Considered and Helpful Advice

Scripture: The good man gives wise advice, but the liar’s counsel is shunned. The upright speak what is helpful; the wicked speak rebellion. Proverbs 10:31-32

Observation: This is wise advice about what is spoken. A good man who gives good advice councils others with helpful words and thoughts. However, the wicked give advice designed to stir conflict.

Application: I have been praying in concern for the young men of my church recently. I am now one of the older members of the church, and we have many, many younger men who have recently come to faith. They are very good men, eager to discuss their faith, to learn more and more about Jesus, and to serve in the church. That has been wonderful! It is such a blessing to see others step into lead positions and own responsibility for the Lord's house.

However, I know the "degree of difficulty" that comes with our church. I know the attacks of the enemy that will come. And I am concerned that, when such attacks come, these men may not be prepared. I have been considering how I may advise them in order to prepare them ... first, if I should, and second, what I should say.

Therefore, Proverbs has shown me today that I should be prepared to give them wise advice, and to speak that advice in a manner that is helpful. I wish to strengthen them with courage and honor, not create a heart of fear or trepidation. And I wish to do it in a manner that demonstrates they are valued as new leaders and strong brothers. The words must be wise and helpful, and not create any rebellion with 'the world'.

Prayer: Lord, may you be with the men on my heart, this day and every day. Keep them under your protective wing, and in your blessing. Give them strong lives of faith. As you guide me, I am willing to advise and serve them, as one who has seen your mighty hand. I seek your Spirit and word in this. Amen.

Seeking but Rejecting Authority

Scripture: Then those who were sent by the Pharisees asked him, "If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?" John 1:24-25

Observation: John the Baptist is questioned about whom he is, and these are the three choices given ... the promised Messiah, Elijah returned, or "the Prophet" (an individual promised by Moses as his successor, because the Jews feared to hear God's voice directly). When John denies being any of those three, they question John's authority to baptize.

Interestingly, the Jews fully reject the authority of ... all three of the individuals they are implying would have authority. There have been many, many prophets since Moses through whom God has spoken, and they have rejected most. Elijah was so rejected that he was hunted by the king of Israel. When Jesus shows himself to be Messiah, they will reject him too.

There is something about mankind that we seek those with authority to guide and protect us, but reject their instructions that exist to guide and protect us. This is especially true when it comes to God, as many desire a peaceful, happy life, but reject God's instructions, council, guidance, and even his promise and love.

Application: Every day, I do something where I think to myself 'I shouldn't do this' ... and then I do it. The "shouldn't" is often based on knowing God's teaching. Maybe it's getting angry or frustrated about something that I know is meaningless in God's kingdom. Maybe it's a sinful or hateful thought. Maybe it's speaking a small lie.

Clearly, it is common for people to desire authority then reject it. However, I must not do that with God. I am under his authority, and must accept it.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the times I reject your authority, council, teaching, precepts, laws, and instructions. May I be more obedient, as I am committed to being under your authority as my Lord and my God. Amen.

Proof of Spiritual War

Scripture: Here is a list of the areas still to be occupied: All the land of the Philistines ... Five cities of the Philistines: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron. Joshua 13:2a,3b

Observation: God reviews with Joshua the areas of the promised land that have not yet been claimed. This was not unexpected, as God had even told Moses that they would win the land over time, as they grew in number. God outlines large territories based on mostly natural landmarks that are still to be settled. However, the land of the Philistines - and specifically these five cities - is specially significant.

This area will remain a thorn in the side of God and his chosen people ... well, for millennia now. Sampson himself went to battle against Ashkelon. All of Israel's and Judah's kings will struggle with the Philistines based in these cities. I know a pastor attempting even now to plant the first ever Christian church in Ashdod, and facing great resistance. In modern world affairs, the "Gaza strip" is a land of conflict and a final holdout of 'Palestine' fighting against Israel.

