The Great Chasm

July 21

(Luke 16:23-28 NIV) ““In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. {24} "So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' {25} "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. {26} And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' {27} "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, {28} for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.””

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV) “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you {7} and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. {8} He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. {9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power {10} on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”

The rich man died and was now suffering in hell. He wanted Lazarus to come over to his side with some water. But Abraham tells him that is not possible because a great chasm has been fixed between them. “Fixed” means permanent. The chasm will be there for eternity. In hell, the rich man feels concern for his brothers, and wants to warn them about the horror of hell -- but he cannot. One of the greatest torments of the dead is that they cannot warn the living. No one comes back from the other side, even to do good. There is an impenetrable wall between the here and the hereafter. At the moment of death, our destiny is sealed forever. After we die, there is nothing we can do to change our eternal destination. There is an un-crossable chasm between heaven and hell. We enter one or the other, and there is no crossing over or coming back. The time for choosing is now, not later. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Reality of Hell

July 20

(Luke 16:19-24 NIV) ““There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. {20} At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores {21} and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. {22} "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. {23} In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. {24} So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’”

(Matthew 13:40-43 NIV) “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. {41} The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. {42} They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. {43} Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is one of those rare occasions when God lifts the veil between this world and the next, and we are allowed to see what is beyond. Jesus taught the reality of heaven and hell, and that there is a direct relationship between the here and the hereafter. Jesus believed in hell because He created it for the devil and his angels. It is not a place where one parties with friends. Hell is the absence of anything good. There is no love there, so no one will have any friends. Hell is a place of conscious suffering and torment, and part of that torment is being aware of what we could have had. There are two eternal destinations for all mankind: heaven or hell. There are no others. They are permanent, and there will be no second chances after death. There is only eternity in one place or the other.  Jesus wants us to grasp this. Make a decision. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Hard Teaching from a Loving Lord

July 19

(Luke 16:18 NIV) “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.””

(Matthew 19:3-11 NIV) ““Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" {4} "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' {5} and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? {6} So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." {7} "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" {8} Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. {9} I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery." {10} The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." {11} Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.””

There are two mistakes the church can make in regard to sin. First, we can stop calling it sin. We can cheapen the grace of God by offering carte blanche forgiveness with no strings attached. We can adopt the philosophy that God is love, and everyone will be fine in the end. We can weaken God’s Law to suit our lifestyle. We can pervert the word of God for our pleasure. The second mistake we can make is to brand a person for life with the scarlet letter of their sin. We can crush them with the law and beat them into submission with guilt. Jesus didn’t make either mistake. If we listen to Him, we won’t be stoning divorced people -- nor will we simply smile and say, “Do whatever feels right to you.” We cannot take the bite out of His words, nor should we bite anyone with them. Jesus speaks God’s truth. Don’t look for how you can get around it -- look for how you can honor it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Not Subject to Change

July 18

(Luke 16:17 NIV) “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.”

(Matthew 5:17-19 NIV) “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. {18} I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. {19} Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

(Isaiah 40:8 NIV) “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

God’s Law is not subject to man’s changes. God’s Law cannot be altered by an emperor’s decree, an executive order, a congressional vote, or a Supreme Court ruling. Yet there are some, even in the church, who would relegate God’s Law to the rubbish heap. They believe God’s Law is archaic, even sinister. They see it as a restrictive form of bondage, rather than as a gift of love from God. They want to erase God’s Law from human memory, even though Christ declared that it would be easier for the Earth and the heavens to disappear than for God’s Law to be altered. Here’s a news flash: Regardless of man’s carnal desire to obliterate it, God’s Law will never be snuffed out. The law of the Lord is eternal -- presidents, lawmakers, and judges are dust, and to dust they will return. Rulers come and go, but “the word of our God stands forever”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Forced Entry

July 17

(Luke 16:16 NIV) “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.”

(Matthew 11:12 NIV) “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.”

(Luke 13:22-28 NIV) ““Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. {23} Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, {24} "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. {25} Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' {26} "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' {27} "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' {28} "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.””

God’s Kingdom cannot be taken by force. When closed, its narrow gate is impenetrable. Today’s verse could be translated, “Everyone uses violence toward the kingdom of God”, or “Everyone is trying violently to take the Kingdom by force”. God’s Kingdom has both a future and a present aspect. Christ the King is coming, but He is also here now. He lives in those who have received Him. The Kingdom is present. As we preach the gospel and represent His Kingdom, people will use violent means to stop us, just as they did with Jesus. The blood of the martyrs attests to this. They will try to take the Kingdom by force, or “force their way into it”. They want Christ’s Kingdom, but they do not want Christ as their King. God’s Kingdom cannot be taken by force. There are no shortcuts or alternate routes. There is only one way in. His name is Jesus. He is Lord and King. Bow down before Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Money Gods

July 16

(Luke 16:13-15 NIV) ““No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." {14} The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. {15} He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.””

