When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Observation:

Jesus’ mercy is for all.  He shares it with us so that we might share it with others.

Application:

When my family sits down to dinner together we pray the following table prayer:

“Come Lord Jesus be our guest; let these gifts to us be blessed.  And may there be a goodly share on every table everywhere.”

I love this prayer!  It’s simple and so sweet.  We invite Jesus to our table, ask for His blessing and ask that others be blessed as well.  What a great way to start the meal.  But I had never considered what it really means to invite Jesus to be a guest at our table.

Jesus gladly sits with sinners and tax collectors and enjoys a meal.  Not such a big deal to us in our day and age.  But that was huge back in Jesus’ time!  Tax collectors were outcasts among the Jews.  The sinners in this instance are probably robbers, adulterers and the like.  Today’s equivalent of these dinner guests might be the homeless, robbers, convicted criminals, the elderly, ex-husbands or ex-wives – you get the idea.  Jesus didn’t discriminate at His dinner table.  He also doesn’t discriminate when He joins our table.  He gladly sits among us sinners.

He even tells us why.  Mercy not sacrifice — love not law.  Jesus came to show us mercy and, just as importantly, show us how to be merciful.  So while He is happy to join us at the dinner table, He’s expecting us to show the same hospitality He does.  So does this mean I should invite “sinners and outcasts” to my dinner table?  Well, yes!  But, if I’m not comfortable doing that, I could volunteer my time to an organization – say one that feeds the homeless.

I know there are some of you thinking you could just donate money or maybe you already do.  I know because that’s what I’m thinking!  Don’t get me wrong, that’s a good thing to do.  But, I don’t want to miss the fact that Jesus actually sat with the sinners and outcasts in person!  He didn’t give them a gift card to Perkins, He joined them were they are and ate what they ate.  Jesus is all about personal relationship and He is calling us to be the same.

I have to admit, this makes me squirm a bit.  I’m definitely out of my comfort zone when I’m among strangers.  But if I think about wearing the shoes of some of these hurting people for a while, I know that I would want people to see me, talk to me, and even reassure me with a gentle touch.  That is Jesus and that is the person I’m supposed to be.

Our simple table prayer has become so much more to me.  It’s a beautiful blessing and a beautiful invitation to step out of my comfort zone and do some work for the kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Jesus, you are so merciful. Please forgive me for the times when I’ve been selfish and turned a blind eye to this hurting world.  Forgive me for times when I’ve only done what is in my comfort zone. Thank you for showing me Your mercy even though I’m so sinful. Help me to listen for You and look for those people you put in my life who need to see Your mercy.  Help me to step out of my comfort zone and be Your loving eyes, ears and hands.

I mentioned that I haven’t been writing any posts for awhile. Well, this blogging is a bit more work than I anticipated!  I have to admit that blogging isn’t something I’m used to doing as a habit and forming new habits is hard!  We learned in Hebrews 12:11 a few weeks ago that “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

So, is blogging unpleasant or painful?  Not really – there are times when I get on a roll and I just love it!  I feel like the Holy Spirit is revealing something new to me and I’m just bursting to share what I’ve learned.  It’s almost like I can’t type fast enough.  And then there are the times when I just stare at the screen and wonder why I’m even doing this?  I have nothing to write and, really, does anyone out there really care what I have to say?

Well, I know the answer to that — God cares what I have to say!!  He put this 5 x 5 x 5 Bible reading as well as the blogging on my heart to do.  So, while blogging may not produce righteousness and peace, the discipline it creates and the relationship it builds with my Lord do — and that is priceless!

So, with Hebrews 12:11 on my mind and in my heart, I’m back in the blogging saddle.  Keep me in your prayers and I’ll do the same for you as you continue reading Matthew

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Observation : 

The Holy Spirit speaks to us at many times and, in this case, during worship.

Application:

It’s easy to let our worship become stale – so stale in fact that we may not even be listening for the Holy Spirit!  I admit that there have been days when I’ve gotten in my car after worship and asked myself:  What was the sermon about?  What were the readings?  What hymns did we sing?  I mean, really, was I even there!!!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with my church.  I know the fault lies completely with me.

This verse has me thinking about what I can do to make sure that I’m staying focused and listening for the Holy Spirit specifically during worship.  One idea is contained in the verse itself, fasting.

