PC3 Devotions

Luke 16:1-13

 1Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

 3“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

 5“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

 6” ‘Eight hundred gallonsof olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’

 7“Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ ” ‘A thousand bushelsof wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

 8“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

 10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

 13“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

At first glance, to be labeled a shrewd is a title few would want. The word carries with it some negative images like the shrewd businessman who is cutthroat and will not let anything stand in the way of what he wants. The ultimate goal for him is personal success, and every decision is seen through this lens even if the end results leave hurting people in his wake. Many feel this word resides in the place where manipulation, crookedness, and deception call home.

For this very reason, we struggle to understand the truth Jesus was trying to convey by telling the parable of the shrewd manager found in Luke 16:1-13. Chances are good it caught some of His listeners off guard because it appears that Jesus is praising a crook for his actions. Why would Jesus want us to emulate a man whose boss labeled him as not only dishonest (v.8) but incompetent (v.1) as well? Some translations go as far as stating the shrewd manager was a thief (v. 2). Should we take this to mean He is condoning this biblical Robin Hood’s approach to money management?

We know and trust that a Holy God would never applaud deceptive behavior. So what exactly does He want believers to emulate in the shrewd money manager? Believe it or not, God desires us to be shrewd. Our hang-up with this parable comes from the motives that drove the manager’s actions. They were purely self-serving. Having been busted by his boss for squandering the resources he had been given, the manager goes into resource mode to save his own hide.

Slashing debts left and right suddenly placed the manager on solid footing because through his actions his boss was seen as generous in the eyes of others. The boss is now stuck between a rock and a hard place. He either commends his manager and accepts the label of being generous or fires his manager and appears greedy. This would cause sympathy from the debtors, and the manager would have a place to stay when his mean, greedy boss fired him.

Realizing he had just been the victim of a fast one, the boss could not help but chuckle and applaud the manager’s quick thinking and resourcefulness. Shedding his incompetent and lazy label, the manager was now constantly alert, looking for angles, and skillful in his adaptation. Shrewdness is a middle term that is neither good nor evil. Instead, the motives that lead a person to be shrewd are what determine the word’s morality. Synonyms for being shrewd are astute, calculating, discerning, and perceptive.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus encourages His disciples to be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” This statement drives to the heart and shines light on the truth of the parable, which is to leverage everything we have for God’s kingdom. It would be easy to dismiss the strengths the manager possessed because they were done with an impure heart. Yet, the key to this parable is found in verse 8: “For the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” In other words, if a crook only looking out for his own can understand that his life is better when he gives away money to benefit others, then why can’t the people of God manage to get it right?

What if we focused on the servant’s resourcefulness and his ability to think outside the box and imagine what it would look like if they were done with pure motives? Shrewdness becomes strategic when we use our influence for God’s kingdom. How can we begin to be shrewd? The execution comes when you use your life. It begins by paying attention to the things that are going on around you. We need to think of how we can use our resources and abilities to make Him known. Use the opportunities you have been given to enhance God’s reputation.

God, help me to be shrewd in the opportunities you present in order to further your kingdom. Allow me to act with purpose. May I act and speak with pure motives so you may be glorified. Amen.

News had begun to spread about a teacher named Jesus who was healing the sick as well as proclaiming some radical truths. Understandably, crowds began to follow. On a mountain in the town of Galilee, Jesus sat down and spoke to the people in need. This speech, found in Matthew 5-7, is most commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount.

The foundation for our recently introduced Bystander series comes from one verse found in this section. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be coming back to this verse time and time again. Why you might ask? Well, within this single verse, Jesus tells us who we are. He is speaking about our identity.

Nothing has a greater potential to influence our actions and words than truly seeing ourselves from His perspective. Trusting in this identity not only gives us hope for the future but also purpose for our days. We are able to gain a proper perspective not only on how we perceive the world but also our role within it. So, how did Jesus refer to us? Take a moment to reflect and journal on the following verse:

Matthew 5:13

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

We are the “salt of the earth.” At first glance, it seems a bit odd that Jesus would choose a common baking ingredient to describe believers. And to top things off, He didn’t pick a more exotic ingredient like cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, or paprika. Nope, Jesus referred to us as the Rodney Dangerfield of the spice rack. Salt gets no respect.

