The Challenge -- Day 113

Today's Scripture: Luke 16
(Just click on the link if you do not have your bible handy.)

"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others..." It is so easy to get caught in the justification game. Making excuses or coming up with reasons why we act the way we do. I have asked the question many times, "Why did you do that?" The real answer is usually far from our lips.

Wesley understood grace in three ways. One of them he called justifying grace. This is the grace that saves us. It is the point when we say Yes to God. This is the grace that restores our relationship with God and we are made "right" in and through Jesus.

Today, let's lay down our need to justify ourselves. Let's let go of the need to always be right... always have a reason for acting the way we do.

Lord, You alone are the source of my justification by grace alone.

There is no right in me apart from You. Keep this truth before me

as I go through my day. Teach me to walk humbly in Your grace.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption

that is in Christ Jesus...

Romans 3;23-24 KJV

The Challenge -- Day 112

Today's Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

Consider the people in this parable... the youngest son, oldest son, the father. Which one do you find yourself most like?

Are you the father trying to make the best decision to parent your child? Have they run away from home and you are in a time of waiting? Maybe you are rejoicing as you look up the road and find a glimpse of them?

Could it be you are more like the youngest son? Wanting what you want when you want it. Have you spent things you wish you had back? Have you found yourself amidst the pig slop and want to go home?

The oldest son was obedient from the beginning... always paying his dues on time. Maybe you are most like him. Do you feel overlooked, taken advantage of in some way? Have you become bitter or indignant towards the ones who seem to receive no punishment?

I have identified with each person in some way at some point in my life. I've been a waiting parent, a reckless younger brother, and a bitter older one too. There is good news in this story for each one: a parent doesn't have to wait forever... you can return home... and your inheritance, the one you didn't squander because of your obedience, is still there. But the best news is the truth revealed through the parable. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and longs for relationship with us.

Father God, I love that You are waiting for me to return.

I love that You are willing to receive me when I finally understand my need.

Open my heart to every waiting parent, lost child, and self-righteous individual.

May I love them as You do, receive them as You do, with joy and celebration

when they find their way to You.

The Challenge -- Day 111

Today's Scripture: Luke 14:25-15:10
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

The Greek word for repentance means "to turn" as in to turn from evil and towards good. Sometimes we get confession and repentance confused. Admitting our sin is the first step in repentance, but it is not the only step. Turning from the sin towards God is the true meaning of repentance.

Do you have a sin in your life that keeps coming up? You find yourself confessing the same thing over and over. What is something you can do to turn from the sin today.

Lord, every sin I commit increases Your pain on the cross.

Fill my heart with the reality of Your love for me ---

the love that held You to the cross.

Grow me to love You as much as You love me,

then I will sacrifice my wants for You

and turn from my sin.

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 110

Today's Scripture: Luke 14:1-24
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

I have this friend who often parks in the far back of the parking lot where she works. The first time I saw her car there even though there were plenty of spots closer to the door, I grinned to myself. I asked her later, but I already knew. Even parking your car can be a spiritual discipline when it is done with Jesus' teaching in mind.

Jesus told a wedding parable and reminded those around them to take the lowest seat at the banquet table. This is so counter to our nature. We want to be first in line, head of the class, and sit on thrones. I will drive in circles looking for a parking spot just to be close to the door. If we are not careful, we often find ourselves refusing the lowest seat when the time comes.

It is Sunday and we have a little more time so take a moment to look up the definition of humble.

Does this describe you? Who you are?

Have you ever taken the last place on purpose... because this very intentional act is a practice of humility? Well, if not, today is the day. According to your physical ability take the parking spot furthest from the door today, sit in the least desirable seat, be last in line.

Father God, open my eyes to my place in Your Kingdom.

Jesus, who is the greatest, took the lowest place.

 He took my place on the cross... Keep this truth close to my heart,

ever on my thoughts. Let this truth transform me.

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them,

"If anyone would be first, he must be last of all

and servant of all." ---Jesus

Mark 9:35 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 109

Today's Scripture: Luke 13:18-35
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

"What is the kingdom of God like? 

...a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden..."

That's it! That's all you need. There are days that's all I've got: ...faith like a grain of a mustard seed... 

Hebrews says, "Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see." The times I'm not sure at all are the times I remember this seed. Just look at it. Doesn't seem big enough to grow a weed much less an entire tree. And here's the beauty of it... no matter how hard we try or work we can't make a seed grow. Only God makes things grow.

There is freedom in this thought... ONLY God makes things grow. Today is a day to scatter seed. No worries about what or how it will grow. That job belongs to God! Amen and Amen!

Lord God, remind me to scatter seeds in all sorts of places...

to freely cast Your love, compassion, mercy, grace to all!

You alone have the responsibility of making Your Kingdom grow,

I want to do my part in scattering seed, kneading in Your Word

into my family, church, work --- every community in which I live.

But I leave the growth up to You and will not become discouraged

if I do not see any fruit from my work. I will wait on You!

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

James 5:7 ESV