The Daily Dose

Get ready

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Our lives here on earth are a series of trials, tests, and struggles.  Our goal is to overcome, but in order to do this it takes practice.  A good example of this is athletics.  An athlete that competes must first prepare for the competition.  He must discipline himself to eat the right diet and to do the daily training required to even have a chance at the prize.  He cannot skip even one day of his training.  Most days, he probably doesn’t feel like training, but he overcomes his feelings because he knows he must “suffer” to be prepared for the competition.  He keeps his focus on what his desired outcome is . . . Victory!  The way to get to that victory is to go through the struggle, discipline, and intense training required.  Surprisingly, after a while of living a life of this kind of discipline, the body begins to crave it and training becomes a habit.  The athlete no longer has to push through the feelings and suffering because he actually looks forward to the preparation time and getting better in his ability.

It’s the same thing with issues and problems we face each day.  If we sit idly by or just ignore difficulties, most of the time they will derail us from our overall goals and victories.  We need to keep our eye on the prize and remain single minded (focused).  This is where the preparation time becomes so crucial.  You have to build your faith and trust in God daily so that when the difficult times come, you are ready to overcome with the Word of God and your faith anchored strongly in Him through your relationship with Him. 

You can look at it this way.  If a thief breaks into your home, that is not the time to start looking for your weights to start building your muscles to be strong enough to overcome him.  You must make those preparations ahead of time.  It works the same way with overcoming the obstacles of life.  You must do the work before the trial “breaks in.”

In today’s verse, Paul is talking about disciplining his body.  He said he brings it into subjection so that he can talk to others about salvation without being disqualified by habits that pull him away from his focus.  Paul actually says that after all he has done for the kingdom of heaven and all that he has gone through, he can still be taken out of the race if he doesn’t keep control of his bodily habits.  He knew that there would be times he would have to push through his feelings, and he also knew there would still come times that he would have to resist the temptation to give up and quit. 

Today I want to encourage you to strengthen your faith by getting more of God’s Word in you. Make spending time fellowshipping with God a priority in your daily “workout.” Get prepared for all obstacles by being focused on what is on the other side of your fight and get ready for the joy of victory through every trial that comes your way. 

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Battle Scars

“Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27

Have you ever wondered why you go through struggles?  Why do any of us go through so many storms in our lives?  Doesn’t it seem like we are constantly stressing, worrying, or fighting against something or someone?  Why does life have to be so hard?

Today’s scripture is about Jesus showing the marks of His “battle” to Thomas.  He tells Thomas to look and touch them so that Thomas will believe that Jesus is truly back from death.  It seems like Jesus is disappointed in Thomas because he wouldn’t believe until he actually touched the print of the nails in Jesus’ hands.  But I believe this is in the scriptures for those of us who have the same issues that Thomas did; those of us who are inspired by the testimony of those who have been through a battle.  Jesus story/testimony was encouraging and brought life to the disciples again.  After Jesus died, they didn’t know what to do or how to go on with life.  However, when Jesus came back and told them His story and showed them His prints (the results) they were encouraged and had new direction and a fresh start.

So now we know the reason we go through battles, struggles, and storms.  It’s to persevere and get through to the other side with God’s help, so that we can turn around and show others our battle scars and tell the story of God’s faithfulness that got us through.  Then others who are currently in a storm will be encouraged and see hope for a future and fresh start.

Today I want to encourage you if you are struggling or battling right now, to find someone who has already come through a similar crisis successfully.  Ask them to share their story with you to stimulate new life in your circumstances.  If you are the one who has already come through some storms, ask the LORD to bring others across your path that may need encouraged and are going through similar storms that you have already been through.  Then be ready and willing to share your story/testimony of God’s faithfulness and show your healed wounds to encourage them.  Help others see hope to get through their storm and see the direction for their future on the other side of the crisis through your battle scars!

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:24-31

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 

25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Peace

^{So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  John 20:21}

There is a little town close to where I love and about 2 times a week there are people standing on the busiest intersection yelling at people as they drive by.  It is pretty disturbing to me that they are trying to convey the love that God has for people in their fallen state by yelling at the cars going by that they are going to hell.  The message is 100% not inviting nor is it a good representation of how much God wants to rescue all people.  The only people I see them talking to in a normal tone is each other.  I will almost guarantee you that none of them really want to be there, but feel an obligation to get the message out in some way, so this is their route they take.   Sadly, these are our fellow workers, but instead of getting the plan from God, they just go out and check it off their list each week.

