world, help keep it from spoiling, and bring new flavor to life. This requires careful planning, willing sacrifice, and unswerving commitment to Christ’s Kingdom. Being “salty” is not easy, but if Christians fail in this function, they fail to represent Christ in the world.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have heard today?)

Jesus sets a pretty high bar for being a follower of His. Jesus doesn't ask for me to lead a perfect life (that is impossible), He doesn't ask for me to jump through one hoop after another for me to gain His love. What He asks for - what He requires is that I love Him more than anything else, and that in comparison my love for Him would dwarf the love I have for anything or anyone else.

Lord, I fall short here at times. I love you with all my heart. I love You with all my mind and strength, but there are times that I drift. There are times when my attention is elsewhere. There are times when my heart is elsewhere. God, pick me up when I fall. Set me on your path again when I drift. I want to be Your man. I want to be a fully devoted, whole-hearted follower of Yours. Use me today. Walk with me today. Help me be the hands and feet of Christ to others. Give me a heart of compassion for others.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

DAY #118: Luke 14:7-24

In Jesus’ day, Jewish custom at a dinner was to arrange couches in a U shape with a low table in front of them. Guests reclined on the left elbow, and they would be seated according to status, with the place of honor being the seat at the center of the U. The seats would decline in status the farther away from that seat of honor. If arrivals had placed themselves in the best seat and then someone more respected arrived, they would be asked to move to lower seats. By then, the only seat that would still be open would be at the foot of the table.

This may seem like an odd bit of social manners given by Jesus, but his meaning went much deeper. This wedding feast pictures the Messiah’s Kingdom. Those who seek honor for themselves will be disgraced. Jesus explains that honor cannot be taken, it must be given by God. He will not honor those who seek to honor themselves.

Jesus explained that people should sit at the foot of the table. This would show that the person had not overestimated his or her own importance. Then, the host may ask that person to move to a better place. Then, instead of being disgraced, the person would be honored. The principle would be true in that situation, and in the Kingdom of God—the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored. The host, God himself, will make the final seating arrangements in his Kingdom. People dare not presume upon their own importance; how much better to be honored by God.

While guests ought not presume upon their importance in the eyes of their host, hosts should not be exclusive about whom they invite. Jesus explained that they shouldn’t invite only people who can pay them back. Instead, they should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. When God’s people can do good, without expecting reward or repayment, they will have truly served him unselfishly. God will reward those who so willingly serve him.

Jesus then began to spaek about the resurrection, and it sparked a comment from a man sitting at the table (apparently a Pharisee or teacher). This Pharisee assumed that he and his fellow Pharisees and other leaders would have the privilege to share in the Kingdom of God. They counted on their ancestry and their law-keeping to have reserved places for them. Jesus would shatter this preconception.

It was customary to send two invitations to a party—the first to announce the event. Thus, this man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. It does not appear that anyone had declined, so the man made final preparations in order to have enough for everyone. The second invitation told the guests that everything was ready. In this case, the man’s servant personally notified all the guests that it was time for them to come.

The guests in Jesus’ story insulted the host by making excuses when he issued the second invitation. The guests decided that other matters were more important at the time. The point is that nothing should become an excuse to put off joining God’s Kingdom. All pursuits, no matter how valid they seem, can rob people of the great celebration with Jesus. Let nothing stand in the way of following Christ.

Upon learning how his invitations had been snubbed, the master of the house was angry. But his banquet was ready, the food had been prepared. Instead of abandoning the whole prospect, he sent his servant to bring into the banquet hall the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. This done, the servant reported back that there was still room for more. So the master again dispatched the servant to go throughout the country lanes and behind the hedges and fill the house.

This story would seem scandalous to Jesus’ audience. No ancient wealthy person would ever invite the poor. This startling statement told Jesus’ hearers that God’s Kingdom is especially for the poor. Not a morsel of food was to go to waste. If the previously invited guests would not accept the hospitality of the master, then he would invite those who would.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Once again today, it is impressed upon my heart to do whatever I can - really, whatever I must - to get people the good news of Jesus Christ. The good news of His love. The good news of His offer of eternal life and forgiveness of sin. The good news of His mercy and kindness and grace. the good news of His Resurrection.

Lord, give me a sense of urgency. Give the people of COV a sense of urgency. Every day put it in our hearts that time is running out. Everyday, remind us that we are closer to drawing our last breath. Everyday burden our soul with the truth that we are closer to the return of Christ.

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!— Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?"

Proverbs 6:6-9 (AMP)

DAY #117: Luke 13:23-14:6

The question about whether only a few or many people would be saved was a topic of debate and much speculation among the rabbis. Jesus refused to be drawn into taking a side in this argument; instead, he urged his listeners to be among those who would be saved, no matter what the final number might be. Just listening to Jesus’ words or admiring his miracles is not enough—all must turn from sin and trust in God for salvation. Regardless of how many would be saved, Jesus said that many will try to enter, but it will be too late. The time for decision would pass them by.

When the door is shut and they are sent away, there will be intense sorrow (weeping and gnashing of teeth). Jesus pictured them looking in the windows at the ancestors on whom they had depended for their salvation—the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They will also see all the prophets, many of whom had been slain for speaking God’s messages. These men had not had the opportunity to see the Messiah, but they had loved God, believed his promises, and trusted that he would accomplish what he said. Thus, they received places in the Kingdom. By contrast, many of these Jewish people, who did have the opportunity to eat and drink with and then listen to the teachings of the Messiah himself, subsequently rejected him. For such rejection they would be thrown out of the Kingdom.

The Pharisees were on the move against Jesus. They thought that telling Jesus of Herod’s plan would cause Jesus to be afraid and run. Herod Antipas had killed John the Baptist. But, Jesus’ life, work, and death were not to be determined by Herod or the Pharisees. His life was planned and directed by God himself, and his mission would unfold in God’s time and according to God’s plan.

Jesus was hardly going to run in fear of Herod; in fact, the message he sent to him was filled with contempt, calling Herod that fox. Jesus clearly explained that Herod would have absolutely no control over Jesus’ life and ministry. Jesus would continue doing miracles until the day when he would accomplish his purpose. Jesus knew that he must proceed on in his ministry until the very moment appointed for his death.

Jerusalem had a history of rejecting God’s prophets, and it would reject the Messiah just as it had rejected his forerunners. Thus Jesus mourned for the city. Jesus’ emotional words reveal his compassion and love for the people to whom he had come. Like a mother hen who protects her chicks beneath her wings, Jesus would have gathered and protected his people.

