Mission Minded: Have A Caring Heart…The Struggle.
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has a Caring Heart!
Devotions: Monday February 8, 2021
Mission Minded: Caring Heart: The Struggle
True confession. I struggle.
Every time a conversation about the homeless issue in Austin comes on the radio.
Every time I drive past an intersection with someone begging for “anything helps.”
Every time the phone at church rings and the voice shares a request for money or food help.
Why do I struggle?
Because I’ve been burned.
- Our church in North Carolina was marked in phone books (remember those) in a local hotel so transients would call our church because we had chosen to help someone. It was an “underground” network to communicate to others where you could get a free handout.
- In Minnesota I had a person hand back groceries we had given to her claiming that we weren’t showing the love of Christ because we didn’t give her enough and care for the poor like we should.
- As a kid, I watched my dad give a person money who claimed a hardship story only to follow him to the local liquor store and watch him come out with a supply of booze.
- Watching a documentary on “Moochers” years ago that shows “homeless” people at an intersection “make” a salary of $50,000 or more a year tax free.
Why do I struggle? Because my sinful nature uses these experiences to excuse a callous heart that feels justified in looking the other way to human need. My judgment leads me to believe that many take advantage of the generosity and compassion of others to feed their addictions, laziness, and attitude of entitlement. So I become content to not show compassion and care.
So I struggle when I hear Jesus say:
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Why do I struggle with these words? Because I’ve never seen Jesus in these situations. So I ask like the righteous to whom Jesus was talking:
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
I struggle because Jesus exposes the misdirected attitude of my heart.
We can have a discussion about how best to care for people, or what the real need is, but Jesus points out he desires an attitude of the heart that sees caring for others as an opportunity to care for Jesus.
I’ve missed a lot of opportunities. I need Jesus’ forgiveness. I need his heart of caring and compassion to replace my calloused and closed heart. I need the Spirit to create in me a new heart that may struggle with how to care, but never struggles with a heart to care.
Apply: As you go through your day today, see every opportunity you have to care for others (at home, at work, at school, etc.) as serving Jesus.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for a perfect heart of compassion. Forgive me for missed opportunities and lack of compassion. Lead me to reflect your love to others more and more. AMEN.
Mission Minded: Know Your Opposition: Fight to Win! (Part 2)
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 31, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Knows their Opposition!
The demons Jesus encountered in the synagogue of Capernaum asked this question:
“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24)
Yep.
That’s exactly what Jesus came to do. Destroy Satan and his demons.
It wasn’t “smack” talk before a game that Jesus had to intimidate his opposition and the demons were wondering if he was serious. He was absolutely serious. He was on mission from heaven to fight AND win. The Apostle John put it this way:
1 John 3:8 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Jesus wasn’t sent from heaven by his Father with the words, “Son, I know Satan is a tough opponent. So give it your all and see IF you can win.”
No Jesus was sent with a single focus. Go. Fight. Win.
Losing was not an option. Why? Lives…eternal lives were at stake. Yours and mine included.
The writer to the Hebrews put it his way:
Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Jesus did come to destroy the trio of enemies we face: Sin. Death. The power of the devil.
He gave it his all, even his life on a cross to secure victory for each of us. His perfect life? Victory over our imperfection of sin. His innocent death on the cross? Secured victory over the punishment sin and Satan brought to us. His glorious resurrection? Defeated death once and for all. We too will live.
Why? So we too can go, fight, and win!
The Spirit of God lives in us to give us the same power Jesus has over sin, death and the devil so we can fight temptation, overcome fear, and stay faithful to the point of death. How? Do what the Apostle Paul encourages: Put on the armor of God!
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Opposition, Satan, isn’t going away until we are safe in heaven. But we can fight with confidence and strength because the power of the Lord is on our side!
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Apply: What piece of the armor of God do you forget to put on or use on a regular basis? Mentally make a note to ask the Spirit of God to help you put it on each day!