In today’s reading, Jesus visits His disciples after raising up from the dead.  He comes to them behind close doors right where they are.  His message is not one of “tell the world they are going to hell if they don’t stop sinning.” But rather He brings word of the peace He has purchased between God and man.  It is the same story that the angels told the night Jesus was born.  They said: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to men.  This message was not from angels but from God!

This is the same message we are to share today.  Oh, we can go to the nearest street corner and yell at the passing traffic that God sent peace into the world through His Son Jesus.  But I think a more effective way to spread His Word is in a peaceful way like Jesus brought it to His disciples.  A message of peace I bring you from my Father in heaven.  He paid the price and penalty of sin with the blood of His then only Son Jesus, so that all people could know His unconditional love and experience God’s best for them in their everyday life.  That’s what He wants for you and that’s what He wants you to tell others.

Today I want to encourage you to share the love of God wherever you are.  You don’t have to yell at people to get their attention or tell them bad news of the direction they are heading.  Instead give them hope for a brighter future by changing their direction and head toward God and His plan for their life. He wants to save all people and He gave us a part to help in that work.  Share His peace plan with the world around you each day and your results will be much better than the yellers, I promise.

Today’s scripture reading: John 20:19-23

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

The Same Message

Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” John 20:13

As I read today’s passage, I wondered what message I was going to be able to share about the angel at the tomb of Jesus.  I thought about how the birth of Jesus started out with a message from an angel and now the end of His life involved angels too.  But what is the personal application?

Then I considered the message that the angel gave the Mary’s the morning of Jesus’ resurrection.  What was this message, and can it apply to us today?  In Matthew 28:5-7 it says: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 

Sure enough, I went through the things the angel told them and found that it is the very message that we are to be sharing with others today.  As I list the things the angel said, consider how you can share this message with someone today?

First of all, he said: “Do not be afraid.”  In today’s world, fear is everywhere, and with good reason.  If you don’t know the Savior and know that He is working in the world, this place can be extremely scary.  We can make this offering to those who do not know. “You don’t have to be afraid; this is all part of a plan.

Next the angel told the women that they were seeking Jesus who was crucified.  Recently, the Lord showed me that everyone is searching and seeking for their Savior, they just don’t know it.  Most people fill up that empty space they have inside with things or other people, but never achieve the fulfillment that only Jesus can give.

The angel told them to come, see the place where the Lord lay.  After we have shared the message that you don’t have to be afraid and that Jesus is the answer to the void within, you invite them to come with you to church or small group to check it out so they can see the difference He has made in others.

That phase may go on for a while, but when surrender finally does happen, then it is time to share the message with others that are searching.  The angel told them to go quickly and tell others He is risen and not dead.  This is the hope of the world.  We have a Savior, and He is alive and ready to rescue all who will call on Him.

The assurance of your heart is that He is going before you.  God’s Spirit goes before you everyday to prepare the way for you to share the message of His love for the world.  As you begin to trust Him more to guide your life and commit to following His lead, you will see Him at work in the circumstances around you.  The angel said when you go, there you will see Him.

Today I want to encourage you to Not be afraid!  Consider the message of the angel the day Jesus came out of the grave. Have you received this message in your life?  If not, invite Him in today.  Then surrender all your cares and concerns over to Him and you will see Him at work is everything around you.  Share the message of the good news with others who are fearful and bring them with you as you come and see the difference He has made in the lives of those who have already been rescued.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:11-18

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 

12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 

13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

Focus on the details

_{For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.  John 20:9}

We have all probably had different thoughts about the details of the things Jesus went through leading up to His death.  Some may have focused on the beating He took, others may have thought about the crowd jeering and mocking Him.  Still, you may have thought about Jesus carrying His own cross to be nailed to.  There may have been thoughts of His suffering as He hung on the cross.  Probably some were reminded of the words He spoke on the cross, then the tomb and the three days He spent lying there lifeless. Most people only take time to think about the price Jesus paid during easter or communion time. Those are really the only times we stop from our busy schedule to purposely focus on all the details of what Jesus actually did to save us from an eternity of separation from God and without Him we would spend our eternal life suffering in hell.  

