GraceNotes

One Day
Luke 8:22
Jim Stephens
09-25-09

Scripture:

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and started out. (Luke 8:22 NLT)

It's possible that everything recorded in Luke 8:22-58 happened in one day, between sunrise and sunset. The miraculous calming of a storm on the lake, a mob of demons cast out of a man in Gerasene country on the east side of the lake, then back across the lake in Galilee a woman healed of a 12-year hemorrhage by touching Jesus' robe, and a 12-year-old girl brought back from death.

Some of Jesus' days were pretty intentional - going to teach in the Temple, taking his followers on retreat, traveling with a specific destination in mind. This day seems like a pretty spontaneous day. Jesus said, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake," and it just rolled on from there. Jesus spent the day simply responding to the needs that came his way and in the process lives were chan ged forever. Kingdom of God power was released into the world around him.

I believe there is a place for strategy and a place for spontaneity. God can work through both. We can plan and work our plan and be very strategic. We can get in a boat on the lake and spend the day responding to what comes up. In either case, God's work gets done.

Prayer:

Father, help me to know when to be strategic and when to be spontaneous. I want to be responsible and a good steward of time and resources, but I also want to know when to simply take things as they come. I don't know how to do that on my own, so I ask you to teach me and guide me. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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God's Plan
Luke 7:29-30
Jim Stephens
09-24-09

Scripture:

29 When they heard this, all the people, including the unjust tax collectors, agreed that God's plan was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism. (Luke 7:29-30 NLT)

God's Plan for them. The people who heard John's message, repented, and were baptized by him showed that they believed John's gospel and accepted God's plan of new birth through repentance, confession, and forgiveness of sins.

God's Plan for them. The Pharisees and religious "box checkers" rejected God's plan for them. They believed they were righteous in God's eyes because they were careful to keep the Jewish ceremonial laws. They rejected God's plan for them because they were unwilling to humble themselves and acknowledge they needed to be forgiven. They were unwilling to be bapt ized by John because they felt superior to him.

God's Plan for us. Any substantial sampling of "Christians" would consist primarily of people who agree that God's plan for us is forgiveness of sins and new birth through faith in Jesus Christ. But I wonder how many of us would be stuck with a generic sense of "God's Plan for us" but missing out on the specific personal plan that gives purpose to life and direction to the journey!

God's Plan for me.
- God's Plan for Me involves repentance and confession - acknowledging and turning from my sin and my sins.
- God's Plan for Me involves receiving the forgiveness he freely offers and the new life he brings.
- God's Plan for Me involves some act of humility that visibly demonstrates my willingness to submit my will to his will.
- God's Plan for Me involves an "always content but never satisfied" desire to keep growing, changing, and following Jesus.

Prayer:

Father, I acknowledge my sin and my sins and I purpose to turn from pride and self-will again and again so that I may be daily forgiven and constantly focused on your plan for me. I purpose to accept "John's baptism" in whatever form you present it to me. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Willing To Listen
Luke 6:27-30
Jim Stephens
09-23-09

Scripture:

27 "But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:27-28 NLT)

Jesus wasn't always easy to hear and understand. Or maybe it was that he said things that were too easy to understand. Mark Twain said, "It's not the things in the Bible I don't understand that bother me. It's the things I do understand." Jesus upset the religious people (who really truly believed they were right) by coloring outside the lines, by acting in ways that didn't fit within their behavioral boundaries, by saying things that challenged their religious comfort zone.

Sincere-hearted ordinary people and even many very irreligious people flocked to him. He seemed to be the real deal. And besides, he fed them and healed them miraculously. Jesus had the words of truth and the power of God. Good combination!

But Jes us had challenging truth for even the sincere-hearted people. Jesus told them that they needed to love their enemies. Read this if you think it's easy to live teachings of Jesus: "29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back." (Luke 6:29-30 NLT)

I'm ready and willing to listen to the truth. I'm not satisfied with religion and I'm not satisfied with how effectively I live the teachings of Jesus. In the movie "A Few Good Men," Tom Cruise's character says, "I just want the truth!" Jack Nicholson's character shouts back at him, "You can't handle the truth!" I'm willing to listen - I just hope I can handle the truth, because Jesus just keeps on truth-telling and I've got to keep on truth-hearing and truth-living.

Prayer:

Father, I'm willing to listen and I want to hear the truth. I don't know if I can handle it or not, but you sent your Holy Spirit to lead me into living the truth that Jesus spoke. Help me not to rationalize and excuse myself from practicing the pure and simple truth. Help me not to waffle on speaking the truth in love to those I influence. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Jesus Met A Man
Luke 5:12-13
Jim Stephens
09-22-09

Scripture:

12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell to the ground, face down in the dust, begging to be healed. "Lord," he said, "if you want to, you can make me well again." 13 Jesus reached out and touched the man. "I want to," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. (Luke 5:12-13 NLT)

What man? Which village? Jesus was preaching throughout the province of Galilee. I wonder which village this miracle happened in? Jesus was on a mission from God - a mission to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the sick, to deliver the oppressed, to declare, demonstrate, and introduce the Kingdom of God. He must have had some sort of strategic plan to travel among the towns and villages of Galilee, the area east of the Jordan, then Judea, and even a trip or to into Samaria.

