Blessing and Woe: Part 3

March 9

(Luke 6:21, 25 NIV) “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh…. {25} Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.”

(Matthew 5:4 NIV) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

(Isaiah 30:18-21 NIV) “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! {19} O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. {20} Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. {21} Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.””

There is blessing in grief when we cry out to God, for He hears us and comes to our side. He doesn’t always mend our broken heart. Instead, He offers us His heart. God knows about broken hearts. We broke His heart when we moved away from him. It broke God’s heart when his Son was crucified on that cross. We break God’s heart today when we love sin more than we love Him. When we constantly pursue happiness and laughter, we are chasing the wrong stuff, for they are usually related to the material. Joy and peace are the fruits of God’s Spirit that we really should be seeking. If happiness is our life’s goal, we will seldom face our spiritual shortcomings. When happiness becomes an idol, we shun the kind of mourning that it takes to bring us to Christ. Blessed are those who mourn their separation from God, and blessed are those who weep over their sin… for they will be saved. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Blessing and Woe: Part 2

March 8

(Luke 6:21, 25 NIV) “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied… {25} Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.”

(Jeremiah 5:23-29 NIV) “But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. {24} They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' {25} Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good. {26} "Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men. {27} Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful {28} and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. {29} Should I not punish them for this?" declares the Lord. "Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?”

(Matthew 5:6 NIV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

In a world filled with food, it is wrong that some of God’s children have nothing to eat. If we who are well fed would give up what it took for us to accumulate our bulging waist lines, we could eliminate hunger in our world. There is also a spiritual application here. If we overindulge on anything other than Jesus, we cease to hunger for God. Much of the church today is over fed. Instead of taking the gospel to the world, we constantly seek more teaching. We gorge ourselves at the latest Bible conference, but fail to exercise our faith and share the gospel. Many of us should be teachers by now, but instead we constantly demand to be fed more. We have become the “Fat Babies” that Amy Grant once sang about. Jesus says, “Woe to fat babies.” Woe to those who continually take in, but never give back to a culture that is starving. Maybe it’s time to change our diet and start working out. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Blessing and Woe: Part 1

March 7

(Luke 6:20, 24 NIV)  “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God… {24} But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

(Matthew 5:3 NIV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Matthew 6:24 NIV)  ""No one 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."

(James 5:1-5 NIV) “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. {2} Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. {3} Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. {4} Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. {5} You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”

“Blessed are the poor.” These words can be interpreted both materially and spiritually. Jesus spent much of His time with people who were poor in both ways. They just seemed more interested in the kingdom of heaven. They had no power or wealth to protect. They were more dissatisfied with what the world had to offer, and thus, closer to the kingdom of heaven. This is why Jesus said, “Woe to the rich.” We cannot serve both God and Money. Love of money will warp every spiritual decision. It captures our heart and we begin to base our life choices on how our finances will be affected. Materialism is in constant conflict with spirituality. Woe to us if our goals in life revolve around growing and preserving wealth. When we pursue the material, we will seldom take the time to pursue Jesus. This is the bottom line with God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Two Ways of Seeing

March 6

(Luke 6:20-26 NIV)  "Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. {21} Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. {22} Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. {23} "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. {24} "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. {25} Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. {26} Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

(Matthew 5:1-12 NIV) ““Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, {2} and he began to teach them, saying: {3} "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. {5} Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. {6} Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. {7} Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. {9} Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. {10} 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.””

Many Christians today want the blessings Jesus spoke of, without having to do what Jesus did. But we will never get what Jesus had until we do what Jesus did. Jesus spoke of many good things; things that many of us say we want. But to get to them, we have to do what Jesus taught. And what Jesus taught is that there are basically two ways of seeing and living: materially and spiritually. Living materially makes sense. We work to accumulate. We may give God a share, but materialism drives our lives. The call of the job trumps the call of God. However, there is another way of seeing life, and this is what drove Jesus. We can see spiritually. Unless we begin to see spiritually, instead of materially, nothing Jesus says in Luke 6 will make sense. Christ’s blessings and woes will grate on us. Christianity is the life long process of changing from one mindset to the other. Change your mind! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Power On the Level

March 5

(Luke 6:17-19 NIV) “He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, {18} who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, {19} and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.”

