01.29.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:25 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 6:17-19 Theme: Jesus came down to teach and heal others. Key verses: “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem…And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (v. 17-19) What God said to me: Dwayne, first of all, you are to put on the breastplate of righteousness every day. But right now, your heart is not pure before me. How do you expect me to speak to you, to open my Word to you if you harbor sin in your heart? Repent and forsake, then I will show you great and mighty things… Now, notice that Jesus didn’t stay hid away on a mountain top with me, even though that was safest and most enjoyable for him. Further, Jesus didn’t just hang out with his closest chosen ones and friends. Jesus came on down–down to the ones who needed him and needed his ministry the most. But again, he didn’t go there just to “hang out” and “shoot the breeze.” Jesus went with a very determined and clear purpose. He was there among them to teach them and to heal their diseases and cast out their demons. He knew they needed both teaching for their hearts and healing for their bodies and souls. He had compassion on them, and willingly gave up his own comfort and enjoyment for their comfort and help. Dwayne, how often do you come out from your little building hide-away? How often do you go “down” to where the people are? And not just where your friends are; how often do you look for needy, less-desirable people to help and to heal and to teach about me? All your well-intentioned efforts and writings and praying are meaningless unless they motivate you to “meet the people.” What I said to God: Lord, I knew there was a word for me in this passage. To think I almost skipped on down to the next verses. Forgive me, Lord! It is never my perogative to pick and choose what passages to meditate on in Your Word. Thank You for speaking to me so directly. Now, how do You want me to put this into practice today and this week? Help me seek and find people to share Your good news with. I want to be attentive to anyone You send across my path.
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01.24.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:09 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 6:12-16 Theme: Jesus prayed all night before he chose His twelve apostles. Key verses: “…He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon…and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.: (v. 12-16)Â What God said to me: Son, this is a very simple idea; yet, it is the most profound and life-shaping principle you will ever discover regarding walking with me and making the best decisions. Jesus–himself God in the flesh–saw the top priority of prayer for his life. He had a huge decision to make about his disciples. He had at least seventy men from whom he had to chose. That was a difficult choice since he loved them all and wanted the best for them all. However, Jesus knew he had to whittle that number down to a smaller, more intimate group he could invest his life into. Note that his choices included Judas Iscariot. These choices weren’t about who was “most likely to succeed.” But rather, Jesus followed my lead and obeyed me without hesitation or question. My plan is bigger and broader than anything you can see from your perspective down there on earth. Jesus acknowledged that. That is why he was determined to seek me and know my direction for his choices. Dwayne, if Jesus needed my direction, how much more do you? What “big” decisions to you have on the horizon? Consider them each carefully. Be constantly sensitive to my still, small voice as I lead you through every decision of your day. But, as you see larger, more strategic and impacting decisions coming, seek me all the more. How desperate are to know my will? Are you willing to pray all night too? What I said to God: Holy and majestic Wise Counselor, Marvelous One, I need You every hour. I am truly desperate to follow You closely and listen as You guide me, my family, and my ministries. Please show me decisions coming soon that need to more saturated in fervent prayer. May I willingly lay aside my creature comforts of sleep and food to diligently seek Your face and Your hand on my life and work.
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01.23.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 10:04 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 6:1-11 Theme: Jesus demonstrated the real purpose of the Sabbath. Key verses: “Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them.” (v. 1) “Jesus answering them said, ‘Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry…how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him…?’ And He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’” (v. 3-5) “Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered…Jesus said to them, ‘…Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’…He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’…his hand was restored as whole as the other.” (v. 6-10) What God said to me: Dwayne, your title and theme says it clearly today. People can get distorted and misdirected ideas about my commandments and my will. They can forget that the real purpose of obedience is to help people, while also honoring me. Observing my laws and directives should always result in ministry to and protection for those I died for. That is precisely why you, Dwayne, can earn a living working every Sunday, yet still “keep it holy.” Your work is to do good and save life. If you ever approach your music as just a job, or only as a way to gratify your own selfish needs, then it leaves the realm of ministry and disgresses to breaking my commands and displeasing me. Constantly keep yourself in check: Why do you go each week and stand up to lead and sing? What are your motives? The Sabbath should feed and help others and give them hope. It should become the day of rest from someone’s burdens and searching. You have the hope inside you. Like Jesus, you have the freedom and the compelling to meet the needs of all who come through your doors at your church. They are there for help and hope. What could be more lawful? What I said to God: Lord, thank You for this powerful Word this morning. I really need to check my motives from week to week. Sometimes honestly, I get up and go only because I am getting paid and have to be there. Forgive this ugly motivation before You. Please fill me with Your Spirit today and guide me. How I would love to share my faith in You with someone else today. Today could someone’s Sabbath when they discover You and Your awesome rest!
