04.22.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 10:17 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 11:1-13 Theme: Jesus wants us to know how to fervently and effectively. Key verses: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’” (v. 1) “He said to them, ‘When you pray, say…’” (v. 2) “Then he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight…’” (v. 5) “‘I tell you…because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask…seek…knock’” (v. 8-9) “‘If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’” (v. 13) What God said to me: Slow down, Dwayne. Soak in this passage. Stop. Read it again slowly. Dwayne, the key here is persistence that comes from bold faith. First of all, notice that Jesus set the example of prayer before his disciples. They saw him pray consistently and fervantly. And they saw the results of his praying every day as he walked and taught and healed. Second, notice that Jesus was more than willing to teach them how they too could pray such effective prayers. Third, he taught them that all prayer to me should begin with reverence, acknowledging me as supreme God in heaven. Fourth, Jesus taught them the importance and necessity of inconvenient persistence. Prayer that gets results will be inconvenient for you and–to some, at least–appear as a possible nuisance to me. That is because you will be so desperate and determined that you will rise at midnight to pray. You will pray for hours at a time if need be. You will hound me until you get an answer. Like Jacob with the angel, you will not let me go until I bless you. Fifth and finally, Jesus wanted his disciples to know that any level of expectation you would normally have through persistence with others pails compared to what you should therefore expect from me, your heavenly, perfect, powerful and loving Father. It grieves me when my children don’t come to me with their desires and burdens and concerns and dreams. Cast your cares on me, for I care for you. Simple, you don’t have because you don’t ask–or you ask with selfish motives. I want to bless you, to expand your borders, to use you and your family beyond what you can ask or think. Trust me, try me, prove me. Ask, seek, and knock over and over and over again. What I said to God: Holy God, I am so thankful You had me read this passage again. I want these truths to “soak in” this thick skull of mine and this stubborn heart of mine. I am desperate. I cannot live or breath or dream without You. Lord, teach me to pray. Then may my family, my wife, my boys, my church see the fruit from my persistent and bold prayers to You, my heavenly and faithful Father.
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04.21.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 10:38 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 10:25-42 Theme: Doctoring strangers and sitting silent in the midst of work can actually be priorities for believers. Key verses: “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’…Jesus replied, ‘Do this and you will live.’…he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’…Jesus said, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers…a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.” (v. 30-34) “‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (v. 36-37) “Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (v. 39-40) “‘Martha, Martha,’…’you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better…’” (v. 41-42) What God said to me: Dwayne, life is all about getting your priorities in order and then keeping them in order. My Son demonstrated what those prioirities are to be for my people. No matter how busy you are and how much on a schedule you are, if you see someone by the side of the road (so to speak), you should prayerfully consider stopping to help them. Jesus used a Samaritan traveler to illustrate this important priority. How surprizing must it have been for those listening to his story that day. The priest and the Levite both passed right on by this hurt and bleeding soul. Where’s the compassion? Where is the application of all those laws and principles those two “men of the cloth” should have known and lived? Jesus used a little shock treatment to help them see that God honors anyone who will simply obey his word and love him and others as they should. Then, of the Martha/Mary episode: You have read and memorized this passage time and time again over the years. You know this priority of listening and sitting before speaking and doing. Yet, even this morning you entertained the thought of skipping time alone with me so you could “get on with your ministry work.” Dwayne, this can never be. No matter how many well-known personalities and Christian celebrities embrace your materials, no matter how entensively you travel and teach, there will never be anyone or anything more important than daily sitting at my feet. I am your vine. You are still just a branch. The branch will never cease to need the vine. It will never be able to draw nutrients and sustain life and growth apart from its vine. Take time to be holy. Meditate on my Word day and night. Memorize it. Live it and breath it. I am your lifeline. I am your source. What I said to God: Holy Father, precious and vital vine, I am desparate for You today. Thank You for speaking to my soul and making me whole. I praise You for Your mercy and Your grace. Help me not be so busy today that I miss those God-given opportunities to stop and help someone who’s hurting. May I never be in that big a hurry. And may I never ever be so busy doing Your ministry that I miss knowing Your heart. Thank You for this awesome day. I commit this day and this week to You!