(1 Timothy 6:6-12 NIV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. {8} But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. {9} People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. {11} But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. {12} Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Money is made to serve us, but many times we end up serving it -- and Money makes a horrible master. When Jesus spoke of idolatry, he reserved his biggest guns for Money. He taught about money more than He taught about heaven and hell. Money has become the driving force in the lives of many people today. Even the church can idolize money. We will struggle with this idol for as long as we live. Our addiction to it can never be completely cured. We must face it one day at a time. It is cunning and baffling, and has the power to overwhelm us at any particular moment of weakness. We would be wise to seek treatment and join a group that will hold us accountable for our use of it. Christians, we should be moving toward generous dispersal rather than greedy accumulation. Be known for what you’ve given, rather than for what you’ve gathered. Learn to value what Jesus values. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Purpose of Wealth

July 15

(Luke 16:9-12 NIV) “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. {10} "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. {11} So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? {12} And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?”

(1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV) “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. {18} Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. {19} In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

It is not a sin to be wealthy. Simply having money does not make a person evil. It’s how we use our wealth and money that makes it good or bad. If we can earn lots of money in an honest way, we should do so for the glory of God, and be generous with God’s provision. We’ll always be tempted to use wealth for power or pleasure. Money can easily become an idol, but that is a temptation no matter how much we earn. Low income people can be just as greedy as wealthy people. Our attitude toward possessions and money is like a spiritual thermometer. The Lord can tell how well we are doing by looking at how we use our checkbooks and our bank cards. It is difficult for us to judge a person’s motivation for giving, but God looks upon the heart. He sees the attitude with which we give. Remember, our investments in eternity are the only things that will outlast us. Use your wealth wisely. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Shrewd in a Good Way

July 14

(Luke 16:1-8 NIV) ““Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. {2} So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.' {3} "The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg-- {4} I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.' {5} "So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' {6} "'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.' {7} "Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?' "'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.' {8} "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.””

A business manager who was about to be fired devised a scheme to collect old debts for his boss. At first reading, he appears to be short- changing his boss by giving deep discounts on those debts. We expect the boss to be angry. But the rich man praises the business manager for acting shrewdly. He was getting money he might have never gotten and appreciated the manager’s ingenuity. Jesus implies that Christians can also be shrewd in a good way. While the church continues to make it difficult for people to pay their debts and be accepted, the world is busy inviting anyone and everyone to their “free” party. The church has no business jacking up the price of grace, or making it harder for sinners to pay their debt. All our debts were deeply discounted at the cross. In fact, Jesus paid them all in full. That’s the good news that shrewd people of the light will learn to share. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Father’s Love

July 13

(Luke 15:20-24, 31-32 NIV) ““But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. {21} "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' {22} "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. {23} Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. {24} For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. {31} 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. {32} But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'""

(Psalm 103:8-14 NIV) “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. {9} He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; {10} he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. {11} For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; {12} as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. {13} As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; {14} for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."

(Joel 2:13 NIV)  "Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."

The father in this parable represents our Father in Heaven: “slow to anger and abounding in love”. He is a peacemaker, always doing His part in the process of reconciliation. He allows us to exercise our free wills and even make bad decisions. His hope is that after we have tasted the rotten fruit of sin, we will see the wisdom in coming home. The Father feels our absence every day. He is not sitting at the pearly gates with a big stick, ready to beat His children who get in late. He patiently waits, and watches the horizon for our return. When He sees us coming, He comes out to meet us and welcomes us home with open arms. “He is gracious and compassionate, and does not treat us as our sins deserve.” God’s fathomless grace endures the folly of His stubborn children, and rejoices at their homecoming. This is the God we serve. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Out of Tune

July 12

(Luke 15:22-30 NIV)  "…. the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. {23} Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. {24} For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. {25} "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. {26} So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. {27} 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' {28} "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. {29} But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. {30} But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!””

Today we discover that the prodigal son had an older brother who was the “good kid”. But even though this older son stayed home and lived a “good life”, his heart was still out of tune with his father’s heart. The younger brother may have sang flat, but the older brother was singing sharp -- and it doesn’t really matter if our notes are sharp or flat, when we are out of tune we will not reflect the songwriter well. These two young men were out of tune with both their earthly father and their heavenly Father. They were just different kinds of prodigals. The older brother was trying to ride on the “high horse” and sit on the “pity pot” at the same time, and that is not a pretty picture. He represents many religious people today who do not truly understand the heart of God. We must learn that there is more than one way to squander an inheritance. Get in tune with God. Learn to love who God loves. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Coming to Our Senses

July 11

(Luke 15:11-20 NIV) ““Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. {12} The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. {13} "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. {14} After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. {15} So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. {16} He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. {17} "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! {18} I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. {19} I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' {20} So he got up and went to his father.””

