March 22 - Invitations

 

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’

None of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are you?’

They knew it was the Lord.”

(John 21:12 NIV)

 

Jesus reveals Himself to me in new ways. Sometimes he invites me to a meal. Sometimes he invites me to sit and be silent while He teaches me something new through a pastor or teacher or friend. I know it is Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. I can selectively listen to or ignore Him. I will choose to pay attention to His invitations. I hope you will, too! 

March 21 - First Place

 

“Do not follow other gods,

the gods of the peoples around you.”

(Deuteronomy 6:14 NIV)

 

What is trying to take over my thought life today? What is becoming a god in my heart? Who do I love more than I love Jesus? If anyone or anything takes first place in my being, it must be removed. The battle is fierce, and I am a soldier. My heavenly Father is a jealous Commander and requires all my allegiance. I will give it to Him. I hope you will, too! 

March 20 - Perfection

  

“I want to know Christ

and the power of His resurrection

and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings,

becoming like Him in His death.”

(Philippians 3:10 NIV)

 

Things in this life break, wear out, and fall apart. When I fail to keep up the pace I set for myself, I cry out to my heavenly Father. He always is there to encourage me to keep on moving ahead. The goal is the glory set before me, just like Jesus. Perfection is His. I will thank the Lord for His life and death. I hope you will, too!

March 19 - Wise Foolishness

  

“God chose the foolish things of the world

to shame the wise.”

(1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

 

I think it is better to have wise foolishness than foolish wisdom. When I remember the many Bible scholars I have known, the ones who truly loved Jesus were humble and simple. Their faces would probably never grace a magazine cover, but their love covered many of my offenses. My favorite pastors and teachers were not eloquent speakers, but I learned volumes from them. I will pursue wise foolishness for God to be glorified in my life. I hope you will, too! 

March 18 - Treasure

  

“For where your treasure is,

there your heart will be also.”

(Luke 12:34 NIV)

 

I like to try to get the cart before the horse. I want the earthly treasure first and hope my heart will follow it. Jesus taught that I must set my mind and heart on eternal things first. If I do not, I will be chasing fluff, things that will not last. I will focus on my relationship with Jesus, the real Treasure, and let everything else rest in His arms in eternity. I hope you will, too!

March 17 - See

 

“Immediately he received his sight

and followed Jesus, praising God.”

(Luke 18:43 NIV)

 

Louise Peyton was born blind and brilliant. Whatever she lacked in vision, she gained in every other sense. Louise saw my teenage-self better than I did and could put me in my place with a word. The disciples on the road to Emmaus saw Jesus but did not see Him. Thomas had to see before He could believe. I want to see like Louise and the blind beggar in Jesus’ path could. I will try to be a faithful witness. I hope you will, too!

Back Off

 by Macy Johnson

“Stop judging by mere appearances,

and make a right judgment.”

(John 7:24 NIV)

 

It was a cold, rainy, dreary Sunday morning. I had a house full of family guests for the weekend. On my way to church by myself, I drove up to a gray SUV driving under the speed limit. I had allocated a certain number of minutes, thirty to be exact, to safely arrive at church.