Knowing what the Pharisees were thinking, Jesus asked them a question that had caused friction between him and them before, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” The religious leaders refused to answer Jesus’ question. Because they knew Jesus would heal the man and because they were hoping to use it against him. So Jesus touched the sick man that was before Him and healed him and sent him away. Jesus explained that when it served their purposes, these religious leaders did work on the Sabbath. They could go pull a son or a cow out of a pit if need be, but they were ready to condemn Jesus for touching a man and healing him from a disease. Jesus pointed this out to them, but they had no answer.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The narrow door is a reminder that there are NOT many roads to the mountain top (heaven) - there is one way. Jesus said -

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6 (NIV)

Lord, bring people into my life today that I can witness to. Bring people into my life that i can share with today - really everyday. Make me aware of the people around me who don't know you and give me compassion for them. Give me courage to invite them and befriend them and love them. Give the people of COV a similar heart. Break our hearts - grieve our hearts with those who don't know you.

DAY #116: Luke 13:1-22

Jewish theology attributed individual suffering to individual sin. While the Pharisees would also have liked to see Israel freed from Roman control, they were against the use of force that many in Israel (such as a group called the Zealots) were advocating. Some people, such as the Pharisees and their followers, would have thought that these Galileans that were murdered must have been worse sinners than other people from Galilee because they had suffered. The Pharisees, who were opposed to using force to deal with Rome, would have said that the Galileans deserved to die for rebelling.

Jesus explained, however, that suffering has nothing to do with one’s spiritual state. In fact, all people are sinful and, unless people repent, they all will perish. This doesn’t mean that everyone will be killed in such a manner. It could mean that death will be sudden with no second chance to repent, or it could mean that Jesus’ listeners would suffer at the hands of the Roman conquerors (which the entire nation did in a.d. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed and millions of Jews were killed).

Just as suffering is no indicator of one’s spiritual state, neither is tragedy. The Pharisees would have seen the previous incident as God’s judgment on the Zealots, but the Zealots would have seen this incident as God’s judgment against those who had compromised with Rome. Again, popular thought would have concluded that the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them must have been the eighteen worst sinners in Jerusalem, otherwise they would not have suffered such a fate. The Zealots, a group of anti-Roman terrorists, would have said that the aqueduct workers deserved to die for cooperating. The Zealots would have considered Jews working on a Roman project such as this as traitors and deserving of God’s punishment.

Again, Jesus explained that all people are sinners who must repent or they too will perish—spiritual death with eternal consequences. He said that neither the Galileans nor the workers should be blamed for their calamity. Instead of blaming others, everyone should consider his or her own day of judgment. Whether a person is killed in a tragic accident or miraculously survives is not a measure of righteousness. Everyone has to die; that’s part of being human.

After highlighting the need for repentance, Jesus used an illustration to show the people that while God is gracious in giving people time to repent, come to him, and grow in him, that patience will not go on forever. In the Old Testament, a fruitful tree was often used as a symbol of godly living (Psalm 1:3 & Jeremiah 17:7-8). Jesus pointed out what would happen to the other kind of tree—the kind that took valuable time and space and still produced nothing for the patient gardener. In this way, Jesus warned his listeners that God would not tolerate forever their lack of productivity.

A fig tree in fertile soil should certainly have produced fruit—a tree that did not produce for three years was probably not going to produce at all. The farmer gave the command to cut it down so another, more fruitful tree, could be planted in its place.

The gardener intervened and asked the owner to give the tree one more chance. He even offered to give it special attention and fertilizer. Jesus had come to the nation; the time for repentance had come. The extra attention and love had been showered on the nation in the presence of their Messiah. God’s judgment had been graciously held back. But if the people continued to refuse to “bear fruit” for God—if they continued to refuse to live for and obey him—the end would come. The tree would be cut down. There would be no more chances. God is merciful toward sinners. But for those who reject him, he will not be merciful forever. They will be punished.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Once again, this passage reminds me of to correlating portions of scripture;

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5 (NIV)

After receiving Christ, we each have to make choices daily to live for Him. We make choices that will shape our character and determine our destiny. Today Lord, I choose You. I choose Your ways/ I choose Your path. I choose obedience. I choose the road less traveled. I choose You. Shape, me, mold me, transform me.

Lord, draw folks to COV this morning. Give us a powerful morning where lives are changed. Give people the courage to act upon what You speak to them about.

DAY #115: Luke 12:41-59

This passage begins by Peter questioning Jesus about what their roles would be in comparison with the crowds in general. Jesus answered Peter’s question with another question that focused the disciples’ attention on what it meant to be put in charge, and what their roles should be as leaders. They should be like a faithful, sensible servant, left in charge by the master. In this story, there is one faithful servant and three unfaithful ones.

The master is Jesus, who would leave his servants in his household (the earth) to serve while he would be gone. All the servants must work, although some are given more responsibility and thus more accountability. Those servants who have done a good job when the master returns will have a reward and be given more responsibility.

However, with the master gone, a slave might think to himself that he can do as he likes, taking advantage of his position of authority. The master would return unannounced, catch him in the act, and banish him for being irresponsible to his task in the master’s absence. The words with the unfaithful probably pictures the end-time judgment, wherein the faithful enter God’s Kingdom and the unfaithful are sent away.

Those who fail to do their duty can expect punishment. More responsibility, and thus more severe punishment, however, will come to those who knew their duty but refused to do it. Those who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Each person is responsible to seek out God’s will and to obey; however, God will demand more from those who have been given many gifts and entrusted with much responsibility for the Kingdom.

Clearly, leadership in God’s Kingdom—no matter how small or large one’s responsibilities in comparison to others—is taken very seriously by God. Those placed in positions where they will guide, influence, and care for others have been given much, and therefore much more is required for their moral, spiritual, and ethical lives. They must show themselves to be examples and must stay close to the Lord so he can guide them. Their responsibilities involve the eternal destinies of others—a job description that should cause them to be ever vigilant and watchful of God’s will.

With the signs of the Kingdom around them and as Jesus stood among them, he asked his listeners, “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?” Why weren’t they taking advantage of this opportunity to make peace with God? They ought to do so, for waiting could be disastrous, just as the man on his way to court would be wise to settle the matter beforehand. In Jesus’ day, a person who couldn’t pay a debt would be thrown in jail. How much better to attempt to settle the matter on the way to court (under Roman law, the plaintiff went with the defendant to court) than to wait for the judge’s verdict to be handed down. God’s judgment is irreversible. Each person must decide what to do about Jesus. That decision should be made now.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, I am reminded that you are looking for men and women who will be faithful to the charge given them. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 says - “I CHARGE you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… be ready to spread the word whether the time is right or not."

Lord, I pray that You would find me faithful today - everyday. Give me a heart today to be about Your business. Give me a heart to put Your priorities ahead of mine. Give me a heart to put KINGDOM things ahead of earthly things.

