Press the arrow to listen to Kari Jobe sing “Revelation Song” as you read today’s journal about thankfulness.

Scripture
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. Matthew 28:6-7

Observation
The words “Simon the Leper” should make us take a u-turn in Matthew 26. The story continues on with the familiar account of Mary pouring her alabaster jar of precious perfume over Jesus. But stop and consider where the feast was being held. Jesus was eating in the home of what we must assume was a one-time-now-healed leper named Simon.

For Jesus to be in his house would have made headlines. Jews had phobias, and in addition to dirty hands and Gentiles, lepers topped the list. Who was Simon? As the only other reference in Matthew’s gospel to a leper is the one Jesus touched and healed just after the Sermon on the Mount, we are tempted to think that Simon was that very one.

Whether or not, doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Simon was a grateful man, and with a feast of thanksgiving he hosted Jesus. Little did he know, however, that his one act of thankfulness would set into motion a chain of events that would never be forgotten.

It was in Simon’s house that Mary poured out her perfume worth a year’s wages. That perfume was the only thing that could not be stripped from Jesus as he went to the cross. The worship of its aroma filled his nostrils as he suffered. And the memory of Mary’s gift still is spoken of in pulpits all around the world. All of this happened because Simon was grateful and hosted a meal to show gratitude toward Jesus.

Application
It makes me wonder about the ripples that emanate from any word or deed of thanksgiving. This morning a dear friend sent me a text message of thanks on Thanksgiving Day. Because he thanked me, I am on my way to do the same for others. There is a domino theory with thanksgiving. I must consider all that Christ has done for me and create atmosphere of thanksgiving.

Prayer
Father, today I’m thankful for a saint who is now worshipping before your throne. Before she went home to be with you, Margaret taught me how to make family every holiday, by inviting in those who have no family of their own. She taught me the secret of community. Today our table will be surrounded by those who will enjoy fellowship and food. Make this an outstanding day of gratefulness for them. Create an atmosphere of thanksgiving here that will permeate throughout their lives and beyond. Let the words of thanks ricochet around the world because of what we do at our table today. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Brandon Heath sing “Give Me Your Eyes” while reading today’s devotion about potential.

Scripture
Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. Matthew 17:1-2

Observation
Only once while Jesus was on earth did he “light up” like he did back home in heaven. Getting a glimpse of Jesus’ glory on earth was even more of an event than the 76-year-long wait for Haley’s Comet. One would think that Jesus would be choosey with the audience for such an event. After all, he didn’t even let anyone watch the resurrection, who would he have around for the Transfiguration? There was not a caesar, king, or high priest allowed in. Instead, Jesus selected three blockheads known for dropping clangers to witness the most remarkable event this side of heaven.

Why?

My thoughts exactly. Peter, James and John were clods, selected not because of what others could see, but because of what Jesus could see. He saw the potential in them that no one else could see. This trio would go on to lead the early church and write chunks of the Bible. Peter would see tongues of fire and John would see Jesus lit up again along with all of heaven. James would get to go home early and enjoy it before the other two.

Application
To lead like Jesus, we need to see potential in young leaders early on before others can see it and give them access to privileges they do not deserve. When I was 20 years old I got to have lunch with John Maxwell. I thought I had all of the answers and I was too dumb to know any questions to ask. From a strategic point of view, it was a wasted hour for him. But I will never forget him taking time for me or the things I heard him speak that day. For the next five years, he became the model for much of what I did and helped me immensely. I want to be a leader who believes in future leaders before others can see them or they can see it in themselves. I want to be the gate so that young leaders can get a front row seat into spectacles of heaven. Waste the whole light show on those who don’t deserve a ticket must be my mandate. And out of Peter, James and John will come the leaders of tomorrow’s church.

Prayer
Father, please develop my ability to develop others. Show me more and more how to develop them. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to “Still” by Hillsong Church as you read today’s devotion on rest.

Scripture
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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

Observation

Question. The closer I come to God, will his demands be harder?

Answer. Easier.

There is something disarming and simple the closer we come to Christ. At the core, we expect God, the Holy One, to be demanding and aloof, until we come to know him. In Jesus, we see that at his centre, God is humble and gentle. Those are two words that would not roll off the tip of my tongue in describing the Almighty.

The epicenter of God is more like a porch swing than a throne room, for what he offers to us in uninhibited relationship.

The call of Jesus is to take burdens off of us and not to load them onto us. So why do we become heavy-laden? Because we must be heading toward something other than Jesus. Maybe it is the expectations of others. Maybe it is the demands of an organization. Maybe it is wrong thinking about who God is. Maybe it is the voice of our mother-in-law. When we come to Jesus, life becomes simple. He gives us one obvious thing to do and then supports us in the doing of it.

Application
The goal of all of my work must be to just be with Jesus and nothing else. The reason the yoke is easy and the burden is light is because he is with me. Time with Jesus is not the reward after my work is done, but while I am doing it.

Prayer
Jesus let me sense you today as we work together. I chose to come to you. Take off from me what doesn’t fit. When I find gentleness and humility I will know I am close to you. Help me to live in that, for I often wander. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Chris Tomlin sing “Kindness” while reading today’s devotion about repentance.

Scripture
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2

Observation
Heaven is not far away, it is as close to me as the house next door. I can enter paradise today and my world can begin to experience heaven now. What is the doorbell of heaven? Feeling sad enough to change.

The word is repentance and the experience is a gift. No animal can change, but humans can. No human can change him or her self, but God can. He gives to us the gift of sorrow that works repentance in our hearts.

Repentance is not a one time experience; we are to live in a constant state of change. We veer from heaven, and repentance brings us back inside. But the older we become the less we want to change. The problem is not with information, for we know what we need to do. The difficulty is with our pride. There is in us the notion that there will be a point when we will have it together an arrive, but we don’t and won’t. The road to heaven is marked with many u-turns.

“Have you repented today?” That was the greeting Hudson Taylor gave to his missionaries when he met them. It is a good question for me.

Application
There are times I become comfortable in the comforts God has given me in life. I start defending my wrong attitudes for there is always a good spin to put on any darkness in my life. And then I will meet someone with a tender heart, who will ask my forgiveness for some wrong or respond to a check of the Holy Spirit and change. It is then I realize that I’ve been sitting outside of heaven’s door, but missing heaven. I will accept godly sorrow and embrace humility, for the door is narrow so I may have to duck or turn sideways to get in.

Prayer
Father, I am still so often proud in the wrong ways. There are moments I see it, but those are too few. I don’t want to defend the old version, I am open to upgrade. How I need more of you in me. Father, please renew my life with the gift of repentance. Amen.