After Christ chose His apostles, He “went down” to a level place to continue His ministry. Every step Jesus took here on Earth was a step down for Him. God came down to touch and teach those He had created from dust. The King of kings stooped to our level and made Himself accessible to us. A large crowd came to see Jesus that day. They came seeking miraculous healing and deliverance. Everyone wanted to touch Him. There was no substitute for the power that came from His presence. No spirit or disease could withstand His touch. No one else was saying what He said or doing what He did. His words never failed to deliver. His touch never failed to heal. Christ succeeded where others had not. Jesus still wants to do that with us. He came down to teach us truth, heal our hearts, and deliver us from our demons. Seek Him out. Level with Him. Let Him touch you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Diverse Community

March 4

(Luke 6:13-16 NIV) “When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: {14} Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, {15} Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, {16} Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

(Acts 6:1-7 NIV) “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. {2} So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. {3} Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them {4} and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." {5} This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. {6} They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. {7} So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Christianity began as a diverse group effort, lived out in community. Andrew, Peter, James, and John, were common fishermen. Matthew was a Roman tax collector, hated among the Jews. Simon was a political zealot, who would have had no problem cutting Matthew’s throat for being a traitor to Israel. Today he would have been called a terrorist. Bartholomew was the “good boy” of whom Jesus said, “in him there is nothing false.” Contrast that with Judas, in whom almost everything was false. And then there was Thomas, the skeptic… a practical, “show me the money” type of guy… not a good candidate for a faith project. Based on qualifications, this was probably not the best team to select if setting out to change the world. But this mixed bag of common people became the most prolific group of disciple-makers ever assembled. When done right, Christianity still does this today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Designated Apostles

March 3

(Luke 6:12-16 NIV) “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. {13} When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: {14} Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, {15} Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, {16} Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Jesus had a message: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” He had a method: travel, preach, and heal. But Jesus had a couple of problems. First, He knew that He would be leaving. He had come to die for the sins of the world, but wanted His work to continue. Second, He lived in an age before print or electronic media. There were few books and most could not read. Newspapers, magazines, brochures, or tracts would not work. There was no radio, no TV, and no internet. How would the gospel get out? Jesus prayed and chose twelve men. He wrote His message upon their hearts, and their lives became His means of communication. They would go out from His presence and take the gospel to the world. This is still Christ’s plan, and you have been chosen as a disciple and a witness. You are His method and His message. Go! Be an apostle of His grace and truth! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Special Day

March 2

(Luke 6:2 NIV) “Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?””

(Luke 6:9 NIV) “Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?””

(Mark 2:27 NIV) “Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.””

(Genesis 2:3 NIV) “And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

The Sabbath was created for our benefit, not God’s. God blessed it and made it holy. It was given to us by the Lord for our renewal, not our enslavement. It may be even more important now, in our activity addicted, stress filled culture, than it was in Christ’s day. The Pharisees had taken what God gave as a blessing, and made it a religious burden. Instead of bringing joy and refreshment, it had become an oppressive yoke. This is what happens when we take a privilege and make it a law -- when we take a gift of God and make it into a rule. For the Christian who lives by grace, one day in seven to rest is still an important principle, but God will not strike us down if we stumble in it. Just don’t forget that it was made for us, and given to us as a gift. Take it and use it for your physical and spiritual benefit. Find your rhythm. It will enrich your life in ways you cannot imagine. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Lord of the Sabbath

March 1

(Luke 6:5 NIV) ““Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

(Luke 6:11 NIV) “But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.”

(John 5:16-18 NIV) “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. {17} Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." {18} For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”

As the Pharisees railed at Jesus for violating the Sabbath law, He did something even worse in their eyes. He told them that He was the “Son of Man” and “Lord of the Sabbath”. He was saying: “I am the Messiah. I created the Sabbath, and I, not you, will decide what is lawful to do on this day.” The Pharisees knew exactly what He was saying, but refused to recognize Jesus as Lord of the Law. Their hypocrisy had blinded them, and they started making plans to get rid of Him. Bucking the Pharisees could be fatal, as they were willing to violate the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not murder”, in order to enforce the fourth commandment concerning work on the Sabbath. They were saying, “You must keep the commandments, but we are free to violate them.” This is the essence of hypocrisy. Don’t join with them. The Lord of the Sabbath says it is lawful to do good every day of the week. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Pharisees of the Sabbath

February 28

(Luke 6:1-4 NIV) “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. {2} Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" {3} Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? {4} He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.”

(Luke 6:6-10 NIV) “On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. {7} The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. {8} But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there. {9} Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" {10} He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored.”

(Mark 2:27) “Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

The Pharisees took God’s law seriously. They were adamant that no work be done on the Sabbath. Jesus upset the Pharisees by healing people on the Sabbath and picking some grain to eat. Christ let them know that they had misunderstood the application of the law. He reminded them that King David and his men ate consecrated bread on the Sabbath. Feeding hungry people is more important than following the letter of the law. Their application of the law lacked mercy and compassion. Jesus assured them that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath, and to save a life. In the Pharisee’s view, it was OK to water your donkey on the Sabbath, but not to pick grain for yourself. It was OK to pull your ox from a well, but not to heal a crippled person. Jesus told them that they had misunderstood the spirit of the law. Let’s not make the same mistake. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

Renewal

February 27

(Luke 5:37-38 NIV) “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. {38} No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.”

