Not a Fan – Day 24

Pay Attention to Those Signs

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”-Matthew 7:13-14

A few years ago, I was driving from Cincinnati to Louisville. The highway between Cincinnati and Louisville is called I-71. It’s a straight shot, and the trip takes about an hour. I had the radio turned up, it was a beautiful day and I was enjoying the drive. After about an hour, I knew I was getting close to Louisville, but then I saw a sign that said, “Welcome to Lexington.”

I had made the mistake that others had told me about. Right outside Cincinnati is a place where, if you’re not really careful, you can easily miss where I-71 toward Louisville splits off from I-75 toward Lexington. For close to an hour I was completely convinced I was on I-71, but all the while I was on I-75. It never occurred to me that I might be going the wrong way. With the radio blaring, I was singing along to the music, completely oblivious. I never allowed for the possibility that I was on the wrong road.
Jesus noted a similar problem regarding two roads in life. One is easily traveled by many people. The other is easily missed –only a few will find it. But many of those on the crowded highway still think they’re moving in the right direction. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:22-23).
Those are sobering words. They were busy doing the right things, but their accomplishments didn’t make them true followers. They never knew Jesus, and he didn’t know them. Fortunately for you and me, there’s still time to regain our bearings.

Following Today
Some questions for your journey: Does your life reflect what you say you believe? Do you think you’re on the right road because of what you’ve done? Do you know Jesus, and does he know you? I don’t expect you to have quick, ready answers to these questions. But it would do you some good to “pull over” and meditate on them today.

Not a Fan – Day 23

“It Is Finished!”

When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
-John 19:30-

The last word that Jesus spoke on the cross was the word tetelestai, which is translated “It is finished.” In the Greek-speaking world of the time, the term was written on official documents to indicate that a bill had been paid in full, kind of like a rubber stamp that says PAID. Therefore, when they heard tetelestai, the people at the foot of the cross (and those who read John’s account afterward) would have made the unmistakable connection: The death of Jesus Christ has paid in full for their sins.
When we read “It is finished,” we don’t automatically get that full meaning. We hear it in a sort of flat, unemotional way. To us it kind of sounds like “Game Over,” like what the head coach might say to the assistant coach as the time winds down in a losing game. “It’s finished; we’re done.” But that’s not how Jesus uttered it. He was finished, all right — finished winning!
See, the term was also used in the Greek-speaking world as a cry of victory. People would shout it in the streets as a conquering army returned home: “Tetelestai! The battle is over! Victory is ours! Celebrate!”
We follow a victorious King, yet many followers of Jesus still drift along in the doldrums of defeat. We languish in loss. We walk with bowed heads and slumped shoulders — frustrated in our battle against sin and perplexed about our next move.
But on the cross, Jesus Christ won the victory in the battle of the ages. On the cross, He was making two decisive statements: He had paid in full the entire sin debt of all humankind, and He was declaring victory for us as well. “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Following Today
What sin struggle is threatening to defeat you? Are you walking in discouragement and failure, or could you dare to believe that sin has already been defeated? Write out a “victor’s prayer” over your battles. Don’t write it as if victory hasn’t yet been achieved; claim a decisive victory today. Tetelestai!

Not a Fan – Day 22

Rest Your Soul

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-30

Most of the concerns that weigh you down were not given to you by God. Family problems, unemployment, toxic workplaces, chronic illness, and worries of all kinds — these burdens may seem to come with your role as a parent, a student, a breadwinner, or a caretaker. Some of them you may have picked up yourself, trying to make your life “just right.”
But when Jesus invites us to share His yoke, somehow the burden gets lighter. His burden doesn’t weigh us down. Jesus said so: “My burden is light.”
When Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” he meant everyone. Those of you whose cargo has been there so long you’ve forgotten the lightness of traveling without it. Those of you who don’t know another way to live. All who are tired of shouldering the load can come to Him.
The yoke is easy now, because the weight has shifted. The burdens that used to seem crushing are bundled up with His. The concerns we could hardly bear seem manageable. They are part of our calling as a parent, student, provider, or caretaker. We find that we can do “everything through Christ, who gives us strength” (Philippians 4:13 NLT). I love how The Message paraphrases Jesus’ invitation: “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:30). Being yoked with Him is the best way of trusting and praying.