Being a prodigal is not as easy as it looks. You must be willing to engage in “deficit living” in a distant country until you have squandered your entire inheritance and end up starving in a filthy pigsty. You must accept that you will eventually find yourself penniless and friendless and living in a slop hole. Sounds like fun, right? Prodigals start out wanting fun and freedom, but most end up in pain and bondage. Sin will always take you further than you wanted to go, keep you there longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay. Hitting bottom is an unpleasant experience, but tends to get your attention. This is what it did to the prodigal. He came to his senses and decided to head home to his father. That’s still a wise choice for anyone who has squandered their life and ended up in a pigsty. Come to your senses and head home to your heavenly Father. Do it today! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Choose Repentance - Choose Life

July 10

(Luke 15:8-10 NIV) ““Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? {9} And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' {10} In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””

(Matthew 4:12-17 NIV) ““When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. {13} Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- {14} to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: {15} "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- {16} the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." {17} From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.””

(Matthew 11:20-24 NIV) ““Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. {21} "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. {22} But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. {23} And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. {24} But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.””

Repentance is a dirty word in much of our culture, and sadly, even in much of the church. Repentance starts with the realization that one has sinned and offended our holy God. It starts with feeling bad, and many people will spend their whole life avoiding bad feelings, living in the stupor of denial and addiction. As a result, they never reach repentance. They remain lost. Jesus is searching for those lost in the darkness of this world. We are not like the inanimate coin in today’s parable. We can choose to be found. Repentance lights us up. It lets God know we want a life with Him. It means we are done hiding and are ready to be found. When Christ walked among us, He embodied God’s love -- but He also did not hesitate to denounce those with prideful spirits, arrogant minds, cruel intentions, and unrepentant hearts. Do not be found among them. Repent! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Ninety Nine

July 9

(Luke 15:7 NIV)  "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

(Matthew 4:19 NIV)  ""Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.""

(Acts 1:8 NIV)  "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""

It is fashionable today to critique Christians who speak of “sin” and “salvation”. Christ’s teaching about being “lost” is seen as archaic, even derogatory. We are told to love people more, and who could argue with more love in this hate- filled world? But the “ninety-nine” must also be about finding those who are lost. Perhaps if we spent less time critiquing one another and trying to rewrite the job description Jesus gave us, we could be more effective at this task. Jesus loved the lost and treated them with respect. But He always spoke the truth to them and called them out of darkness. The salvation package is incomplete without the bow of repentance, and repentance will seem unnecessary where there is no awareness of sin. The “ninety-nine” are called to join God’s rescue team. Jesus is the only one who saves people, but we can bring them to Him. This is our calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Found Sheep

July 8

(Luke 15:5-7 NIV) ““And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders {6} and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ {7} I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.””

(Matthew 18:12-14 NIV) “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? {13} And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. {14} In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

(Matthew 21:31-32 NIV) ““Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. {32} For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.””

The Bible says God is joyful when sinners repent and that all heaven rejoices with Him. God parties when lost sheep are found -- when wayward children come home. Can you imagine what joy in Heaven sounds like? What is it like when God celebrates and all Heaven rejoices with Him? What a party that must be! While God is happy that the "ninety-nine" are home, there is "more joy" over one sinner who repents. This is because God understands the horrendous consequences of remaining lost. Do you? Some may criticize the term “lost”, but Jesus used it to describe those outside His grace. We should have the same attitude as Jesus toward those who are lost. God’s people should derive joy from that which brings God joy, and God loves for lost people to be found. As believers, we ought to love that too. Will you be part of the reason that God celebrates? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Lost Sheep

July 7

(Luke 15:1-7 NIV) ““Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. {2} But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." {3} Then Jesus told them this parable: {4} "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? {5} And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders {6} and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.””