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04.17.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:32 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 10:21-24 Theme: God, the Son bubbled out joyful praise to God, the Father from God, the Spiri–in front and because of His disciples. Key verses: “At that time, Jesus, full of joy though the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” (v. 21) “Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it…’” (v. 24) What God said to me: Son, praise is so very important that my entire Triune Being harmonized to praise me. Does that sound strange or egotistical to you? Do I sound a bit conceited to need to praise myself? Look more closely at this passage. It was actually very natural for Jesus to lift up praise to his Father. And the Holy Spirit’s job is to glorify me. In fact, Jesus couldn’t help but praise because of the joy the Holy Spirit welled up inside him. It wasn’t because I needed to hear praise from my dear Son on earth, but rather, it was because I deserved praise. Furthermore, it was like a release valve for Jesus to express his reverance and thankfulness. He had just seen his precious little ones — those he had hand-picked and labored over for so long — actually “get it.” They had a tremendous breakthrough moment, and Jesus couldn’t help but be full of joy out of his love for them. The joy and praise wasn’t for any personal accomplishments that Jesus had made with those disciples. Rather, he gave credit toward heaven where he knew the ultimate credit was due. You don’t to understand all the reasons why I, in essence, praised myself. Just realize two things today that you need to apply to your daily life: First, praise is so important that Jesus himself practiced it. Second, Jesus’ praise was deliberate and outward as he praised me in front of his disciples. Jesus’ praise was a teaching tool for them, an example he clearly wanted them to follow. What I said to God: Yes, Lord, I think I somewhat grasp what You are trying to help me see. I, a mere mortal human, must praise You if Your own Son did it. And my praise must be motivated by the Holy Spirit who abides in me. Jesus chose to praise you publically. I will also praise You in front of other believers and in front of the world as You give me opportunity. Thank You for speaking to me this morning. Forgive me when I allowed my thoughts to stray earlier today. May this day be completely given over to You and dedicated to Your praise and glory!
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04.14.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 10:44 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 10:1-20 Theme: The seventy-two out got their instructions and commission from Jesus and their results proved it. Key verses: “…the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals…’” (v. 1-4) “When you enter a town and are welcomed…tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you.’ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed…say…’Yet be sure of this: The Kingdom of God is near.’” (v. 8-11) “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes…’” (v. 17-19) What God said to me: Dwayne, notice that I appointed a select group to go to select places. I instructed them in how to conduct their ministries both personally and publically. I sent them out. I welcomed them back and then rejoiced with their success. Each of these actions is vitally important in any missions effort. First, those who go must be appointed and directed. I am still the one who does the appointing. You disciple and encourage my children, but I decide who goes where. Yes, every believer has a commission to go, but they must listen to my voice to know where to go. You as my church have the responsibility to help instruct my appointees. Do not fail in this. Give them clear and concise directives based on my Word. Go out with them; model effective witnessing in front of them. Thoroughly explain what they should expect to encounter and how to handle each possible situation. And don’t be afraid to give them a little push to actually get them out there witnessing of me. Don’t be guilty of sending people to the streets and mission fields and then forgetting about them. Pray for them. And anticipate their safe return. When they return, rejoice with them, or, in some cases, listen to their frustrations and help soothe their hurt over rejections. In a word, fully mentor everyone you can to go and tell, then come and share. What I said to God: Lord, thank You for this powerful flow today. I see more clearly now Your deliberate example of how to send and how to train and the importance of remaining accountable for them and their success. Thank You for Jesus, who always set the perfect example for us to follow of what You expect of us. Please do send more laborers into the incredibly ripe harvest of America and Europe and Russia and Africa and China and South America and Australia. There is only one God that can meet the deepest need of everyone of these people. That is You, O God, my God. May we (I) not keep You to ourselves!