Following Today
Our burdens come in all shapes and sizes and durations, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you feel weighed down by something right now. Try this: Hold your hands out, palms facing upward. Now picture your burden resting in your hands. Lift your burden to Him as you pray, asking Him to help you live freely as you follow along with Him.

Not a Fan – Day 21

Fanatics For Jesus

“Zeal for Your house consumes me.”-Psalm 69:9-

“Everything in moderation.” Sounds like a prudent way to live, doesn’t it? Seems like reasonable advice for a happy, balanced life.
But it just doesn’t fit when you’re talking about following Jesus. Jesus doesn’t say, “Everything in moderation.” He isn’t interested in enthusiastic admirers who don’t get too carried away. He wants completely committed followers.
I met a young man a few years ago whose life radically changed when he started following Christ. Instead of (in his words) “going out, drinking, smoking pot, and chasing girls,” he was constantly at church, serving however he could. He quit working during church hours, even though he needed the hours. He started giving generously even though finances were tight. He would not be quiet about what he was learning from the sermons and even started talking about mission trips and being in ministry. After just a few minutes with him, anyone could easily see the joy that he had found in Christ.
Some time after his radical change, his mom wanted to meet with me. I though for sure I knew what she wanted to talk about. I knew that she went to a different church, and I assumed she wanted to express her appreciation to our church for the positive changes in her son’s life. But that wasn’t the case. She was actually upset with him and she blamed me and our church, saying, “My son has taken all of this too far.”
But you see, when it comes to following Jesus, there is no middle ground. Moderation isn’t an option. You can’t walk a fine line or sit on the fence. Jesus says if you don’t sell out completely, you can’t be His follower. His invitation is an all-or-nothing one. How will you answer His invitation today?

Following Today
Take time to do some honest self-assessment. Consider what those closest to you would observe in your life when it comes to the following areas:

Serving – Am I joyfully contributing to the work of the ministry, or do I sit back and let others serve?

Giving – Am I bringing my whole heart — talents, time, and resources — to the church, or do I give only when I have some extra?

Meeting With Believers – Do I make it a priority to be in God’s house each week, or do I attend every now and then?

Bible Study and Prayer – Do I meet regularly with the Lord, or is my time with Him only haphazard and occasional?

Think about this question: Would anyone accuse me of following Jesus zealously?

Not a Fan – Day 20

Listen Carefully

“Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have, will be taken from them.” -Luke 8:18-

There was a person in our church who had begun to follow Jesus. This person had lived most of their life outside of the church and, quite frankly, just didn’t have much interest in spiritual things. But then they met someone from our church, an authentic Christ follower, and was drawn to what they saw. This person began attending church regularly, soaking up everything they were learning. The spiritual growth was dramatic and quick. In fact, it seemed so rapid that it alarmed our church member, who confided in me, “I’m just afraid that the seed isn’t growing deep enough roots.”
This person was referring, of course, to a familiar parable that Jesus told about good and bad soil and how they receive the seed of the Word of God. And Jesus Himself gives this challenge: “Therefore consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8″18). He knew it to be true: Some people hear the Word, but before they can do anything, the devil, like an opportunistic roadside crow, snatches it away from them. Others receive the Word, but it cannot take root because of their rock-hard hearts. Still others (and this was the concern in this case) hear & receive the Word, but before it can come to maturity in their hearts, the thorny cares of life choke it to death.
But some who hear the Word have hearts that are ready, like good soil with good growing conditions. They not only hear & receive the Word of God but nurture its growth and allow it to bear mature fruit in their lives. These are the ones who have and will be given more, while the other listeners will lose the farm. How you hear is what’s so critical.
By the way, when the seed fell on the “good soil” in Jesus’ story, it “yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown” (Luke 8:8). As it turns out, this person we’ve been talking about was “good soil.” So, as you might expect, their roots are already growing deep. And it wouldn’t surprise you to know that the seed is yielding an even greater crop, as other members of their family have gotten saved since then.
As you follow Jesus, consider carefully how you listen to His Word. Seize it; retain it. Persevere in it, then get ready for an abundant harvest.

