Scripture
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Observation
Why do I ignore context? Every Bible story is nested in a series of other stories that give it even more meaning. Matthew chapter eighteen is one of the “long slow curves” of Jesus. He began with kids, then segued into sorting out disagreements and then landed a final kibosh on forgiveness. In the middle of this long talk on relationships, Jesus squeezed in this one sentence about what goes right in friendships. Agreement is the power, and it is worth working through disagreement to find agreement. Because when two agree the Lord is there and all heaven comes to earth.
Application
All that is written in Matthew 18 about restoring friendships is really about finding power in friendship to bring the kingdom of God. I want all my relationships strong so that Jesus can join my friendships and do eternal things through them.
Scripture
The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Numbers 17:8
Observation
In darkness, without moisture, and without soil, a old walking stick became a showpiece of a southern California almond grove. It was a marvel greater than even hydroponics. In a sterile place came life.
Application
Alone in the dark, beyond the reach of human hands or nature’s help, a dead stick came alive. It gives me hope that God can use me, anyplace, anywhere, anytime. What came from Aaron’s rod, was more than fruit, but the stages of fruit bearing. God’s blessing is not just in a harvest, but in a continual harvest.
Prayer
Father, it is okay if you should choose to put me in a cool, dark place, hidden from all help but you. Let me be brought out with the astonishment of fruitfulness. My life is in your hands. Amen
Scripture
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
Observation
Jesus invites me to become uncomfortable. This is not a draconian summons to a dreary life of denied pleasure. Rather it is the welcome to share in the suffering with one of great joy and value so that later rewards become even more sweet. Jesus invites us into the fellowship of suffering. It is in the place of great discomfort, that relationship with him becomes most valuable.
Application
I can’t be afraid to rough it with Jesus because he is there with me.
Prayer
Jesus, how many tree roots were your pillows over the three years? But at the end of it you knew who your true friends were. Today they enjoy heaven with you. You sifted them with discomfort. I won’t shirk discomfort. I will value the comforts I have. Most of all, meet me in the uncomfortable place, and let me find your friendship there.
Scripture
3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”
4 Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” 1 Samuel 23
11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant.”
And the LORD said, “He will.”
12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?
And the LORD said, “They will.” 1 Samuel 23
16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
1 Samuel 23
But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me. Psalm 31:14-15
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:1 & 7
Observation
Here is a mechanical drawing of how the Lord enables us to make good decisions.
Good decisions start with inquiring of the Lord.
Inquiry is based on asking questions and waiting for answers.
The second question cannot be asked until the answer is given to the first question.
Don’t ask more than one question at a time.
God won’t answer jumbled questions with multiple fears.
Jumbled questions reveal our distrust in the capacity of God to be prepared for every contingency.
Ask just one question at a time.
God isn’t interested in answer giving but in forming a relationship with us through problem solving.
The best answers come when we look calmly with the Lord deep into the problems others fear.
The solutions he will offer will lie in the heart of what we fear.
The solutions for one season do not continue into the next one.
When conditions change the questions must improve.
God tests the mettle of a man by the appropriateness of his questions for the season.
When we get the question correct, the Lord’s answer will come.
Reading the times, telling the time, knowing the time are all the marks of an alert man.
Quality friends will seek and find the man who inquires of the Lord.
Quality friends will not allow their friendship to supplant a man’s inquiry of the Lord.
The best friend is not one who brings the answers, but pushes us into the place where the answer can be found.
The promise of reward to those who “ask, seek and knock” is given to those who specifically seek good judgment.
Prayer
Father, help me to hear the questions this day so that I may find good answers. Amen.
Scripture
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20
Observation
I want to be romanced again into the work of God. I want those early days, when fresh leaders emerge, willing to sacrifice to be part of the action. I want to be in the first stages when the crowds gather, miracles happen and the teaching of the word of God is center stage.
Application
Come to think of it, that is exactly where I am at this season of my life. There is just such a rejuvenated stage of leadership happening in my church.
Prayer
When I return from the wilderness Jesus, I want to meet Peter, James and John fishing. I want to see Nathaniel and Philip on the periphery. I want to trip over Matthew’s tax collection booth. Lead me to the leaders who will change the world in their generation. Let me work at the beginning place of a great move of God. Amen.
Scripture
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king. 1 Samuel 16:1
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” 1 Samuel 16:12
Observation
The Lord is constantly working at developing fresh leaders for new seasons. He tucks them away from view until they are quite ready. He raises up other men, whose work is not to lead but to usher leaders onto the stage. The Samuel men sacrifice their own credibility to vouch for untested men that they might receive the favor of the community. Their lives also infuse an anointing of the Spirit. This is given without any earning of his presence. It is an instant download of power for future days. It is a lasting legacy of a leader who raises up leaders.
Application
If there is any desire I have for this next season of my life it is that I would be a leader who raises up leaders of leaders for the next generation.
Prayer
Help me to see where the leaders are before others see them. To find the men you have been preparing in secret places. Those who are known by heaven but not by men. Let me be a Samuel, who himself was never king. Let me be one who makes way for leaders to stand on the stage of society. Let my life be one that anoints others for service and leaves them with a legacy of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Observation
“What does not kill me, makes me stronger.” Friedrich Nietzsche spoke those words without faith in God. How much more powerful they are with Jesus’ strength! If I can learn to live without flinching, then distress, persecution and difficulty open up the power of God into my life.
Application
I must make the choice to not complain when hardships come. For in days, months or years to come I will one day see them as vehicles that took me to a better place or opened up new opportunities. Don’t judge the outcome of an event too quickly. What I consider bad today, maybe good tomorrow. Instead, focus on the power of Jesus at work.
Prayer
Father let hardships make me stronger. Amen.
I'm Phil McCallum, a husband, father and most of all one of the people Jesus loves. I'm privileged to serve Evergreen Community Church in Bothell, Washington as Senior Pastor where people love enough to believe "it's all about relationships." In 1982 I made a vow to read God's word daily and apply it to life. Each day I write out my reflections. Some days I post those on my blog. It's a little personal but it's my hope it will stir you to go deeper still. Learn how I do my devotions. These are my thoughts and not necessarily those of the ministry I serve. By the way check out the computer study Bible Glo. I highly recommend it.