Prep the Night Before – Pick out your clothes and iron, if necessary.  Gather any supplies you might need for worship, Sunday School, etc.

Sleep – plan on getting a good night’s sleep so you’re not nodding off during worship.

Set your alarm clock – whenever I’m rushed or late getting to worship, I feel so unsettled that it’s hard to concentrate.

Eat – if hunger pains start you thinking about Whoppers instead of worship, get up in time to have a good breakfast.

Fast – okay, that’s the opposite of eating.  But, if your stomach growls, take that as a sign to listen up.

Pray – ask God for help staying focused.

Take notes – keep a notebook to use each week.  Jot down the verses, songs, sermon title and some notes on the sermon.

Be early – Plan on getting there a bit early to talk to friends, find a seat, read the announcements, etc.

Understand what you’re saying – many times we say the same or similar words each week. Figuring out where they came from and why we say them can bring a new richness to them.

Understand what you’re singing – Hymns and worship songs typically have great stories behind them. “It is Well With My Soul” was just a typical hymn until I found out the story behind it.  Now whenever it is part of the worship service, I’m really paying attention.

This is a pretty long list and I’m sure that more ideas can be added.  Now this is too many to try all at once, but I’m excited to try a couple if it means keeping worship fresh and, more importantly, helping me to hear the Holy Spirit.

 Prayer:

Lord, You are the author and perfector of my faith (Hebrews 12:2) and I thank and praise You for that. Please forgive me for not being completely engaged in worship and keeping my ear tuned for You. Thank You for still speaking to me even when I don’t deserve it. Help me to change my habits during worship service so that I’m focused on the message and on You.

So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Observation:

The early church prayed for a fellow believer in need.

Application:

This little verse says so much about what is expected of the church.  But, who is the church?  Is it the building that I go to on Sundays for worship?  What would happen if that building were wiped out in a tornado – would I no longer be part of a church?  Most of us know that the answer is emphatically NO.  The church is the body of believers – those people who I worship with on Sundays.  We can worship anywhere and still be the church.  But, church is also fellow believers around the world who we may never meet in our whole life on earth.

Our prayers to God are to include prayers for all our fellow believers. In Acts 12:14, the situation is quite dire as Peter is in prison.  So, it is natural that the church would pray for him.  But, our prayers for each other don’t have to wait for dire circumstances.  We can pray for the young couple who have just announced their engagement, the teenager who is about to go to his first dance, the widow who seems lonely, the church leader who seems troubled, a missionary in a faraway land whom we have never met, and those around the world who are being persecuted for Christ. Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ should move us to pray for them whoever and wherever they are.

So, yes, we are expected to pray for fellow believers. But the return on investment for us personally is very high. These prayers build a strong, loving community among the body of believers. This is a community that we can lean on and envelope ourselves in when necessary. It is a community that we can trust. Not because they are perfect, but because they are fellow believers who we know care enough to pray for each other.

Prayer:

Lord You are the great I AM (Exodus 3:14).  This is a concept that is impossible to wrap my human mind around.  I am truly in awe of You, Lord. Forgive me for forgetting to pray for others in my church and focusing selfishly on my own needs and wants. Thank You for the gift of prayer. I know that You are eager to hear my prayers when they are eloquent, when they are awkward, when they are cried out in desperation or even when they are in my heart but I can’t find the words. Please open my eyes to those who are in need of prayer and then help me to lift them up to You.

This week we will spend more time with Peter and see Barnabus and Paul head off on a mission to Antioch with the overarching theme being the spread of the Gospel.

My prayers are with you all as you continue reading Acts

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace.  It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Observation:

The fledgling Christian church had been through some trying times up to this point and God provides them a season of rest.

Application:

I sometimes enjoy looking at other translations or paraphrases of the Bible just to help deepen or clarify a meaning.  The “fear of the Lord” is often one of those phrases that can be confusing – are we really supposed to be afraid of our loving God?  I checked out a few of my favorite translations and then also decided to see what The Message (a paraphrase) had to say:

Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.

It made me chuckle to see the phrase “smooth sailing”, but I found what I was looking for – “permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God.” What a great way to say fear of the Lord!  We could also add in there awe, respect, love, confidence, and, yes, even fear.  But not afraid.  I know my God is great, all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere. He isn’t like sinful man, He is holy. That is why I love Him.  That is why I fear Him.