There is a reason the Lord named these five cities as a specific problem ~3,500 years ago, and it has nothing to do with whether or not he himself could have removed this conflict from his people. It is more likely he has allowed this issue to persist as further evidence of his awareness, control, and authority over the years, including his ability to humble his people while also giving them hope and opportunity to serve him.

Application: I personally see this region - Israel today and the tension with Palestine, Jordan, and others - as proof of supernatural, evil resistance to Yahweh. I am not calling any people-group evil, I am stating that there is obvious evidence that there is supernatural resistance to God's people, centered in this tiny land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. That can't happen for nearly the entirety of recorded human history without some spiritual reason, and spiritual reasons cannot exist without a spiritual realm.

The Lord is in full control, of that I am certain. I see the struggles today in Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, and it only re-enforces for me the fact that the Lord is managing the situation, just like he was when he reviewed the plans for the promised land with Joshua.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for Israel and the entire middle east. Everything that happens there is part of your plan, though clearly it would be impossible for us to understand, except to know that the battles we see are just the earthly manifestation of the spiritual war waged against your great love by evil forces. May we someday see your peace and love reign in land. Amen.

When Given Great Understanding

Scripture: Then Jesus quoted them passage after passage from the writings of the prophets, beginning with the book of Genesis and going right on through the Scriptures, explaining what the passages meant and what they said about himself. Luke 24:27

Observation: After his resurrection, Jesus twice teaches the disciples about Messianic prophesy. One is generally to the "disciples" and is generally considered to be what was taught for his 40 days after the resurrection. Here is another time. During a seven mile walk, likely taking 2-3 hours, Jesus spends time with Cleopas and another unnamed man - both clearly believers and disciples but neither part of the 12 core disciples - teaching them about all the Messianic passages in the Old Testament, beginning with Genesis itself.

This is one of the greatest lessons there could be. This is, in fact, the one lesson that would have fully convinced any Jew of Jesus' Messianic status pre-crucifixion. Now that his work is complete, Jesus can fully demonstrate how every prophesy was fulfilled by word, deed, and events. And he passes this amazing knowledge to ... one unnamed person, and one person not previously named. This very deep and very personal knowledge is both an honor and a responsibility, as it gives these two people the unique ability to tell others about Jesus, and to pass along the knowledge and thus give others that same ability.

Application: In some way, Jesus has given us all some unique knowledge about him - his love, his nature, his lordship - that is ours to tell others. For many, this is our testimony ... our story about how we encountered Jesus and what he means in our lives. For some, this is truly special knowledge or insight into some component of his nature. We may receive this knowledge through actual divine means, or by being provide understanding of a biblical teaching.

For me, I have my testimony of how Jesus responded to me in my time of despair. I also have very clear understanding of why we need to communicate about Jesus in certain ways to non-believers, which is based in specific teachings of Paul. Similarly, Cleopas and his companion were given both the experience of their encounter, and deep knowledge about prophesy.

It is encouraging to see how Jesus still teaches us and gives us great understanding about himself, through both our interaction with him, and the word of God.

Prayer: Lord, you knowledge is so wonderful and so great, but it is never greater than when it pertains to yourself and the Messianic promise of Jesus. Thank you for your love, which gives us all understanding of our faith. May I find ways to guide others to discovering your love and knowledge as well. Amen.

Contemplating God's Gambits

Scripture: So Joshua and his army conquered the whole country—the nations and kings of the hill country, the Negeb, the lowlands, and the mountain slopes. They destroyed everyone in the land, just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded. Joshua 10:40

Observation: This conquest of an entire region begins with one king - the king of Jerusalem - fearing the alliance between Israel and Gibeon. Instead of attacking Israel, he rallies four other kings, and the five of them plan to attack Gibeon. Joshua, leading Israel, responds by attacking those armies, leveraging the miracle of the sun stopping for an entire day to finish the work, then systematically destroying the "helper" cities, plus four more. This effectively cleared the "hill country" for Israel.