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV)

Give the people of COV this same heart. Help them Lord. Walk with them. Give them courage and strength to choose You over their own personal comfort. Give them a willingness to choose service as a way of life over security. And Lord, give them a heart to choose sacrifice over selfishness.

DAY #114: Luke 12:22-40

Jesus continued to highlight the priorities of those who want to follow him. Again, these words were directed not to the crowd in general, but to his disciples. Just as their attitude toward money should differ from the world’s, so their life view should be different. All the goals and worries in life can be entrusted to the loving heavenly Father who promises to meet every need. The command, don’t worry, does not imply lack of concern, nor does it imply that people should be unwilling to work to supply their own needs and thus have to depend on others. Instead, Jesus was saying that worrying about food and clothing should never take priority over serving God. Worriers immobilize themselves and focus on their worries. They refuse to trust that God can supply their most basic needs.


Worry accomplishes nothing; it is wasted effort. While worry cannot add a single moment to a person’s life, it can damage that person’s health, cause the object of worry to consume one’s thoughts, disrupt productivity, negatively affect the way the person treats others, and reduce the ability to trust in God.


Like the ravens who do not store up food for themselves in barns, neither do the lilies work to array themselves. If God feeds the birds and clothes the earth with beauty that surpasses the fine garments of King Solomon, then will God not also clothe his people? Jesus was not condoning laziness while waiting for God to provide. He wanted his disciples to understand that they should place their lives in God’s hands, refusing to worry about basic needs. It shows little faith to worry over what God has promised to provide.


Jesus told his disciples to make the Kingdom of God their primary concern. This means to submit to God’s sovereignty today, to work for the future coming of his Kingdom, to represent God here and now, and to seek his rule in our hearts and in the world. So many spend their time worrying about the basics of life, but Jesus says to think about the Kingdom first, and God will give you all you need from day to day. Christ’s promise is not that Kingdom seekers will get everything they desire, but that the necessities for faith and service will be in abundance. When God’s children have their priorities right, they can trust that God will always care for them. They may not become rich, but they will not lack what they need.


The Kingdom is worth making a priority, for one day God the Father will give it to those who faithfully follow him. The Kingdom is a certain reality, so God’s people need not be afraid. Fear and worry will be constant companions to those who devote their lives to getting, achieving, and protecting what they have.


Because of the certainty of the Kingdom coming and because it would be coming in the future, waiting for it requires both faith and vigilance. God’s people must be awaiting his arrival so they too can welcome him the moment he arrives. Servants who are ready and waiting for the master’s arrival will be rewarded. The master will be so pleased upon his arrival that he will serve them. Such a reversal of roles likely will not happen in the world, but in God’s Kingdom such a welcome will await those who were ready.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Thank you for Your word Lord. Thank you for how it challenges me and encourages me and confronts me with Your truth.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)


Lord, raise up whole-hearted, fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ here at COV. Men and women who will count everything else in life a loss to knowing You.


"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8 (NIV)


Lord, walk with my kids. Everyday that You allow them to draw breath, give them a hunger to follow You and walk with You and stand up for You and speak out for You. Walk with Kelsey and Matt. Bless their ministry and expand their influence. Use them to build a youth ministry that reaches thousands of students for You. Walk with Drew and may the same spirit of God that rested upon Moses and Elijah and David and Joseph and Daniel - may it rest upon Drew. Keep him pure and build him into a mighty man of God. Lord, walk with Katie. Bless her. Lord, use her to be the light of Christ on her campus. Give her courage and boldness to share the love of Christ and Lord let her use the platform You've given her to honor you and give You glory at every turn. Finally Lord, walk with Emily. Give her a heart for discipline. Give her a heart for people. Birth within her every day a desire to be Your woman and to please you. Even if it means going it alone Lord, help her follow You. And in that aloneness build her faith and relationship with You. Use Emily to change the world.

DAY #113: Luke 12:1-21

While Jesus infuriated the religious leaders, his popularity among the people continued to grow. As Jesus watched the huge crowds waiting to hear him, he warned his disciples against hypocrisy—trying to appear good when their heart was far from God. Just as yeast works its way through dough, so a small amount of evil can affect a large group of people. The yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy—could permeate and contaminate society, leading the entire nation astray.

Hypocrisy can happen when certain actions or attitudes are hidden. One day, however, everything will be revealed. The Pharisees could not keep their attitudes hidden forever. Their selfishness would act like “yeast”, and soon they would expose themselves for what they really were—power-hungry impostors, not devoted religious leaders. The time of this “revelation” could be the final judgment day when the true attitude of these hypocrites will be exposed (Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Jesus explained that his followers might face death for their faith in him, but he also told them not to be afraid of people who could kill them or even of death itself. Evil people may be able to kill the body, but they cannot do any more. Jesus knew that fear of opposition or ridicule could weaken their witness for him because the natural human tendency is to cling to peace and comfort, even at the cost of one’s walk with God. Jesus said that there is only one whom all people should fear—God alone. He controls eternal consequences. It is more fearful to disobey God than to face martyrdom.

The word translated hell here is Gehenna. The name was derived from the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where children had been sacrificed by fire to the pagan god Molech (2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3; Jeremiah 7:31; 32:35).

While Jesus’ followers should “fear” God because of his awesome power, they are not to be afraid of him because they are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. A person could buy five sparrows for a small amount of money; they were the cheapest type of living food sold in the market. Even so, God does not forget a single one. God loves his people so much that he cares about the smallest details of their lives—down to knowing the number of hairs on their heads.

God sent his Son to die for people worldwide, and salvation is offered to all people. But individuals still must choose whether or not to accept God’s offer. Jesus clearly explained that anyone who publicly confesses faith in and allegiance to him will find that the Son of Man will openly acknowledge that person in the presence of God’s angels. By contrast, the person who denies any relationship to Jesus will face denial by Jesus in heaven. These words refer to those whose lack of allegiance will be revealed under pressure. Most likely, this does not refer to an incident where lack of courage might cause a believer not to speak up, but rather to a person who totally rejects Christ and lives a life of denial. The astounding statement is that each person’s standing before God is based on his or her relationship to Jesus Christ.

This sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has worried many sincere Christians. The unforgivable sin is deliberate and ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work and even of God himself. A person who has committed this sin has shut himself off from God so thoroughly that he is unaware of any sin at all. A person who fears having committed this sin shows by his very concern that he has not sinned in this way.