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01.22.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 11:50 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 5:27-39 Theme: Jesus introduced new ways when He attended a feast in honor of sinners. Key verses: “…He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he left all, rose up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and Pharisees complained against His disciples…” (v. 27-30) “And they said to Him, ‘Why do the disciples of John fast often…but Yours eat and drink’” (v. 33) “Then he spoke a parable to them: …’No one puts new wine into old wineskins…But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’” (v. 36-39) What God said to me: Dwayne, there is tremendous and profound truth here. Wake up and catch this. Reign in your random and distracted thoughts about your work this week or the economy. Nothings matters right now but listening to me. My message, my gospel truth is not immediately welcomed by those who are accustomed to their old ways. Even the religious and traditional Christian folk don’t warm up quickly to new and innovative ideas. Mind you, Jesus was clearly referring here to the Old versus the New Covenants–one will land you in hell, the other can lead you to heaven. Obviously, traditions in my church aren’t usually such a matter of life or death issues. However, the discent and cold treatment of others that changes in traditions can bring often does have very adverse effects in the church and the community. Like my Son, be patient with people. Don’t expect them to jump on board with your new songs and unique worship ideas. Be persistent. What is clearly taught in my Word must be clearly taught abroad to anyone will listen, whether it be presenting the Gospel over and over to someone who is lost, or deliberately teaching an older person in the Faith about new songs and worship styles. Either way, approach it with wisdom and determination. What I said to God: Thank You, Lord, for an amazing weekend with Justin in the Smokies. Thank You for meeting with me this morning to start my week off with You. I know that being a true and effective teacher means taking some rebuke and being willing to stir up some controversy at times. I guess even peacemakers new to sometimes take a stand in order to accuate peace in people’s hearts in the long run. Praise You, Father! Lead and anoint me this week and protect my family.
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01.19.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:26 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 5: 17-26 Theme: When Jesus got through with the crippled man, everyone was thinking, “Paralized, my butt!” (NOTE: Stephen, my 12-year-old, and I are doing this devotion together today, and this theme was his idea!) Key verses: “Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house and lay him before Jesus.” (v. 18) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blashemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (v. 21) “He said to the paralized man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ Immediately, he stood up in front of them…Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They will filled awe…” (v. 24b, 26) What God said to us: Sons, I don’t often hear people speak of butts in their devotion time with me. But (and that’s with one t), I’m good with it today. After all, my Son did cause those people, who saw that man get healed, to react and show their most raw emotions. Jesus has a way of making people let their guards down and say and do some things they wouldn’t normally do and say around other people. In fact, being around Jesus and seeing his amazing power and love can draw people to love and worship him. As for the Pharisees, they needed proof that he could forgive sins, so he healed a paralized man’s physical body. They should have believed without needing proof. But Jesus loved them so much that he was willing to demonstrate his awesome power to them. What we said to God: Lord, sometimes I have doubts and I need to be reminded of God’s power and how he can work it out if we’ll give him the chance and believe in him. And I want to thank You for choosing to speak through daddy and for helping me when I most need it.
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01.18.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 6:23 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke: 5:12-16 Theme: Jesus often went to lonely places to be with His Father. Key verses: “Jesus reached out his hand adn touched the man, ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone.’” (v. 13-14) “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (v. 15-16) What God said to me: Son, I like lonely places. I like to meet with my children in out-of-the-way locations where others care not be. I know what it feels like to all alone. I don’t like that. So I (we) made you to commune with me (us). My Son, Jesus, sought out lonely places, but not to be alone - not really alone. He wanted and needed communion and fellowship with His Father. And His Father wanted and needed fellowship with Him - uninterrupted, non-competing, distraction-free solitude and silence. My Son is back in heaven with me now, seated by my right hand where He belongs. You, however, are still down there on earth. You are my child and I desire to commune with you as well. You need to commune with me. Your ministry will take you places beyond your wildest imagination in the future. You will minister and help many, many people. And many people will pull at you for your attention and help. But always remember, I prefer the lonely places to meet with my children. Jesus understood that priority and always made that time for me in private and in aloneness. If you meet with me and seek after me often and always in “lonely places” you will never feel alone - even when you are among thousands of people. My holy presence and gentle voice will always assure you of my watchful care and my anticipation of our next meeting in a lonely place. What I said to God: You have given me this gift this week of allowing me to stay in this wonderful cabin away from everyone. This is my “lonely place” where I am far from alone. Unfortunately I have allowed the cares and temptations of this world to move in to this place for a brief time. Forgive me for taking Your gift for granted like that. I yeild myself to You and surrender to Your still, small prompting to retreat often to lonely cabins and woods and closets, where I can pour my heart out to You and gain Your heart in return.