Following Today
Read this entire parable (Luke 8:1-15). Describe the soil of your heart. Is it ready to receive — and to bring to maturity — the Word of the living God? Are you harboring any worries that might “choke out” God’s Word in your life?

LORDSHIP

Lordship

“You will never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you’ve got”-Mother Theresa-

What Is Lordship?
Submission to God’s will – Matthew 8:2
Placing God first in your life – Matthew 22:36-40
Accepting responsibility & accountability – Matthew 25:14-30
Doing God’s will – Matthew 7:21-27
Personal obedience regardless of the cost – John 21:15-23

In a little church in Eastern Europe, about 100 people had gathered to worship God on a beautiful Sunday morning. They had just finished a prayer, when suddenly, with a loud bang, Communist soldiers burst through the front door, sub-machine guns in hand. They made their way to the front of the church, calling the people gathered there “the filth of the earth” and “parasites ruining the glorious revolution”, and shouted that thge time had come to rid the nation of them.
Acknowledging that there might be some who did not really believe all that religious nonsense, the soldiers gave them 60 seconds to leave the room. There was silence. Then, suddenly, about half of the congregation rushed quickly to the doors, some even through the windows, to get out in time. The minute was over, and deeper silence fell upon the remaining half of the congregation as they stared down the muzzles of the guns. After this, the men dropped their guns and said, “Brethren, we have come to worship with you! But first, we had to get rid of the hypocrites!”
One word separated those who stayed from those who left…
LORDSHIP!

(Read Matthew 7:21-23)

S. M. Lockridge said, There are 3 classes of people…
Those who neither call Him Lord nor do the things He says.
Those who call Him Lord but do not do the things He says.
Those who call Him Lord and do the things He says.
He went on to say this:
“Christ’s Lordship is based on His ownership. God didn’t have to put His signature on the corner of a sunrise; Nobody else is going to cause the sun to rise…He’s the owner. God didn’t have to put a laundry mark on the lapel of a meadow…He’s the owner. God didn’t have to carve His initials on the side of the mountain…He’s the owner. God didn’t have to put a brand on the cattle of a thousand hills…He’s the owner. God didn’t even have to take out a copyright on the songs that the birds sing…He’s the owner!”

My Time With God

Preparation Time
Commit yourself to the Owner right now. Billy Graham has said: “It is generally much less difficult for us to commit the keeping of our future to the Lord than it is to commit our present. We know we are helpless in regards to our future, but we feel as if the present is in our own hands, and must be carried on our own shoulders; and most of us have an unconfessed idea that it is a big deal to ask the Lord to carry us and ask Him to carry our burdens too.”

Waiting Time
During your waiting time, Let God…

Love You.
“God, I feel Your love today, especially in the area of…”

Search You.
“God, You have permission to reveal any uncommitted area in my life.”

Show You.
“God, is there anything that I need to know as I enter this day?”

Confession Time
Lordship in your life means that your words and your walk are the same. If any of the following thoughts speak to your heart and show inconsistencies in your life, spend time confessing these areas to God.

You call Me Master and obey Me not.
You call Me Light and see Me not.
You call Me the Way and follow Me not.
You call Me Life and desire Me not.
You call Me wise and acknowledge Me not.
You call Me fair and love Me not.
You call Me rich and ask Me not.
You call Me eternal and seek Me not.
You call Me gracious and trust Me not.
You call Me noble and serve Me not.
You call Me mighty and honor me not.
You call Me just and fear Me not.
If I condemn you, blame Me not.

Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

…Read Luke 6:46-49 slowly a couple of times.
…Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
…Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind…

Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing & thanksgiving for the people for whom you will now intercede.
Name Request

Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly
Talk to Him about the “little things”
Be honest with God
Pray “Thy will be done”

Prayer Requests:

Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed on me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God:

Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying, through your eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because of His goodness!

