As the rain and snow

“The Lord said to Abram,.. ‘I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing’… He brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them… So shall your offspring be.’” Genesis 12:1-2; 15:5

“[King David said,] ‘And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it…

“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10,20

Abraham received God’s promise by faith, and bore only one son by Sarah to carry the promised seed. Generations later, David had many sons, but the Lord had named Solomon as his successor. He wanted Solomon to know that his was no arbitrary naming or position or privilege, but a unique calling from God to carry on His work and promise. (1 Chronicles 3:1-9; 28:3-7)

We can have seasons of early, eager waking, yet without particular inspiration or defined direction. Clouds roll in, portending moisture, adding chaos to disorder, yet even these in movement and hue are measured and meaningful. The Lord is present in all weather with ongoing purposes to fulfill. His is a way of order and meaning. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

He bestows a bounty of hours designed to be purposeful and honoring to their Craftsman. Since God knows the number of our days and is intimately acquainted with our ways, He has assigned specific meaning to our time on earth. The Master is at work, and we are beckoned to step as stewards into His masterpiece and join Him. (Psalm 139:1-3,15-16; 147:4)

The priorities of this mighty, all-wise King are right, His purposes righteous, His gifts benevolent and generous. How familiar are we with His ways and guidance? Have we grown complacent, having ‘done our duty’? Do we go about days and seasons carelessly, following winds of desire, opportunity, and fancy? Or do we diligently seek our Creator and where He would have us serve, then follow His lead with excellence, care, and a wholly devoted heart?

“A charge to keep I have, 
a God to glorify, 
a never-dying soul to save, 
and fit it for the sky. 

To serve the present age, 
my calling to fulfill, 
O may it all my pow’rs engage 
to do my Master’s will! 

Arm me with watchful care 
as in Thy sight to live, 
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare 
a strict account to give!

Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.” ~ Charles Wesley (1762)

Lord, help me take seriously Your promises and serve Your purposes.

“Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…

“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face… To this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away… But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.“

“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing… The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-16; 3:4-5,12-14,16-18; 4:3-6

Paul had turned to the Lord. Bent on persecuting Christians, strict about his professed religion, he was stunned by the Lord who arrested his rebellion along his loathsome path. He turned him to the light- at first blinding, then revealing, then reflecting. Unveiling his spiritual senses, the Holy Spirit freed Paul from his former life to make him a fragrant, bright, competent preacher being continually transformed into God’s image. (Acts 26:9-19)

Turning to Christ is a mystery in sovereignty. The stubborn human will is softened and moved by God’s invisible Spirit to respond to His merciful hounding. By grace, the shrouding veil donned since Eden is lifted, the Lord and the light of His gospel is beheld. Acrid turns fragrant, weak turns bold as the slave is set free. From the moment of rebirth life requires a constant turning to the Savior over self, godly wisdom over the world’s. Can we honestly say He has made all things new? (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What adjustments in our forward-face is the Lord prompting today? Where and when do we glance askant? What errant attitude, default response, ingrained behavior is He revealing so we can acknowledge and repent? What selfishness, greed, and pride do we need to leave behind in order to pursue His paths? Turning to Him initiates a triumphal procession.

“Finish, then, thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory
Till in Heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!” ~Charles Wesley (1747)

Father, lead me by the light of Your glory in continual triumph and transformation.

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

“But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest.” Jonah 1:1-4

“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,’
even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139:7-12

Jonah did not like God’s word. He fled in the direction opposite of His command to escape responsibility, but the Lover of souls never let him out of sight or mind. He had a work to do and Jonah was the instrument.