However, after those times are over, what details do you fucus on the next day?  Do you immediately shift your attention back to the world and the current crisis you are in?  Will you scan the headlines to see what the greatest threat is for this week?  Will you learn every detail and possible outcome to discuss in every conversation you will have about current events?  Why does your focus have to change?  Why do you have to turn your attention away from the price Jesus paid to free you from the current world circumstances?  Why don’t you instead keep your attention on the details of heaven?  Can we keep our focus on the details of our God and the details of our Savior, Jesus everyday we are alive?

Think about this:  What if you spent as much time studying and getting to know your Heavenly Father as you spent watching the news or learning about current events this week?  What if you focused on the details of heaven and the joy that is waiting for you there?  Why not learn down to the last detail about the love of God?  How He created us to have dominion over this world?  How He sent Jesus to defeat His enemy and every evil work he ever did in this world or ever will do?  Sin has been defeated!  Death has been conquered!  Sickness has been overcome!  Disease has been vanquished!  Anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, all triumphed over.  He hung on a cross so we wouldn’t be crushed or even threatened by any attack of the enemy, right now, here in this world! The work Jesus did on the cross was so big, there is nothing that can stand against it.  Nothing!!!  It wasn’t just a partial work of Salvation for after we die, it was a complete work of redemption so we can live this life in total victory!  Evil is not our focus, Victory is!  

Today I want to encourage you to keep your focus on the details of your Savior, Jesus!  You already have the victory!  Please stop looking at the things that have already been defeated!  They are not a threat to God or His people, but the only way to believe that is to focus on the God details, not the world details.  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!  Let’s start acting like it!

Today’s scripture reading:  John 20:1-10

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 

2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 

4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 

5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 

7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 

8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 

9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

The Body

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.  John 19:38

As I read through this passage, it occurred to me that when Joseph of Arimathea asked for and took the body of Jesus to be buried, it is clear that it was only His body.  The scripture says he took the body and wrapped it and laid it in the tomb.  It does not say that he took Jesus and wrapped Him and laid Him in the tomb.  Of course, the reason is simple.  It’s because Jesus wasn’t in His body anymore.  It was simply what Jesus needed to operate in physical this world.  It was a temporary dwelling place for Him while He was here.  When He died on the cross, He (the real Jesus) left that body, His earth suit. 

There are many thoughts about where Jesus was during those three days when His body was in the tomb.  My point is that we all have these physical bodies, but they are not who we really are.  The real “you” is what makes your body move.  Your physical body is a vehicle that takes you where you want to go and does the things you command it to do.  Your spirit person is the one in charge and when you are done with your body, the real you will leave it and it will be left to be buried just as Jesus’ was.

Now we know Jesus came back for His body.  When He moved back in, His body changed into a glorious state.  His body became incorruptible and immortal.  It means it could no longer die or deteriorate.  If you have received God’s gift of salvation through Jesus’ blood and sacrifice, then one day you will have an incorruptible body too.  You will walk in a glorified body for all eternity, always to be with your Lord Jesus in your resurrected glorious home.

Today I want to encourage you to recognize that you are not what you look like on the outside.  That is simply a home that the real you lives in.  Don’t let your outside appearance be the only beauty that is seen.  Let the true beauty of your love for others shine through in your smile and kindness.  Realize that the looks you have today are only temporary and are fading away.  Don’t get caught up on trying to be the most attractive body in the room.  Instead, be the one with the kindest and most generous heart.  Let the outside world see that you are more than what the human eye can see.  There is an awesome person inside that can be the most beautiful person in the room, everywhere you go.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 19:38-42

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 

39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 

40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 

41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 

42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Target people

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a SERVANT TO ALL, that I might win the more;  1 Corinthians 9:19

I know I am not alone in the fact that I tend to live my life with my needs being the #1 priority.  I, like most people have a desire to take care of my family and make sure that they have the things they need, but sometimes it can be an inconvenience when my main focus is on my own activities.  It is a control issue for sure and in the past I have become disappointed when others did not do the things that fit into my plans and my agenda.  As I write this out, I can see how selfish that attitude is and I want to get far away from it.  However, this habit resurfaces from time to time because everywhere I go, there I am and so once again, “I” step into first place. 

I also have a tendency to draw back from new relationships because of past hurts.  Even though I encounter new relationship potentials, I keep my heart guarded because I might be let down or even worse, taken advantage of.  So, once again, I become the focus of my efforts and relationships.