(Psalm 51:10 NIV) “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

(Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV) “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; {31} but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”

(Romans 12:2 NIV) “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

(2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

All things age, but in Christ, all things can be renewed. When we are born again, we are like newborn infants. But immediately, we begin to age. To avoid becoming old wineskins, we must continuously renew our spirits. Renewal is not an option if we want to live in Christ -- it is a necessity. The spiritual giants of Scripture knew this -- the Pharisees did not. They failed to renew their minds and their wineskins became hard and brittle. There will be seasons in our lives when God is shifting things. Blessings and trials will come our way. In going through these God-ordained times, we will experience both shrinking and stretching. If we are inflexible, we will be unable to grow spiritually. Jesus can renew our aging wineskins if we will allow it. We can be renewed daily if we let Him live, and breathe, and work in us. Pray for renewal. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Wineskins

February 26

(Luke 5:37-39 NIV) “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. {38} No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. {39} And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.’”

(Romans 7:6 NIV) “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”

(Colossians 3:9-10 NIV) “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices {10} and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

New wineskins are needed for the new wine of Christ. New wine cannot be placed into old wineskins. They are no longer pliable and will burst as the new wine ferments and expands. With this parable, Jesus was saying to those with ears to hear, “My newness cannot be contained in old forms. I am new life. I bring a new covenant. I am making all things new.” Something new was happening and it called for new hearts and new thinking. The majority of the Pharisees were too “old school” to make the trip to newness in Christ. They were the old covenant. They were old wineskins. Newness cannot flourish in old forms. Christians, we must continually look at ourselves, our structures, our traditions, and our practices. We must ask the question… “Are we becoming old wineskins?” Our wineskins must remain new or they will not be fit for the new wine that Jesus offers daily. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Old Cloth

February 25

(Luke 5:36 NIV) ““He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old.””

(Matthew 9:16 NIV) "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”

Before wrinkle-free, perma-press, synthetic cloth came along, garments would often shrink when washed. When clothing was torn, a patch would be sewn on to mend the garment. Sometimes the new patch would not match the old cloth very well. And if an old garment was patched with a piece of new cloth, the patch could shrink when washed, tearing the old cloth even more. In addition, a new garment would have been ruined when tearing it to make the patch for the old garment. Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees here, and everyone knew it. He was saying that they were old cloth. Trying to “patch” them with new teaching was a waste of time. As we age, we can become set in our ways, making it harder to learn new things. As we become more and more religious, we can grow resistant to change and new ideas. And if we are not careful, we can become the “old cloth”. Beware! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Bride in Waiting

February 24

(Luke 5:33-35 NIV) ““They said to him, "John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking." {34} Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? {35} But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast."

(Matthew 22:2 NIV)  “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.”

(Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV) ““For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." {32} This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.””

(Revelation 19:7-9 NIV) “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about His disciples’ fasting, He told them that they were like the guests of a bridegroom. So while Jesus was with them, they would celebrate. The time for fasting would come after He was taken from them. Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a wedding banquet for the son of a king. Paul wrote that the church and Christ were like a bride and groom, soon to be united as one flesh. John spoke of a wedding for the Lamb of God and a bride who had made herself ready. Jesus is the bridegroom. We who live by faith are His promised bride. The believing church awaits His return for the wedding banquet to begin. Only those who have pledged their hearts to King Jesus will become the eternal bride of Christ. Have you done that? Is Jesus your bridegroom? He will be coming soon for His bride. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day        

Fast Like Me

February 23

(Luke 5:33-35 NIV) ““They said to him, "John's disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking." {34} Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? {35} But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.””

(Luke 18:11-12 NIV) “The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' ”

(Matthew 6:16-18 NIV) “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. {17} But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, {18} so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Fasting is a neglected spiritual discipline today. Fasting is simply going without food for a period of time. Sometimes we fast before a medical procedure. Sometimes we fast to diet and lose weight. But fasting has a spiritual dimension as well, and some fast for the purpose of drawing closer to God. Fasting was a prominent practice in Israel when Jesus lived there. The Pharisees criticized Jesus because his disciples didn’t fast as much as they did. One of the chief faults of religion is that instead of looking at God and saying, “Why aren’t we more like Him?”, it looks at others and says, “Why can’t you be more like me?”. The Pharisees had become religious and were very prideful in their spiritual practices. Thus, the original intent of fasting had been lost. It no longer brought them closer to God, but had become a means of placing themselves above others. Don’t go there, Christian. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Primary Mission Declared

February 22

(Luke 5:31-32 NIV) ““Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. {32} I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.””