It is interesting to note, however, that the motivation of this event is ... Jerusalem choosing to attack Gibeon. Gibeon has tricked Israel into a peace treaty, and Jerusalem will end up un-attacked by Israel and in fact un-taken for a couple centuries. The two city-states that therefore sparked Joshua into this action are not conquered by Joshua.

Application: It is interesting to consider how God creates circumstances to achieve his outcomes, both from the perspective of the outcomes and the perspective of the underlying circumstances. In this case, Gibeon has deceived Israel, but God uses that lie and resulting error by Israel to instigate a victory for Israel. God further uses the fear of the king of Jerusalem to make every other city in the region vulnerable, even though Jerusalem itself is a great stronghold with no reason to fear.

How is God using today's circumstances to advance his kingdom? How can cultural conflict, race riots, pandemic, and political division actively improve the ability of the Church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ? We have seen some of this, as a year ago the move to online church amidst personal fears created a way to engage new believers. So what is next?

I like the idea from the teaching this week, that the church is on the once place where cultural repair and cross-cultural communication occurs. Those who are seeking to improve cultural conflict should be encouraged to consider widespread Christianity as a way for achieving their aim. I hope for the chance to spread that invitation.

Prayer: Lord, may I have the courage to communicate your kingdom to others. Amen.

When the Conflict Isn't Faithful

Scripture: On one of those days when he was teaching and preaching the Good News in the Temple, he was confronted by the chief priests and other religious leaders and councilmen. They demanded to know by what authority he had driven out the merchants from the Temple. Luke 20:1-2

Observation: Jesus has driven the merchants from the temple, and the priests come to confront Jesus about it. He refuses to answer their question about his authority, as likewise they can't answer his question about John's authority. However, it is interesting to note the initiating cause of this conflict, which is the fact Jesus expelled the merchants.

The priests should have no real interest in the merchants. The merchants function to provide sacrificial wares to travelers coming to the temple ... likely ranging from animals (so they didn't have to transport their own), to ceremonial items and clothes they may need. Such transactions should be meaningless to the priests who are performing their duties to God, and even if such transactions are necessary for worshippers, the location of those transactions - inside the temple court or on nearby city streets - is irrelevant.

However, this is the event that has triggered the latest escalated conflict between Jesus and the chief priest. Why would something that should be meaningless actually trigger major escalation? The obvious answer is that ... for some reason, expelling the merchants wasn't meaningless to the priests, and the most likely conclusion is that they received kickbacks from the merchants. It wasn't just that the merchants defiled the temple, but that the "den of thieves" Jesus referred to extended to an entire network of money-exchanges, extending all the way to the chief priest.

The priests receive their livelihood from God, via the sacrifices and donations of the people. Instead, the priests were also generating side-income from the temple-centric commercial marketplace. The fact their conflict with Jesus has no basis in an issue of law or faith, indicates that it is based in an issue in conflict with law and faith.

Application: We have SO many conflicts these days that have no grounding in the bible. It is critical to remember that we - believers - have no reason to engage in any conflict that is not well-founded in the word of God. Any other conflict isn't just baseless, but may even be contrary to the Lord's will.

God wasn't opposed to priests having money. However, he had provided a model for them to receive compensation by his laws related to sacrifice. Seeking their own income therefore removes part of their relationship with God, is in conflict with scriptures, and thus contrary to God's will for the priests' lives.

God wants me to love other people, but not through pronouncements about health practices, and certainly not through angry protests that divide and endanger. The bible tells us how to love others, and doing something different may be truly wrong in the sight of God.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us good instructions and guidance through the prophets and Jesus himself, about how to proceed in this world, even in such a time as this. May I take steps each day that don't just pursue your purposes, but do so as you have instructed. Amen.

Free Will and Outcomes

Scripture: I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that you would choose life; that you and your children might live! Deuteronomy 30:19

Observation: As Moses concludes, he points out that Israel has a choice. They can choose to obey the Lord and receive blessing and life, or rebel against God and choose curse and death. The people have the right to choose, and they are fully informed of the pros and cons of their choices. That said, God himself knows that Israel will rebel and turn away from the laws, and thus will need saving in the future.