Jesus proceeded to illustrate his point that life consists of more than wealth and possessions. This story includes a rich man who had a productive year on his farm. He tore down his barns and built bigger ones so that he could store everything. While there was nothing wrong with the man’s rejoicing in his crop or building to make storage, his basic flaw was in focusing completely on his wealth and on his own enjoyment. In Greek, this story includes the word “my” four times and the word “I” eight times. As this story reveals, the man’s joy came from his things—but things do not last forever.

The rich man was concerned for no one else, and he had no care for God. With no eternal perspective, the man’s life was completely focused on the temporal. His goal to take it easy and to eat, drink, and be merry reveals his desire for mere self-indulgence. He thought that, with his barns storing up mountains of wealth for the future, he had everything completely under control. The rich man had made a fatal flaw: he had forgotten to put God at the center of his life. Concerned for no one but himself, when the time came for him to stand before God, he was nothing more than a fool.

The moral of the story: fools spend all their time storing up earthly wealth but neglect to have a rich relationship with God. The turning point is for whom the treasures are being accumulated. If for oneself, then the evils of wealth will be turned loose. Being rich toward God means using wealth as he provides it to fulfill his priorities. People who are “rich” in this way love God and are filled with a passion to obey and serve him and to give to others. In this way, the “treasures” a person may gain in this life can be gladly handed back over to God for his use in furthering his Kingdom.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, I wan t my life to count in extraordinary ways. I want so badly for the lives of folks at COV to have their lives count in extraordinary ways. Lord, help our people see what you see in them. Rouse them, wake them up to the awesome potential of the influence and expenditure of their life. So many people are in a rut Lord - same old thing - day in and day out. Lord, give them a glimpse of what you have for them, if they will make you the center of their lives.

(From John Piper) "I grew up in a home where my father spent himself as an evangelist to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. He had one consuming vision: Preach the gospel. There was a plaque in our kitchen for all my growing up years. Now it hangs in our living room. I have looked at it almost daily for about 48 years. It says, 'Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.'"

Lord, may that be the cry of Your people. All for You and You alone. Lord, help me to live my life that way today.

DAY #112: Luke 11:37-54

Again Jesus was invited to a meal with a Pharisee. Jesus offended his host, however, because he did not first perform the ceremonial washing. This washing was done not for health reasons but as a symbol of washing away any contamination from touching anything unclean. Not only did the Pharisees make a public show of their washing, but they also commanded everyone else to follow a practice originally intended only for the priests.

Obsessed about ceremonial “purity,” the Pharisees neglected their own internal defilement. They washed on the outside, like one would wash a cup or a dish, but they left the inside full of greed and wickedness, never bothering to deal with those sins. They were no more pure than a dirty cup. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for outwardly appearing saintly and holy but inwardly remaining full of corruption. Jesus accordingly castigated these Pharisees as fools. God who made the outside of each person also made the inside. In other words, God is just as concerned with the inside as with the outside. He is not only concerned about what you do, but also about who you are.

The Pharisees loved to think of themselves as “clean,” but their stinginess toward God and the poor proved that they were not as clean as they thought. Jesus wanted to stress the importance of the inward over the outward, here focusing on the importance of a right attitude when giving to the poor. The inner attitude must match the outward act in order for them to be clean all over.

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their love of public importance and honor. The elders sat on the seats of honor in the synagogues, at the front, near the place where the scrolls of the Torah were kept. Those seats faced the congregation. To receive respectful greetings was a highly treasured honor. Jesus condemned the attitude that focused on the “perks” of position, while they forgot their responsibility to be teachers. The Pharisees loved to receive honor and deference from ordinary people; yet they did not love or desire to serve those people. Instead, they often showed contempt for them as “lower” than themselves.

Jesus condemned these hypocrites for crushing people beneath impossible religious demands. These “demands” were the details the Pharisees had added to God’s law. To the commandment, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy”, for example, they had added instructions regarding how far a person could walk on the Sabbath, which kinds of knots could be tied, and how much weight could be carried. Instead of teaching God’s law so that people could love, understand, and obey the God who gave it, they turned the law into such a confused maze of do’s and don’ts that it had become a burden to the people. The legal experts refused to lift a finger to help the people.

The tombs of the prophets were revered. People even decorated the graves of those long dead who seemed worthy of such honor. Building tombs over the graves of the martyrs was ironic because most of these prophets had been killed by the ancestors of this present religious establishment. In essence, these religious leaders were agreeing with the deeds of their ancestors in killing these prophets. Jesus was saying that these leaders were no different from their ancestors who had killed God’s messengers because, in a sense, they were simply completing their work. The attitude of hatred for God’s messengers would carry through, and Jesus himself would face it as well.

It may come as no surprise that these leaders were furious at Jesus. He had challenged these professed experts, so they hoped to trip him up and arrest him for blasphemy, heresy, or lawbreaking. They had to find a legal way to get rid of Jesus, so they grilled him with many hostile questions, trying to trap him. Jesus had pointed out the blatant hypocrisy of so much of Israel’s leadership, and there would be no turning back. The opposition was mounting; Jesus had become a threat to the establishment.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, search me and know me.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Remove any guile or pretence or any sense of hypocrisy from my life.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth" Psalm 139:13-15 (NIV)

Everything I do today, may it be for Your honor and Your glory.

"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" Psalm 139:1-7 (NIV)

DAY #111: Luke 11;14-36

As if all the heeling's and miracles and sending demons from people were not enough, they asked for a miraculous sign from heaven to see if Jesus really was from God. They felt that they needed something “from heaven” as proof of Jesus’ identity. The irony, of course, is that no matter what kind of sign Jesus might have given, they would have stubbornly refused to believe.

Jesus’ answer to the unbelief was simple; any kingdom at war with itself is doomed, and likewise with a divided home. If Jesus were driving out demons by Satan, then the conclusion would be that Satan is fighting against himself. If that were true, it would mean civil war in the kingdom of evil. No king would throw his own soldiers out of his kingdom; neither would Satan throw his soldiers out of a person they had possessed. Such a kingdom could not stand.

Jesus explained his words with a parable. The line has been drawn. There are two kingdoms—God’s and Satan’s. Satan is active and powerful in the world, but God’s Kingdom is far stronger and will eventually triumph. People cannot be neutral in this matter. Either they choose to side with God, or they do not. That is the meaning of Jesus’ ominous words, “Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me.” In this battle, if a person is not on God’s side, he or she is on Satan’s.

To further illustrate the danger of attempting to be neutral about him, Jesus explained what can happen to such people. Unfilled and complacent people are easy targets for Satan. Jesus was making a serious point about people’s spiritual destiny—they must make a decision about him. There is no middle ground. Each of us make a decision - we either receive Christ or we reject Him.