Praise and Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank god by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

This Week’s Memory Verse: (Matthew 6:33)

This Week’s Time Alone With God

Monday – This Lesson

Tuesday thru Friday – Lordship is a heavy issue. Spend this week settling the “Who’s #1 issue.” Study the Lordship Ladder below, read the Scriptures, and determine to climb up. Start at the bottom of the ladder and check off each rung that you have climbed.

The Lordship Ladder

Peace Romans 8:1

Total Surrender Romans 12:1-2

Hunger for Righteousness Matthew 5:6

Partial Surrender Luke 9:57-62

Wrestling Romans 7

Seeking Matthew 6:33

Unstableness James 1:8

Not a Fan – Day 19

Getting to Know You

“Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”-Matthew 25:11-12

When I take my wife out to eat on a date, she won’t let me face the TV in the restaurant. She knows I get distracted watching whatever is on. It could be sports or it could be a special on basket-weaving, I still get sucked in. And I don’t really see the problem with it. If there is a lull in the conversation and we don’t have anything to talk about, what’s the harm in watching a little TV?
I never really understood why this was an issue until one night when we went out to eat and I got distracted watching 2 couples at 2 different tables. At one table was a young couple clearly in love. They may have been newlyweds, but my guess is they were still dating. They were sitting on the same side of the booth, snuggled up, talking non-stop, laughing at each other’s jokes. Their food was getting cold, but they didn’t care.
At the table next to them was an elderly couple, and I’m guessing they had been married for decades. They didn’t say a word. Nothing. I watched as they just sat there in silence. I finally pointed this out to my wife, saying, “Look at that. Isn’t that kind of sad? It starts off one way, with this young couple just talking, talking, talking, and then decades later, you have this older couple just sitting there in silence. It’s sad.” And my wife said, “I think it’s kind of sweet.”
At first, I was confused by her reply. Until it hit me: It was sweet because they didn’t have to say anything. Being together, focused on each other, even in silence, was a picture of the kind of relationship my wife wants. She doesn’t care about the nice dinner. She isn’t impressed by my expensive gifts, kind words, or thoughtful acts. She wants my heart. She wants to know me.
Ultimately, that’s how our relationship with Jesus will be defined. Our acts of piety, our adherence to religion, our observance of rules and rituals — none of this will impress Him. More than He wants our words of affection, our tithe dollars, or our acts of service, He simply wants to know us and for us to know Him.

Following Today
How well do you know Jesus? Write down a list of things you already know about Him. Consider looking up His “I AM” statements (the good shepherd, gentle and humble in heart, the way, the truth, the life, etc.) in the Gospels using an online search engine.

Not a Fan – Day 18

No Exception Clause

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below — You who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.”
-1 Kings 8:23-

I saw a report on Fox News about a group of new vegetarians. They interviewed one of them, a 28-year old woman. One of her quotes captures the viewpoint of the group: “I usually eat vegetarian. But I really like sausage.” She represents a growing number of people who eat vegetarian but make some exceptions. They don’t eat meat, unless they really like it. As you might imagine, the real vegetarians aren’t real happy about the new vegetarians. They put pressure on the new group to change their name. And so, here’s the name they chose for themselves: flexetarians. As I watched the report, I realized something: I am a flexetarian! I absolutely refuse to eat meat, unless it’s being served! The young woman on Fox News explained it this way: “I really like vegetarian food, but I’m just not 100% committed.”
A lot of people follow Jesus this way. They compartmentalize the areas of their lives they don’t want Him to have access to. They try to negotiate the terms of the deal: “I’ll follow Jesus, but I’m not going to sell my possessions. Don’t ask me to forgive the people who hurt me; they don’t deserve that. Don’t ask me to save sex for marriage; I just can’t help my desires. Don’t ask me to give a percentage of my money; I worked hard for that. I really like Jesus, but I’m just not 100% committed.” They call themselves Christians. They follow Jesus, but they’ve made some exceptions.
But following Jesus requires a complete and total commitment. Jesus never left open the option of selective commitment. He allows no exception clauses. You don’t get to say, “I will follow Jesus — except in this area of my life, where I will do things my way.” You can’t treat the call of Christ like a spiritual all-you-can-eat buffet, picking and choosing as you go through the line. There is no such thing as a flexetarian when it comes to faith. If you call yourself a Christian, by definition, you are committing yourself to follow Jesus in every area of your life.