God Almighty knows all, sees all, and can do all. No matter our willful rebellion and attempts to hide or run away, He watches. The omniscient Savior mercifully pursues and fulfills His plans for His own. There is no escaping the eye, arms, and grace of God when He sets His affection on us. None can snatch us from His hand and nothing can separate us from His love. (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39)

Most of the time, we think we’re grand, so smart and crafty. We control what we do or don’t want to do. We manage, finagle, order our worlds according to us, doing and going as we well please. But in the roil of self-determination we forget who God is: the ubiquitous Savior of men who knows His sheep by name and whose purposes won’t be thwarted. Our independent nature may be to evade His interference, shake off restraint, forge our own path. But God, intimately acquainted with all our ways, counters every rebel bent with His sovereign will and steady character. We try to run, He pursues relentlessly. We want to ignore conviction, His indwelling Spirit actively abides. We wish our choices would escape His gaze, but His sights are ever on us, His beloved, the apple of His eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10; Job 42:2; Psalm 139:3; John 10:14)

So rather than trying to flee, how can we align our wills with His, and submit anew to His commands? How might we enjoy His presence, and take rightful advantage of His unbroken companionship? He stands to reason and guide. He supplies strength, wisdom, and hope. He repairs what’s broken and redeems what we’ve lost. He shapes our will to obey and fulfills His purposes. Allelujah!(Joel 2:25; James 1:5)

Lord, may I daily receive and heed Your word, to Your glorious ends.

“He also said to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, “A shower is coming.” And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, “There will be scorching heat,” and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:54-56

“And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.”  And in the morning, “It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ So he left them and departed.” Matthew 16:1-4

“Jesus answered them, ‘You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” Matthew 22:29

“He will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding.” Proverbs 3:17

Jesus was well aware of, and involved in crafting, man’s unique ability to discern. Man is uniquely fashioned with instincts and a mind that can intuit and distinguish facets of life around him. Jesus hones in on both ignorance and misuse of this gift, caused by limited knowledge and self-centered vision. As the disciples and crowds spent time in the nitty gritty of life with Jesus, He attempted to lift their spiritual eyes and expand their cognitive horizons.

We work, interact, and make plans and choices depending on the fraction of world we understand. We interpret life with the framework and information we have at hand, and often depend on previous knowledge either inherited or gained by experience. Jesus the infinite urges us to broaden, and deepen, any perspective limited by cultural boundaries and curated soundbites to the eternal and divine. He calls us to explore and know His living word so it becomes our lens of understanding all things.

We might avoid His word because of unfamiliarity or skepticism. We might resist it because we fear its exposure or conviction. Trusting second and third sources robs us of the insight and delight we garner from the Bible itself when we read it directly.

How are we honing spiritual discernment? How well do we actually think for ourselves based on God’s truth? When was the last time we related a passage of scripture to an everyday situation? How often do we turn off the noise of the world, even experts and ‘thought leaders,’ to steep ourselves in the Word of God and allow its potent truth to renew our minds and shape our insight and opinions? Are we dependent on how others spin current events, or can we recognize reality for what it is and implies by the Spirit ourselves? When I take a stand, does it mimic another person, or my Lord? (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 3:2)

Father, keep me seeking You for understanding of our times and wisdom to live.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” Matthew 23:23

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?.. If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 1:22-25; 2:14-18

During three years of ministry, Jesus taught privately and in synagogues and public places. With illustrative parables He explained what biblical commands looked like in real life. His intent was never to convey information that merely added knowledge or instructed, but that compelled implementation in godly living that emulated His own in everyday situations. A doer of the word is far more pleasing to God and powerful than a hearer only.

To know the word and how God would have us live before Him and among men is far different from consistent obedience to that word. We can own many books that go unread or learned from, equipment that is never used. The Lord entrusts teaching and resources so they can be utilized, practiced, and multiplied for His kingdom purposes.

It is vital as we progress in our Christian walk to continually check our attitudes and motives. Do we begin our days with reverence, or haughtiness? Do we set about tasks God-honoring, or self-serving, from a sense of joyful duty, or entitlement? Christ’s teachings should be soaking in to saturate our hearts and rearrange disordered intentions.

