The Challenge -- Day 108

Today's Scripture: Luke 13:1-17

But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath,

kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done;

come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day."

Luke 13:14 NRSV

The leader was indignant. Webster's defines the word as "feeling or showing anger over something unjust or wrong: very angry." The leader thought it OK to water his donkey on the Sabbath, but not to heal a human being. Rules for keeping the Sabbath were miles long. You can do this on the Sabbath, but you can't do this. This is considered work... this is not. Rules pile up on rules and slowly the most absurd thing happens: a donkey becomes more valuable than a child of God.

Is there something you value more than a person? Some cause or passion which drives you to choose the rule over the person? How do you think Jesus might respond to the rule?

Show me, Lord, where I have minimized people

and let a rule or cause become more important.

Bless me with a heart like Yours---

one filled with compassion, mercy, and grace.

The Challenge -- Day 107

Today's Scripture: Luke 12:35-59
(Click on the link to read these verses.)

Just this morning my husband sent me an e-mail about end times. He asked me, "What do you think?" Many wonder if we are living in the end times. The disciples wondered too. Those Jesus taught asked questions about it often: "When is your kingdom coming?" "How will we know the time?"

These are two thousand year old questions. Jesus said even He did not know the hour or day, only Father God knows. Jesus tells us in this portion of Luke to be ready. That's it... just be ready. Be dressed for action. Have your lamp lit. Be ready.

Drawing closer to Jesus is the only way to be ready. The truth is He's here today in this moment... right now. What can you do today to draw closer to Him?

Father God, show me the areas in my life where I am not ready for Jesus's return.

Prepare my heart to receive correction and respond with obedience.

Fill my spirit with the urgency of Your coming Kingdom.

Fuel my desire to draw closer to You.

I so want to be ready...

The Challenge -- Day 106

Today's Scripture: Luke 12:22-34
(Click on the link to read the verses.)

I wonder how many times we've heard these verses? How many times a friend has said, "Don't worry." We know it is a sin. We know we shouldn't do it. We know... but, we just can't help ourselves. Jesus' description of the disciples fits me, "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

On a scale from 1 to 10 where do you fall on the worry scale? Have you ever considered worry is either about the past or the future. It removes us from the present... the now... which is the only time and place we connect with God. Each time you worry today write it down. At the end of the day take your worry list to the Father then... throw it away.

Lord, when I worry it is a sign of unbelief in my heart.

I don't believe You will use difficult circumstances and

broken relationships for my good. When I worry about

the future I don't believe You are good or sovereign ---

in control of all things. I believe... help my unbelief...

The Challenge -- Day 105

Today's Scripture: Luke12:1-21
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how  you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say;  for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.”

I've spent so much time defending myself. I've spent hours rolling a response to something over and over again in my head. This is a trust issue. Jesus said Holy Spirit would teach us what to say. The hard part are these four words, "at that very hour." No before... no preparation needed. Just trust the Spirit to give you words when you need them.

Do you trust God enough to provide a defense at the time you need it? What does this kind of trust look like for you today?

Father God, replace the rise of defensive emotions with Your peace.

Holy Spirit, bless me with words of wisdom when I feel attacked.

Jesus, remind me I'm fully accepted in You.

The Challenge -- Day 104

Today's Scripture: Luke 11:24-54
(Click on the link to read the scripture.)

Jesus is clearly not too happy with the religious leaders. His words like arrows hitting a bullseye when it comes to their hearts. Basically they were all about making it hard to get to God. Rule after rule to obey kept people out. It was like lighting a lamp, placing it in a closet and shutting the door. A mile long list of rules kept them from drawing close to the light.

I would like to think that I'm different. Some days I am. Others... not so much. I have my own list of rules. Reasons why some are welcome to the light... others aren't. Let's call it what it is... judgment.

Do you have the same tendency I do to judge others? Pay attention to your thoughts about others today. What are they revealing to you?

Lord, replace my list of rules with love.

Love for You and love for others.