Even though salt is the least glamorous of all the spices, it is the most widely used. Most of our food already has salt added to it. Almost every recipe includes at least a pinch of salt. Salt is a vital ingredient. It brings out and enhances flavor. It balances out the rest of the spices. From a single bite, you know if a recipe included too much salt or not enough. It’s that noticeable.

Yet, for as critical as salt is to baking, it can be a bit unnerving being compared to something you can purchase for less than a few dollars at the local Harris Teeter. This is where understanding past cultures plays a critical role in unlocking the truths of Scripture.

During Jesus’ time, salt was a valuable commodity. Back then, your life literally depended on your ability to acquire and have access to salt. It was so valuable that in some areas it was used as currency. The Latin phrase “salarium argentum” referred to the payment every Roman solider received. They literally got paid in salt. This phrase carried down through the ages and later became the English word we know now as “salary.”

So what should one take away from this brief discourse on the importance of salt? How should seeing yourself as salt influence how you go about your business today? Quite simply, you have value in God’s eyes. As the salt of the earth, you are an essential ingredient in making His name known. Yet in order to make a difference, salt must make contact. We must mix ourselves up in this mixed up, messed up world. Through the way you live your life, you add flavor to this world.

Remember what we learned on Sunday. Everybody is leading somebody somewhere. Without you reflecting His name through love and forgiveness, the world would take notice. There would be something missing. You play a critical role in helping others encounter a loving and caring Savior.

God, help me to realize that every day I encounter people who need you. Allow me to see them as you see them. May I take my responsibility of being the salt of the earth seriously. Amen.

Matthew 5:13-16

13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Everybody is leading somebody, somewhere. None of us are simply standing by. Each morning we wake up and go about our business interacting with others. In these interactions we are influencing people and pointing them in a direction. Through our actions and our words, we are leading individuals. Whether it’s our family, co-workers, neighbors or random encounters, we are influencing individuals through the way we live our lives. But, many of us don’t stop long enough to ponder where we are leading them. If these people followed you, where would they end up?

Coming to the realization that people are looking at the way you leverage your influence can be a bit intimidating at first.  Our influence must be based and viewed solely through our identity in Christ and the truths of who God says we are found in scripture.  Unfortunately, many of us feel uneasy or nervous when confronted with a picture of ourselves seen through God’s eyes. Rather than shrink away from our responsibility, we must use how God’s word defines us as our rallying cry for change.

In Matthew 5:13-16, the imagery of salt and light is used to describe the basic character of a Christian’s life. Captured in this passage is the reason we must make every effort to be great stewards of the influence we’ve been given. The Greek word for salt is ‘halas.’ They used this term to describe a preservative or something which cleanses and purifies. In essence, we have been charged with doing the purifying work of Jesus here on earth. To be like salt means to add something that is beneficial to the earth. By living your life differently, you are adding the essential qualities of Jesus to this world.

Jesus continues on in verses 14 and 15 by describing believers as the light of the world. This imagery connected with the listeners of this era because rabbis thought of Israel as a light to the world. It also points back to Isaiah 42:6 where God called the suffering servant to be a light to the nations. In the gospel of John, Jesus is described as the light from God which shines into the darkness of the world. Now, Jesus is calling us to be a light in a dark world.

This leaves us with some pretty challenging questions. How can we be a light to the world? What must the world see? If we don’t live as the salt then what is the point in being salt in the first place? If I am a believer and don’t try to live as a light to those around me, what is the point? Jesus tells us who we are. We are the salt and light. We are called to make a difference and directly impact culture. If our salt doesn’t add flavor to this world and our light fails to illuminate then what is the point? Your ability to influence begins and ends with your integrity and walk with God.

As salt and light we are urged to go out into the world. Not Jesus, but you. By referring to us as the salt, Jesus is telling us that we matter in terms of doing God’s work here on Earth. God is calling each of us to be a light in a darkened world. Our hope is that the way we live our lives will lead men and women to glorify God and catch a glimpse of the transformation which occurs when God captures someone’s heart. Being salt is about pointing others toward God. Leadership is about serving God in such a way that He is glorified and you are able to influence those you touch in the ways of God. You lead by living as Jesus has called you to follow Him. Influence overflows from your walk.