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Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 6:19 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 5:1-11 Theme: When Peter simply obeyed Jesus, he was astonished, humbled and compelled to follow Him. Key verses: “He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’” (v. 3-4) “Simon answered…’But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” (v. 5-6) “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken.” (v. 8-9) “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (v. 10b-11) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is not rocket science. Those hadn’t even been thought of yet. This is not terribly difficult to comprehend or apply. In fact, what Peter did was simply obey my simple directions. I know where the fish are, Dwayne. I created them and control them. I know where the results are hidden. I can get you to the big fish and lots of small ones too. You can’t; they couldn’t. But I can. Notice that asking Peter to launch out into deep water wasn’t my first request and test. First I asked him to simply put out a few feet. Some would not have even done that for me. Still today, many are not even willing to get involved with me at all. Peter did. Then he sat as a captive audience beside me in that tiny boat and he heard every word of teaching that I did. That softened his heart and prepared him for what was next for him. Once I knew his heart was open and his mind had been engaged and enlightened, then I knew his was ready for the plunge, for the deeper water. See, Dwayne, not everyone is ready at the same time to go out deeper. There must be a season of preparation and growth. There must first be obedience to less threatening, more reasonable requests - requests like, “I have something I want to teach you,” “Are you willing to let me in your boat?” “Will you make yourself and what you have available to me to use?” If a person takes that first step successfully, then he is more ready to move on out into the faith-demanding, rediculous-looking, kinda-scary deep, dark water of discovery. And that water keeps getting deeper with me. You will never arrive at learning what I have out there for you. I will never stop challenging you to deeper, greater obedience. And I will never stop astonishing you with the results. What I said to God: Lord, I believe. Help, thou, mine unbelief. May I also learn from this how to better teach and lead those I disciple. May we as Your church methodically lead them from the shallow to the deep of experiencing Your grace, power and love.
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01.09.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:07 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 4:31-44 Theme: Jesus meet people’s needs as he went and he went to meet people’s greatest need. Key verses: “Then he went down to Capernaum…and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. (v. 31) “In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon…” (v. 33) “‘Be quiet!’ Jesus said sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ (v. 35) “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.” (v. 38-39) “When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” (v. 40) “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.” (v. 42-44) What God said to me: Jesus knew why he was on the earth. He knew his mission was to minister to people and preach the gospel of hope. So he went. He went to where people were. He went long enough to accomplish his mission with them, and then he went again. He did not become comfortable and stay with one setting and one group of people because his mandate was to spread the good news to the other towns as well. Dwayne, that was Jesus’ mission: to go and go. It may not necessarily be yours. I may want you to remain at one place, in one church with one group in one community for many years. Yet, even within your one setting, you should always look for ways to go and tell. Go and tell within your community. Go when there is a sickness or physical need you can minister to. Go sometimes beyond your walls and city limits to do mission trips to other lands. Even while I have you in a holding pattern during this time in your life, find ways to go. Never content yourself with staying comfortable and sitting. Get up and go. Most importantly, notice that Jesus went early in the morning to a solitary place where he met with me. That is your first and foremost goal: to get to know me in quiet alone meetings like you are doing right now. I will show you were you are to “went.” What I said to God: Father, thank You for meeting with me this morning and for showing me the priority of went. Thank You for sending Your Son to set such an amazing example for us. Thank You that He went to the cross so I could have eternal life. May it be said of me at my funeral: He always went…