I believe we live in a culture that doesn’t fear God and it can be so easy to get caught up in that trap. We want to be sensitive, inclusive, tolerant, loving — shall I say “politically correct.”  While I’m not saying those things are bad, they don’t always equal the fear of the Lord.  My measure needs to be God and His Word not man and his foolish wisdom. That’s when I will find “smooth sailing.”

Prayer:                                                                                                                                                                                              

Lord, You are to be feared – revered, awed, loved, respected, adored. I know that I don’t impart the proper reverence for You all of the time. Please forgive me when I choose the foolish ways of this world over You.  At the same time, I know you created this world and all the beauty that can be found in it. It is a beautiful place that testifies to Your glory every day in simple things like the sunrise. Holy Spirit, please be my guide in making good choices that honor You and not this world so that I may have smooth sailing during my time on earth.

Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.

Observation:

The apostles knew they couldn’t do everything on their own.  So, they chose others to manage the feeding of the poor.

Application:

The apostles embraced the art of delegation.  They knew that their assigned task was to preach and spread the good news of Jesus. I’m so happy that they realized that physical needs were just as important.  The also knew that it was important to pick people who were believers so that they would be guided by the Holy Spirit as they served the poor.  While Stephen and crew weren’t assigned to teach and preach as their main job, they still did so in their own way when they did the work they were given with loving hearts.

We all have “assignments” to accomplish during this life on Earth.  Some people are assigned to be church workers others to be stock brokers, janitors, artists, CEOs, etc.  These assignments may change over the course of our lives.  Sometimes we may not really like our assignments.

For over 20 years, I worked full time along with being a wife and mother.  A couple of years ago I was laid off and my husband and I decided I would be a stay-at-home mom – no more working full time outside the home!  However, that meant one of my new “assignments” was to be the main person doing the house cleaning – no more sharing that duty with my husband.  That seemed like a really fair deal – and truthfully I still think it is.

However, I don’t like cleaning.  It’s not that I don’t like having a clean house because I really do.  I just don’t like cleaning.  Now you may be thinking this is fairly trivial compared to really important assignments like feeding the poor.  But, this is the work that God has given me right now – keeping my house clean.  When I don’t do it I’m being disobedient to God.  But when I allow Him to use me for the assigned task, even cleaning my house, I’m showing love to God and my family by serving.

Prayer:

Lord You are so faithful and loving and I praise You for this. Y0u know my struggles when I have an “assignment” that I don’t really like and I humbly ask for your forgiveness when I’m not obedient. Thank You for my family and my home and for this opportunity to serve them. Please change my heart to be like Yours so that I can embrace the work that You’ve given me for this time in my life.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Observation:

Jesus had instructed the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the gift He was going to send them.  When the Holy Spirit arrives, we find them all together in one place.

Application:

I always wonder what they were doing while they were all together in one place.  I imagine they were sharing stories of their time with Jesus, talking about His teachings, partaking in the Lord’s Supper together.  I don’t doubt they were sharing the message with others and baptizing while they were waiting for the promised gift.  They probably also had some fear as they no longer had Jesus walking among them.  I imagine that’s why they were all together in one place.

I’m a member of a great women’s Bible study group.  We meet weekly and focus on completing our Bible study assignments.  But along with that we enjoy coffee, juice, treats and most importantly our lives.  We share our triumphs, struggles and prayer for each other. Our group may change over time or maybe even stop meeting all together.  But for now, God has a purpose for us to be together. We are all together in one place.

Prayer:

Lord, Your love is unfailing.  Your love has constancy, depth and beauty that is unequaled anywhere else. Please forgive me when I haven’t shown love to others. Thank You for loving me and putting people in my life at just the right times and places.

Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Observation:

The apostles left the choice of Judas’ replacement to God.

Application:

Casting lots isn’t a term we hear that often nowadays, but the concept is quite simple.  Toss a cube, stones or maybe some sticks to make a choice.  The apostles decided they needed to replace Judas and after narrowing the choices to two, they cast lots.  Maybe they each had a rock with Matthias on one side and Joseph on the other, they tossed their rock and then tallied it up to see who the new apostle would be.  Although it’s not clear what specific method they used, it is clear that they left the choice to God.  They weren’t playing a game of chance to make the decision.  They prayed and asked for God’s guidance in making the choice between the two. Then, placing their trust in God, they cast their lots.