Each one of us must ask ourselves whether we are being intentional with the responsibility and influence we’ve been given. What are you doing with this message of hope? This question changes everything because it moves you from participating to owning the mission.

Leverage is simply the power to influence something in a particular direction. Leverage is about taking personal responsibility for the Kingdom of God. One begins to leverage their life when they begin to understand God has given them the power to influence others through the way they live their lives.

Reaching people is not a passive activity. Salt must make contact in order to make a difference. Helping someone walk with God requires taking the time to get to know them. The challenge before you is to start somewhere with someone. Just begin to move in. Everywhere you look are hurting people waiting for someone to engage them.

Reaching involves identifying who is within your reach. Whether you believe it or not, God has you right where He wants you. All around you are people who are desperate for meaning in their life. They want nothing more than to hear there is a God full of grace and mercy who desires to be in a relationship with them.  Now pause for a second: Who are the “they” in your life?

God, let me steward the influence you’ve given me well. May I realize that every moment is an opportunity to influence and impact others for your name. Allow the excitement I feel over being lavished with your grace to overflow in my actions and words. Amen.

Statistics show that more than 60% of people lose their temper at least once per week. These stats should get you angry because you know the other 40% of respondents are not being honest. Each one of us has buttons that, if pushed correctly, amp up our emotions and cause us to freak out. These triggers have the ability to set us off on a path of destructive words, thoughts, and behaviors if not dealt with properly.

When you are angry, you should take notice. Why? Because anger serves as an indicator of disarray happening within your heart. Our anger is a gauge of what is taking place on the inside. Jesus confirms this point. In Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” Later on in Matthew 15:18-19, Jesus takes it a step further. Take a moment and consider these words found in Matthew:

Matthew 15:18-19

18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

To understand anger, we have to look at our heart. Proverbs 4:23 encourages us to guard our heart because it serves as the “wellspring of life.” What is taking place within our heart when we get angry? There are numerous reasons our emotions get all amped up: feeling our “rights” have been violated, frustrated over our current circumstances, not having control over a situation, our pride getting hurt, feeling misunderstood, being disrespected, or someone blocking what we desire.

At the core of all these reasons is the fact that you wanted something and didn’t get it. James 4 tells us that the source of our quarrels and fights “come from the evil desires at war within you.  You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.” Kill seems like a pretty harsh word. But in Matthew 5:22, Jesus placed the anger you hold towards someone on the same playing field as the sin of murder. The Bible says we shouldn’t take our anger lightly. It is no wonder, then, that scripture also urges to not let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26) and to put all anger away (Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:31).

Selfishness, ungratefulness, and impatience define our anger. We get angry when we don’t get what we want and sometimes think we deserve. This places us on shaky ground because people who feel they are owed something walk around with a chip on their shoulders. The longer we let this anger fester the more it clouds our judgments. Proverbs 27:4 compares anger to a flood in its power to destroy and harm.

Other parts of scripture go as far as saying anger kills the foolish man (Job 5:2). How? By consuming our thoughts and dictating our actions which tend to bring with it all kinds of sin (Proverbs 29:22). Getting angry rarely solves problems and, in fact, tends to produce more conflict and trouble (Proverbs 30:33). Losing our cool only makes things worse because we tend to act like fools (Proverbs 14:7, Ecclesiastes 7:9). The anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires (James 1:20).

Yet, Paul, the writer of Ephesians, expects us to experience anger.  He understood that emotions are God-given. Paul is more concerned that his readers understand how to manage their anger, and from his perspective the key is not allowing it to get wedged inside your heart. In other words, cut it off at its source as quickly as possible.

Instead we are commanded to be slow to anger (James 1:19, Proverbs 16:32). Yes, patience in difficult situations does bring peace and perspective (Proverbs 14:29). But that is not our main purpose for being slow to anger. During those moments of patience, we are reflecting God’s heart (Exodus 34:5, Numbers 14:18). The kindness of God, seen through His being slow to anger, is what allows us to repent. We get rid of anger and bitterness through the difficult act of forgiveness, which is both an event and process. We must forgive just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).

