The Sting of Love

October 26

(Acts 20:25, 36-38 NIV) “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again… {36} When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. {37} They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. {38} What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.”

(Matthew 16:21-25 NIV) ““From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. {22} Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" {23} Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." {24} Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.””

As Paul prepared to leave for Jerusalem, he dropped a bombshell -- he told his friends that he would never see them again. There were tears, hugs, and kisses, but they knew these were not just idle words. Love is a double-edged sword. It is great to love and be loved, but love causes pain when it comes time to part ways. If we truly love, we will eventually weep, because nothing lasts forever here on Earth. There will come a day when we see those loved ones for a final time on this side of eternity, and that can cause deep anguish. But we should still love! We should love each other so much that it hurts to say goodbye. We should love people in such a way that it is painful to lose them -- or for them to lose us. How many will shed tears when you depart? We should live and love in a way that causes that number to continuously grow. Love can sting, but it is well worth the pain. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Grace and Giving

October 25

(Acts 20:33-35 NIV) “I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. {34} You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. {35} In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

(Mark 10:17-23 NIV) ““As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" {18} "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. {19} You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" {20} "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." {21} Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." {22} At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. {23} Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!””

(2 Corinthians 8:1-7 NIV) “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. {2} Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. {3} For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, {4} they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. {5} And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. {6} So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. {7} But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us --see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Paul calls the Ephesians to display a proper attitude toward money and possessions. We would be wise to hear his call as well. Resist the covetousness that is prevalent in modern culture. It is the tap root of greed, envy, and theft. The silver, gold, and clothing of others is of no interest to those living in God’s Kingdom. We are called to work for our daily bread. By the grace of God, our hands supply our own needs, and the needs of others. Kingdom people are giving people, not taking people. The sense of entitlement we see today is a product of living on the wide road to destruction. Those on the narrow road that leads to life, will excel in the grace of giving. Seeking treasure in heaven, they will be richly generous with ministry and money. They know that more blessing is found in giving than in receiving. This was the attitude of Jesus. Is it your attitude? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Grace and Holiness

October 24

(Acts 20:32 NIV) "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

(Romans 15:15-16 NIV) "I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me {16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit."

(1 Corinthians 1:2-4 NIV) "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours: {3} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. {4} I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus."

(Hebrews 12:14 NIV) "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Paul speaks here of receiving sanctification through being built up in the word of God’s grace. Sanctification is being made holy. Sanctification and holiness are interchangeable words. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit when we are saved by grace, through faith. But then we are called by God to grow in grace -- to grow in holiness. This takes effort on our part. Many today want God’s grace, but balk at doing the work of pursuing holiness. We want the inheritance that God promises, without having to be in a relationship that changes our lives. We want the benefits of sanctification, without the discipline of living a life apart from sin. We can never achieve perfection here on Earth, but we should strive toward holiness as we endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to God. We are called to become more and more like our Master as we daily grow in grace and holiness. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Enemy Within

October 23

(Acts 20:30-31 NIV) “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. {31} So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

(2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV) “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. {3} In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

Paul the apostle understood human nature. He knew that there would always be some who were more interested in having a following, than in doing the following. They would be far more interested in gathering disciples than in making disciples. It’s an ego thing, and it’s always divisive and harmful. Some people just have the need to control others, and they will even distort the truth (which is lying) in order to gain influence and exert power. Watch out for these false teachers, but moreover, be careful you don’t become one of them. Most of us need correction at times. Be honest about your errors and failings. Do what it takes to correct your course… if you are off course and have followers, then they are off course too, and you are responsible for their souls. So watch yourself, and be on guard. Heed Paul’s warning. Keep your eyes on Jesus and not the crowd. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day