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04.10.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 8:36 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 9:51-62 Theme: Following Jesus means serious commitment. Key verses: “…a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ (v. 57-58) “…the man replied, ‘Lord first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” (v. 59-60) “…’first, let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.’” (v. 61-62) What God said to me: Dwayne, try to imagine yourself in each one of these people’s shoes for a moment. For the first one, your statement sounds convincing enough. You are certainly sincere when you say you will follow Jesus wherever he goes. But Jesus turns it right back on you and puts you quickly into reality. Your lofty ideals of what that statement might mean are brought down to earth when he looks at you and says in essence, “Where I go is extremely unpleasant and inconvenient and unwelcoming.” Thus, first of all, commitment to following Jesus is sacrificial. Now imagine you’re the next guy who declares your intention to follow Jesus. Aren’t you well within your right to want to take care of important family matters first? Surely the death and burial of your father is more than enough reason for Jesus to excuse you from his service temporarily? Even as you are repeating in your mind those reasonable words you just spoke to him, Jesus blows away all your justifications and tells you nothing is more important than going and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Thus, secondly, commitment to following Jesus must be supreme. As the third person, before you launch into this radical and life-long change in living, you simply want some time to go back and say good-by to your family and your past. What’s wrong with that? How could one more nod toward your family and friends back home hurt anything? Jesus obviously doesn’t approve of your idea. He quickly and clearly tells you that what you are in essence doing is looking backwards after you have already decided to go forwards with him. That plan will meet certain failure and your life will end up looking like crooked rows in a poorly-plowed field. Therefore, third, commitment to following Jesus must be solid – there can be no wavering or second-thoughts. Looking back regretfully or longingly is a serious offense before me. Jesus himself never looked back from what he had to do and to face on earth. I expect no less of you… What I said to God: Righteous Judge, I submit and humble myself before Your throne. I have said and prayed numerous times that I will follow You. Yet, I have personified all three of these people and their particular issues with commitment. Please forgive me. I embrace my commitment to You. With all that is in me and only by Your grace and power, I declare my love for You to be sacrificial, supreme, and solid.
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04.09.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:06 am by Administrator
Lord, today I claim Matthew 7:7 and 1 John 5:14-15 over these petitions:
- endorsements for Pure Praise from key worship leaders, pastors, and theologians. Lord, there are those who are this week considering whether to even read over the manuscript. Please impress on them to take the time.
- direction about who you want to write the forewords for Pure Praise
- direction about what article excerpts to send to Leadership Magazine and Worship Leader Magazine
- financial means to better promote 30 Days of Worship
- help to trademark 30 Days of Worship
- ingiting of 30 Days with key influential pastors and churches to spread to many to make the greatest impact
- protection and health over my family
- direction about our new book ideas and how to develop them
Father, I pray Ephesians 3:14-19 over:
- my boys and wife
- my pastor and his family
- the guys I am discipling
- our neighbors (Give us creativity on how to build friendships with them to reach them for You.)
- my NLW team members and their families
- our church family
- my praise team
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04.07.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:41 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 9:46-50 Theme: Jesus honored children and outsiders as great in His Kingdom. Key verses: “Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said ot them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all — he is the greatest.’ ‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you.’” (v. 46-50) What God said to me: Dwayne, I rarely see things the same way you humans do. More importantly, you rarely understand things in the way I do. Many of my ways may make little or no sense to the human, fleshly mind. Jesus’ disciples certainly struggled with the least is greatest concept. That was one they never expected to hear from Jesus. Here he was, holding up a little kid as more important than them. What had that kid done to deserve such recognition? He was only a little child. Jesus was trying to help his disciples grasp that humility and lowliness of heart is more appealing to me and more useful in my Kingdom that any amount of talent and self-exalting charisma that so many of my followers possess. Then, the disciples were shocked again when Jesus turned the tables on their next assumption. They were sure this guy out there throwing around Jesus’ name to cast out demons had to be one of the bad guys that needed rebuke. Yet, Jesus said he was for them simply because he wasn’t against them. This statement is pregnant with wisdom and instruction. How many times do you and your little group or your congregation or your denomination want to oppose those who don’t associate with your group? Yes, you should investigate their theology and examine their methods. But if they are truly doing wonders “in my name” then you have no right to try to stop them or to malign them. This family of mine is large and diverse. You are not smart enough to know all the ways and the reasons I use your brothers and sisters. You may not even recognize or want to acknowledge some of them as part of your family because their methods and ministries are so different from yours. Be careful. You must tread lightly to be sure you don’t cast out the very ones whom I am using to reach people you and your friends will never be able to reach for my glory. What I said to God: Father, praise You, for meeting with me this morning. You are the faithful and awesome and holy and majesty and beautiful Lord. I am so grateful You looked my way and included me in Your vast — and diverse — kingdom. Forgive me when I pre-judge those who don’t look or smell or act like I think they should. Even if they disagree with me and chose not to associate with me, that is no reason to reject them and discredit their efforts. May we examine their doctrines and methods to be sure they are Biblical. And if so, help me and my group to love and pray for them and their effectiveness in Your family on this earth. Praise You for this week. Please make it a productive one. And grant me opportunities to share with my neighbors about You.