Understanding the love God has for us is critical in helping us process through our anger and tense situations. We want so desperately to control our own world and have everything fall into place. We desire to be the one who dictates our path and our direction. In a way, believing we are in control of anything is foolish. God is in complete control and holds everything together by His hand (Psalm 103:19, Romans 8:28). He controls the laws of the universe, the tides of the ocean. Our very existence depends on Him. We can rest in the fact that the one who is in control of everything loves us deeply. This helps us from agonizing over trying to control every situation or fuming with negative anger over our current situation.

God, may I not take my angry lightly. Help me to confront the real reasons I freak out and get angry. Enable me to see the deeper issues taking place within my heart. Shine your light on these areas. Expose them for what they are. Amen.

As you read John 13 today, you can’t help but notice that to the very end Jesus exemplified servanthood.  As faithful Jews gathered to celebrate the Passover feast, the disciples were in the dark about the events that would transpire in the not so distant future. However, Jesus was fully aware of the rejection and sacrifice awaiting him on the cross.

On the flip side, the disciples had a bigger concern on their mind: who would be the greatest among them (Luke 9:46). You can’t blame them for this debate as it’s in our fallen nature to jockey for position. They realized that if someone was deemed the greatest it required another to be the least and no one would dare sign up for that responsibility.

Even though they were oblivious to Jesus’ pending crucifixion, each disciple was keenly aware that someone needed to wash the others’ feet before the meal began. This undignified tasks was reserved for the household servant. However, a servant was nowhere to be found.

Since Jesus orchestrated this meal, this oversight might not of been an oversight at all, but something done on purpose. He was testing His disciples to see if they had been listening to His message of service. Unfortunately, no one moved.

With grimy and dirt covered feet, they held steadfast to their stubbornness waiting to see if anyone would budge and take on the role of lowly servant. Before the elephant in the room could get any bigger, Jesus took a towel and a water basin and showed them first hand what greatness truly encompasses. In this act, he called them to a life of service:

John 13:12-17

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

If His message and lifestyle of authentic servanthood left His disciples and the crowds of His time stunned, it is no wonder these words seem completely out of place in our “me first” culture. This line of thinking turns our self-centered world on its head, which is exactly the point: God is challenging each one of us to live differently. A quick scan of the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5-7) proves this point.

In these three short chapters, Jesus shares some foundational truths about the way He desires His followers to live. He begins His speech with The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), which author Charles Swindoll refers to “as the most descriptive word-portrait of servanthood ever recorded.” Jesus describes the different qualities and character traits that make up a servant. As He continues, Jesus repeatedly uses the phrase “you have heard it say…but I say to you….” to contrast how a disciple should live differently compared to the rest of the world. Humility, authenticity and service should be markers that define our lives.

Because God’s major objective for our life is to be conformed into the image of His Son, our lives should be a reflection of what Christ was all about – serving others. The reason for living a life of service is not to help God; He would manage perfectly fine without us. We serve to reflect His love.

God, today may I look for ways to serve rather than to be served. Help me to put other’s needs above my own. I want to have the boldness to reflect your love today through acts of service. Amen. 

Proverbs 15:28

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbs 17:28 

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Words are a powerful tool that can be used for good as well as to harm. The only thing words are incapable of doing is remaining neutral. No other subject in the book of Proverbs is focused on more than that of the tongue. On average, in every chapter you’ll find ‘words,’ ‘tongue,’ ‘lips’ or ‘mouth’ mentioned five times. These words appear in Proverbs no less than 150 times. King Solomon, the author of this book, goes into great detail about how one’s speech gives a glimpse into their character and heart.

Want to know what a person is like? Solomon suggests listening to the words that come out of their mouth. He understood how our words shed light on our actual disposition toward others and reveal what we’re really like. Jesus confirms this line of thinking in Matthew 12:34 when he says, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

One of the major themes throughout the book of Proverbs is the way our speech is a test of how wise we have become. When it comes to our speech, wisdom is seen through the use of self-control. Solomon suggested taking a ‘less is more’ approach to our tongue. He urges us to be quiet and listen, before a word is uttered from our lips. Unfortunately, many of us take the “speak now; think later” approach to our words.