But most of the stuff that is written in the gospels is not about his plan or his strategy, it's about his interactions with individuals and groups of people he encountered on the journey. The gospels record how Jesus responded to seemingly incidental encounters with people on the road or in homes or in public places as he went about living life.

Jesus spoke the words he heard the Father speak and he did the deeds he saw the Father do. He prayed daily and received revelation from his Father about what to do and where to go and when to go. Glenda Merrill says the key to her archery skill is "staying in the now." I think Jesus had an eye on the Past (all that the prophets had spoken) an eye on the Future (the cross, the tomb, the eternal kingdom) but was fully present in the Now.

I want to understand the balance between strategy and spontaneity; between planning and presence. I want to be a responsible steward of time, talents, and resources and also be spirit-led, able to drop everything to respond to an individual need.

Pr ayer:

Father, I want to know if that's really wha t I'm supposed to do and how I'm supposed to live. Help me to learn and live the balance of strategy and spontaneity, of learning from the past, planning for the future, and functioning fully in the present. Help me to live today according to your plan and led by your Spirit. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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The Stakes Are High
Luke 4:5-8
Jim Stephens
09-21-09

Scripture:

5 Then the Devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The Devil told him, "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them - because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will bow down and worship me." 8 Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.' " (Luke 4:5-8 NLT)

Satan's temptation of Jesus was as real as anything any human ever experienced. The stakes were incredibly high, because if Jesus failed and fell, the plan failed. God had planned before he created the world that he would send his son to live a perfect life and offer himself as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for imperfect, sinful man.

If Jesus gave in to Satan's maximum effort, it was over. The stakes were the highest ever.

I will probably never rate a personal visit from Satan, but I face tempta tions daily. I'm tempted by my own weaknesses and desires (James 1:13-15), by false opportunities, or by weariness or discouragement. The stakes are not as high in the temptations I face, but the stakes are high nonetheless.
- If I give in, I may miss the opportunity to serve in the maximum way God had planned for me.
- If I give in, I may disappoint and discourage someone who is looking to me as an example.
- If I give in, some part of God's plan may go unfulfilled.

The stakes are high.

Prayer:

Father, it's so easy to think it's only about me and it really doesn't matter all that much. Help me to daily remember that I'm part of your plan and that the stakes are high every time I face a temptation. Help me to overcome and not give in. I determine that I will not give in and I will not give up. In Jesus' Name!

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Prospered ? Imprisoned
Daniel 6:28; Luke 3:20
Jim Stephens
09-20-09

Scripture:

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (Daniel 6:28 NLT)

So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others. (Luke 3:20 NLT)

Daniel served in the courts of four pagan kings - Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar of Babylon, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Persian. His long life was marked by imperial favor as he worked skillfully and faithfully inside the political system in three separate empires. John prophesied for a few months in Judea during the reign of one of the Herods and was thrown in prison for his faithfulness.

Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions for staying true to his convictions and God rescued him. John was thrown in prison for staying true to his convictions and God allowed him to be killed as a party favor to an exotic dancer. What's up with that?

Daniel is a hero of the faith. John is the "greatest man born of woman" in Jesus' own words.

These two men are among my greatest heroes. One served for more than fifty years as an advisor to emperors and died as an international statesman. One served for less than a year in an evangelistic street ministry and died a bloody death in a dungeon.

You can't judge successful ministry by visible outcome alone. You can't judge achievement by longevity or popularity or approval. It pretty much comes down to being obedient to the call and faithful to your convictions and letting God sort it out.

Prayer:

Father, this is a lesson I apparently need to learn several times a year. Sorry for my short little attention span. Thanks for one more patient reminder today that you're looking for obedience - simple, faithful obedience. I'll do my best. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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What To Think
Luke 2:48
Jim Stephens
09-19-09

Scripture:

His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." (Luke 2:48 NLT)

Joseph and Mary, Jesus' parents, had been visited by angels, had heard the story of the shepherds' encounter with a sky-full of heavenly beings, had heard Simeon's prophecy about Jesus, had been visited by astrologers from an eastern country, and had been warned by an angel to go to Egypt for a season.

Now in Jesus' twelfth year, they found him in the Temple in dialog with the greatest religious minds of the time, seemingly oblivious to time and circumstance. They wondered at his reply, "Why did you need to search for me? You should have known I would be in my Father's house."

They had experienced some pretty spiritual and inspiring things in connection with the birth and life of their son Jesus. Yet in the ordinarines s of everyday living they had pretty much forgotten all that and expected life to go on as usual.

It is so easy to forget divine encounters, "mountain-top" experiences, words from the Lord, commitments I've made, purposes I have followed. In the ordinariness of daily life, these things seem to fade into the background and are easily forgotten. Not "forgotten" in the sense of not remembering that they happened, but "forgotten" in the sense that I let them fade and no longer factor them into my daily life process.