Application: How many people today choose their free will decision to ignore God, partially because they reject the cause-and-effect outcome of their decision? They either ignore or don't know that rejecting God means opting into a curse, but accepting the Lord means opting into blessing. God really couldn't be any clearer about this. He even over time gives us multiple ways to choose obedience and thus seek blessing and life, through love, alignment, and even just faith in Jesus. 

I fail to always obey the Lord's laws and precepts and guidance and teaching, but I still opt into life through faith in Jesus ... and I try in my flawed way to comply. How sad for those who fully reject the Lord, and thus actively declare their desire to be cursed. I wish they more fully understood their choice.

Prayer: Lord, may those around me, be they friends at work or strangers I pass by, learn and better understand the impact on their future of their choice related to Jesus. I would desire they choose life and blessing, by faith. Amen.

Longing for God's River

Scripture: There is a river of joy flowing through the city of our God—the sacred home of the God above all gods. God himself is living in that city; therefore it stands unmoved despite the turmoil everywhere. He will not delay his help. Psalm 46:4-5

Observation: In pronouncing God's greatness, this is the description of the Lord in heaven. God is in his city where he lives, and there is a river of joy flowing through it. Thus the city is never impacted by turmoil of any kind. It stands steadfast under the Lord's watch and protection and love and joy.

Application: I love the river of the Lord! The imagery is so many places in the bible is always wonderful. His river flows with life and abundance. So many wonder elements are associated with this river, as here in this verse is explicitly called a river of joy ... good things that bring joy to all flow from the Lord.

I do long to live by the Lord's river. I desire to wade into its waters, enjoy the fruit of nearby trees, relax on its grassy shore, while worshiping the Lord for the great goodness he provides. Whether this be true water, or the overflow of his love, it does not matter, for I trust in how great life in his city, by his river, will one day be.

Prayer: Lord, you are my hope, my peace, my joy, and my salvation. I long for your river of life, and to live in your heavenly city forever. Amen.

On Basic Bible-Based Belief

Scripture: But Abraham said, "The Scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers can read them any time they want to." The rich man replied, "No, Father Abraham, they won’t bother to read them. But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins." But Abraham said, "If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even though someone rises from the dead." Luke 16:29-31

Observation: The rich man in hell is asking Abraham that someone go and warn his family of that fate of those who fail to obey the Lord. Abraham's answer is straightforward ... everyone has already been warned! The warnings, guidance, instructions, and hope is already available to everyone in the form of the scriptures. If people won't obey the scriptures, there is little hope they would obey any other form of warning, even someone coming to them from the dead.

Application: In telling this parable, Jesus does make a direct statement about believing the sign of a person who rises from the dead, specifically that many won't believe in Jesus when he does just this, just as they haven't believed the prophecies about him. However, there is also a truth about current life and our society.

Our society has the bible available to them, with all its instructions, advice, hope, and warnings. Many won't read it, and many have false ideas about what the bible actually says. As a result, they don't believe the good news of Jesus as it stands in its written form, and thus can't have a personal encounter with the risen Christ.

How can I reach others with the good news in the bible? This is the challenge ... for anyone to find a path toward belief, there must ultimately be some basic belief in the truth of the bible. I feel that, perhaps, this belief could be in any basic truth in the bible. Yes, Jesus as the son of God is a great one, and the existence of God the loving creator is a great one. Other starting points may be ... belief in the historical facts of the patriarchs, interest in the kingship of David, wonder of the resurrection of Jesus, awareness in the facts of Jesus' birth, hope in general promised love and salvation, agreement in instructions about mercy to the poor, logical thought about living with hope.

Several of these actively resonate in the hearts of people today. Can we show these elements to others, not in our own words, but in the bible itself? Can these topics be a starting point for reading the bible? The rich man's brothers wouldn't "bother to read" the scriptures, but can we help others bother to read the bible, in addition to telling them about someone who rose from the dead?