(Luke 19:10 NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

(1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. {16} But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

We often forget how much God wants us to be found instead of lost. He was out looking for you when you were lost and didn’t even know it. And if you are still lost today, he is looking for you right now. God is not the lost one -- we are the ones who are lost. In our token and futile search for a higher power today, we can often forget that fact. We are the ones who left the safety of the flock and have gotten ourselves tangled up in the sins of the world. But God sent out the ultimate Shepherd in Jesus. When we get ourselves trapped in those dark canyons and the sun begins to set, he comes for us. He seeks us out, no matter where we are. God loves lost people, but God doesn’t love for people to be lost. God’s love is a seeking love. The Lord is seeking you. He is calling out, “Where are you? I am here for you. Come home with me.” -- Friar Tuck's Word of the Day

Diluted Discipleship

July 6

(Luke 14:34-35 NIV) ““Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? {35} It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

(Matthew 5:10-13 NIV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. {13} "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

Christians are the salt of the Earth. Genuine disciples do not dilute or pollute their saltiness. Everything we withhold from God dilutes or pollutes our life. It’s not what we give up to God that matters -- it’s what we decide to keep. It’s not what we surrender that causes us to stray and fade -- it’s what we won’t give up. The stuff we hoard and protect causes our salt to lose its saltiness. And when we lose our saltiness, our witness becomes ineffective. We lose the ability to affect those around us for Jesus. Selective discipleship is not a possibility in the eyes of Christ. There is no bargaining, bartering, or finagling. When we decide to become a follower of Christ, we must go all in. It’s a blood oath, with Christ providing the blood up front. We may even have to do some bleeding of our own. Are you willing to do that? If not, Jesus says we will eventually end up in the dirt or the manure pile. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Count the Cost

July 5

(Luke 14:28-33 NIV) “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? {29} For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, {30} saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' {31} "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? {32} If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. {33} In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

(Philippians 3:7-8 NIV) “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. {8} What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

Jesus answers the question that is in everyone’s heart: “If I give my life to you and follow you, what do I get to keep as my own?” The answer is, “Nothing!” The disciple of Christ owns nothing. It all belongs to God. If we lay claim to anything, we cannot legitimately claim that He is our Lord. We don’t need a list of what is God’s and what is ours -- there is only one list and it has God’s name at the top. Everything we have belongs to Jesus when we become a disciple. This includes our bitterness and anger, our money, our sex life, our habits, our time, our home, and our obedience. They all belong to the Lord. If we hold back, or reserve the right to disagree with His word, we are not “all in”. To start a relationship with Jesus and then back out when things get difficult, is repugnant to the Lord. If you decide to follow Jesus, do so with open eyes and a sold out heart. Count the cost! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Thinning the Crowd

July 4

(Luke 14:25-27 NIV) ““Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: {26} "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. {27} And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.””

(Mark 3:20-22 NIV) ““Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." {22} And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.””

(Matthew 12:46-50 NIV) ““While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. {47} Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." {48} He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" {49} Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. {50} For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.””

As the crowds following Jesus increased, He was concerned that people were following Him for the wrong reasons. He wanted followers who would change the world. But many who followed Him were just fans who wanted more miracles. So Jesus began the work of thinning the crowd. He started with family loyalty. To be His disciples, they would need to see Him as more important than their families. They would need to love Him more than they loved their families. Jesus even used the word “hate”. To love Jesus fully, we may have to “hate” our family. What He meant is that we must value our relationship with Him more than our relationship with our family. If we don’t, we cannot be His disciple. We must love Jesus even more than we love our own life. He carried a cross for us. To be His disciple, we must carry a cross of our own. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Offending the Host

July 3

(Luke 14:18-24 NIV) ““But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' {19} "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' {20} "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'  {21} "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' {22} "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'  {23} "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. {24} I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.””

(Hebrews 12:22-29 NIV) ““But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, {23} to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, {24} to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. {25} See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? {26} At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." {27} The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. {28} Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, {29} for our "God is a consuming fire.””

Sometimes in our “saved by grace” church culture, we forget that “our God is a consuming fire”. It is only because of His great love for us that we are not consumed. But God is also holy and sovereign. By God’s word, the Earth was created -- by His word it is sustained -- and by His word it will one day be destroyed. The Lord does not need our company, but He offers to host us at His great wedding banquet at the end of time. In love, the Lord invites us to join Him. Those who accept God’s invitation are saved. Those who decline it will be lost. Inside, at the banquet, is Heaven -- outside is hell. When we say no to Christ’s invitation, we offend the Host. If we continue to turn Him down, a day will come when the door to the banquet hall will be permanently shut. The time for accepting the invitation will be over. Only God knows when that day will come. Say yes! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deliver the Invitations

July 2

(Luke 14:17-24 NIV) ““At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' {18} "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' {19} "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' {20} "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.” {21} The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' {22} "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'  {23} "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. {24} I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.””

