Envision bacon sizzling on a skillet as you prepare your most beloved breakfast. Can you smell the bacon by just thinking about it? Can you begin to taste it as you concentrate your mind on the smell? For bacon lovers, this is an intoxicating smell regardless if it’s just being imagined.
Jesus, in the passage above, is pretty much calling out the crowd of people that came looking for Him, not because Jesus is a great conversationalist, not because His teaching was so amazing, not necessarily because he was doing some pretty awesome miracles, it was because of free food.
I’m sure there are many reading this that are guilty of caring more about their breakfast than the current Sunday morning message that is being delivered. For us pastors, this could hurt our feelings until we realize that if it happened to Jesus, it will happen to us.
There is a tendency to care a lot more about physical, temporal, materialistic things than about the spiritual. I think this is a battle for all of us because our flesh is hungry for the things of this world, but the more we push into the things of God and learn and understand our Savior more, the more we will learn that the spiritual and eternal things of this life are by far more intoxicating to the soul than even, dare I say… bacon!
Pastor Jason Witt
James reminds us of what Jesus told us in Matthew 7. Don’t judge one another. We are not called to judge but to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those around us. I find that I can become too critical about people who are not walking with the Lord. I make judgements towards them that I should not be making. I say things like they need to get right with the Lord, or I say things like, I can’t believe they say they are Christians.
My job is to share the love of Christ not to go around pointing out what is wrong. I’m called to be a light, to love others, to make disciples. James reminds us that it’s God’s job to judge not ours. If we want to live a holy life, let’s stop pointing out what is wrong with people and start to love them in the way Jesus showed us.
Joshua Navarro
Half-heartedness is a thief that we allow to rob us of success throughout our lives. When we approach our daily work, whether it’s our career, our educational pursuits, or the tasks that we set forth to complete; engaging in these endeavors with a distracted effort often leads to a sorry result. Apply this idea to our relationships, and we can see how we sometimes end up with regret and sorrow where love and fulfillment were once ours to hold.
Now consider the most important relationship of all, the one between ourselves and our Maker. I have found myself “guilty on all counts” of giving the Lord a half-hearted effort in seeking Him. I can read His word until my eyes bleed and I can pray 50 times a day, but if my heart is inattentive to His voice and to His Spirit, my wheels are just spinning on an icy road.
In seasons of hardship and in seasons of prosperity, may each of us give God our full attention. Growth, love, and hope await us if we do. Let’s give Him a chance to show each of us how true this verse of promise really is!
Jeff Deal
Every week it seems this world gets darker and darker. We read about natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, we are experiencing economic collapse in our country and around the world, and the news is full of stories about terrorist attacks and unbelievable acts of violence. All around us is the evidence that we are living in a fallen world and there seems to be no bottom. To the unbeliever, these events bring uncertainty and fear. After all, if this world is all there is and it’s clearly unpredictable and broken, how can they know what to do? Yet to a follower of Christ, we look at these things from a different perspective, a biblical one.
Jesus told us that as believers in this world, “We will have trials and tribulations.” The Bible is very clear because of sin, this world has been corrupted and therefore, we will experience its effects. But that is not the final word, we can “Be of good cheer, because He has overcome this world.” Yes, this world that we live in is broken.
I’m not telling you to cancel your newspaper and never turn on the news, but I would encourage you as you see all of these things, “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Pastor Doug Hardin
Have you ever been brokenhearted and felt as though there was no one to comfort you? The beauty of the gospel is that our Lord draws near to you in such times. The book of Hebrews tells us Jesus is our empathetic High Priest because He has endured everything that we do, yet without sin. Whatever has left you brokenhearted, Jesus also endured; He knows. He knows what it is to be betrayed by a close friend, to have people slander your name, to have family not believe in you, to love someone so deeply only to have them reject you, to feel the crushing weight of sin, or whatever you are going through. He understands your hurt and draws near to you. He will never make you feel silly for feeling broken, tell you to rub some dirt on it, or tell you He has been through much worse.
As He draws near, He empathizes with you and asks you to give it to Him; He walks with us through our heartbreak. If you are feeling heartbroken, remember that we have a God who draws near. Also, follow His example and draw near to those who have a broken heart.
For the King,
Pastor Daniel Batistelli
When I read about all of these other religions, it always involves this list of things that are practically unattainable that don’t really guarantee anything for you spiritually. What a terrible way to live your life in uncertainty! For us, the Lord wants us to remember what He has done to bring us to a place where we will do what is just, merciful, and walk in humility with Him.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:5).
I think if you ask most Christians, they would say they are led by the Lord. We try our best, right? When we are led by the Lord, it means we are following Him in everything. But I think it’s interesting that the Psalmist makes a point to talk about waiting on God. It doesn’t say waiting a few seconds, when I think I am ready, not even an hour. It says I will wait all day long to move if you would have me waiting with you. What are you rushing into? What are you eagerly moving in that God is saying, “Stay here for a moment.” Waiting upon the Lord doesn’t mean you are not doing anything, it means you are learning patience. Wait upon Him.
Patiently seeking Him,
Pastor Sean Boehm
There is nothing more pleasant than to walk into a home where you can immediately sense there is a peace and calm within its walls. When its foundation is wisdom and its walls are held together by understanding then each room will be filled with the precious and pleasant knowledge of our loving Savior.
So maybe your house already stands but take some time to build the kind of home this Proverb is talking about. The benefits and rewards will bless all who dwell within.
That’s a promise,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
There are many verses in the Bible teaching the importance of having Jesus in our lives to go to Heaven and this is one of them. It goes along with John 14:6 which says, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
Yet it should be understood Jesus in our lives brings not only eternal life, but an abundant life here on earth. That’s not speaking financially but in terms of our satisfaction. Spurgeon said, “Life is a matter of degrees. Some have life, but it flickers like a dying candle, and is indistinct as the fire in the smoking flax; others are full of life, and are bright and vehement.”
Isn’t it a sign of Jesus working in us that we can continue to enjoy life even when things aren’t going well while others who don’t believe can have everything in the world but hate their life? If that’s you today, maybe you need the Son who gives you life.
Living a blessed life,
Pastor Ron Kitchell
Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done.
Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. W
My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
How about you?
Pastor William Del Casale
The children of Israel find themselves pinned against the Red Sea by Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. After God displayed His mighty power through the 10 plagues, they left Egypt with boldness, but that boldness had now turned to fear. God commands two things for them: One, do not be afraid, and two, stand still. The Bible is replete with the admonishment, “Do not be afraid.” As the saying goes, “God’s got this.” Know that when we think we are facing the insurmountable, God is still in charge and has a plan, and that plan is perfect. So it is best to stay out of the way by standing still and letting God do the work, rather than us making our own plans and trying to step out in our own strength.
Lord, we may not always know what you have in store for us, but may we rest assured knowing that since you see the end from the beginning that your plan is perfect, and may we stand still knowing that you will accomplish your work in our lives.
Jeff Mericle