After admonishing his listeners to follow him, Jesus clearly described the consequences of not believing him. The request for a sign revealed wicked unbelief. The people had asked Jesus for a sign from heaven to prove that he was from God. Instead of giving a sign (beyond the miracles and heeling's he had performed), Jesus explained that no miraculous sign would be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

God had asked Jonah to preach repentance to the Gentiles (non-Jews)—he had been sent by God to the Assyrian city of Nineveh (see the book of Jonah). Jonah preached to the city and saw it repent. With the words, “what happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him,” Jesus was affirming Jonah’s message. Salvation is not only for Jews, but for all people.

The “sign” granted to them may refer to the Resurrection, for Jesus said, “What happens to me will be a sign that God has sent me, the Son of Man, to these people.” Jesus’ resurrection would prove that he was the Messiah. Three days after his death Jesus would come back to life, just as Jonah had been “brought back” to life after spending three days in the fish. Jonah’s presence was a sign to the people of Nineveh; they repented at his teaching. Jesus’ return to his people after his death would also be a sign to the people of his generation. Some would repent; many would not.

The cruel, warlike men of Nineveh, capital of Assyria, repented at the preaching of Jonah—even though Jonah did not care about them. By contrast, Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had come to people that he loved dearly—but they were rejecting him. Thus God’s chosen people were making themselves more liable to judgment than a notoriously wicked nation. The people of that nation will rise up at the judgment and condemn Jesus’ generation.

Jesus next exhorted each person to focus his or her eyes on the light: Jesus himself. The people had requested a sign , but Jesus explained that the light of his perfect life should be enough of a sign.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Why are we always looking for a sign? Always looking for a miracle? Always looking for some great show of force? This constant need for God to perform speaks to our immaturity and unbelief. Lord, as I read this morning I am moved to say to You that You don't have to perform one more miracle for me. You have done so much for me. You have blessed me so much beyond whatever I could have deserved. You have come through time after time after time. Even if you don't answer another prayer, still I will follow.

Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him..." Job 13:15 (KJV)

Lord, that is my heart. Raise up mature men and women of God here at COV who don't constantly need a "sign" to keep believing and keep following. Raise up men and women of faith who, day after day, will follow and serve. An Lord, when they grow and mature in their faith, bless them - reward them - provide for them - protect them - make a way for them.

DAY #110: Luke 10:38-11:13

In the village of Bethany, located about two miles outside of Jerusalem, there were two sisters named Martha and Mary. They had a brother named Lazarus (whom Jesus later raised from the dead).


Jesus, His twelve disciples with him, needed to have their feet washed, to be made comfortable, and to have a meal prepared for them. A respectable hostess in the ancient world would extend all of these courtesies to his or her guests. The impression here, however, is that Martha was overdoing it. She wanted something extra special for the Master, but she let herself get to the point where she was worrying, overworked, and unable to enjoy these guests.

In attempting to serve Jesus, she did not understand or attend to Jesus’ reason for being there. Mary, however, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. She was taking advantage of the opportunity to hear Jesus. Martha, for her part, wanted to give her guests the royal treatment—and she should not be criticized for that. However, she allowed her worry to turn to irritation. She went to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to get up and get to work. There is a touch of reproach in her words.

Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about preparing the meal, nor did he scold her for attempting to make him and his disciples welcome. But he did want her to understand that because she was so upset, she was not making time for what was most important, shown in Mary’s attitude. Jesus wanted Martha to rearrange her priorities.


In chapter 11, once again, we see Jesus had been out praying. Luke has presented several instances where Jesus was praying, making it clear that prayer was a regular part of his life. Something about Jesus’ prayer life prompted one of his disciples to approach him as he finished. He wanted Jesus to teach them to pray, just as John taught his disciples. It was common for religious leaders to teach their followers how to pray. To be able to pray as their Master prayed would give them assurance of expressing themselves correctly to God.

The prayer Jesus taught his disciples was not a formulaic prayer; rather, it was a “how to” prayer. Notice the order in this prayer. First Jesus praised God; then he made his requests. The first person plural pronouns indicate that the believers could pray this prayer corporately. The pattern of praise, intercession, and request helps believers understand the nature and purpose of their personal prayers in their relationship with their Father. Because Jesus taught it to his followers, it is a prayer pattern for believers today as well.

Jesus follows up these instructions with a parable. This parable points out, with a touch of humor, that God’s people must persist in their prayers, and that God is always ready to give. The setting is midnight. A journeying friend has arrived, presumably unexpected. Social custom dictates providing food, but the bread is gone and the person has nothing for him to eat. The person knows that another friend has some bread, so he goes to him and asks to borrow three loaves of bread.


The friend would not be happy to be interrupted at this late hour, having already gone to bed. Jesus explained that although the friend might not get up for the sake of the friendship, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up. Because of the persistence of the person knocking, the request will be answered.

Boldness in prayer overcomes the praying person’s apathy, not God’s perceived insensitivity. To practice persistence changes the hearts and minds of those praying, and it helps them understand and express the intensity of their need. Persistence in prayer helps them recognize God’s work. By praying persistently, believers are not trying to get a reluctant God to answer their prayers; instead, they are showing that they are very serious about their request.



SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

There is so much today that stands out. Priorities - what's most important. Remembering my first love, my highest love is to be reserved for our Lord. Nothing comes before Him. First things first. This was the condemnation for the church in Ephesus;

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
Revelation 2:2-5 (NIV)


Second, persistence in my prayers. We are such a fast food generation. We want what we want and we want it now. We don't know much about staying power, finishing well, staying the course.
God is saying to me stay at it. Keep persevering. Keep on keeping on in your prayers for the lost, in your prayers for people, in your prayers for your wife and kids, in your prayers for the church, in your prayers for leaders, in your prayers for the world.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"
Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)

DAY #109: Luke 10:17-37

The seventy-two disciples completed their mission to various towns and villages and returned with joy. They had seen tremendous results as they ministered in Jesus’ name and with his authority. They were elated by the victories they had witnessed—that even the demons had submitted to them in Jesus’ name. Probably they were able to heal demon-possessed people, and this thrilled them.

Such power and authority can be a heady experience, so the disciples were warned not to rejoice just because evil spirits had obeyed them. The main reason to rejoice was that their names were registered as citizens of heaven. Their ministry was not to become an experience of power leading to pride, but an experience of servanthood out of love for God and out of the desire for more people to join them in the Kingdom.

Jesus praised God, his Father, for making spiritual truth available to the childlike. Those who willingly submit themselves to God and do not depend upon their own wisdom will have the truth revealed to them. So often the wise and clever in this world refuse to submit themselves to God. They may not see their need for him, or they may think that their wisdom and learning have placed them in a separate class.