I need to be reminded of these important experiences and mile-posts. I need to build into my life-practices some way of reviewing and remembering and checking to see where these things fit in an ordinary life.

Prayer:

Father, I don't want to miss the divine encounters of each season of my life. I don't want to miss the past significance and present application of previous encounters. I don't want to let ordinariness an d routine obscure the divine and the significant. I purpose to stir m yself by daily time in your word, by meditating and journaling, by prayer and worship, and by asking the questions appropriate to the season. Please prompt me and remind me as necessary. I don't want to miss anything! Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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You Believed
Luke 1:37-38, 45
Jim Stephens
09-18-09

Scripture:

"For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37 NLT)

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left. (Luke 1:38 NLT)

"You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." (Luke 1:45 NLT)

These three verses really hit me this morning with the simplicity of God-pleasing faith.

The angel Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah in the Jerusalem Temple, announcing the coming birth of John the Baptist. Now, nearly six months later, he visited Mary in Nazareth to invite her to be the mother of God's Son. When she asked how this could happen, Gabriel told Mary, "Nothing is impossible with God."

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I'm willing to accept whatever he wants." A few days later, her cousin Elizabeth said to her, "You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

Faith is not rocket science. It's as simple as knowing that nothing is impossible with God, being willing to believe and accept whatever he wants, and then receiving the blessing that comes by simply believing God will do what he says.

Prayer:

Father, I am your son and your servant. I am willing to accept your will and purpose for my life. May it be unto me just as you intend it to be and when you intend it to be. I do believe nothing is impossible to you and I believe you will do what you say. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Ashamed
Ezekiel 43:10-11
Jim Stephens
09-17-09

Scripture:

10 "Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins. Let them study its plan, 11 and if they are ashamed of what they have done, describe to them all the specifications of the Temple - including its entrances and exits - and everything else about it. Tell them about its decrees and laws. Write down all these specifications and decrees as they watch so they will be sure to remember and follow them." (Ezekiel 43:10-11 NLT)

I noticed this scripture many years ago and I've always thought about it in terms of church leaders casting vision to inspire and motivate people and then explaining the plan and the process after the people really "catch the vision."

This morning it became very personal to me. As I read this and the parallel reading in Revelation 22 - (included here for your viewing pleasure) The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. (Revelation 22:17 NLT) - I felt my Father speaking directly to me about spiritual hunger and thirst and about a repentant, teachable heart.

When I get glimpses of God's glorious purpose, or when God stirs my heart with a glimpse of what he could do with my life were it fully yielded to him, I am ashamed of my small thinking, my selfishness, my self-limited faith and expectation. My heart responds with Mary, "May it be unto me according to your will and your word!"

When I hear the Spirit say "Come and drink freely from the water of life," I nearly gag on the stale, dirty water of my own battered canteen. I'm stirred with a new hunger and thirst. I'm determined not to be satisfied with yesterday's leftovers or with lukewarm water from a stagnant puddle!

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for my piti ful self-efforts at being the man you've called me to be and doing th e work you designed me for. Please fill my heart and mind with what you see in me and what you see for me. I am hungry and thirsty. Lead me to the river of the water of life, to the ever-flowing stream. Let me drink deeply and delightedly! Please never let me be content with my own plans and efforts and my own stale canteen. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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Live To Enjoy
Psalm 128:6
Jim Stephens
09-16-09

Scripture:

May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have quietness and peace! (Psalm 128:6 NLT)

Faithful Jews gathered in Jerusalem at least three times each year for the annual feasts and celebrations. They often sang this and other "Psalms of Ascent" as they ascended the Temple Mount to worship and offer their sacrifices. It was a declaration of blessing on the family and was often sung at weddings as well. In that society where life expectancy was much shorter than in America today, it was a special blessing for someone to live long enough and be healthy enough to see and enjoy grandchildren.

This is one of my "Verses for Daily Reading." I have a list of verses in my Bible, a list that grows by a verse every year or so, that I read each morning as I begin my devotional quiet time. These are verses that have been "quickened" to me by the Holy Spirit at times of need, decision, or challenge. These verses are like "faith vitamins" to keep my soul healthy.

A few years ago, when it looked as if I would not have grandchildren, I felt prompted to add this verse to my daily intake of spiritual vitamins. Both my daughters were married, but by choice in one case and circumstance in the other, grandchildren did not appear to be likely.

Two years ago, each of my daughters had a son, one by adoption and the other by birth. This year another grandson was born. Just like the blessing from God's Word says, I am enjoying my grandchildren! And I look forward to many more years of enjoying them and any more that God adds to the family. (I also enjoy my dog, Buddy, but that's another story!)

Prayer:

Father, I believe you both give and grant the desires of our hearts. I believe you gave Jean and me the desire to be grandparents. I believe you gave me this verse and prompted me to read it, as both a prayer and a blessing, every day of my life for the past few years. And I believe you acted on your Word to fulfill the spoke n blessing. I purpose to continue speaking blessings to others as you have spoken blessing to me. Amen.

Copyright 2009 Resource Ministries International
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