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04.02.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 6:20 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 9:37-45 Theme: Jesus had already given his disciples power, yet they failed to utilize them. Key verses: “A man in the crowd called out, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams…I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.’ ‘O unbelieving and perverse generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you and put up with you?’ (v. 38-41) “…he said to his disciples, ‘Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.’ But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.” (v. 43-45) What God said to me: Dwayne, it could be interpreted here that Jesus was refering to the people in the crowd when he called them perverse and unbelieving. But is it reasonable that Jesus would be angered by a father’s desparate plea for his ailing child? No, it is more likely that Jesus was frustrated by his own disciples and their lack of faith and ability to do what he had called them to do. Why wouldn’t he be bothered and angered by this report from a non-follower? Those who don’t know Christ look to those who do know him for help. They expect Jesus’ followers to properly represent to them who Jesus is. This father had heard that Jesus could heal the sick and cast out demons. Surely, then, his disciples could as well? Perhaps he had also heard that Jesus had given them power to do so. And certainly Jesus had every reason to expect his disciples to do what they had been empowered to do. That was their job and their responsibility now. Yet, when the opportunity afforded them, they were lame ducks. Dwayne, don’t be a lame duck. What I said to God: Thank You, Father, for reminding me of the power and privileges You have given me and Your followers. I yeild to You today. Help me to diliberately look for opportunities to minister to others and share Your witness with them. Help me not shrink from my responsibilities. Since You have placed Your Spirit and Your power inside me, I have no excuse. Phil. 4:13!
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04.01.08
Posted in Thoughts on Luke at 9:40 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 9:28-36 Theme: Peter demonstrated his ignorance to God’s plan and presence when he talked rather than listened. Key verses: “…he took Peter, John and James with him and went up to a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” (v. 28-29) “Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory.” (v. 32) “…Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master…let us put up three shelters…’ (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them…A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (v. 33-35) What God said to me: There are several clues as to why Peter was apparently clueless in this story: They had gone up there to pray, yet Peter was “sleepy,” and not at all alert. Also, when I am clearly doing something extraordinary among my people, it is not the time to come up with your own game plan. Peter did not use good judgement and clear thinking before he blurted out his idea to Jesus. Finally, Peter was caught up in the moment so much that he missed the much bigger picture of what I might have been up to. All he knew was what his own eyes saw and his mind enjoyed. He wanted to preserve that amazing moment for himself and his friends. Therefore, he was doing all he could to help them all stay there together. Peter didn’t realize that Jesus couldn’t stay there. He had a mission to fulfill. Peter never stopped to ask himself, “What is God doing here? Why is he allowing us to be a part and witness the miraculous?” You see, Dwayne, I never reveal myself to you for you to keep me to yourself. Stay on the mountain long enough to meet with me and listen to what I have to say. Then, willingly and boldly leave that holy moment and go back down to where the people are. Maintain a listening heart and make every moment you walk in this world a holy moment as well — because you know I am initiating an leading everyone of them. What I said to God: Jesus, Lord and Savior, Master of my life, I yeild to You right now. I confess how I too often babble on in Your presence when my first priority should always be to listen and only move as You direct me. Help me and my family be more and more sensitive to how You are at work around us. Thank You for the example of humaness we see in Peter that gives us hope of mercy now and maturity to come.
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