Anyone who has suffered a nasty case of “foot in mouth” disease understands the beauty of Solomon’s advice. Our thoughts seem to be going in slow motion, but our words spill out of our mouth quicker then the speed of light. As we clumsily attempt to grasp those words and take them back at all costs, someone is left confused, hurt or embarrassed. Our words can quickly lead us into a situation that we do not want to find ourselves in. In the heat of the moment, have you said words you regretted later?

What would happen if you paused and considered the impact of your words before speaking? Imagine the difference if you thought about, or even prayed about, everything you said before you said it. Remember, you can always learn more by listening than you can by talking.

Counting our words teaches us to be conscience of them and their power to either bless or curse those around us. A starting point for taking control of our tongue and becoming stewards of our words is a language inventory. Over the course of today, watch for patterns and trends in your speech.

While recording your findings, reflect on the following questions: Which phrases do you see appear most often? How much do you talk? How do you tend to use your words? Are there certain times of the day or night when your speech gets out of hand? Are the words you use differently depending on the type of people you are around? Are there certain people you tend to blow up at, gossip about or harshly criticize? What emotions seem to drive your speech? Taking a moment to ponder the answer to these questions will help you assess where you are at with this ongoing struggle.

Your decisions reveal not only what you believe about the truth, but where your hope resides. Whether you realize it or not, you place your hope in every decision you make. Think about it for a moment. What drives your decisions? What do you hope will be the intended outcome? What caused you to act in a certain way?

For some, acceptance has the highest value. For others, they hope that their decision will provide some level of security. The appearance of success, a sense of notoriety, a moment of peace or a feeling of stability. These are just a few of the things we hope we’ll experience as a result of the decisions we make.

Hope always has a focus – a place where we set our eyes. Hope is directional as it points us towards something. There is movement when it comes to hope. It encourages us to move in a direction that is either toward God or away from Him, but it always points us somewhere. One direction leads us to something that cannot sustain (hopes of this world) while the other is where fulfillment is found (hope of God)

Decisions are hopeful and the weight of our hope needs a firm foundation. You have to decide what you will live for and then arrange you life to pursue it.  Often our foundation crumbles under the weight of the life we were made for. It is crucial we have a foundation strong enough to bear the weight of our hope. Consider these words:

Matthew 7:24-27

  ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Our perspective of hope must develop past just feelings or received blessings. Seeing hope from a foundational standpoint occurs when you begin to widen the lens. Where you place your hope shines light on what you believe about God. If God is not trustworthy or has ‘failed’ you somehow, you will be less inclined to place your hope in Him.  Yet, if you see God as the supplier of our every need then you trust in His provision. Both perspectives of God reveal what our hope rests on.

If what you see determines where you are headed then questions involving direction are also needed as we evaluate where we have placed our hope. When we need hope, where do we turn? When we face difficulty, is our initial reaction to turn to friends, family, or even our sheer willpower to get us through this stretch? What direction do our eyes turn when we are trying to make sense out of something life throws our way? Do we look to people, circumstances or other aspects of this life? Is seeking out wisdom even in the picture?

Without having the Truth serve as our foundation, we find ourselves on shaky ground. Our hearts can easily be deceived and alter our perspective our decisions. Scripture talks about when we suppress the truth that we have a darken understanding, futile thinking and our hearts become hardened. Proverbs 17:24 says, “a discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” Keeping wisdom in view is keeping God as your focus.

In Matthew 7:24-27,  Jesus tells a parable that speaks of the importance of building a home on a solid foundation versus a house built on sand. The foundation becomes significant when the house begins to settle as it weathers the test of time. Eventually, the cracks in the foundation will cause the house built on sand to fall apart. The shifting sand cannot withhold the storms of life. There is no assurance, there is no rest and hope at best is fleeting. What your hope is in reveals who or what you are building upon. The reliability of that foundation to support you is displayed through the way we live our lives.

Only one foundation can provide rest and this is of great importance. Rest is the ability to be quiet and confident. It is dependent on trust and assurance, not on personal accomplishment or circumstances. Assurance and trusts are givens, resulting in rest when it comes to hope that is found in Jesus. Some may wonder why God is so concerned that we have hope. It is because without hope there can be no faith. In Hebrews 11:1, we read that faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith springs out of hope.