What would happen if I put others first?  What would my life look like if I prioritized people instead of my activities and duties?  How would my heart and life be different if my main objective was to bless people and serve then in any way I can?  This would be very risky, right?  I would be taking a chance that I would not be hurt or mistreated in some way.  How could I be sure that wouldn’t happen?  I would be depending on others not to do me wrong, or would I?

In today’s verse, Paul says that he makes himself the servant to all and the reason is so he will win more to Jesus. He goes on to talk about all the different groups of people that he spends time with and how he lives life on their level.  He wants to be relatable and not give others the impression that he is super spiritual and not affected by disappointments and troubles in life.

Now, what does it really mean to be the servant to all?  Becoming a servant to all will require humility.  I don’t mean you will be humiliated; I am talking about humbling yourself.  When you put on humility and serve others, you are looking out for what they need and how you can help their cause. This doesn’t mean that you have to take on everyone’s problems and burdens or projects and priorities.  I am simply saying that you pay attention to what others are going through or working on and if you see a way you can be helpful, do it.  It will require some time and resources once in a while, but mostly it will just let people know that you notice them and what they are going through.  

Overall, people will be thankful and appreciate that you took time to help.  There may be some that will try to take advantage of you, but this is the best part . . . they are not in control, you are.  When some people see your acts of serving and kindness, they may try to pull on you for more, but you are the one that has the ability to say this is the most or best I can do right now.  You can pray with them or set up a time to meet with them when you have it to encourage them, but you are the one who determines where the limits and boundaries are.

Simply put:  When you love others and have compassion on them, you will want to help them out in any way you can.  You don’t have to wonder if you are going to be hurt or let down.  Just don’t expect anything in return, and you will never be disappointed.  It is when you put your hope in others and think that you are going to benefit in some way that you can be emotionally wounded.  Make the decision that you are going to love and serve others to bring them closer to Jesus and that is all the reward and recognition that you are looking for.

Today I want to encourage you to become the servant to all.  Put aside your concerns of letting the wrong people get close to you.  Do not look at every relationship as what you can get out of it.  Instead flip that perspective to see connections by what you can contribute and help with.  When you put yourself in position to notice others, you are the one pursuing people and now others are your target to be hit with God’s goodness!  Then God’s blessing will fill your life in the form of satisfaction and fulfillment that you are making a difference and impacting the world around you.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;

20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;

21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;

22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Share the Harvest

Who goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?  1 Corinthians 9:7

We have a garden.  It’s just a small one, but I enjoy having the fresh vegetables when they are ready to be harvested.  I don’t feel guilty about eating from the garden and I don’t feel shame because I enjoy my fresh veggies.  You would think it strange and even ridiculous if I did have these feelings about eating from my own garden.  I don’t begrudge anyone who plants a garden to eat of their own produce.  Even if they have planted different crops than I have, I relate and like to hear and learn about the secrets of gardening.  When the full harvest comes in, there is way too much for one household to consume, so we love sharing with extended family and friends.  Others that we know appreciate it when fresh veggies come their way and they get to share in the blessing of our abundance.

In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul was a bit irritated.  It seemed that he had been accused of taking gifts or offerings.  I believe he was well within his rights to do so.  Most churches support many missions and especially when a missionary personally comes to minister to the congregation.  Why would they be upset with Paul, the founder of their church, for accepting support for his labor.  As you read further on, Paul admitted that he hadn’t taken any funds and in fact said he would rather die than to have lost the ability to boast about preaching without charging for his time and words. 

Paul continued in this chapter to say that he willingly preached and built the church.  He recognized that he had an eternal reward coming and was happy to preach without charging, so he did not abuse his authority as an apostle.

How does this translate into today’s world?  It is our part to care for and bless our ministers, pastors and teachers that preach the gospel in our church and those that we grow spiritually from.  It makes my heart so sad to see a minister struggling to make ends meet.  Many people think it is wrong for preachers to have money.  The truth is, they should be continually blessed by their congregations because they are gifts from God to His people.  Our hearts desires should be to make sure our pastors are overflowing with as much goodness as we can give them.