Prayer: Lord, there is truth in the parable of Jesus, that warnings about salvation will be wasted on people so cynical about you that they reject the bible. Please guide your Church, and me, in how we may find ways to overcome that rejection of your word and start others toward faith. Amen.

Practical Advice for Fewer Problems

Scripture: Every new house must have a guardrail around the edge of the flat rooftop to prevent anyone from falling off and bringing guilt to both the house and its owner. Do not sow other crops in the rows of your vineyard. If you do, both the crops and the grapes shall be confiscated by the priests. Don’t plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together. Don’t wear clothing woven from two kinds of thread: for instance, wool and linen. Deuteronomy 22:8-11

Observation: Intermixed into the middle of other laws - laws about proper dress, virginity, and the honest care of property - are these items. These have nothing to do with morality. Rooftops are used as outdoor living space, so make them so people won't fall off. Intermixing crops, especially vineyards, ruins both crops. If you strap two different size and strength animals to a plow, it won't work. If you sew clothing with a different material, it will actually damage the entire garment due to differing shrinkage and wear.

So ... don't do these things ... so sayeth the Lord!

God is just giving fatherly wisdom. He is teaching us how to live a life with fewer problems. In some cases like these verses, that teaching is clearly practical. Other times, it takes the form of laws, regulations, and moral constraints ... and these may look harsh, involving legal judgments and death-sentence punishments ... but they are still fatherly wisdom, given to teach us how to live life with fewer problems.

Application: How much improved my life would be if I was more obedient to the laws, precepts, and guidance of the Lord. So much of the sadness I carry with me stems from failures in the past, and the sadness is not that I sinned, but just in the memory of resulting pain I experienced as a result.

From topics like the proper way to construct clothing, to premarital sex, God has given advice ... that I have failed to observe too much in life. Even today I know I will do something opposed to his teaching and his wisdom. Yes, part of this is that I am a lesser being with lesser understanding. Yes, part of this is that I am a prideful person who fails to seek advice. Yes, part of this is that I am a fallen human in need of grace and salvation.

However, I can look to God more and more for direction. I can lean into his teaching and his word, and meditate on it day and night. I can move closer to Jesus through frequent prayer and praise. I desire fewer problems, so I will strive to observe my father's good advice.

Prayer: Abba, you are so great and wise. May your kingdom come here on earth, and may I help to make that so by living in a manner that better aligns to your good advice. You love me so much, you took the time to teach me. Thank you. Amen.

Comfort the Past is Past

Scripture: Never convict anyone on the testimony of one witness. There must be at least two, and three is even better. Deuteronomy 19:15

Observation: As Moses walks through the laws about judgment, this is the guidance about witnesses.  One is not enough ever. Regardless of the seriousness of the accusation, and regardless of the later discussion about the honesty of any witness, Moses is clear that 'never' is anyone to be convicted if only one witness gives testimony.

Application: I still get angry about the circumstances of my prior job. It is in passages like this that the Lord reminds me of how wrong it was ... understanding that the actions were clearly contradictory to God's wise laws, and comforting to know that he will judge others for this one day. However, I still get angry about the situation far too often.

I truly need to surrender my anger to the Lord. It does me no good, except to remind me how shallow and petty I am, and thus how much I need the Holy Spirit to soften my heart in order to love others well. Today again, God reminds me that what happened was far outside of his instruction and wisdom for mankind. This means I should leave it behind, just as I would leave behind anything that is not good, pure, holy, honorable, true, or loving.

Prayer: Lord, today I ask for your Holy Spirit to help me put the past even further in my past, and aid me in purging it from my thoughts. May I live only for your kingdom, your will, and your purposes. Amen.