(Matthew 22:8-10 NIV) ““Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. {9} Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' {10} So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

God wants His banquet hall to be full for the wedding feast of the Lamb, so He sends His servants out to invite the whole world. Most of the original guest list declined, so He invited people like us -- sinning people, poor people, hurting people, bitter people, addicted people, angry people. Christians, we are now those servants who have been sent out to invite everyone to the banquet. We do not choose who to invite -- God wrote the guest list. Even though declining God’s invitation has consequences, we are not responsible for whether or not people accept it -- we are just responsible to deliver it with love. So we would be wise to stop writing people off, and start writing invitations. God doesn’t call us to be successful -- He calls us to be faithful and persistent. Inside the banquet hall is joy and eternal life. Outside is darkness and death. Deliver the invitations! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Excuses, Excuses

July 1

(Luke 14:15-20 NIV) ““When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." {16} Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. {17} At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' {18} "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' {19} "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' {20} "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.”” 

(Matthew 22:1-7 NIV) “Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: {2} "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. {3} He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. {4} "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' {5} "But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business. {6} The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. {7} The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.”

In this parable, the great banquet is Heaven. The party host is God. The servants are Christ’s followers. The invitation is the gospel. The invited are those who have not yet accepted the gospel. God sends out invitations, but most of the invited make excuses and decline. The excuses break down into two major categories: money and relationships. The love of money has caused many to neglect their relationship with God. Rich or poor, money has become more important than loving God in the lives of many today. The love of family or people in general has also eliminated many from following Jesus. We cannot give our full devotion to Christ when other things command our affection and allegiance. We cannot serve two masters. We must make a strategic decision. We must choose to accept God’s invitation, or make excuses. What will you choose to do? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

First Class Christianity

June 30

(Luke 14:1-14 NIV)  "One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. {2} There in front of him was a man suffering from dropsy. {3} Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" {4} But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him away. {5} Then he asked them, "If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?" {6} And they had nothing to say. {7} When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: {8} "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. {9} If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. {10} But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. {11} For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." {12} Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. {13} But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, {14} and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.""

(Romans 12:3,10,16 NIV) “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. Honor one another above yourselves. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” 

When we hear the term “first class”, we usually think in positive terms. But the term becomes profane when it’s used to infer an “upper class” where some people have higher value than others. Jesus confronted this ungodly attitude more than once. “First Class Christianity” causes us to look at others with a magnifying glass, rather than at ourselves in the mirror. It ranks people based on social status, rather than on their value to God. “First Class Christianity” often mistakes position in the church for importance in the Kingdom. It cultivates pride rather than humility. It causes us to confuse fellowship with ministry. We hold conferences that attract other Christians and call it ministry, but it’s really just fellowship. The sinners, the poor, and the wretched are still on the outside looking in. In God’s Kingdom there is only one class of people: saved. Have you risen to that class yet? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Desolate Holy City

June 29

(Luke 13:34-35 NIV) ““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! {35} Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.””

(Luke 19:41-44 NIV) “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it {42} and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. {43} The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. {44} They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.”

God longed to protect Jerusalem, but her people were unwilling to come under His authority and care. Their stubborn refusal of God’s covering would eventually seal their fate. There was no joy in Christ’s voice as He prophesied their spiritual and physical desolation. He did not speak in anger or through clenched teeth. He spoke with a heavy heart. His eyes were likely filled with tears. The desolation He spoke of did come. And it still comes today when we will not follow Jesus as Lord. It comes to nations, and it comes to our personal lives when we refuse God’s dominion. The Lord sees this coming desolation and longs for us to come under the covering of His wings. He calls our name, but we do not respond. Our free wills can cause us great pain. If we are willing, we can enjoy the security of God’s grace. If we are unwilling, we face the desolation alone. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Fearless Faith

June 28

(Luke 13:31-35 NIV) ““At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you." {32} He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' {33} In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!”

(Luke 9:51 NIV) “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

(Psalms 56:2-4 NIV) “My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. {3} When I am afraid, I will trust in you. {4} In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”

Jesus lived His last days in conflict with government authorities and the religious establishment. Both groups were afraid of His growing power and influence, and tried to silence Him by threatening His life. But Jesus would not be intimidated. He knew His destiny. God had spoken. He was aware of the Father’s plan for Him to die in Jerusalem and had resolutely set out to fulfill the Scriptures. Nothing could stop Him. Death threats cannot alter the course of those who are willing to lay down their lives. Knowing and accepting God’s plan brings amazing boldness. When we have truly died to ourselves and submitted to God’s will, fear no longer inhibits our mission. Have you arrived at that point yet? Are you willing to move toward your Jerusalem, even if it means personal loss -- perhaps even death? Will you live your last days in courage, or turn back in fear? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

The Closed Door

June 27

(Luke 13:25-30 NIV) “Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' {26} "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' {27} "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'  {28} "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. {29} People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. {30} Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

(John 14:1-7 NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. {4} You know the way to the place where I am going." {5} Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" {6} Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. {7} If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

(Revelation 3:8 NIV) “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”