Following Today
Honestly evaluate your commitment to Christ. Do any areas of your life come to mind where you have withheld complete commitment? Have you inserted an exception clause that shouldn’t be there? What will you do about it?

Not a Fan. – Day 17

He Calls Us

In love [God] predestined us for adoption to so ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will — to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One he loves. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. -Ephesians 1:4-8

The highest view, in my thinking, of God’s sovereignty is not that God causes everything; it’s that he causes everything to work together for His good purposes (see Romans 8:28). That’s a whole other level of sovereignty and power — He takes whatever happens and, in His all-encompassing wisdom and power, uses it to accomplish His work and His purpose.
Let me try to illustrate this. Suppose that I, as a wise and loving father, knew that my son was going to be an all-star football player when he grew up. If I had that knowledge, wouldn’t it significantly change most everything about the way I raised him? I wouldn’t bother spending much money on piano lessons or art classes. Those glazed doughnuts? Not in my house. Video games would be replaced with exercise regimens. Monday night football would take precedent over “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” I would use my newfound knowledge to help guide my son to his certain destiny.

In much the same way, God knows our ultimate destiny. He already sees our truest identity. And so, His purpose is to draw us closer to Jesus. He uses everything that happens — even the bad stuff — to do this. Whether it’s our own fault or someone else’s, God has predestined everything to work together to pull us along toward Him, and to shape us in the process. He doesn’t waste anything. We can follow Him with confident faith, trusting that He is already working things out for our good and His glory.

Following Today
Think back over significant events of your life. Can you trace God’s hand bringing you to where you are today? What circumstance in your life right now is beyond your ability to understand? Write it down and profess your trust in our good, sovereign God. (To consider a little further: What would change today if you knew your ultimate destiny? Here’s a little secret: YOU DO!)

Not a Fan. – Day 16

Jesus Is Not A Registered Voter

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”-Mark 14: 61-62-

Jesus didn’t establish any religious organizations. He never identified himself as a capitalist, a socialist, a royalist, a colonist, or any other kind of -ist. He will not define Himself in those terms. He’s not a Republican, a Democrat, or a member of the Green Party. He does not underwrite liberals or authorize conservatives. Nobody can lay claim to Him — not the Catholics, the Protestants, the evangelicals, the charismatics, or the fundamentalists.
Jesus did not incite the Inquisition, endorse the Reformation, sanction the counter-Reformation, validate the Puritans, or divide Ireland. He did not take sides in the Civil War, and he did not write the United States Constitution.
He isn’t counting on us to make Him famous, and He doesn’t need us to help him appear creative, attractive, or really cool. He’s not the champion of the hippies because He wore sandals, nor the idol of the hipsters because of His epic beard. Contrary to what your parents might have told you, He didn’t wear a suit and tie to church. He probably didn’t even go on Sunday mornings. He is not hemmed in by the church’s hymns or set free by spontaneity in worship.
You see, nobody can label Him; He’s the Lord of all. Nothing can confine Him; He uses the earth as a footstool. No one can manipulate or control Him; He uttered the world into existence with the sound of His voice. Nothing surprises Him or catches Him off guard. He has never uttered the words, “Hmm, I never thought of that.”
He is above all, through all, and in all. He is all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He gives life because He is life. He perfectly loves because He is perfect love. He alone is God. And we stand in awe of Him!

Following Today
Take several minutes today to stand in awe of Jesus. Pick a couple of worship songs to listen to. Heed the advice of the psalmist: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Then pray this prayer from Habakkuk 3:2: “Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day; in our time make them known.”