Soul-Winning without a net

 Most Christians take the great commission (Matt 28), as a serious expectation to evangelize, or to "Preach the gospel" to everyone. However, the methods employed are often more like a sales pitch than a gospel witness. When you consider those who are living as disciples of Christ, did they come to Christ because of a sales pitch, or through personal observation of someone else living out Christ's good news?

Remembering the Good Old Days - or not

 

Many of us are tempted to rewrite our histories to be happier or somehow better than our current circumstances. Even Gods' people began to feel nostalgic for their days of slavery, because of the food that was available (Ex 16). As Christians, we might be tempted to think that a particular decade was more moral, or more spiritual because we fail to recall all happened in that time.

The Burning Bush

 

The Bible describes Moses as curious when he saw the burning bush (Exodus 3). He left off from his work as a shepherd to draw near to the bush and focus on it. What appeals to your curiosity? Are you drawn to God's presence in the everyday life?

Waiting on God

 

God's miraculous call of Moses to service (Exodus 3) occurred when Moses least expected it. Before receiving God's word and a commission to do God's work, Moses had to remove his shoes and come closer to the burning bush. We often try to force God to respond to our need for instant attention rather than waiting on Him in daily prayer and mediation. How do you wait on God?

Jacob's Ladder

 Jacob's dream of the ladder (Gen 28) reaching to Heaven and accommodating angelic movement might remind us of the way Christ bridges the mundane and ordinary bits of life with full presence of God Himself (1 Tim 2:5). How is God trying to break into your life today?

Are you stepping away from God's love?

 When Christians talk about remaining, or continuing in the "Love of God", it often sounds like a mental exercise in remembering to love God. In the gospel of John (Jn 15:9-17), the phrase seems more related to loving God by loving others. Maybe the best way to remain in love with God, is by showing His love to others. How can you love others this week?

Paul glories in...pain?

 The Apostle Paul, one of the most influential voices of the early Church, did not brag about his position. Instead, Paul acknowledged his ongoing prayer for relief and God's refusal to take the impediment from him (2 Co 12). While we don't know what Paul suffered from, we know that this affliction did not undermine his faith or his work. What weaknesses can you be thankful for?

The Ironic Gift

 

When the affluent Christians of Jerusalem found themselves suffering a lack of status and economic opportunity, the less affluent churches of Macedonia gave what they could to assist their fellow Christians
(2 Co 8:7-15). Demonstrations of love like this caused many communities to understand the transformative power of the gospel and to embrace Christianity.

Welcoming EVERYONE - Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

 One of the earliest Christians was a eunuch in service to the queen of Ethiopia. As a eunuch, this servant was discouraged from many religious practices, but was interested in spiritual things. Phillip shared the gospel and immediately welcomed his new brother-in-faith to the church. This was signified with an impromptu baptism. Are you like Phillip, welcoming everyone into the family of God? Acts 8

Lessons in inequity

The first issue the early Church had to address was inequity in care for widows and orphans (Acts 6). The Greek population of the Church was receiving less care than the Jewish population. Rather than reduce care or attempt to explain away the inequities, the Church sought wisdom from God. God provided the disciples with a method that not only met their need, but actually spread the gospel throughout the world.

A dinner announcement

 

While dining with Jesus, Zacchaeus declared that he would give half of his wealth to the poor, and that he would repay anyone he had cheated in business with interest (Luke 19). Zacchaeus's self-sacrifice did not save him, but it did show just how serious he was about following Jesus. How serious are you when it comes to your faith?

The problem with the cheering section

 

While entering Jerusalem, a crowd of excited followers cheered Jesus. The religious leaders were terrified that the occupying Roman army would overhear the crowd calling Jesus "king" and then kill everyone in the assembly (Lk 19). Jesus asserted that the crowd had to proclaim this, even though their proclamation would certainly result in Jesus' death. What stops you from praising Jesus with your words and life?

Can you give up power?

 When King Herod discovered that the Christ, who would one day rule Herod's kingdom, had just been born, Herod was determined to hold onto his political power by killing the Christ before he could be king. Herod's desperation to remain king resulted in a death sentence for any child under the age of two. What terrible acts would you be willing to commit to hold your power or privilege? Matt 2:16-18

How exclusive is your Jesus?

 

Every group has criteria that must be met to join it. Even the most inclusive group might require you embrace inclusivity, thus creating a criteria that must be met. Christianity's criteria is asking Christ for forgiveness (Jn 14). There is no requirement that you hold to any particular political views, or perform any tasks, or be of any race, or speak a specific language, or wear specific clothes. The only criteria is Christ.

For the Joy...

 Christ's vicarious death not only paid for our sins, but also gave us insight into what He valued. The phrase "for the joy that was set before him" (Heb 12:2) reminds us of the intensity of God's love for us. Although we have nothing to offer God, He still loves us and thought we were worth redeeming. Can you rely on God's great love when you feel insignificant, unimportant, or even worthless?

The secret origin of shame

 Shame is first found in the story of Adam and Eve. When they broke God's commandment in the Garden of Eden, they immediately felt shame and hid. God didn't force them to feel shame, they felt it before being confronted. God then provides a way to alleviate their shame, and through Jesus Christ, we have been given the ultimate remedy for our shame. Do you bring the hope of Christ, or the shame of sin?

My God, My God why have you forsaken me?

While dying on the cross, Christ quoted Psalm 22. This Psalm described King David's suffering at the time of its writing, but also foretold the details of Christ's death. By living out the words of Psalm 22, Christ entered into David's suffering, and demonstrated that He would be able to enter into our suffering with us. 
 If you are feeling hopeless, consider letting this Psalm be your prayer.

Caring for the Cause

 God's care for His people is not always straightforward. After calling a drought on the land, Elijah suffered along with those he had cursed (1 Kings 7). God directed Elijah to a poor woman, whose suffering was undoubtedly increased by the drought. During this extreme time, she ensured the cause of  her increased suffering(Elijah) was given provision, and God blessed her for it in two unique ways.

Does your life demonstrate how much you've been forgiven?

 

An unnamed woman demonstrated an unusual amount of care for Jesus. While Jesus was dining with a religious leader, she washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed him with very valuable perfumed oil. The woman was known to be a "sinner," but Jesus is not heard judging her sins. Instead, he corrects those who were offended by her, by telling a story of what love looks like.
(Lk 7:36-50)

Considering Hell

 

Jesus told a story of a man who finds himself suffering in Hell (Lk 16). The suffering described all stems from the man excluding God from his life. While considering the horrors of Hell, we should also consider that God loved us so much that He allowed His Son to suffer the pain of Hell of for us. Jesus took the Hell we deserve, Rom 3:25. The darkest punishment you can conceiver has been applied to Jesus for you.