Jesus’ mission was to reveal God the Father to people. His words brought salvation down to earth. He explained God’s love through parables, teachings, and, most of all, his life. By examining Jesus’ actions, principles, and attitudes, those chosen by him are enabled to understand God more clearly. As used here, the word chooses does not refer to predestination; rather, it refers to Jesus’ divine status and authority to reveal saving knowledge to people.

Old Testament men of God such as David and the prophet Isaiah made many God-inspired predictions that Jesus fulfilled. As Peter later would write, these prophets wondered what their words meant and when they would be fulfilled (1 Peter 1:10-13). In Jesus’ words, they longed to see and hear what the disciples were seeing and hearing, but they could not. Despite their privileged positions as part of God’s people and God’s plan, many prophets and kings were not as blessed as this little band of disciples or all the “simple” people who came in faith to Jesus.

Jesus answered a legal expert of the law by telling a story. The rest of his listeners could easily picture this Jewish man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The distance was about seventeen miles on a road that was notoriously dangerous because it curved through rocky and desolate terrain with many hiding places for bandits. As the listeners may have anticipated, the man in this story, who was traveling alone, was attacked and left half dead.

Jesus told a story about three different people, also traveling alone on this road. This priest served in the Temple and probably offered sacrifices. The Temple assistant also served in the Temple. Both of these servants of God saw the man lying there, but both passed by without helping. Perhaps it was concern over defilement, for a Jew would become “unclean” if he came into contact with a dead body. This would render him unable to worship. The man on the road may have appeared dead, so they did not want to risk defilement if there was nothing they could do. Either way, they deliberately refused to help.

The next person to come along was a despised Samaritan. Jews hated Samaritans, so when Jesus introduced this Samaritan man into the story, the Jewish listeners would not have expected him to help a Jewish man. But in great detail, Jesus described all that the Samaritan did for this man. This Samaritan is pictured as understanding what it meant to help someone in need, to be a neighbor, regardless of racial tensions.

Having finished the story, Jesus asked the expert in the law who had been a neighbor to the wounded man. The legal expert had no choice but to answer that the one who showed him mercy—the Samaritan—had been the true “neighbor.” The Samaritan traveler and the Jewish man were far apart in distance and spiritual heritage, but the Samaritan had loved his neighbor far better than the hurt man’s own religious leaders. Jesus said that the legal expert had answered correctly and should go and do the same. Jesus taught that love is shown by action, that it must not be limited by its object, and that at times it is costly.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)

Lord, help me be a man who cares for people and loves people with my actions. Lord, us be a church that puts our faith into practice by meeting the needs of those in our community and neighborhoods. Break our hearts with that which breaks your heart.

DAY #108: Luke 9:57-10:16

Someone approached and wanted to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote that this man was a teacher of religious law. Most of these leaders became Jesus’ enemies, but at least one apparently recognized Jesus’ authority and wanted to be his disciple. Jesus’ reply, however, pointed out to the man the cost of becoming a disciple.Jesus did not grab onto disciples, eagerly taking anyone who wanted to follow.

Those who truly wanted to be his disciples needed to understand that it would cost them something. While most of God’s creatures have warm places in which to live and to sleep, the Son of Man had no home of his own, no place to lay his head. To be Jesus’ disciple, a person must willingly put aside worldly security. The words are recorded for believers’ benefit.

Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Do you understand that following Jesus is far more valuable than anything this world offers? The previous man came on his own to Jesus; this time, however, Jesus asked another man to be his disciple. But this man explained that he first needed to return home and bury his father.

The man was asking for permission to wait until his father died—an indefinite delay. The reason is not given, but whatever it was, the man wanted to do it “first.” Whether his concern was fulfilling a duty, having financial security, keeping family approval, or something else, he did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet.Jesus’ response: “Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead” points out that those who want to follow him should count the cost and set aside any conditions they might have.

In other words, let those who are spiritually dying (those who have not responded to the call to commitment) stay home and handle responsibilities such as burying the dead. This may sound insensitive, but it had precedents. A high priest and those who had taken the Nazirite vow were required by the law to avoid the corpse of even a parent (Leviticus 21:11; Numbers 6:6-8). A later Jewish precedent says that if there were enough people in attendance, a student of the Torah should not stop his studying to bury the dead.

Jesus placed commitment to God even above these precedents. As God’s Son, Jesus did not hesitate to demand complete loyalty. Even family loyalty was not to take priority over the demands of obedience to the command to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ direct challenge forces believers to evaluate their priorities.A third person approached and this one, like the first, expressed his desire to follow Jesus. However, this man also had something he wanted to do first. Jesus ascertained in this potential follower a sense of reluctance and an unfortunate willingness to put something else ahead of following Jesus.

This was not the type of follower Jesus needed.The picture of a person putting a hand to the plow and looking back can be compared with Elijah’s call of Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19-21. Elisha was called to be a prophet right in the middle of plowing a field—and he never looked back. In fact, he slaughtered the oxen so that there would be no temptation to return. Elisha then moved wholeheartedly into the ministry to which he had been called.

Jesus explained that service in the Kingdom of God was of such vital importance that his followers must make it their top priority. They must step out in faith to serve him, without looking back.What does Jesus want from his followers? Total dedication, not halfhearted commitment. His followers must accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy. They must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given them security. Nothing should distract them from service for the Kingdom.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

When I read this passage today, I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV)...

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

Lord, so many start out well. So many start out receiving You and following You and then something or someone takes their heart or steals their joy and pretty soon - BOOM - they're gone.

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." Galatians 5:7-9 (NIV)

Lord, help us build a church, help us build LIFE groups, help us build people who will follow YOU over the long haul. No mere wistful followers, but rock solid, mature people of faith

DAY #107: Luke 9:37-56

A man had brought his only son who was possessed by an evil spirit. While the symptoms described by the father sound much like an epileptic convulsion, the destructive intent of the demon was described by the father—the demon was injuring his son. This was more than mere epilepsy; it was indeed a case of demon possession. Mark’s Gospel reveals that the boy could neither speak nor hear.

This desperate man wanted his child to be freed from the demon, so he brought his son to Jesus and his disciples (the disciples had been given authority to heal demon possession). But the disciples couldn’t do it. The text does not explain the reason for their failure. Matthew explained it as the disciples’ lack of faith, Mark as a need for prayer. The disciples certainly tried, but the demon did not respond.

Jesus saw the failure of the disciples to cast out this demon as merely one more indication of the stubbornness and faithlessness surrounding him. The disciples were not singled out for rebuke, but they reflected an attitude prevalent in their society. Jesus would not stay with them forever; one day he would leave and the Spirit would come. The Spirit could help soften stubborn hearts. In the meantime, Jesus would battle this unbelief, but he would not leave this young boy in his horrible condition, so Jesus told the father to bring his son.