There are two words today that have such a negative context that no one wants to be associated with them. The two words are “narrow” and “closed”. Yesterday Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that only a few would be able to enter. Today He speaks of a closed door that no one can breach. Some will label this narrow minded or closed minded, but Jesus said that not everyone will be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven. Many see the narrow gate and the closed door as “discriminatory” and in our culture discrimination is a cardinal sin. But Jesus said only a few will find the narrow door, and when that door was closed, no one else will be allowed in. This makes Jesus and those who follow Him, guilty of discrimination in the carnal mind. Jesus makes no apologies for being the only way to God. The door is open temporarily. Once God closes the door it will be closed for eternity. Today Jesus says, “Enter here. Enter now!” Do not doubt His word. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Narrow Way

June 26

(Luke 13:22-24 NIV) “Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. {23} Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, {24} "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

(Matthew 7:13-14 NIV) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. {14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

In American football, the way to score by kicking is to get the ball through the uprights. Kick the ball through the uprights and you score. Kick the ball wide left or wide right, and you get no points. If you don’t get the ball through that narrow opening you do not score. Nobody seems to have a problem with that rule. But when Christ lays down essentially the same rule regarding eternal life, many cry foul, and question both the rule and the Rule Maker. Jesus said there was only one way to win with God and that was the narrow way. Many don’t like this idea, but that’s what Jesus said. And if Jesus is Lord, He has the final say. God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. Jesus is the narrow road to God -- the only way to God. Will you take that road, or will you waste your life complaining about the goalposts? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Big Things from Small Things

June 25

(Luke 13:19 NIV) “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.”

(Luke 13:21 NIV) “It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

(1 Corinthians 1:22-31 NIV) “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, {23} but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. {26} Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. {27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. {28} He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, {29} so that no one may boast before him. {30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. {31} Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.””

Yeast and mustard seeds are very small, but big things can come from small things. God loves to take what is small and do big things in this world for His great glory. God used one man named Abraham to start a movement of faith that now encompasses billions of people in our world. God used one man named Moses to humble the mighty Egyptian empire. God used a young shepherd boy named David to bring down a giant of a man named Goliath and with him the entire Philistine army. God used one prophet named Elijah to whip the 450 prophets of Baal and an entire empire controlled by the evil Queen Jezebel. God used one man, Jesus Christ, born to poor parents in a tiny village, to change the history of the world. God loves to bring big things out of small things. God loves to use average people to produce extraordinary results. And now God wants to use you. Will you allow it? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Service Calls

June 24

(Luke 13:20-21 NIV)  ““Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? {21} It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.””

(John 13:1-17 NIV)  "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. {2} The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. {3} Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; {4} so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. {5} After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. {6} He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" {7} Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." {8} "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." {9} "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" {10} Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." {11} For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. {12} When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. {13} "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. {14} Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. {15} I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. {16} I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. {17} Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy uttered the famous words: “Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country”. Presidents don’t talk like this anymore. This principle has been forsaken and forgotten. These days you win elections by promising to take care of people, not by admonishing them to do something for others. But the call of Christ is different. He calls us to serve others and ask what we can do for the church. Yeast works through bread dough and causes the whole loaf to rise up. Christ wants his church to affect the world in similar fashion. Jesus commands those who bear His name to serve others in a way that ministers to them and lifts them up. This principle is found throughout scripture. It’s a non-negotiable with God. The kingdom of God does not exist to serve us. We exist to serve the kingdom. Service calls! Will you answer the call? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

God Expects Growth

June 23

(Luke 13:18-19 NIV) ““Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? {19} It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.””

(Acts 4:1-4 NIV) “The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. {2} They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. {3} They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. {4} But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”

(Colossians 1:3-6 NIV) “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, {4} because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- {5} the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel {6} that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.”

Things must grow or they die. Growth is one of the vital signs of life. God expects all living things to grow. God expects his kingdom to grow, and He expects it to grow in us. Christ expects His church to grow, and He expects personal growth in those people who are called by His name. The mustard seed is tiny, but grows into a bush-like plant up to ten feet tall. It represents the Kingdom of God as it grows in us and as it grows in the world. Christ living in us causes growth. Spiritual seed is planted in our hearts, and we are born again. As we feed on his word, we grow and begin to influence the world around us. The light of the Lord and Christ’s living water nourish our souls. We grow and others can begin to find shelter and comfort in the shade of God’s growing tree. This is our calling. God expects growth in us and in His Kingdom. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Crippled by Hypocrisy

June 22

(Luke 13:14-17 NIV) ““Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath." {15} The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? {16} Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" {17} When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.””

(Matthew 12:9-14 NIV)  "Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, {10} and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" {11} He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? {12} How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." {13} Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. {14} But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus."

