Day 73 Jesus prayer of Thanksgiving Matt 11:25-27, Luke 10:21-22

Guided reflection: 

In front of the crowds, Jesus breaks into a prayer of thanksgiving.  And for what is he thankful?  That it is the innocent, the least in the rank of honor, to whom the secrets of God are revealed.  It does not take seminary training or an appointment as a leader of the church to be open to the things of God.  Just an innocent, childlike openness unlocks the keys to the mystery of God.

Guided prayer:  

“Soften my heart, O God, so that I have the faith and openness of a child.  My cynicism and judgments encourage me to scoff and dismiss your love for me. Forgive me, dear Lord. Amen” 

Day 72 Jesus has harsh words for some cities Matt 11:20-24, Luke 10:13-15

Guided reflection: 

Wow, Jesus was not happy with the folks of the cities listed in our text today.  What was the issue?   They had seen and heard John the Baptist and had seen and heard the words and mighty acts of Jesus and they did not repent!  To them it was all a side show – not an invitation to a new way of life.  They missed what was right in front of them!  They chose to not see that the Messiah was in their midst.  Do you think God ever throws up His hands in frustration with you and me: “Yikes, I am revealing myself to them and they just don’t get it!”

Guided prayer: 

“Help me to have ears that hear and eyes that see and a heart that is open, O God. Keep me “motivatable” so that when I encounter your mighty work, I see it, get it, and allow you to change my heart.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

Day 71 Jesus gives tribute to John Matt 11:7-19, Luke 7:24-35

Guided reflection:

The previous text had John questioning the authenticity of Jesus being the Messiah.  That must have made Jesus reflective about his cousin John.  He stops and addresses the crowds who are comparing Jesus and John.  John had strange eating habits of not drinking or eating, and they called him a demon.  Jesus ate and drank with folks and they called him a glutton and a drunkard!  It seemed to Jesus that the folks followed John or Him for a show....but were not interested in their lives being transformed.  We sure can get distracted by our judgments, can’t we?

Guided prayer:

“Thank you, O God, for those who have been the voices in the wilderness for me… and for the Christ who shows me how to live.  May my generation be willing to have ears that can hear a fresh word from you for our time in history.  Amen” 

Day 70 John the Baptist and Jesus Matt. 11: 2-6; Luke 7:18-23

Guided reflection:    

You will remember that John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan and pronounced that Jesus was the Messiah- he had only been a voice, crying out in the wilderness for people to get ready for Jesus to come.  Now John is in prison and wonders if he got it right.  Is Jesus the One, the Messiah, or is he just his cousin and they need to wait for the real thing.  Jesus sends back the message: “Well, buddy, you figure it out – the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news.  Does this fit your bill of a Messiah, cuz?”  Put yourself in John’s shoes…have you ever wondered if this Jesus thing is the real deal?

Guided prayer:  “I admit that sometimes I wonder if Jesus is the real deal, O God.  I wonder,, where are the blind seeing today… and then I realize that I may be one of the blind ones… or lame ones.. or a leper who needs cleansed… or even dead on the inside. Forgive my doubts.   Open my eyes.  Amen.

Day 69 End of this teaching session with the Disciples Matthew 10:40-11:1

Guided reflection:  

All of chapter 10 has been Discipleship Training 101 – this was the “lecture phase” and now they were to go out and live the lab work of being a disciple in their time in history.  Jesus is making clear that when we serve others, it is really Christ serving... and when someone welcomes us, they are welcoming Christ because Christ is in us!  We ARE the hands and feet of Christ!   What does it mean when you do something for your secretary, boss, spouse, child, neighbor… that you are serving Christ at that moment?  Or, what does it mean to you that when someone responds to you, they are responding to Christ in you?  WOW!  We are to be Christ with skin on for others!  Think about that for a bit… and get up and go to the closest person to you right now and look at them as though they are the visible person of Christ… does that affect how you might treat them?

