The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Luke 14:12-24 (day two) 

…and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. vs. 14

What’s in it for me? Don’t feel bad, that is the normal response to about any sort of social interaction. If we are going to put effort, time, and resources into something we want to know what we can expect in return. In this exchange with Jesus, we are indeed promised a reward, but not in a monetary sense. The more immediate concern, however, is what it does for those we are called to serve. We have something to offer that they do not have. It may be something very temporal such as food or clothing. Your blessing to them is a gift far greater than you could receive. It also gives you currency when sharing the greatest gift, Jesus. What you are offering, through Jesus, is life everlasting. Stop thinking only of yourself. What’s in it for them?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day seven) 

And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. vs 8 ESV

I appreciate the clarity in the ESV’s translation of the fertilizer. It wasn’t some blue “Miracle Grow” that you buy in a bottle from the box store down the street. This was manure: animal feces. If you wanted to create the best growing environment with the best fertilizer, you would have to get your hands dirty as well as deal with a putrid smell, which is likely why this vinedresser waited three years before going this route. Putting forth the effort to cultivate his fruit was inconvenience to him, and he almost waited until it was too late.

Fruit is the by-product of a fertile relationship with Jesus. As the relationship is nurtured, fruit will be produced. Many Christians find the cultivation of that relationship as an inconvenience. They would never admit that, but the reality is shown in the lack of fruit (love, joy, peace etc.). If we are not willing to get down on our hands and knees in prayer and dig into the Word on a regular basis, we can continue to expect a barren tree.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day six) 

² “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? ³ Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.” Luke 13:2-3

It’s easy to justify ourselves when we compare ourselves to the sin and suffering of others, especially when we imagine their sin must be way worse than our own. It becomes such a slippery slope, with the conclusion that God blesses the  more righteous, and curses or judges the less righteous.

This notion has been alive and well from the beginning. It’s why the book of Job was written. Today, we call it the prosperity gospel.

Jesus corrects this kind of thinking quickly by answering the rhetorical  question with, “Not at all!” He goes on to say, “It could have just as easily been you.” Well, he didn’t say it just like that, but that is what he meant.

When we compare ourselves to the righteousness of God, rather than one another, his wrath makes complete sense. We are all deserving of his judgment. Then every waking moment is rightly perceived as a gift of God’s mercy, instead of something we believe we somehow earned.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day five) 

And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard;”   Question- Why would someone plant a fig tree in a vineyard?  Isn’t a vineyard a place for grapes, not figs? It was customary in those days for Jewish farmers to plant all sorts of fruit trees in their vineyards. Vineyards were often called fruit fields because of this practice. Answer- Because vineyards were places that had the best soil and received the best agricultural attention and care.

In my days in youth ministry, I always believed if we could have teenagers who weren’t believers join us in weekly worship and study, or better yet, come to camp or a retreat, they more often than not, would sense the Lord’s presence and call on Him to be saved. The “soil” there (worship, fellowship, Bible Study) always seemed to be fertile for growing God’s Kingdom. We constantly prayed and prepared that way.

I still believe that about the church- our church. Back to the parable. Someone brought/planted that fig tree to the vineyard, believing that the soil there was better for growth and there would be contact and care from the gardener.

Do we still invite, bring, and welcome non-believers to join us with that same kind of hope and desire?  Do we intentionally tend our own lives (disciplines, conversations,  behaviors) that we might be fertile soil in our homes, communities, and work places?  Will we pray and prepare that way each week? Each day?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day four)

We sometimes, mistakenly, portray Pilate as an indecisive, weak leader.  He could not make his own mind up and he bowed to the pressure from the Jewish leaders.  Make no mistake though…Pilate was a ruthless, powerful leader.  In our passage this week, we see him executing some Galileans and desecrating their religion.  As powerful as he was, Pilate was used by God to fulfill His plan.

Pilate was an unwilling participant in God’s kingdom work.  He probably never knew he had participated.  As a believer, hopefully, we are different…we want to be a part of God’s plan and work.  We watch and listen for where God is at work and then join Him in that work.  In order to do that, we need to learn the things only God can do.  When we see one of these actions, we know it is God.  Henry Blakeby wrote an entire course, Experiencing God, to teach us to develop this intimate relationship with God.  Is your heavenly radar up?  Do you know what to watch for and are you watching?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day three)

“Let it alone, sir, for this year too.”

As “the end is near” stories go, this one stands out for its reassurance of God’s compassion. Clearly, Jesus aims to do more than just issue a sword-of-Damocles warning to those who tell themselves that God’s going to have mercy on them because they’re not as bad as some people. The story takes a turn with the introduction of the vineyard-keeper, who seeks a delay in the tree’s destruction. Both you and the worst person you know have remained alive because of the mercy of God. You’ve received no more of that graciousness than anyone else. In the meantime, when will you let others in on the truth of why they’re still around – that Christ loves them too much to leave them without an opportunity to turn to him?

Re:Verse passage – Luke 13:1-9 (day two)

And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; ⁹ and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ vs. 8-9

I’ve always felt a bit sorry for the poor fig tree in this parable. I mean, is it actually choosing not to produce figs? Since, however, this is a metaphor we need to look at the tree a bit differently. If the tree is an unbeliever how can we expect righteousness to come from them if they have never heard the truth of God’s Word? If our job is to tend and care for others we must give them every opportunity to bloom and grow. We must take the time to pray, share, and witness so that the Word can take root in their life. Look around you; who are the people who need that kind of care? God has given you the gardening tools of the gospel. Get to work.

Re:Verse passage – Luke 12:13-21 (day seven)

And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” Luke  12:19

It is easy to read this passage and think that God doesn’t want us to prepare for the future, but that is not the message of this parable, nor the message across the Bible.

 Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure. Genesis 41:49

What makes Jospeh different from the rich man? Both saw an opportunity to capitalize on a season of abundance. One wanted it for pleasure. The other wanted it for security. One wanted to be able to stop working now. The other wanted to work hard now so they could survive the years where working was not possible. God honors wise planning, but selfishness destroys hard work.