Today my encouragement to you is to first of all set aside some time to just pray for your pastor and church staff.  Thank God for their life of ministry and serving.  Send a card or message out to tell them how much you appreciate them and how thankful you are that they are God’s great gift to you.  Lastly, send a special offering or gift their way to bless them for giving their life to full time ministry.  You may have to save or set aside funds for a couple of weeks or so, but God’s ministers are worth any sacrifice you have to make.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this:

4 Do we have no right to eat and drink?

5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?

10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with stewardship.

18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

You can’t change it

For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” John 19:36

I feel like I have made a lot of bad choices in my life and many times I ignored the warnings that the Holy Spirit tried to give me.  As a result, I often experienced disappointments and setbacks not to mention the other lives that my choices influenced.  Sometimes when I look back, I sense a sea of casualties that were left in wake of indiscretion.

The passage today helps me to not live in perpetual regrets or remorse.  I know that despite everything I have done, God can still and is still turning things that happened years ago into a good work that He will do until the day it is complete.  God’s plans and His design cannot be undone.  No matter what destructive acts I have done in my life, God’s purpose will still be fulfilled.  What He has ordered will come to pass.

I can see this so clearly in the scripture reading today.  As the end of the day was coming, the custom of crucifixion was to break the criminal’s legs to speed up the execution process.  Even though one of the main purposes for hanging someone on a cross was to set an example of suffering for the crime that was committed, there were times that it was necessary to end the suffering early.  Because Jesus was crucified the day before Passover, it was one of those occasions.  The priests did not want the bodies to be left overnight in their suffering.  No one would not be responsible to discard the bodies on the Sabbath.

When the soldiers came to break the legs of the criminals, they found that Jesus had already passed. In another reference of this account, it was noted that some were surprised that He had died so quickly. (See Mark 15:44)  Even though His suffering lasted most of the day, He left His body before any of His bones would have to be broken.  This was no accident and verse 36 states that it was to fulfill the prophecy that none of His bones would be broken.  What God had spoken centuries ago would come to pass, just as He said it would.  That could not be changed.  Even though it looked like Jesus was taken, beaten and hung by the authorities, it is clear that no one took His life but that He laid it down freely according to the plan, and then left it be

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what you have done in the past or what has been done to you, God can turn it all for a good work.  As you commit and trust Him with every detail of your life and follow His path going forward, He will bring your life into agreement with every plan that He has established for you.  His plan and His purposes will come to pass, but it is up to you to be a part of that design.  Jesus obeyed and followed every detail of the blueprint and even when it looked like things were going bad, the plan of God would not be undone.

Today’s scripture reading: John 19:31-37

31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 

32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 

34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 

35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 

36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 

37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Focused

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.  John 19:26-27

This is a hard scene to look at.  A mother, standing by her son as He suffers and pays the price for crimes He did not commit.  Knowing He will be gone in just a few short hours and being able to do nothing about it.  Even though Jesus was grown, it doesn’t make it any easier for a mom to watch as her child dies.

In this moment, Jesus does something that on the surface seems responsible and thoughtful, but can you imagine going through what He was facing and being concerned with what happened to the people around Him.  So much that as He was hanging on the cross, after being beaten within an inch of His life, He still had others on His mind.  As He navigated through the crowd to the top of the hill carrying the cross, His focus was not on what He was going through but rather on who would benefit.  As the oldest son of His earthly family, He delegated His role of making sure His mother would be cared for after He was gone.  He called out that person to take over His duty to His mother and that was the apostle John.  From that moment on, John made sure Mary was loved and honored just as if her son were there doing it.  John became her son and made sure that she lacked nothing all the rest of her days.

I think about the things we face from day to day.  There are always distractions, delays and detours, but are we able to maintain the focus of why we are here in this world?  Do we recognize the mission that we have been called to as the most important part of each day?  Is the heavenly assignment we have been given the priority of obligations and responsibilities we have been given?  Or do we run around letting the external circumstances direct our steps, never even realizing that there is a plan for us to follow.

Today I want to encourage you to get your purpose back in your sights.  If you have lost your view and are following after a different way now, turn back today to the plan that you have been given.  Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you back to the place where His agenda was at the top of your life list.  Get a new perspective today on the purpose you were given breath in this world and when the storms of life are blowing, keep your eyes fixed on the mission you were given.  Don’t let even the slightest breeze blow you off course.  Focus on your Father above and get His strength and power to accomplish every detail He has put on your path.

Today’s scripture reading: John 19:25-30

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 

27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 

29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 

30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.