Day 304

Today’s Reading – Matthew 19 and Mark 10

It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” 

They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?” 

Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.” 

Mark 10:25-27 CEB

We are so limited in our thinking from God’s perspective.

For every negative thought we have God has a positive answer if we would look:

You say: “It’s impossible”
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you (John 3:16)

You say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)

You say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it”
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage”
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid”
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel all alone”
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

Have you threaded any needles with camels lately?

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Day 303

Today’s Reading – Luke 18

Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”   Luke 17:20-21 CEB

Ever been to Disneyland?

It really is hard to have a bad day there. Everyone seems so nice and helpful and everything is clean and in its place. When you leave, you long for things to be like that.

I think that too often we get caught up in what the Kingdom of God will be like in the future. We impatiently wait for everything to be made right.

And yet, Jesus says the Kingdom of is already here. We just miss it.

You don’t have to wait until Heaven to do the right thing . . . as a matter of fact, I don’t think you can.

What are you waiting for?

The Kingdom of God is here and you are a part of it. Get to it . . .

Day 302

Today’s Reading – John 11

The fountain display at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is truly spectacular, but then again everything in Las Vegas is designed to be spectacular.

That is in part what draws people there. Las Vegas is more than gambling and casinos.

Las Vegas is everything to the extreme – shows, performers, neon signs, food, hotels, and fountains.

Our appetite for the spectacular is what makes today’s passage so unique.

        Jesus began to cry. John 11:35 CEB

There is part of me that wants Jesus to put on a show.

How easy it would have been – How spectacular it would have been – how awesome!

But no, Jesus instead mourns at the human loss and then without fireworks or a spectacular show raises Lazarus from the dead.

Good News that the spectacular can be accomplished simply.

I am a simple man and I find comfort that God understands me and can use me (in the simplest ways) to accomplish His work.

Keep it simple – God is spectacular enough.