God’s mercy brings life, but it can also produce anger and indignation. This happened with Jesus. He healed a crippled woman, but not everyone was happy about it. The synagogue ruler where Christ was teaching tried to lecture the Creator of the Sabbath about the evils of healing on the Sabbath. Process that for a bit. Jesus would have none of it and countered regarding the hypocrisy of caring for animals, but not people, on the Sabbath. Our Lord knew there was more than one crippled person in the room that day. The synagogue ruler was crippled in his spirit, his attitude, and his theology. He was crippled by hypocrisy. He was bent over inside and couldn’t straighten up to see God’s mercy and glory. All that mattered to him was a rule violation. He was blinded by the letter of the law and missed seeing the Lord of life. Don’t join him. Don’t let hypocrisy cripple you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Straighten Up

June 21

(Luke 13:10-13,16 NIV) “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, {11} and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. {12} When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." {13} Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God… {16} should not this woman… whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free… from what bound her?"”

(Isaiah 61:1 NIV) “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”

(John 8:36 NIV) “… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

As Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, a woman entered who had been “crippled by a spirit”.  For eighteen years, this poor woman had been bound by Satan in a stooped over position, looking down at the ground, unable to look up at the sky, or to look anyone in the eye. She hadn’t stopped coming to church, even though God hadn’t healed her. But she had learned to live with it. She had gotten used to a spirit controlling her life. All that changed when Jesus noticed her, called her, touched her, and freed her. He laid hands on her, told her to straighten up, and she was set free. Jesus can still do that today. Spirits can cripple us and humiliate us. What have you learned to live with that has you bent over and looking down? Is it an attitude, or a bitter spirit, or perhaps a sin you cherish? Jesus is here to set you free. Let Him touch you. Bow no longer to the spirits. Straighten up! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

We Don’t Have Forever

June 20

(Luke 13:7, 9 NIV) “For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any… {9} If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”

(Galatians 5:19-23 NIV) “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. {22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

God looks for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self control. These fruits can be cultivated and grown in any set of circumstances. They are evidence of Christ living in us. God give us time to bear this fruit, but we don’t have forever. The tree in Christ’s parable had one more year before it would be cut down. Take a deep breath. You have just received a gift from God. Every moment of every day is a gift -- granted to grow the fruit of the Spirit on our tree. Is your life producing fruit? Do you have more self control than a year ago? Do you have more peace in your life? Have you grown more patient? Are you gentler, kinder, more faithful, and more loving than you were a year ago? If you were cut down today, would you be ready to stand before God as you are now? We don’t have forever to get ready. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

One More Year

June 19

(Luke 13:6-9 NIV) ““Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. {7} So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' {8} "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. {9} If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.””

(Psalms 103:8-18 NIV)  "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. {9} He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; {10} he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. {11} For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; {12} as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. {13} As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; {14} for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. {15} As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; {16} the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. {17} But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- {18} with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."

(2 Peter 3:9 NIV)  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

God is so patient with us. He created us to be holy, but we have all gone astray. Even so, he does not treat us as our sins deserve. Because of His great love for us, we do not always suffer for our sinning. But if we are not careful, we can come to a disastrous conclusion. We can misinterpret God’s grace. We can begin to think that since we are not suffering, we must not be sinners. We can conclude that since God is blessing us, our sin must not be so bad, and that we have God’s blessing to continue living the way we are. We can come to believe that a crooked line is the shortest distance between two points. But what if God, in His mercy, was merely giving us time to produce fruit of righteousness in our lives? What if God was giving us one more year to become who He created us to be? Judgment may be slow in coming, but it will indeed come. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Sin and Suffering

June 18

(Luke 13:1-5 NIV) ““Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. {2} Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? {3} I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. {4} Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? {5} I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.””

(Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV) “I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”

When bad stuff happens and we suffer, does that mean God is punishing us? Scripture teaches that sin always results in suffering, but that our suffering is not always the result of our sin. Sin splatters! It splatters on us, but it also splatters on those we love -- those who are wrapped up with us in this bundle we call life. There is no such thing as “victimless sin”. When we run around in the dark, somebody always gets hurt. What we sow, someone will reap. Sin can trickle down through generations in our family. This doesn’t mean others are to blame for our suffering -- just that those who suffer are not always the ones who did the sinning. Suffering comes even to the righteous. Missionaries are murdered. Innocent babies are killed. Good people are assaulted. Drunk drivers destroy lives. We will indeed reap what we sow, but we also reap what others have sown. There is no fairness in sin and suffering. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Settle Out of Court

June 17

(Luke 12:54-59 NIV) “He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. {55} And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is. {56} Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? {57} "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? {58} As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. {59} I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.””