Guided prayer:   “I am not sure I understand all of this, Loving God, but when I see others I usually see them as a pain or a promise… now help me adjust my spiritual glasses and see them through your eyes… and may they clearly see you in me.  Amen” 

Day 68 Cost of Discipleship Matt 10:37-39; Luke 14: 26-27

Guided reflection: 

Is Jesus saying that my family should not be important to me?  No, we are to love and care for our family, but the issue is about who gets first place in your life!  When we give our life to Christ we are to surrender all of ourselves.  We take up our cross, take our place, and “lose” or surrender, ourselves to God.  Day 67 and today’s readings are not about making others unimportant, but about keeping the big picture in our minds – this life is not all there is!  But where we place our loyalties in this life will make a difference.  JOY:  Jesus first; Others second, and you last!

Guided prayer:  “These two days’ scripture readings are disturbing, Lord.  It seems that you want my undivided loyalty.  I would rather give you my divided attention… but work in me to understand how to take up my cross and follow you.  Amen.” 

Day 67 Peace or chaos? Matt. 10: 34-36, Luke 12:51-58

Guided reflection: 

 How many times have you thought that folks ought to get along?  Well, Jesus tells us that there are times for peace in the family, but sometimes serving Christ and making choices for God might make your family be in chaos!  Now, this is not blessing family turmoil – just helping us see that God has no grandchildren or in-laws… being a child of God is a 1st generation thing!  Some in your family may turn against you! Can you remember a time when your decisions caused turmoil in your family?  As you reflect back, did you stand for the right things, or was it just more family feuding?

Guided prayer:  “Serving you, O God, can be tough sometimes.   Keeping peace in my family sometimes is more important to me than being at one with you.  Help me remember that you come first.  Help me make choices that honor you… and may my family support me.  Be with those whose decision to follow you have caused them to be in harm’s way.  Amen”

Day 66 Concerning fear of others Matthew 10:26-33; Luke 12: 2-9

Guided reflection: 

Of course we are worried about what others think and what they can do to us, but in Jesus’ day and for the early church they had realistic fear of harm for their faith.   Jesus does not pretend that they have no reason to fear, but reminds them of the bigger picture – eternity!   Jesus reminds us that our bodies are just a vessel… our spirits will live forever.  AND he reminds us that we are of value and not forgotten by God – even the hairs on our head are numbered!  (Some of us have made the job easy for God – ha!)   The point is that our confession of Christ as our savior is not about what other people think, but about what God thinks.  Based on this scripture, what do you think is God’s opinion of you?  You are of value to God!  WOW!

Guided prayer:  “Loving God, it is hard to imagine that you care about the sparrows and the hair on my head, but I amreminded that I am of great value to you.  Help me to not allow other people’s opinion and possible harmful actions keep me from serving you.  Show me where fear holds me back from my potential. Amen.” 

Day 65 The tough side of discipleship Matt. 10: 17-25

Guided reflection:  

Wow, now this is a way to motivate a sales team!  Jesus knew how to face reality.  He knew if they preached his words they would be brought up on charges and possibly face death!  Jesus tells them not to concentrate on what to do when that happens, just know that if and when it does, the spirit of Christ will provide the words to say.  Then flee, and go to the next place.  Again, their response is not their responsibility!   How fortunate we are in  America. We have the right to share Christ’s message without worry.  However, we do need to understand that Jesus’ way is not always the most comfortable way.  Where are you being stretched in your discipleship?

Guided Prayer: “Our hearts are filled with gratitude in knowing that we live in a place where we are free to speak and move as we wish.  But we realize that others are in harm’s way because of their faith.  Protect those, I pray, and give me courage to be the ambassador for Christ no matter the cost. I guess what I am asking, Lord, is to give me a spiritual backbone!  Amen.” 

Day 64 Jesus sends out the twelve Matt. 9:35–10:16,

Guided reflection:  

This is Jesus’ leadership development phase with his disciples.  They are named and listed, and now Jesus wants them to go out and replicate his own way of doing ministry.  They are not to carry along a bunch of stuff they do not need… they are to learn to trust God as they go… and to discern who is open and who is not… and if people are not open, get out!  Now, if we had a “how to be a disciple” workshop scheduled with Jesus as the teacher, what would his instructions be for us today?   Maybe,  Live simply;  develop an attitude of gratitude; and know that you are not responsible for another’s response!

Guided prayer: “Jesus, where are people around me open to your love?  Show me how I can simplify

my life so I can be moved by the Spirit.   Help me to know what part is my responsibility and what part is the response of others.  Grant me to know the difference!  Amen.”