Day 27 – John 21:15-21

Here, three times Jesus asks Peter if he loved him. The same number of confirmations is given as was his denials on the night that Jesus was arrested.

In love God sent his son. In love, Jesus came and gave his life for us. There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus asks no less of Peter. He tells him “Peter, if you love me, feed those who would become part of my flock.” “Peter, if you love me, then watch over my disciples and keep them from the evil one.” “Peter, if you love me, feed my disciples who hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

Jesus had already told the disciples that he was “The Way” (the only way) and that they should walk in it. He had told them that he was “The Truth” and they should believe in him and have everlasting life. He had also told them that he was “The Life” and all who fell short would perish. Now he at this resurrection meeting with his disciples he is telling them to carry on his ministry.

During their time with Jesus, he was the one who sought the lost, taught his disciples, kept them from the evil one and laid his life for all of us. Now he is asking them to do the same. Don’t worry about the ministry that he gives to others. Serve him just as he calls you. In love he served us and it is in that same love that he asks us to serve others.

Day 26 – John 15:1-16

As a Christian, I have often found myself walking down a hard road and wondering how “I” could possibly ever make it through the situation. To my discredit, many times I have failed to make it down that road only to find that I keep coming back to it over and over.

There are trials placed before us that we must complete in order to grow in holiness. One type of these trials is placed before us to stretch our understanding, to make visible our weaknesses and to challenge our faith so that it increases. This is continual increase in holiness is sanctification.

There is also another type of trial however that moves beyond the norm but is probably the most precious. This is a trial that you can’t complete on your own. There is a saying that says “God will never put anything on you that you can’t handle.” This is unbiblical. God does tell us that there will not be any temptation upon us that we can’t find an escape from, but it doesn’t say that we can handle anything that is thrown at us. You see, this most precious trial that I am speaking will force you to rely on God to get through it. It may take 10 years, it may take 10 minutes. If you are truly a child of God, know that this trial will come upon you.

When this trial is upon you, you will realize what Paul meant about praying in the spirit with groanings which cannot be uttered. In this time, God is pruning you. The only way through this is to die to self and abide in Jesus and let him abide in you. We need to realize that it is only because of his strength that we can even take the next breath.

“For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And he is before all things, and in him all things consist.”

Friend, look over your life. If there is anything in your life besides Jesus that you can’t live without, CUT IT OFF. Otherwise, he may do it for us. We need not our own strength to reach our destination. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.

Day 25 – John 9:1-7

Last night was the culmination of our youth crusade and we had over 1200 students packed into our church building. 97 of them left having made commitments to Christ. God is good. As awesome as that is, there is still work to be done in this city.

I believe it was Adrian Rogers that once said that it “is getting gloriously dark”; meaning of course, that the end appears to be coming and the world is getting more and more sinister.

There should be a sense of urgency in us to spread the Gospel that Jesus preached to the world. We are preaching however to people that are mostly blind. Paul said “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Like the man in this story, we were all spiritually blind from birth. We must work while it is still day to reach others. The night is coming when no one can work. We must spread the gospel.

Oh Jesus, come and shine a little light on your subjects. Take the dust of the earth and make new eyes for us and then open them so that we might see.

Day 24 – Jonah 4

Lord,

There are days when I get so wrapped up in myself and my own desires that I forget what my purpose is here on this earth. I forget that your ways are not my ways. I forget that your plans are not my plans. I can only learn a small part of what has happened before my days, and only see limited amounts of the present. How can I ever question any of your actions?

There is a day coming that you have planned since the beginning when all of your actions will manifest into the return of our Savior. Looking back, we will know that your plan was perfect. Looking around at such a great cloud of witnesses, we will know how perfect your love is.

I fear that I fail constantly in practicing your compassion in the lives around me. I fear that some may needlessly suffer because of my fear and hard heartedness. Father, give me your eyes to see those who struggle so that I may share their burden. Give me your ears to hear the suffering cries so that I may comfort them. Plant in me your truth that I may pass it on. Let them hear you when I speak. Let them see you when my actions come to their attention.

Protect my heart oh God and make it yours.

Day 23 – Psalm 103

I sat for a while this morning reading this passage several times. How rich were the words that David wrote. The heights that he climbed in his writing, amazes me.

This chapter sets my mind in motion and reminds me to thank God for all that he has given to me. I thought that I might attempt to write down all of the material things but it would be boisterous and futile since it all belongs to him.

In a fleeting thought I decided that I might possibly list some of the things that He has not given me which could be both a blessing and blasphemy depending on what was written.

I then debated on writing down the non material things that He has given to me but I realized there isn’t near the time in my life to do so.

I have decided instead to list my top item from each of these lists. In these three items I hope you see the reason I can serve him with such gratitude.

1. God gave me a Savior. His name is Jesus and he died for my Sins.
2. He did not give me Hell, which I deserve.
3. He gave me forgiveness and salvation that I might dwell with him eternally.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. Thank you God! Blessed be Your name.

Day 22 – Psalm 100

Looking down through the days that are remaining in this study, all but the last day focuses on serving. Today’s topic simply says “Serve with Gladness”.

I find these days that I may get nervous or fearful about serving God, but it is with all joy and gladness. We serve a risen Savior that bore all of our sins on the cross at Calvary. Regardless of how difficult the task I am given, I know that the cost is not comparable to the suffering that was poured out on him.

James told us to count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. All of our experiences are found to be trials, and like James we are to count it all joy to be part of the process. Why God uses men to be part of his redemptive process, we many never fully understand.

We are to know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. The potter is still forming the clay.

Day 21 – Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-10 and 4:1-3


While I was in Washington DC this past week, I visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. As I walked around through the various exhibits, I came across one that displayed the typical life of slaves prior to the civil war. There were pictures of everything from the lifestyles they lived, to the agonies that they endured.

In one section, there was a family that was gazing at some of the pictures of the worst scars imaginable on the back of one of the men. The father of the family looked up directly into my eyes when I came into the exhibit and said “I don’t see how anyone could ever think that they could own another human being.” The words he said, I doubt any would argue with, but the hatred that glared in his eyes towards me was undeserved. At making the comment, his children stared up at him and then followed his eyes to then stare into mine; their hatred too flashing back behind them.

This story in Jonah reflects a similar hatred that Jonah had towards the people of Nineveh. Jonah it is certain had taken issue with these people over their deeds of the past. Undoubtedly either he or his family had in the past been captive or persecuted by these people and he was prejudiced against them.

When we have these thoughts that the world rotates around us (as men), we suddenly end up with wrong views of God’s providence. The apostle Paul said “ …we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. “

There are evils that men do and they will one day have to make an account of their actions to God. God is their creator and God will be their judge.

When you next see someone undeservedly prospering or being given opportunities that they haven’t earned, remember the last verse in Jonah:

God was speaking and he said “ Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left… ?”

There is more I want to write on this, but it would take a chapter. Perhaps I will revisit this topic sometime. God is in control. It is his desire to show give drops of mercy on whom he has mercy; showers of blessings on whom he will reign.