The Harvest of Needed Change

S - "A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in. Now go, but remember, I am sending you like lambs into a pack of wolves." Luke 10 TS

O - Jesus doesn't instruct us to pray for souls or for revival or the like.  He does plainly tell us that our part in the change our world needs is to pray for workers and to be one.  What kind of worker should we be?  The kind who are like sheep among wolves.  The kind who start at love, lead with mercy and then (and only then) address facts.  The kind that love unconditionally and refuse to judge.  The kind that live and inspire unity, relationships with all and the wisdom of God's Kingdom.  The kind who believe Jesus about earth. "I tell you for certain we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about heavenly things?" John 3 TS

A - There is a huge difference between solidarity and unity; networking and relationships, skepticism and wisdom. Jesus prayed for unity not solidarity; called us to relationships not networking and to wisdom not skepticism (sheep among wolves not a better version of a wolf). I will embrace Jesus and his instruction about life on earth, the change we need and my part in it.   I will pray for workers since the harvest is already white.  I will ask for personal transformation so I will be the kind of worker he's inviting to work with him. I will accept my daily, hourly assignment to love God and love all others as my equal.     

P - Lord of all and of the Harvest,

I am accepting your invitation to work and pray.  I am asking for workers to join you and offering myself as well.  I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven. I will refuse to become a better version of a wolf. I know my safety as a sheep among wolves is being near the shepherd. Yes to unity; yes to relationships; yes to wisdom, … yes to YOU!

All my love,

Steve  

Christmas "Last Words"

S - Luke 1:30a, 37-38 (TLJ): "The angel said to Mary … Don't be afraid ... God can do anything! Mary said, ' I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!" Then the angel went away."

O - We live in a day and age where everyone always wants the last word; politicians, teachers, scientists, news commentators and religious leaders most often leading the way.  The Christmas exchange between the angel Gabriel and the young Nazareth virgin Mary (an unlikely pairing) holds the ultimate last words for heaven and for earth; for beings celestial and terrestrial. God's kingdom encompasses both heaven and earth and the last words of heaven to Mary and her last words to Gabriel reveal the only right conclusion both can come to.  Heaven says to all: God can do anything!  The point is not merely academic … it is personal and practical. Earth says to all: I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me.  The beauty of these last words includes relief from our points of origin.  The focus is not where you're from or even what you're made of (heaven or earth) but rather what will be your last words to any day, any situation and any other person?What if we lived and shared these last words every day while it is called today?  Just think what could happen in heaven, on earth and in us!

A - As a human being reaction is a part of my make-up and design.  I can't always control my initial response to anyone or anything.  Fear, shock, anxiety can all emerge immediately and predominately in the midst of life on earth. In fact, fear is how Mary started her encounter with heaven.  She confirms the truth that it's not the first thoughts or words but the last which will really carry the day. My assignment is less about my first reaction and way more about my conclusion to any day, any situation and other person.  I want to embrace and live out loud these last words: God can do anything! Whatever he's up to I’m in!  Let it be to me just as he as planned and purposed!

P - Lord,

You know exactly where I'm from and what I'm made of and you call me to these last words for every day, every situation and every other person.  I do believe this to be true because of Jesus, your written voice and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  So, Lord, please let me follow you in this regard as well.  Let me think, speak and live these last words unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

All in,

Steve

Productive Living

S -“Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire. Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you. … Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you …  You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other.” John 15 TS

O - Production itself is not the focus of Jesus in this coaching moment he takes with those closest to him. Earth has long been producing a wide range of items; many of them tragic and all of them temporary. The issue is what is produced and its shelf life. In direct contrast to the thinking of earth, lots of lasting fruit is not the variable. A life which becomes and remains fruitful isn’t dependent on supply chains, market forces, talent, skill sets, resources or opportunities exploited. The only variable is a relational one. Staying joined to a person, Jesus, and cooperating with his instructions is the point upon which it all pivots. He’s the exclusive difference between a life in the fire or one on fire.

A - If the guarantee of fruitful, lasting and unlimited (ask for anything) living weren’t enough, the unflinching commitment of the only source for it is almost unbelievable (except for who it is making this commitment). Jesus will unconditionally stay joined to me/us. The question is will I stay joined to him? Will I believe him about earth or try to limit his influence to my beliefs about heaven (cf. John 3:11-12)? Will I work for him or with him?  Will I live to him or in him?  The outcome for me, my living and my praying hang in the balance. I’m not given the option of being a stick in the mud … it's either a fruitful branch or a dry branch for the fire. I will choose to stay joined and to let his teaching about everything become a part of me. The company alone is worth whatever it may require. Yes to Jesus on earth … yes to fruitful, lasting production! 

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

I fully embrace that without you I can do nothing … nothing. Thank you for your relentless love and commitment to all — me included. You lead and I’ll follow. I love you back!

Steve

Unreasonably Together

S - “Would you really die for me?” Jesus asked. “I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t even know me. Don’t let your hearts be troubled! Have confidence in God and have confidence in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. …  Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 13 &14 TS

O -These words of Jesus are spoken in very close proximity to a great and public failure on the part of all of those closest to him … and Peter will lead the way. In light of such catastrophic failures on all levels there is no scolding, no lecture, no guilt. Instead, there is a clarion call to personal confidence in the one they are with, the one they will fail. His confidence in the outcome, regardless of such heartbreaking desertions and denials, is relentlessly unflickering. They will be together! Don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 

A - In the face of failures, private and public, the world (secular and religious) demands that my heart and mind be troubled, afraid. It insists I suffer a complete loss of confidence and prepare myself for the worst (and deserved) possible outcome. Jesus is teaching me to send this reasoning back to hell where it came from. He has never asked me to place confidence in myself or in my capacities to perform anything. He calls me to himself and to confidence in his person and in person of his Father; and to refuse a troubled or fearful heart because of them. His desire is not found in flawless performance but in relational authenticity … failures and all. He is preparing a specific and personal place for each one and he himself is the way. His only desire is that we be together with him. I am remembering the thief on a cross next to Jesus … today you will be with me in paradise.

P - Amazing Lord,

Amazing love, amazing grace, amazing life … together this day and every day because of who you are. Thank you for wanting us at our worst and not just at our best. For loving us simply because you do … no performance, no relational tightrope, no conditional approvals. Imperfect as I am and as my love is … I love you back with my all! No to troubled and fearful thinking and living. Yes to you … to confidence in you and your unconditional love. 

Steve