Are we mere collectors and not conveyors? Do we profess trust in the Lord but spend untold hours worrying? Do we claim generosity but spend inordinately on ourselves, or rotely donate money but not time, prayer, or compassion? Do we smugly boast of righteousness but criticize, ostracize, or gossip? Do we recite memorized scripture but never apply it practically in testy situations?

The more we actually practice faith and obedience, the more our passion to do the Word will grow. The more vivid and dynamic our modeling of Christ-like choices and behavior, the more potent our witness at home and in community. How will we, as stewards, set out to add to our knowledge wisdom, maturity, zeal, and generous love in action? (Luke 17:5-6; 2 Peter 1:3-7)

Lord, make me a serious student and consistent practitioner of Your life-giving Word, to Your glory in the world.

“Jesus was praying.., and when he finished, one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’  And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say:

“’Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’

“And he said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, “Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him”;  and he will answer from within, “Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything”?  I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then… know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'” Luke 11:1-13

The disciples had observed Jesus getting away to pray, and heard Him asking God’s blessing in crowds. It finally behooved them to ask Him to teach them to pray. He responded with both instruction and illustration, emphasizing that they must not only know how but the when. They must persist in the practice if it was to be effective. (Luke 5:16; 9:16)

It is one thing to know how to pray, to be well–versed in examples, and quite another to practice it regularly. The Lord invites us to know Him through personal communion and therein learn the secret blessings of worship, expectancy for daily provision, and the joy of obedience.

What distinguishes our prayer life? How are we applying Christ’s example and instruction? What effect does it have on daily outlook and functioning? Implementing prayer afresh will invigorate our faith and honor God.

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.” ~Joseph Scriven (1855)

Lord, may I hallow Your name forever.

“There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living… 

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!.. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son… asked what these things meant… He was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered.., ‘When this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:11-13,17,20-26,28,30-32

Jesus told a variety of parables that highlighted the infinite value of those who belonged to Him, and the intense, faithful love of the Father for His children. He had come for the wandering, lost, and wayward, offering all things in Christ the Savior, allowing freedom to rebel and return while watching in love. His eye would always see out for His own in hope, His arms ready to embrace in mercy. (Genesis 16:13; Luke 15:1-10; Romans 8:32)

To develop and embolden a heart for the lost, we must recognize that we too were dead in our transgressions, enemies of Christ until He sovereignly intervened to save us. Acknowledging our own incapability of redemption engenders deep gratitude to the Lord and an issuing forth of a father’s love and compassion for lost children. Honestly seeing ourselves as the prodigals we are clears our vision to see others as Jesus does. (Ephesians 2:1-8)

What is my attitude toward enemies of Christ? Do I disdain them because of their dishonor and rebellion against Him, their waste of time, talent, and resources? Do I dismiss them as lost forever, incapable of redemption? Or do I see and seek them as fellow image-bearers with eternal value, worthy of compassion, forgiveness, and prayer?

How about my inclination toward those I love who are in a far country? Have I lost hope and ceased to pray? Or am I expectant, praying fervently and without ceasing for God to have His way? Watching and waiting on Him unfolds a mysterious, beautiful reality that the Lord works simultaneously in both to make Himself known. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-19)

Lord, work in and through me as I expectantly watch, pray, and wait.

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem… But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” “He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51,53; 13:22

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

From the moment He arrived on earth, Jesus was bound for Jerusalem, His face set toward Calvary. The prophesied One spent each day fulfilling His Father’s will to make the way for us to know and fulfill it also. His mission toward Jerusalem beckons us join the journey, choosing the life of love, self-sacrifice, and death that leads to life abundant and unending. Looking to Jesus as He looks to victory over sin and death compels us toward endless joy.

The hard truth is that the joy ahead requires a journey of trial and death to self. The path to Jerusalem begins with surrender and is pocked with pain, betrayal, and hardship. What keeps us going is the end, and enduring is the Savior who has blazed the trail as Conqueror and walks with us. He who suffered is He who is sufficient.