I know of a church that uses the same concept that the apostles used to choose a new pastor.  They narrow the selection down to a few names, pray for guidance, put the names in a hat and then select a name from the hat. The first time I heard of this I was so surprised that they would leave such a big decision to chance!  But, they weren’t – they were leaving it to God.  What an amazing examples of trust in God!

I can think of a time recently when I struggled over a decision.  I discussed options with people whom I trust, narrowed the choices and prayed for guidance.  I then made a choice and lately I’ve been wondering if it’s the right one.  What would have happened if I had just cast lots like the apostles?  If I had really trusted God completely and left the choice to Him via a coin toss, would the choice have been the same? While I’ll never know that answer, I can see a lot more coin tossing in my future.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the Creator of all and amazingly creative. I’m constantly amazed at Your creation, from the smallest to the largest. All I have to do is look around me each day to see You.  Thank you for all You have created and for revealing Yourself to me in new ways each day. Thank you for Your loving guidance when I have to make choices. Forgive me for times when I haven’t gone to You for guidance or haven’t listened for your answers. Help me to place my trust completely in You – to be humble enough to toss a coin.

Observation:

My NIV Bible says these verses may not exist in early manuscripts and Mark 16 probably  ended with verse 8.  So why are these verses here?

Application:

This isn’t a typical SOAP devotion, but I was just so taken with the possibility that verses 9 – 20 maybe shouldn’t even be there.  I’ve read these verses before along with the disclaimer found in my NIV Bible “The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9 -20″.  But I’ve never really thought much about it.

Now it’s important to note that I’m a firm believer in Sola Scriptura or Scripture Alone.  According to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, this means, “The Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word, in which He reveals His Law and His Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.”  It seems that the possibility that the Mark 16 verses may not belong goes against Sola Scriptura, so I decided to do a bit of research.

We no longer have actual original texts of the Bible, however there are copied manuscripts from which we derive our current translations.  Let’s first talk about those.  Imagine you are making a copy of one of the books of the Bible.  You would be doing it by hand, of course.  After all, there were no printing presses, computers and spell-check back in those days.  You would also be a believer and know that it was God’s true word!  It was an honor to copy God’s Word so there is no doubt that you would take great care in making the copy.  You would check and re-check each letter and word and probably have someone else check as well. The point here is that the chance of error made by man is very, very low! Of course, it’s still possible, but that’s where God steps in — it is His book after all

Now, back to Mark 16.  In the case of the Book of Mark, some of the oldest Greek manuscripts end at Mark 16:8. Many Bible scholars also look at the style, vocabulary and content and believe there is some discontinuity with the rest of Mark.  It’s probable that the extra verses were added as Mark was read alongside the other gospels.  Now this is all very scholarly and interesting, but what does that mean about the reliability of the Book of Mark and the Bible as a whole?

Let’s look at the events in Mark 16:9-20.  We read about Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene and the Eleven.  We read about the Great Commission given by Jesus to go out into the world and tell the good news.  Finally, it ends with Jesus ascension into heaven.  All of these events are mirrored in at least one of the other gospels.

This lends itself to the explanation of how these verses could have ended up in the book of Mark.  But, more importantly, we see that there are no contradictions or errors when we allow the Bible to be considered as a whole.  And that is the real point.  While there may be some minor errors from translation to translation, there are no places where key teachings are contradicted!  Sola Scriptura!!

The Bible tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed”  (2 Tim 3:16) and “Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).  We can be sure that the Bible is God’s inerrant and infallible Word because He is God!

Prayer:

God, Your way is perfect and Your Word is flawless! (Psalm 18:30) Forgive me when I put the word of men before Your perfect Word. Thank You so much for giving me the Bible and for opening my heart to understand it. Thank You for the peace, comfort, guidance, joy, love and life-saving message I receive from Your Word. Please keep me in Your Word daily!  Help me finish the 5x5x5 reading plan especially when my commitment starts to wane and I’m tempted to do other things. Holy Spirit, please bring fresh meaning to the words and remind me of what You have already revealed to me.