My Daily Pause

Category: In 100 Words

  • Darkness Needs Darkness

    There is no goodness in the dark
    There is no goodness in the dark

    People who live good lives respect the Lord,
    but those who live evil lives don’t. – Proverbs 14:2 NCV

    Here, in one sentence, is the reason for the urgency to remove God from public view. With godly behavior being systematically removed from T.V., radio and other influences in our lives, the foul behavior seems less offensive and starts to seem normal.

    Take a look at what John says:

    …the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. – John 3:19-20

    According to the worldly people, their behavior and belief comes from education and enlightenment.

    According to the Scriptures, it comes from evil.

  • How to Get Adopted by Jesus

    jesusteachingJesus looked directly at you!

    Sitting in a crowd of fellow followers you notice he makes eye contact with every person. Then he announces:

    “Here are my mother and my brothers!” – Mark 3:34

    Jesus wants to adopt each and every soul to his family. To get in, there is a simple requirement:

    For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother. – Mark 3:35

    Doing the will of God takes a lifetime of dedication.

    But then, so does keeping any family strong.

  • When We Deny Christ

    The Denial of Peter - ca 1610 - Caravaggio (1573–1610)
    The Denial of Peter – ca 1610 – Caravaggio (1573–1610)

    What if we were to lump a decision not to act on behalf of Christ, into the same category as Peter denying Christ? (Matthew 26:69-75)

    When we hear others make disparaging remarks about our Lord, isn’t failing to defend him the same as agreeing?

    When consciously we do something sinful, isn’t that like turning our backs on him?

    What if the Lord were to turn and look at you every time you deny him like he did to Peter that day? (Luke 22:61)

    How would that feel?

  • Look For the Centurions

    Jesus healing the servant of a Centurion - Paolo Veronese (1528–1588)
    Jesus healing the servant of a Centurion – Paolo Veronese (1528–1588)

    In Luke 7:1-10, the centurion’s servant is healed. Jesus marveled at his faith compared to what he was finding among the Jews.

    The centurion had good references (Luke 7:4) from the Jewish elders even though he was a Gentile. He was also an officer in the hated army of Rome. He built the synagogue for the Jews and as far as we can tell, he believed in Jesus as soon as he knew about him.

    It might be human nature to size people up based on external factors, but it is not God’s nature to do so. (cf. Acts 10:34, James 2:1) As today’s call to action, try to reach out to someone that others might have written off because of who they are.

    We might find a centurion.

    We might even be impressed like Jesus was. (Luke 7:9)

  • Enough Love For All

    …even sinners love those who love them. – Luke 6:32

    Today when you attend worship, say hello to someone you’ve never spoken to. Try to step outside your comfort zone for a little while.

    It’s good practice for acting like a Christian among those in the world. Jesus expects his disciples to demonstrate a quality of love, helpfulness, and compassion that exceeds everything that is above and beyond what people tend to do.

    When you have mastered this among your fellow church folks, and are able to avoid “fellowship” with only selected friends, you are ready to show worldly people a Christ-like love for all.

  • A Vessel For God

    A Vessel For God

    As we plan and mentally prepare for our next worship, let’s ask ourselves if we have a heart fit for the Spirit to dwell in it. (Ephesians 3:16-17)

    That heart – one that is grounded in love – is the vessel for the “fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19) Our time with the rest of the body of Christ will give us the tools to enlarge that vessel.