God, may I see the truth as my firm foundation. May your Word and your will be the cornerstones that I build every decision upon. Thank you for providing me with unshakable hope. Amen.

Over the course of the past few days we’ve begun to explore in depth God’s character. At best, we’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg. We’ve barely begun to describe the attributes of God. There aren’t enough pages to adequately describe and contain His greatness. Volumes could be written on God’s mercy, grace and goodness and, even in that, we will just see a shade of each quality.

Our goal is to not only give you a glimpse into God’s heart, but also to dispel how intimidating big theological words can be. For instance, let’s reflect on God’s omniscient. Chances are good some of you just halted in your tracks. You’ve never heard this word, let alone know how trusting in this characteristic of God can alter your perception of your worth in God’s eyes. Omniscient can be defined as having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things. One of yesterday’s scriptures spoke of God’s omniscience:

Luke 12:7

7 Indeed, the VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. Don’t be afraid; you are WORTH more than many sparrows.

Here are a few of the other passages on this aspect of God’s character:

Psalm 139:1-6

1 You have searched me, Lord, 
and you KNOW me. 
2 You KNOW when I sit and when I rise; you PERCEIVE my thoughts from afar. 
3 You DISCEN my going out and my lying down; you are FAMILIAR with all my ways. 
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, KNOW it completely. 
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 
6 Such KNOWLEDGE is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Hebrews 4:13

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. EVERYTHING IS UNCOVERED AND LAID BAREE before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Job 37:16

16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has PERFECT KNOWLEDGE?

Matthew 6:3-4

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, WHO SEES WHAT IS DONE IN SECRET, will reward you.

God knows everything. He possess all knowledge. God doesn’t ever get surprised and nothing new ever occurs to God. He knows both the past and the future for every single human being from creation until the end of the age.

Who we are going to be twenty years from now is known to God just as much as who were a decade ago. He hears and responds to every prayer ever spoken.

At first, it can be terrify to think that not a single thought, action or word of yours has happened without the full attention of God. There are things we’ve done or said we wish no one knew about, especially the creator of the universe.

But, this attention should cause a different emotion to stir within us. Yes, he has witnessed your struggles with sin, but he knows and cares about your feelings, scars, wounds and fears.

David, the person who pen the majority of the Psalms, was left speechless when he considered the amount of knowledge God possessed on his life. All he could utter was “You have searched me and know me.”

God, the one who spoke the world into existence and knows the details of how everything works, also pays attention to you. The only conclusion you can draw this is that you must really matter to God. You are valuable in His eyes.

Lord, your intimate knowledge of me is beyond my comprehension. You know about me and care for me in ways I will never fully understand. Everything is known to you, including my heart and for that I am forever grateful. Amen.

Matthew 1:23

²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Have you ever noticed that when someone tells the Christmas story, everyone suddenly becomes silent and takes it all in? This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The element of a story has a way of capturing one’s attention. Just think about it, we all love a good story – stories that inspire, give hope and speak of redemption. Some describe the Bible as an epic story where God describe who He is and how He is.

In Deuteronomy 6, God instructs parents to share with their children stories of God’s loyalty to their ancestors like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Rituals like Passover were where the stories of God’s faithfulness were most often told. Through the repeating of these rituals and stories, they would fight against their human tendency to forget God’s goodness.

Yet, the whole idea of repetition in rituals helping us to remember is something I’ve never seemed to wrap my mind around. For me, when something gets repeated often enough it seems to lessen its’ meaning and impact. Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying that rituals are bad. My point is that it is very easy to allow things that are sacred to become routine, especially when one loses sight of the relationship. If we focus on our circumstances, God becomes a tool in our relationship with Him. However, if we focus on God, our circumstances become a tool in our relationship with Him.

Rituals become routine when we forget about the relationship. This is scary to think about when you consider the act of taking communion is the most practiced ritual in all of human history. This past Sunday, we shared communion together as a body. As we participated in a ritual that has been passed down from generation to generation, our hope is that everyone came to the table with fresh eyes and an eager heart.