As if to show its anger that Jesus was now involved, the demon knocked the boy to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. It did not yell Jesus’ name as did other demons, for this one was mute, but it showed its displeasure. Jesus, however, simply rebuked the evil spirit, and it had no choice but to obey. As the boy was healed and returned to his father, the people realized that this was a display of God’s power and they were filled with awe.

Jesus did not let this healing fill him with pride, for he knew that the path ahead did not hold earthly glory and honor. As the crowd murmured their wonder at Jesus, he turned to his disciples and reminded them a second time that he was going to die. This time he added the element that he would be betrayed - this shocking truth did not sink in - instead they argued about who would be the greatest in heaven.

This argument among the disciples about who would be the greatest highlights how they did not understand Jesus’ mission. Jesus was trying to prepare these men for the suffering and rejection that would come. So Jesus called over a little child—considered the most lowly person in first-century society—to show them their false priorities.The disciples had become so preoccupied with the organization of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its divine purpose. Instead of seeking a place of service, they were seeking positions of advantage.

Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point. They were to have servant attitudes, being not “childish” (arguing over petty issues), but “childlike,” with humble and sincere hearts. Greatness would be measured by attitude toward service—“Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” True greatness means to deny oneself, willingly serve others, and then follow and obey the Master.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, remove all guile from me. Remove all impure motives and thoughts. Remove any wrong attitude. I want to serve you with a humble and sincere heart. I want to serve others selflessly.

"That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 (NIV)

Father, thank you for the people of COV. Thank you for their humble hearts. Continue to raise up men and women who just want to serve. Men and women who don't care about who gets the credit. Men and women with humble and sincere hearts.

"Let us draw near to God with a humble and sincere hearts, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22 (NCV)

DAY #106: Luke 9:18-26

One particular day, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?” The disciples’ answer echoes what the crowds had been saying and what Herod had heard. This belief may have come from Deuteronomy 18:18, where God said he would raise up a prophet from among the people. All of these responses were incorrect, revealing that the people still didn’t recognize Jesus’ true identity.

Peter, who often acted as the spokesman for the disciples, answered. Peter’s said, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” Peter did not understand the exact nature of Jesus’ ministry, but he knew one fact for sure—Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus responded to Peter’s confession that he was the Messiah with a prophecy of his own death and resurrection and then went on to warn the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ because at this point they didn’t fully understand the significance of that confession of faith. Even though Jesus was the Messiah, he still had to suffer many terrible things, be rejected, and be killed. Jesus then added that after all those tragic events occurred, three days later he would be raised from the dead.

When the disciples saw all this happen to Jesus, they would understand what the Messiah had come to do and the kind of Kingdom he was preparing. Jesus didn’t make following him sound very easy. Denying one’s personal desires and taking up a cross in order to follow this man was not what most of them had bargained for. To put aside one’s selfish ambition means a willingness to let go of selfish desires and earthly security. “Self” is no longer in charge; God is.

To shoulder one’s cross daily means to follow Jesus to the death if necessary. To follow Jesus means recognizing that belief is only the beginning of discipleship. Following Jesus doesn’t mean walking behind him, but taking the same road of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Because Jesus walks ahead, he provides an example and stands with his followers as encourager, guide, and friend.

Those who invest their life for Christ and his Kingdom will receive eternal life, as well as the satisfaction of serving God on earth. Those who give up control to God find that he fills their lives with himself. Many people are willing to turn away from Christ in order to stay in a relationship, hold on to a sin, or stay on a career path. Jesus explained, however, that even if someone could gain the whole world, it would be of no benefit if it means losing his or her soul in the process.

Drowsily, Peter, James, and John awoke to an extraordinary sight—Moses and Elijah, with Jesus, standing together in a moment of glorious heavenly splendor. Stunned—Peter blurted out that he would build three shrines. Peter’s instant reaction was to commemorate this moment of glory, at this very site. But God himself answered Peter. No shrines were needed; instead the disciples needed to recognize Jesus’ unique identity—that he was God’s Son—and obey what he told them to do.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Anytime, anyplace with anyone at whatever cost - I will follow Jesus. That is the essence of Luke 9:23. Would to God that this would be the legacy of my life and the legacy of the my family and the legacy of the people of COV. Deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow wherever He leads.

God, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would continue to work in the hearts of people at COV. That they would be drawn into a closer walk with You. That they would increasingly have a sense of Your call upon their lives. That they would surrender in submission to Your will and Your ways.

Lord, raise up true disciples. Men and women and students and children who will pay the price to be Your people.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

DAY #105: Luke 9:1-17

Jesus had chosen twelve disciples for special training. The men had traveled with Jesus, observed him, and listened to his teaching. Now they were to take a more active part in Jesus’ ministry; they themselves would go out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God. More than that, Jesus also gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases.

The disciples were to travel light. The urgency of their task required that they not spend time preparing for the trip. Besides, it was to be a short trip after which they would come back and report to Jesus. As disciples sent by God, they were to depend on him and on the people to whom they ministered to meet their needs. In addition, whatever home showed them hospitality was the home where they were to stay until they left that town. The disciples were not to offend their hosts by moving to a home that was more comfortable or socially prominent. To remain in one home was not a burden for the homeowner because there would only have been two together at a time and their stay in each community would be short.

The disciples were instructed to depend on others while they went from town to town preaching the gospel. This had a good effect: (1) it clearly showed that the Messiah had not come to offer wealth to his followers; (2) it forced the disciples to rely on God’s power and not on their own provision—they carried no outward symbols of authority, only the inward power that Christ gave them; (3) it involved the villagers and made them more eager to hear the message. This was an excellent approach for the disciples’ short-term mission; it was not intended, however, to be a permanent way of life for them. Jesus’ instructions pertained only to this particular mission, so this would not be a command for missionaries today. Different times and situations would call for different measures, both then and now.

The disciples could be sure of finding hospitality from some people, but Jesus told them to also expect places where they would not be welcomed. Jesus’ instructions for such a town was that as the disciples were leaving, they were to shake off its dust from their feet. Shaking off dust that had accumulated on one’s sandals showed extreme contempt for an area and its people, as well as the determination not to have any further involvement with them. Six teams of two began their circuit of the villages—perhaps going back to villages in which Jesus had already preached, or going where he did not have time to go. They went with Jesus’ authority and power—preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

The disciples needed rest; Jesus wanted quiet teaching time with them, but this was not to be. The crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. Matthew wrote that they had gone by boat, and the crowds went on foot and met Jesus when he landed. Far from being upset by the interruption of their plans, Jesus welcomed the people, using the opportunity afforded by their interest to teach them about the Kingdom of God.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The two highest priorities of my life must be to; 1) Reach people for Christ. Evangelism. 2) Equip and train people for Christ. Discipleship. Lord, help me about those two things every day of my life. Lord, whatever else I get done throughout the day, remind me, burden me with the truth that if I am not about these things I have missed the boat.