Those who Reject the Party

Scripture: Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a privilege it would be to get into the Kingdom of God!" Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to arrive. But they all began making excuses ..." Luke 14:15-18a

Observation: In this parable, Jesus goes on to tell of how the rich man, angry that his invited guests will not come to the feast, sends out servants to invite anyone and everyone to the glorious party. They invite the weak, homeless, destitute, cripples, hidden, lost, ignorant ... literally anyone they can find. The point of the parable is that the invited people - the friends of the rich man ... aka the Jews - actually refuse to attend this extravagant party and make many meaningless excuses for NOT attending, and thus the rich man (God) invites the outcast (gentiles) to the party (heaven).

However, it is interesting to see the context of the parable, that being the exclamation of the person saying "what a privilege it would be be get into the Kingdom of God!" This man openly declares it would be great to get into heaven, and Jesus responds by pointing out that, for the pretext of relatively meaningless personal reasons, so many people who are invited into the the Kingdom of God will actually reject the invite.

People are told "come and enjoy a blissful eternity with the Lord, and all you have to do is show up," where 'showing up' involves believing in Jesus ... and instead they will say "no thanks, I would rather keep my head down and do my daily work here on earth until I die, ignoring God."

Application: I have witnessed this happen. I have seen people told "you can have a great life, and an eternal life of joy," and the listener responds "no thanks, that sounds stupid, and I know how the world works so I'll take care of myself." I was once that person, having actively decided that I had figured out how the world worked and didn't need to rich friend, or his party, and that maybe the friend didn't even exist in the first place so going to his party would make me a public fool.

The invited guests in the parable are doing just that, taking care of their earthly lives, too busy to ... you know ... attend an awesome, joyous party!

I must first ensure that I, personally, recognize that life with the Lord, and faith in Jesus, is in fact an awesome party, and that I am never, ever too busy in my daily life to miss out on that joy.

And I must find better ways of inviting others to the party. I would like to find ways of inviting them in a manner that they would be willing to set aside their earthly cares and check out the wonderful feast they are missing. If they refuse, I must also be willing to move on and invite others, those who are further away or less knowledgeable, in ever-expanding circles.

May will fill God's house!

Prayer: Lord, as we look to see whose hearts may have been stirred during the last year of struggles, may all your servants seek those to invite to your kingdom. We know of your joy, and of your great blessings. May be make the invitation to enjoy these same blessings known to more and more people. Amen.

Here in the Father's House

What looks to me like weakness is a canvas for your strength ... failure won't define me, cause that's what my father does!

Self-Sufficiency's Trap

Scripture: He fed you with manna in the wilderness (it was a kind of bread unknown before) so that you would become humble and so that your trust in him would grow, and he could do you good. He did it so that you would never feel that it was your own power and might that made you wealthy. Deuteronomy 8:16-17

Observation: As Moses warns Israel about obeying the Lord's commands, he also points out the things that can cause them to stumble. Becoming rich, and especially attributing that richness to their own abilities, is one of the primary issues. He uses the example of manna from heaven, and water from the rocks, to show them that they are powerless to even provide their own essentials without God, but he himself can give them all they need.

Application: Last night, we discussed a man who has rejected Jesus because he himself is fully self-sufficient. He is intelligent and skillful, and these traits have made him rich. He therefore has declared there is no God because he himself is proof that no one needs God. That said, in describing his personality and life, it seems he could best be described as an angry, lonely, lustful, friendless alcoholic.

Satan uses self-sufficiency to drive people away from Jesus. Moses pointed this out. The enemy will even give people great worldly things - wealth, knowledge, skills - as a means of creating the perception of self-sufficiency. I know I am furthest from God whenever I think about doing things for myself, or get proud of how well I am doing. I know I am falling into satan's trap whenever I think about what I have accomplished, or the successes I have had.

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate act of pride, and the definitive wedge between me and God. I am blessed that my false perception of my abilities have been damaged, and I can now be reminded that I need God and rely upon his blessing for my daily living. Even in a land of plenty, I know it is not by my hand and my deeds that I have anything, for the Lord himself gave me my hands and my life in this place and time.