The ritual of communion only has meaning due to our restored relationship. Communion celebrates when your story collided with God’s story – when you quit writing your own story and decided to participate in a bigger story, a story that has been happening for thousands and thousands of years. The Christmas story doesn’t make sense without the cross. Because our past has been covered by Jesus’ blood and our future secured by the promise of His return, we can face the present with hope.

It’s important that you take the time to define your relationship with God. We must come to the table with humble hearts and empty hands. Examine your heart and reflect on whether you believe and trust that He’s truly given you life.  (1) There will be those of you are still unsure about where God fits into your world and have questions you can’t stop asking. I’d encourage you to continue to pursue the answers. (2) Others might have reached the point where this past Sunday is marked a moment – you took communion for the first time and it serves as a statement of your newfound faith. We are excited about your decision and hope you find others to come alongside in your walk. (3) Some of you have a walk with God and it is right on point – there’s growth & movement. We hope you take in the bread and juice and keep on pursuing Him. (4) Then there are those of you that know God, would say you have a walk with Him, but Jesus’ offer of life celebrated in communion for whatever reason does not move you.

For a while, you’ve just been going through the motions. If rituals lose their meaning when we lose sight of the relationship then this means you need to ask yourself some difficult questions. What has caused you to become comfortable? What aspect of your walk have you allowed to become stale? Why doesn’t His forgiveness move you? Take these moments and reflect on how you would answer. My prayer is that this ritual would no longer be routine, but a sacred moment where you reaffirm your faith and pursue Him with a deeper passion. All you have to do is stop being comfortable and head to the table where life is found.

God, help me to approach the table with fresh eyes and an eager heart. Remind me that what began in a manager ended with victory on the cross. May I see my redemption as part of a greater story you are telling the world. Amen.

To end the week, we are going to take a break from the story of Jesus’ birth and look at an interaction Christ had later in life with a man who was pondering a difficult question:

Matthew 19:16-26

16 Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17Jesus said, “Why do you question me about what’s good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you.”

18-19The man asked, “What in particular?”

Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself.”

20The young man said, “I’ve done all that. What’s left?”

21″If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.”

22That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crest-fallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.

23-24As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom? Let me tell you, it’s easier to gallop a camel through a needle’s eye than for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.”

25The disciples were staggered. “Then who has any chance at all?”

26Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”

As you read this passage, you can almost feel the crowd of people leaning in a little closer when they hear the rich, young ruler’s question for Jesus. They had been captivated by his miracles and confounded by his words, but the answer to this question is why they had followed Jesus in the first place. In the clearest possible terms, this young man asks how he can take hold of eternal life. If there were ever a place to look for a straightforward presentation of the gospel according to Jesus, we would expect it here.

Yet, Jesus’ response leaves not only the crowd scratching our heads, but us as well.  Instead of giving an answer, Jesus puts this young man to a test by asking him if had he followed all of the commandments. After the young man says he has the commandments all down pat, Jesus states the only other thing he needed to do was sell all of his possessions. We are left wondering why Jesus would give out wrong information. Salvation isn’t earned by works, but by grace alone. Jesus never said money is evil, but rather the love of money. So, why this test?

The answer can be found in verse 22 when it says Jesus’ response was ‘the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crest-fallen, he walked away.’ The conversation ended. He had to choose between his possessions and Jesus Christ. He failed the test. No matter how perfectly he followed the rules and regulations, because he was unwilling to turn from what else he loved the most, he could not be a disciple of Christ. This point of the story isn’t that we should sell all our possessions and give everything we have to the poor.

For this young man, money was his idol. For you, it might be something completely different. When we are gripping tightly on to something else for our fulfillment, it is impossible for us to receive God’s grace and follow him with our whole heart. Clenched fists don’t leave much room for receiving. We must take the time to examine ourselves and pinpoint what things we need to let go of and lay at the feet of Jesus. This breaks the silence by starting a conversation.

God, there are things in my life I know I put before you.  I am embarrassed to acknowledge this, but I know it is true.  Please help me to identify these things and why I feel the need to hold onto them so tightly.  Show me what it is I’m afraid you won’t provide for me that I think these will.  I know that you are the only provider of eternal life and that these things get in the way of following you wholeheartedly.  Please help me to let go and give you my heart, undivided and with pure intentions.  Thank you for loving me inspite of my holding on to things other than you.  Amen.