Jesus knew what his mission was. “I must be about My Father’s business.” Luke 2:29
At the end of His life, Jesus was able to say, “I have completed the work You gave Me to do.” John 17:4. I’ve got to know who I am if I’m ever going to be effective in ministry for Jesus Christ. That involves knowing my strengths. It involves knowing my weaknesses. It involves knowing my limitations.

One of the goals of our church is to help you make a difference with your life based on who God made you to be. If you don’t understand this principle you’re driven by insecurity in your ministry. As a result you tend to overwork, you’re hard on yourself, you’re hard on other people and it just doesn’t work out.

You know who you are by knowing whose you are. And knowing that God has given you specific gifts. 2 Corinthians 12:4-5 says, “God gives us many kinds of special abilities and there are different kinds of service to God. There are many ways in which God works in our lives but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are His.”

Paul is simply saying here that you’re different. You’re unique. So your ministry is going to be different than any other ministry even if you’re in the same ministry as somebody else. God made every one us, like snowflakes, unique. Know who you are and whose you are. Lord, raise up men and women at COV who seek to find their giftedness and passion and then use those in the service of the Kingdom.

DAY #104: Luke 8:40-56

Jesus returned across the Sea of Galilee, back to Jewish territory, probably landing at Capernaum. In contrast to the crowd on the eastern shore that had asked him to leave, here the crowds received Jesus with open arms. A man in the crowd had apparently been waiting for Jesus to return. Jairus was a leader of the local synagogue. Despite his status, Jairus came and fell down at Jesus’ feet, begging him to come home with him. This would have been an unusual scene, but Jairus was desperate because his only child was dying, a little girl twelve years old. Jairus’s position as a loving father overshadowed his position as a leader. He put aside any concern for himself and went directly to the man who had healed so many.

One woman also had been awaiting Jesus’ return. Perhaps she had hoped to reach out to him when he came back and thus be healed. But Jairus got to Jesus first, and now they were walking away from her. Perhaps she thought this would be her only chance—she might not be able to talk to Jesus, but she knew she wanted to be healed. Luke, the physician, wrote that the woman had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. Many doctors had tried to cure her, but with no success. The bleeding caused the woman to be in a constant condition of ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 15:25-33).

She could not worship in the synagogue, and she could not have normal social relationships, for under Jewish law, anyone who touched her also would become unclean. Thus, the woman had been treated almost as severely as a leper. That she was in the crowd at all was a courageous move on her part. If all those people bumping against her in the crowd had known her condition, she would have been in for some rough treatment.

Nevertheless, she also desperately needed Jesus. So she pressed her way through the crowd, came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe for she believed, as did many people, that the clothes of a holy man imparted spiritual and healing power. The moment that she touched Jesus, the bleeding stopped. Immediately her pain was gone and she knew that she was healed.

The woman had hoped to disappear into the crowd. But Jesus knew about the healing the moment it happened. He asked the seemingly absurd question, “Who touched me?” While the whole crowd had been pressing up against him, no one close by had deliberately touched him. It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t know who had touched him. He wanted the woman to step forward and identify herself. Jesus wanted to teach her that his cloak did not contain magical properties, but that her faith in him had healed her.

The woman realized that to try to slip away at that point would have been impossible. The woman came forward, trembling, and fell down before Jesus. She explained to the crowd why she had touched him. This was not a simple act—for she would have to explain how she—unclean and filled with a dreadful disease—had come in among the crowd, had reached out and touched a man (a rabbi) in her unclean state, and had hoped to slip away. All these were huge infractions of social laws and would have probably been grounds for anger from any other rabbi and any other crowd. But this was no ordinary rabbi, for she also explained that when she had touched Jesus, she had been immediately healed.

Jesus explained that it was not his clothing that had healed her; rather, her faith in reaching out to the one Person who could heal her had allowed that healing to take place. Not only did the woman have faith, but she had also placed her faith in the right person. During this interval, Jairus had been waiting. Jesus was still speaking to this woman who had interrupted his walk to Jairus’s house when a messenger arrived. What Jairus feared most had happened. His dear little girl had died. It was too late for the Teacher to heal her, so there was no longer any reason to bring Jesus to his home.

Upon hearing the news, Jairus surely reacted in great sorrow. It seemed that the delay had been too long, and it was now too late. But Jesus turned to the grieving man and said, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.” In the presence of Jairus, the woman had been commended for her faith. Here in the presence of the woman, Jairus was told to have faith. He had believed that Jesus could heal his daughter; Jesus wanted him to continue to believe that his daughter would be all right. The fact that the daughter had died did not change anything for Jesus.

When they arrived at the house, however, Jesus took control and made everyone stay outside. The house full of people probably included relatives and neighbors, as well as professional mourners who may have already arrived. Lack of weeping and wailing was the ultimate disgrace and disrespect. Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, was an important person in the town. Thus, at the death of his only daughter, the townspeople demonstrated their great love and respect by their intense grief.

Yet their weeping turned to derisive laughter at Jesus’ words that the girl was not dead, only asleep. She was indeed dead, but Jesus would bring her back to life, as if awakening her from sleep. Jesus used the image of sleep to indicate that the girl’s condition was temporary and that she would be restored. For Jesus, death is nothing more than sleep, for he has power and authority over death.

Again Jesus went against all ceremonial law and took the dead girl by the hand. Jesus’ words were simple and direct, “Get up, my child!” While Mark recorded the words in Aramaic (Mark 5:41), as Jesus most likely said them, Luke translated for his Gentile audience. With those words, her life returned. She came back well, whole, and able to walk around. She was even well enough to eat, for Jesus gave her parents instructions to give her something to eat.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

As a follow up to yesterdays question: The purpose of the Bible is to change our lives and make us more like Jesus. The subtle temptation when reading the Bible is to fill our heads full of knowledge and miss the personal application. Everyday, God desires to change us and make us more like Jesus.

Today, we see the power of Christ and the care of Christ. Quite simply Jesus loves people. Everybody matters to Him. He misses no one. Would to God that I would be like that. See a need in someones life and meet that need. Be in tune and in touch with those around me. Others awareness. God break my heart with the the things that break the heart of your people. Give me eyes to see and a heart to come alongside of others and walk with them through life. Raise up men and women at COV with that same heart.

"When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd." Matthew 9:36 (MB)