(2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV) “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. {4} They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." {5} But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. {6} By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. {7} By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

(Romans 1:18-19 NIV) “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, {19} since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”

Jesus taught that a final judgment is coming and we had better get ready for it. There will be a day when God gathers all the souls who have ever lived and we will stand exposed before the Lord. Today Jesus wonders how people could be so good at reading the Earth’s winds, but such dismal failures at reading the spiritual winds blowing around them. Jesus called these people hypocrites because they were in a position to know the truth, but deliberately rejected it. We are in the same position today. We live in a culture that continues to reject the gospel -- a culture that calls good evil and evil good -- a culture that worships money, glorifies perversion, makes heroes of villains, kills unwanted babies in the name of convenience, and worships self as the god of all things. God’s judgment is imminent. Plead guilty and settle out of court with Him today. The time for plea bargaining will soon be over. Today is the day of salvation. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Home Wrecker

June 16

(Luke 12:52-53 NIV) “From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. {53} They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

(Mark 3:20-21 NIV) “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. {21} When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind.””

(Matthew 12:46-49 NIV) ““While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. {47} Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." {48} He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" {49} Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.””

(John 7:43 NIV) “Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.”

Jesus is a home wrecker. Loving Him can cause significant family issues. This is probably the most painful division that happens when one follows the Lord. Many Christians have experienced the disapproval of family members because of your faith. Jesus, the great peacemaker, told His disciples that following Him would cause division. This division would begin in families and ripple out into their culture. Jesus made no apologies for this -- He simply stated it as a fact. When we come to Christ, we change families. We get new brothers and sisters, and we are called to new loyalties. Spiritual relationships will begin to supersede family traditions. Biological families will not always be happy about this. We will be chastised and told not to take our religion so seriously. We will be pressured to change our minds and come to our senses. Jesus divides families. If your Jesus doesn’t, He is probably not the Jesus of the Bible. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Divisive Savior

June 15

(Luke 12:49-50 NIV) “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! {50} But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!”

(Luke 3:15-17 NIV) “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. {16} John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. {17} His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Many people today see Jesus as one who will unite the world. But the Jesus we find in Scripture is a divider. He began by separating light from darkness and the sea from the dry land. When He came to Earth, He said He had come to bring fire -- fire that would purify as it separated the dross from gold and burned the chaff from the wheat. Jesus knew that He was destined to ignite that divisive fire and that it would come through His death on the cross. The cross divides history. It divides believers from unbelievers -- the saved from the unsaved. For Jesus, the cross divided life and death. He wished that God’s fire could be kindled in some other way, but accepted the fact that He was the kindling. Jesus knew his destiny was a destiny of suffering and division. God had set Him apart and being set apart always causes division. We serve a divisive Savior. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Doing Faith

June 14

(Luke 12:41-48 NIV) “Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" {42} The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? {43} It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. {44} I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. {45} But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. {46} The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. {47} That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. {48} But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

(James 1:22-25 NIV) “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. {23} Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror {24} and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. {25} But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.”

(James 2:14, 26 NIV) “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?...  {26} As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

Jesus made it clear that faith is more than just something we believe -- it’s something we do. Faith changes us and moves us to action or it is not biblical faith. Faith involves following Jesus and becoming a disciple. It involves a walk with God that takes time and energy. Some Christians think faith is mostly about receiving from God -- but Jesus said much will be “demanded” of us. A “demand” is not a request. When we stand before God we will not be presented with options concerning the color and décor of our room in the heavenly mansion. We will be presented with the book of our life -- that permanent record of our action or inaction. What will be written on your pages in that book? Both grace and the gospel have been given to us with the clear assignment of sharing them with the world. God’s investment in us should be growing. We’ve been entrusted with much. Much will be demanded of us. Genuine faith produces action. What is your faith doing? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Ready or Not, Here I Come

June 13

(Luke 12:35-40 NIV) “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, {36} like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. {37} It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. {38} It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. {39} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. {40} You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

(John 14:3 NIV)  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

(Galatians 3:26-27 NIV) “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, {27} for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

In the game “hide and seek”, children hide while the person who is “it” counts to one hundred. When finished counting, that person yells, “Ready or not, here I come.” Jesus is coming back and we are told to be ready. Christ said to be “watching” -- to be living in anticipation of His return -- to be expecting Him to return. Are you watching? We are to be dressed in clothes of righteousness that God provides for us. Only those who are dressed right will be admitted. Are you dressed? Are you clothed with Christ? Our lamps must be burning as we light up the darkness of our world. Are you shining? Jesus said, “Be ready.” We cannot “get ready” after He comes -- we must be ready WHEN He comes. Are you ready? Are there accounts that need to be settled? Are there sins that need to be forsaken? Are there commitments that need to be kept? Get ready, because ready or not, Jesus is coming. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day