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for exposing our opposition, defeating our opposition, and giving us the power over our opposition. With your help and the Spirit’s strength, help us to destroy Satan’s influence in our hearts and lives with the power of your Word, the truth of your love, and the joy of life with you! AMEN.
Passage and Prayer for the Ministry of Cross & Crown:
Friday – February 5 – Romans 10:14-15
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we exist to bring Your good news to the world and to live out that good news in all we do as witnesses of Your redeeming power. Thank You for choosing to use broken vessels to bring the grace of Your love for broken people. May we not be afraid of our weaknesses, but give them to You that You might be our strength.
Mission Minded: Know Your Opposition: Fight to Win! (Part 1)
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 31, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Knows their Opposition!
“Should I just tell the other coach we forfeit the rest of the game?”
Yep, our basketball coach in college said this during a half-time locker room talk. We needed it. We didn’t show up with tenacity and the will to win. We showed up, but were not playing with the heart and intensity to win. So, he was probably was right. If we weren’t playing to win, why embarrass ourselves in the second half?
I don’t think we won, but we definitely played with a different mindset and intensity in the second half.
The Apostle Paul said, (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
The mission Jesus has given us is going to be met with opposition, but that doesn’t mean we don’t show up. It doesn’t mean we give in. It means we fight to win!
Jesus did. And he won!
How?
The people who heard Jesus in the synagogue in Capernaum said, “What is this? A new teaching and with authority.”
What gave Jesus’ teaching authority? It was the truth of God! It was the truth that overcame all the lies – intentional or not – given through the teaching of the teachers of the law. Later in Jesus’ ministry he condemns them:
John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The way to win? Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32
John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
So if we are going to win, know your Opposition, Satan, loves to communicate lies that our heart is tempted to believe. To win, our hearts must be filled with the truth of God’s word. Training must include regular intakes of the truth of the Bible. Why? So we can clearly discern the lies of Satan and replace them with the truth of Jesus’ words.
Jesus didn’t come to this world to “try” to win. He came to fight AND win!
Should Jesus just tell Satan that we forfeit and give up? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Fill yourself with the truth Jesus brings and swing freely the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, the truth!
Apply: What is a lie that Satan is getting you to follow or believe? What is the truth Jesus gives to set you free from the lie and live boldly in the truth?
PRAYER: Jesus thank you for overcoming the lies of Satan with the power of your truth. Give me your Spirit to enable me to discern the and always live in the truth! AMEN.
PASSAGE AND PRAYER for the Ministry of Cross & Crown:
Thursday – February 4 – Luke 9:23-22
“Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’”
PRAYER: Lord, we know the call to be a disciple is an “all in” call to deny our natural inclinations and take up a cross of challenge. But following You is nothing short of amazing. We lose our lives to You anew today, and we trust You to keep us even as you call us out in faith.
Mission Minded: Know Your Opposition: He Attacks Good People
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 31, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Knows their Opposition!
“Don’t let them get inside of your head!”
“You have to have the heart to win!”
“Practice. Practice. Practice.”
All three of these phrases I remember hearing many times from my basketball coaches. Along with the daily practice to hone your skills, they knew that the foundation of a successful player was their heart (motivation) and their mind (thoughts).
If a player had lost their love of the game, their intensity and commitment to practice and the team waned. If a player had a bad day at school, just broke up with their girlfriend, or got annoyed at the refs, their focus and awareness diminished. Without the heart and head engaged, the desire or effort to practice drifted as well.
To show up with your “A” game and have the greatest opportunity to win the game, individually and as a team, we needed our heart, our head, and our hands to all be in congruence.
To achieve the mission God has sent us on we need the same.
The problem is, so does Satan. He knows that if he can distract our heart, get into our head, and demotivate us from doing the actions that please God, he will prevent us from showing up with our “A” game on the court of God’s mission to reach the lost.
In the synagogue at Capernaum, we saw how the Opposition loved to intentionally or unintentionally attack the good news. As Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, a good person possessed by Satan comes in.