Prayer: Lord, this day, I ask for your wisdom, your guidance, and your good gifts to provide for me and my family. I receive only what you provide, this day and every day, for I am insufficient without you. Thank you for your love. Amen.

There is No Neutrality

Scripture: Anyone who is not for me is against me; if he isn’t helping me, he is hurting my cause. Luke 11:23

Observation: As Jesus is talking about the issues of this generation - pointing out how many in the past sought the Lord but now they ignore Messiah - he pronounces a very black-and-white statement about faith. People either are "for" Jesus, or not, and if not then they are against him. There is no neutral position of ambivalence or indecision.

Application: Today, we have so many distinctions for classifying non-believers. They may be seekers, unchurched, de-churched, agnostic, atheist, spiritualists, or any other type of person who may or may not believe in any number of things that are not the faith of Jesus Christ as Messiah ... including actively believing in nothing. We use these descriptions as if some are better. We pretend someone who isn't certain is better than someone who actively attacks the church.

This is not Jesus' perspective, and his perspective isn't grounded in how easy it is to discuss matters of faith, but rather it is focused on salvation. There are those who have placed their faith in Jesus and thus serve in a manner to advance the Kingdom of God, and there are those who ... have not placed their faith in Jesus, and thus anything and everything they do is working against the Kingdom of God.

As we discuss Jesus at Alpha - and other venues - may we remember this. Those who are there may be close to making a different decision, but they are completely 100 percent on the wrong side of the fence at that moment and until they make that different decision. Let us not consider them with less urgency, but with more.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for everyone currently at Alpha who has not yet made a decision to flow Jesus. May that change over the next three weeks. For your kingdom, and for their salvation. Amen.

Not Trying Very Hard

Scripture: When reports of Jesus’ miracles reached Herod, the governor, he was worried and puzzled, for some were saying, “This is John the Baptist come back to life again.”... “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such strange stories?” And he tried to see him. Luke 9:7,9

Observation: Herod is curious about Jesus and giving him considered thought as he hears rumors of his actions. "Worried and puzzled" implies that he is actively thinking about him and trying to figure him out, and the question he presents to himself is "so who is this man?". He knows he is not John the Baptist returned, and doubts he is some other prophet. So Herod actively wonders about Jesus, but then also "tried to see him."

Well, he did not try to see him very hard, for he did not do so until the night of Jesus arrest, and even then it was only because Pilot sent Jesus to Herod. Jesus is openly walking around Judea. Thousands of people see Jesus daily! All kinds of people simply walk up to Jesus and talk to him, touch him, and sit in other's homes to listen to him. Common people and religious leaders invite him to dinner, and he comes. Yet Herod, the king of Judea, "tries" to Jesus but never does. Again, he certainly didn't try very hard, because it clearly wasn't that difficult.

Application: I have met people like this ... those who are on the fence about belief, and when asked about their beliefs may talk about how they believe there is 'a god' or even God himself, but they don't understand him, and certainly don't understand the role and purpose of Jesus. They actively search for some answers to their questions about God on the internet from time to time, but they have never gone to church or read the bible. They seem curious about matters such as eternity and afterlife and spirituality, and even think that perhaps the idea of God is the most logical ... and they want to figure out more ... but they never go out to see Jesus.

Herod claimed to be actively curious about Jesus, but he wouldn't even leave his house to go see a man who was literally walking around every day. Similarly, there are those who are curious about the meaning and purpose of life, but they are only curious on a level that aligns to their own lives and the means by which they seek knowledge.

This is the difference between those who wonder about matters of faith, and we who have a relationship with the Lord through Jesus ... we have met Jesus. And this is in fact our mission, not to communicate about the concepts and actions of Jesus, but to get these people to leave their homes and just go meet Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have never simply tried to meet you. I hope that they become curious enough to simply come and see Jesus, and learn what you are about not by their own thought process, but by an experience of meeting you. Amen.