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01.07.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 11:24 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 4:14-30 Theme: The Holy Spirit caused people to spread the news about Jesus, though some talk wasn’t so good. Key verses: “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up…into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read…’The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me…” (v. 14-18) “All spoke well of him…” (v. 22) “Jesus said to them, ‘Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’…I tell you the truth,’ he continued, ‘no prophet is welcome in his hometown.’” (v. 23-24) “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.” (v. 28) What God said to me: Son, this is the message I want you to hear and get today. You don’t have to push and plead and prod to produce prospects. It is not up to you to market yourself. That is my job. Jesus never sent out one piece of mass mail. He never devised a marketing strategy to get people talking about him. He simply got alone with me and obeyed my Holy Spirit’s leading. He humbled himself and became obedient, denying himself. For thirty years he quietly worked and prepared himself for the day I would exalt him to a public ministry. And just like that, he walked out of the crowd, got baptized, and went away to the desert for forty days of testing and focusing; then voila, he returned in the power of my Spirit, and news “automatically” spread about him. Dwayne, I am not saying don’t do any mail-outs or make any phone calls for your ministry. I am saying, though, that it is not really your ministry. It is mine. Thus, only do what I clearly initiate. Otherwise, be still and wait. Don’t fret. Don’t become envious of others’ ministries that seem to be prospering more than yours. Dwayne, think back to how you started in ministry as a 10-year-old. You never made a phone call or tried in any way to get people to like you and want you in their churches. I opened every door. So it should always continue. Jesus returned to his home, his roots. So should you. Take note that Jesus did, however, go anywhere and anytime I directed him. He worked very hard and smart. One more thing you need to notice and heed: Jesus didn’t succomb to peoples’ warm feelings and words about him. He spoke the truth always, even when it meant turning some against him. Now that goes against the grain of any “marketing plan” you will read about in marketing books. Do it my way and prosper beyond your wildest imagination. Do it your way, and scrape and claw and stay exhausted, never reaching your fullest potential. What I said to God: O Lord, You are my Maker and my Master. You know the very deepest parts of me. This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Please forgive my anxious, unbelieving thoughts of late. I choose Your way only!
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01.02.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 12:47 pm by Administrator
Text: Luke 4:1-13 Theme: Satan tempted Jesus in all three areas of potential weakness. Key verses: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him…all the kingdoms of the world…’If you worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down from here.’” (v. 1-9) “Jesus answered, ‘It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (v. 12-13) What God said to me: Dwayne, this passage is made to order just like you need it today - and everyday. Stay alert and listen right now. There are several things I want you to see and learn from Jesus’ experience of tempting in the desert. First of all, Jesus didn’t walk into that time of tempting blind-sided. He was already full of my Spirit. In fact, he was led by my Spirit to be there. You don’t wait until you are tempted to run to me for help and power over it. You must be filled with the Spirit from the moment you get of bed until you’re eyes close in sleep everyday. You must meditate on me and my words even as you sleep. You are no match for the devil and his inevitable temptations. You must be being filled with the Spirit. Secondly, see how the devil very craftily attacked him at his weakest human need at that moment: hunger. I made your flesh to have certain natural cravings and desires. Be on guard that you will be hit first there when those desires are their strongest. Then, Satan showed him things around him that looked good and appealed to his eyes, things he could have if he would only bow to the devil. James calls this “the lust of the eyes.” Through the Scriptures he quoted, Jesus immediately pointed his thoughts upward again to me, where his eyes - and yours - should always be focused. Finally, the third approach was to tempt Jesus through his potential pride. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” Why not? That was like a dare. Jesus claimed to be something so prove it. He really could have, since he was indeed all that. Yet, Jesus knew the folly of such thinking. Pride goes before a fall. All power and authority was given to him by me. Ignoring that simple fact would prove detrimental. Dwayne, likewise, you never want to go out there and attempt big things, even big spiritual things, motivated by your “pride of life” as James calls it. You cannot tempt me. I will not be mocked or tempted. You can do nothing without me. Jesus passed this most crucial and grueling test. He would be tempted many more times, but in every temptation Jesus overcame because he recognized Satan’s strategy and willingly submitted to me and used my Word to combat his temptor. What I said to God: Father, I see today the incredible importance of not walking out my front door or even through my house without being filled with Your Spirit. I understand Satan’s crafty ways and expect to first of all be tempted through my lustful flesh. I confess any pride and times I take my eyes off of you and look around to the glitter of this world. This world and all that is in it is quickly passing away. I choose today to cling to the Rock that is higher than I, the Word that never fades, the promises that are hidden away in You, my God and Lord.
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