Are we so whorled into activity here on earth that we take nary a thought for what is to come? Do we so relish ease and comfort and pleasantries that we don’t contemplate the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? When faced with the glories of certain death and life now exchanged for eternal life to come, do we say ‘far be it from me!’? What trappings of daily life have deluded us into living only for today and resisting following Jesus in His steps? (Matthew 16:21-23; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 2:21)

What selfish ambitions is the Lord calling us to slay? How will we choose to die to self and follow Jesus toward Jerusalem today? The journey may not be easy or simple, but it will surely be redemptive and good. As we keep on alongside the Author of our faith, we can be assured He is perfecting it, Alleluia! (John 12:24-26; Romans 12:1-2)

“Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! 
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! 
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! 
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! 
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! 
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! 
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! 

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! 
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! 
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, keep me astride with You always, in step with Your way of love and selflessness for others’ good and Your glory.

“He took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.  And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.  Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.  And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said.  As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!’ And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” Luke 9:28-36

While intimately communing with His Father, Jesus’s face changed, His clothing dazzled white, and two men joined His glorious appearing. Peter awakened, startled to passionate action by their resplendence, and impetuously offered to serve them equally by making tents where each could be worshiped. God almighty overshadowed them all and His voice shook Peter from his spiritual grog. His Son, His Chosen One, HAD NO EQUAL. He was the One to listen to and follow. This disciple’s zeal must be for Him alone. (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 46:5; Luke 4:8)

A myriad of ideas vie for our attention, varied causes for our affection, and numerous people for our adoration. Worldly culture and ubiquitous media incessantly parade enticing choices before our senses. We might assume we are awake to responsibility and information, yet be somnolent to the deceptive flirting or insidious capturing of a heart grown callous to our rightful First Love. Over the cacophony of competing teasing and noise booms the Almighty’s voice, “Listen to Him!” (Revelation 2:4-5)

Listening to the Lord whose Name is above all names reminds us He has no true equal. Renewing our minds in truth is the only way not to be conformed to this world that offers and serves many idols and professes them all equally valid, or worthy of our investment. It is vital for healthy spiritual growth to acknowledge the One true God over and over, and to serve Him alone. (Matthew 6:24; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:9-11)

What rivals to the Lord do we entertain in thought, conversation, energy investment? In what areas do we profess reverence and whole-hearted loyalty to Him but in behavior, esteem idols and share allegiances? Who reigns supreme when we spend time and resources? Whom do we really revere? Do Christ and self- or anyone or anything- share the throne of our lives?

“You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names.” ~Hillsong Worship (2016)

Worthy Lord, keep me focused on and fully devoted to You as my only Sovereign and first, sole love, to Your glory.

“On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, ‘Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Rise and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,—he said to the man who was paralyzed—’I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.'” Luke 5:17-26

They heard of His authoritative teaching. Their friend had been paralyzed far too long. The teacher who had the power to heal had come to their city, and they were desperate to get this man before Him. Seeing too many crowded around Him, they knew they had to be creative, made an opening in the roof, and let him down before Jesus. He observed their faith and love that would go to such an extent, and was drawn in compassion for the helpless man. He ended up doing far more than they had come for, forgiving his sins and healing his body.

When we have genuine love for others, we will go out of our way for their good. It takes selflessness and a sense of desperation for their need to act with bold faith. Thoughtful, deliberate caring for their practical physical needs often leads to the Lord Jesus doing far more for their souls, and ours. Do we have such passion and expectancy?

What history do we have with the life-changing power of God, in our own lives or those we know? How often and with whom do we recount His goodness? Conversations about and exposure to stories of His marvelous acts on behalf of men stimulate faith and prod us to courageous prayer and action.

With whom has the Lord burdened our hearts? Who in our circle of familiarity is crippled with fear, anxiety, pain, or despair? How can we creatively introduce them to the healing balm and strong arms and welcoming love of Jesus? We just may find that He sanctifies our attitude and bolsters our confidence as we step out to serve in His name.

Lord, help me love you best and my neighbor as myself. (Matthew 22:37-39)