Jesus spoke to the people of His day in parables. These short stories had a moral or spiritual principle He wanted to communicate. They were intriguing and compelling. They were practical. He must have been a very interesting person to hear speak.

He broadcast His stories like a farmer sowing his seed. He just put them out there. He was like a broadcast spreader we would use on our lawn. He walked along throwing the seed out.

We should broadcast our stories more.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we take our example from You. Give us boldness to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom through interesting stories.

DAILY READING: Matthew 12,13

The Gospel of God’s Kingdom is simply about coming to the person of Jesus Christ. The attraction is not about music, light shows, eloquent oratory, impressive architecture, or any other substitute for the essence of our faith. It all happens when a sin-sick soul meets a loving, compassionate savior who can transform a life from pain and weariness to rest and true significance.

Our lives then become meaningful, have purpose, and fit into a marvelous master plan that promises an eternal existence with the Maker of the universe, Who started it all by simply inviting us to come to Him.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, may we never lose sight of Your love and mercy that drew us to Yourself. Give us the abiding concern for those around us who have yet to experience Your salvation.

DAILY READING: Matthew 10,11

Jesus told His disciples to … “teach … proclaiming the good news of the kingdom … heal every disease and sickness.” [Matt. 9:35] He looked with compassion upon the crowds of people and saw them harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

In my responsibility as a Christian School educator, I see this as a mission for our students. I’m asking the Lord to send them out as the workers He needs.

DAILY PRAYER: Heavenly Father, use Trinity Christian School to equip and train workers to be sent into Your harvest. The eternal value of a life lived to please You is certainly a worthy goal.

DAILY READING: Matthew 7-9

What? Who said that? … Jesus did, in Matt. 5. How is it possible?  What was He trying to say.

Firstly, this challenge is given in the context of how we treat each other. Don’t treat each other as mere humans do, but treat them as Your Heavenly Father does.  “Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.”

My earthly father built his life on the teachings of Jesus from Matt. 5-7, and I have never known a more Godly man. I am grateful for a wonderful role model. To me, he approaches perfection in this sense. I, too, want to be perfect.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we come so short of Your true glory, but in our weakness and shortcoming, Your strength and perfection must shine through. We want to be like You.

DAILY READING: Matt. 5,6

The animosity we see toward Christians from elected officials is nothing new. Herod wanted to kill Jesus and instructed the Magi to tell him where the child was. He said, “I want to worship Him.”  Really, he wanted to eliminate the rival to his power. Again, this is nothing new.

We who love Christ will continue to serve the Lord in faith, protected from His enemies by listening to the Lord’s voice of leading. God’s angel told Joseph to flee to Egypt. The same God will be faithful to instruct His people on how to cohabit in a spiritually resistant culture, yet carry out their ongoing assignment … to evangelize the world.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we know You have enemies, but we also know You have lost sheep who need to enter the fold. Empower us by Your Spirit to be faithful, flaming evangelists in this sin-laden society.

DAILY READING: Matthew 1-4

Happy Mothers Day!

Mothers, do you realize that only YOU can give God one of His most desired things?  He wants GODLY OFFSPRING! [Malachi 2:15] He wants children birthed and raised to serve Him. Your home is the best place on earth to cultivate godliness within the heart of a child. Sunday school, Christian schools, Bible clubs … they are all merely tools God has provided to assist in this process, but the core impact for spiritual formation happens at the side of the bed, at the meal table, in the myriad of situations each day presents where God’s ways can be taught by mothers who, like Hannah, are raising young Samuels to serve the Lord faithfully.

Mothers, you have possibly the most important role in the universe!

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for mothers. Bless each of them today in a special way. Make them know Your approval for their labor of love in birthing and raising children.

DAILY READING: Malachi 3,4

Thursday was the National Day of Prayer, and in my preparation for our school assembly I had been reading about the prayer life of George Washington. His prayer custom was morning and evening. Daniel and David both prayed 3 times a day. The featured verse for today at http://www.Biblegateway.com actually encourages constant prayer.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 16-18

There you have it. God wants continual prayer.  I’m in.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, continual fellowship with You is what I desire. I want to always please You, stay in Your presence, and experience the fullness of Your power in my life.

DAILY READING: Malachi 1,2

Zechariah prophesies that Jerusalem will experience the opposition of all the nations of the earth. Yet, she shall be an immovable rock, and all that try to move her will injure themselves.

Surely there are events prophesied that have yet to be experienced, but believers can take hope that when all around seems to press in, we are safe.  Christians ARE the City of God. Jesus will come again and put his foot on the Mount of Olives, split it from east to west, and become our Eternal Ruler here.

The most important thing, then, is to stay IN THE CITY.  Also, we can invite others to get into the City. That’s called “soul-winning.”

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, in You we find our safety. So, we will not live in fear, but in Hope, and we will be Your ambassadors to this generaion.

DAILY READING: Zechariah 10-14

As prophesied by Zechariah, Jesus would come.

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
    righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey.

I so remember this passage as there is an aria from Messiah using this text. It is one of the exciting passages in all the Bible.  Our King has come, and He will come again.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, we await Your return. You came once in a lowly manner. You will come again in all the majesty and glory that can be realized. You are our King.

DAILY READING: Zechariah 7-9

Zechariah prophetically referred to “The Branch.” This is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Who else could match the description described in chapter 6?

“… The man whose name is the Branch … and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne.”

The writer of Hebrews declares, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” [4:14]

DAILY PRAYER: Jesus, You are the Branch Zechariah spoke of. You are our High Priest who continually makes intercession for us.  We walk today in the sinless purity that only Your blood sacrifice can offer.

DAILY READING: Zechariah 3-6