When Jesus spoke to His followers, He did not hide the intent of His message.  He wasn’t afraid to lose half-hearted followers.  Why?  Because Jesus knew He offered something to believe in.  Something to sell out to.

He spoke a parable to His disciples in Matthew 13 that offered a picture of what He expects:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in the field.  Jesus relays that if you don’t own the field where that treasure is, you must sell all and buy that field.  The essence of what Christ is saying is that what He offers is worth selling out for.  Too often in today’s Christianity, we want the best of both worlds.  We want to have the field, but get it without giving up everything.  Many people today, seek to have eternal life, without giving their whole life to Christ.

Jesus expects us to sell out our lives to Him.  To lay down our own ambitions and agendas and to take up His cross and follow Him.  Why do we fail at this?  Because it is not easy.  Jesus said we must count the cost of following Him.  It costs something, but He guarantees us an abundance of blessings if we follow Him whole-heartedly.  If we give up our lives, He gives us His life back.  What a trade!

On Mondays we usually take a drive out into the countryside.  We drove to Eureka Springs and captured a couple of pics of the White River off of Highway 62. 

Yesterday as I read Matthew 10 a verse of Scripture stuck out to me.  Verse 7-8, “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Jesus instructs His disciples to go and preach the message, to heal the sick, raise the dead and perform miracles.  Jesus equips them to proclaim.  God’s  intention for us is the same to go and we must go.  The interesting part that stuck out to me was when Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” 

As preachers, we often use this verse to receive the offering.  “Freely you have received, freely give to the Lord in this offering.”  But note the context in which Jesus uses this saying.  We have received salvation so we should proclaim salvation.  Take that a step further, Jesus in essence is saying that He has freely given us His power to preach, heal, raise the dead and perform miracles; so freely we must give.  Freely we should use that power to touch others. 

I believe that power is available for all of us, we just need to act.  We need to proclaim and pray for the sick.  We must walk in His miracle power.  Freely you have received His power, freely give.  Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  We have received power that we might be witnesses…we must give it away.

When we had children 12 years apart I thought we would escape the sibling rivalry.  I was naive!  It amazes me how much Josh and Hannah bicker between the two of them.  He irritates her, she irritates him.  I must say, however, that Hannah always seems to have the upper hand.

Last night, we were watching Snow White, one of Hannah’s favorite movies.  In one of the singing scenes, Dopey is playing the drums.  Without missing a beat, Hannah points at the TV and proclaims, “Josh is playing drums.”  I didn’t think Hannah could think of something like that at 2 years old.  I am nervous about how she will be as she gets older:)

Sibling Rivalries are nothing new.  They have been happening since Cain and Abel.  There was Joseph and his brothers.  Jacob and Esau.  Many more throughout the history of man.  This will never be changed until we get to Heaven.  Oh how sweet that will be!

I just read this piercing quote but H.A. Ironside.

“No one who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity.” – H.A. Ironside

So are you counting for God or playing around?

At times, most people struggle with doubt.  It is a part of the Christian life and if we are honest it is a common part of struggles of faith. 

The Between Worlds Blog highlights some help for those strugling with doubts:

1. Concentrate on the historical fact of the cross.
2. Do not seek refuge or advice with those who would shame you for doubting as if they never did.
3. Pray. Or, more specifically, hurl yourself at God.
4. Re-focus your doubts toward your own failings and inability. Doubt yourself, in other words.
5. Read your Bible. More specifically, meditate on Scriptural promises related to your area of doubt.
   written by Jared Wilson

Last night all decked out in her princess dress, Hannah comes in the kitchen, grabs my hand and says, “I dance with you daddy!”  You talk about an invitation.  It has amazed me the love that a father can have for his child.  I love my children more than anything else in life.   When I heard those words, I dropped what I was doing and danced with Hannah.  What dad wouldn’t?  There is something in the heart of a child that longs for the love and affection of their father.  Hannah and I danced until I was tired (because she never gets tired).  It was a great joy to take her by the hands and spin her around, hop, jig and even dance like Barney, the big purple dinosaur.  Hannah enjoyed it immensely and so did I.

In the heart of every person is the need for the love and affection from our Heavenly Father.  He has captivated us by His love.  We must respond.  He invites us to dance with Him.  I have written it before, but the book of Zephaniah records that God dances over us with love.  His heart is longing for you…He desires your companionship.  God’s love for you is more than your mind can comprehend.

Today we began our 21 day fast.  Is it just me or is your head screaming, “CAFFEINE”?  Our prayer focus this week is on ourselves.  Our needs and our consecration to God.  As we begin this fast, I believe it is healthy to do some introspection.  Some good old soul-searching.  Here is a spiritual health test that I have clung to for years.  I am not sure who wrote it but I believe it is a good way to search your heart.

• Am I honest with God and myself?
• Do I love God’s Word?
• Am I praying faithfully?
• Am I looking for opportunities to share Jesus’ love with others?
• Do I hate sin?
• Am I obeying the greatest commandment: to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and strength?
• Am I looking for Christ’s concern?

See any areas you can work on.  Make these a priority during these 21 days.  Hang in there only 20 days to go:)