Yes, Lord – Good News for December 4

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.

The Daily Path: “Do you believe that I can do this?”

It strikes me that Jesus asks these blind men the question of all questions. A question that I, as a follower of Christ, should ask myself everyday. Perhaps every hour. For how can I surrender myself if I do not believe that all things are possible for God?

It’s easy to say the words “Yes, Lord. I believe,”, but in those moments of fear and anxiety when I try to take back control… are my actions really saying something else?

Room to Chat: Yes, Lord. I believe that you can do all things. I also know that as a human I am weak. Help me to prepare during this Advent season by awakening Your grace in my heart so as to remove the doubt (blindness) born of worldly anxiety. Let me be like the blind men who’s faith brought them into Your light.

Building On Rock – Good News for December 3

Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

Good Sense – Good News for December 1

Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

The Daily Path: Until the awakening of my good (God) senses, I did not see, nor could I hear. But my awakening was only the beginning. Each day I still struggle towards 20/20 vision. My ears frequently strain to hear His words. But the good news is that sound can again penetrate the noise, while color emerges from what was once grayscale living.

Room to Chat: When the travelers knock at my door, will I give them refuge?

 

Immediate Surrender – Good News for November 30

Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

The Daily Path: Peter, Andrew, James and John. Four men, who, with nothing more than an invitation, immediately surrendered their lives to follow Christ.

Room To Chat: Lord, show me the way. Let the example of your disciples resonate in my mind and heart. Fill me with your grace.

 

First Sunday – Good News for November 29

Jeremiah 33:14

The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made.

The Daily Path: The first Sunday of Advent is here. Let the preparations for His coming begin with an awakening in our hearts and mind. Make the next four weeks some of the most memorable days of your life. Remove the “ME” and give generously of “YOU”. Start today with something small. The greatest gift ever given started as someone very small…

Room to Chat: He is coming.

 

Drowsy – Good News for November 28

Luke 21:34-36

Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Daily Path: Have you ever dealt with something so daunting in your life that sleep provides the only relief? Then you wake up… and the heavy heart returns.

In my own life I have experienced a “drowsy” heart brought on by carousing, drunkenness, and most recently, anxiety. I’m not sure what ultimately drove me to the first two, but I’m grateful that through an awakening of inner grace, I was able to emerge from those depths.

Anxiety in some ways seems to be the greater battle. Left unchecked, it’s a killer. The burden of anxiety wears you down physically, mentally and spiritually. I can understand why it could also lead you back to the other lapses that Jesus warns of. My life teachers speak of surrendering the anxiety and constant worry to the only one who can lift the burden from your heart. The Son of Man. In my heart I know He is indeed the only source of strength to deal with the tribulations of this life.

Room to Chat: Father, show me the path of surrender in these days of Advent. Awaken the grace within me so that my heart may be lifted up to You.