The irony? The demons knew who Jesus was. Listen:
Mark 1:23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
I have never experienced true demon possession. It still happens that demons physically and mentally control an individual. However, I know Satan loves to attack core aspects of my being…my heart…my head…and my hands. When any one of those loses its focus and intensity on the Lord, Satan loves to count it as a victory.
- He seeks to control my heart (trust/faith)
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
- He seeks to control my head. (thoughts)
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; … 6 The mind of sinful man is death, …Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
- And when he influences the first two, he can control my hands (actions).
Galatians 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, …hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
Satan is not going to let up. The great news is Jesus, as the demons asked, did come to destroy the devil’s work. We will look at that tomorrow!
Apply: Where is the weak spot in your life of faith? Does Satan get your heart to love something other than God first and fully? Does Satan get in your head and convolute your thoughts with inputs and ideas that are not godly? Does Satan lead you to act in a way that is not glorifying to God?
Prayer: Lord help me to recognize Satan’s attack on my heart, head and hands. With your Spirit’s power, help me overcome and defeat him! AMEN
Passage and Prayer for the Ministry of Cross & Crown:
Wednesday – February 3 – Hebrews 11:1
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
PRAYER: Grow our faith, God. Help us see what You see, and take the next steps You lead us to take with confidence and assurance of Your wisdom.
Mission Minded: Know Your Opposition: He attacks the Good News!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from January 31, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Knows their Opposition!
Traitors and treason are a BIG deal. When the enemy moves from “out there” to “in here” it disrupts the whole mission. It’s hard to fight outwardly when you have an enemy within. It’s perhaps why the opposition spends time on covert and spy missions to infiltrate the ranks and disrupt the battle from within.
Satan loves to use these tactics.
It’s easy to get comfortable and call out evil “out there.” It’s much more challenging to recognize it when it comes from a place we trust.
Jesus confront the opposition in church…in the synagogue at Capernaum. Where is the enemy?
Mark 1:21 They (Jesus and those he called to follow) went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
It’s easy to initially focus on the authority of Jesus’ teaching and the amazed reaction of the people. These focal points raise the question, “What do you mean there was opposition?” It’s there, it just was overpowered by the authority and truth of Jesus’ teaching.
The opposition to the good news Jesus taught? The teachers of the law.
You mean the opposition Satan was using was IN the church BY those who were teaching the Word?
Yes. Satan loves to attack the heart of our mission: the Good News. No better place to do that than to distort the teachings of the Bible with man-focused, man-made ideas.
Here’s three things the teachers of the law did which stood (and still stand) opposed to the Good News. Jesus calls them out later in his ministry. But you begin to see why Jesus’ teaching was so different than the teachers of the law!
- They led the people to focus the people on their good works rather than on the good news. Jesus certainly desires our lives to honor him, but first he wants our hearts to believe in him. Our good deeds are not the entry key to heaven. Our faith is. This is why Jesus condemned the teachers of the law:
Luke 11:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
- They led people to focus on themselves rather than on Christ. Why is this a big deal? Satan loves when we make life about me, myself and I. Jesus wants us to see life about trusting in him, loving God and loving our neighbor. It’s why Jesus warned the people:
Luke 20:46 “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
- They led people to focus on outward actions versus their inner condition. Jesus is always interested in our heart first. We can fake outward actions. We can’t fake an unbelieving heart. Jesus calls it out:
Luke 11:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
Satan loves to attack the good news that our sins are fully forgiven by the perfect life, innocent death and glorious resurrection of Jesus. Don’t let any teacher lead you away from Christ to yourself!
Apply: How does Satan get me to shift my focus off the good news of Jesus and onto my good deeds as the priority for life and salvation?
PRAYER: Lord, we know Satan prowls around and loves to distort your word of truth. Ground us in your words so that nothing will shift our faith from your Son Jesus to ourselves. AMEN.
Passage & Prayer for the ministry of Cross & Crown:
Tuesday – February 2 – Psalm 118:24-25
“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success.”
PRAYER: We give You thanks and rejoice that we can be a part of Your plan. We ask for Your anointing and grace to do what You have called us to do.