(Luke 4:18-19 NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

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

Knowing our purpose for living is a good thing. Jesus certainly knew His. He didn’t come to dine with royalty as one would expect of the King of kings. He didn’t come to muse with the greatest of religious scholars or to fill stadiums. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He came to preach good news to the poor, and to free oppressed captives. He came to open our blind eyes and heal our sin damaged hearts. He came to seek and save those who are lost. Jesus came for this world’s “have-nots”, “know-nots”, “low-lifes”, and “wannabes”. He came for tax collectors, harlots, addicts, and drunks. He even came for those who classify themselves as “good people”. There are no first, second, or third class people in the eyes of God -- there are only lost people and saved people. Which are you today? And when will His purpose finally become your purpose? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Religious Gripers

February 21

(Luke 5:30 NIV) ““But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?””

(1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV) ““I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- {10} not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. {11} But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. {12} What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? {13} God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 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."

After Levi decided to follow Jesus, the tax collector turned disciple threw a big party and invited all his friends. The place was packed with sinners, all having a good time until the religious crowd showed up. They didn’t come to celebrate -- they came to criticize. They came to look down their noses at the rabble, and to do what many church people are still known for today: gripe and complain. They didn’t think someone who claimed to be a prophet of God should be associating with tax collectors and sinners. They were above that, and thought Jesus should be too. Surely the real Messiah would not associate with a crowd like this. The church today still has its share of Pharisees who excel at griping and feeling superior. Don’t be found among them. Never forget that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He came to “save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” And so are you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Leaving Everything Behind

February 20

(Luke 5:28 NIV) “… and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

(Luke 5:11 NIV) “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

(Luke 14:33 NIV) “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”

Salvation is the gift of God -- it comes by grace through faith. We cannot buy it, but being a disciple will cost you everything you have. Peter, James, John, and Andrew left their fishing business to follow Jesus. Now Levi (Matthew) leaves his lucrative tax table behind to become a disciple. These men left everything to follow the Lord. The call has not changed. Jesus is still calling disciples. He still calls us to leave everything behind and follow Him. What are you clinging to that holds you back? It can be something good, or it can be something bad. Perhaps it is a lifestyle, a lover, a habit, or a job. Whatever it is, you must surrender it. If you refuse to give it up, you cannot be His disciple. Jesus calls us to become someone new… someone different. Will you respond like Levi did, or will you make excuses? What will your answer be? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Outcasts Invited

February 19

(Luke 5:27-29,31-32 NIV) “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me", Jesus said to him, {28} and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. {29} Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them… {31} Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. {32} I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 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.”

Jesus likely shocked His disciples when He invited Levi (Matthew) the tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors were despised. They worked for the occupying Romans. They made their living by charging more than required and keeping the extra for themselves. This made them both “traitors” and “gangsters”, extorting money from fellow Jews and sharing it with an enemy. They were outcasts, and considered “the scum of the earth” in Israel. But Jesus calls this outcast (who would later write the first gospel in the New Testament) and Matthew gets up, leaves everything behind, and follows Jesus. Levi then did something else. He invited all his outcast friends to his home for a “Meet Jesus” party. Jesus came for the outcasts of this world: tax collectors, thieves, harlots, liars, drunks, and addicts. He came for the worst of sinners. That means He came for you and me. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day     

Broken Rules or Broken People

February 18

(Luke 5:20-26 NIV) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." {21} The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" {22} Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? {23} Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? {24} But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." {25} Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. {26} Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today.””

(Mark 11:15-18 NIV)  "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, {16} and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. {17} And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'" {18} The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."

The Pharisees were the fundamentalists of their day. They loved rules and had all the answers. Jesus made their enemies list when He forgave the paralytic’s sins. Only God can forgive sin. Knowing their hearts, Jesus upped the ante by healing both the man’s body and soul. Christ does not need our permission to declare a man forgiven. In fact, our opinion is irrelevant. From where we sit, some look as guilty as sin. Then Jesus comes to us and says: "Excuse me, but you’re sitting in my seat.” We must then get up, step down, and join those we’ve been declaring deficient. The Pharisees weren’t about to do that. They had become way too comfortable with sitting in the judgment seat. Maybe you have too. Any Christian or church can catch the Pharisee virus. Repent and seek healing. God forbid we live our lives being more concerned about broken rules than about broken people. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Little Help from My Friends

February 17

(Luke 5:17-26)  "One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. {18} Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. {19} When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. {20} When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

You find out who your real friends are when you experience adversity. This man knew who his friends were. He was paralyzed. There were no wheelchairs, no handicapped accessibility laws, no spinal surgeons, and no miracle drugs. He was unable to help himself. His pride had been drained. He had run out of options. But he got by with a little help from his friends. They literally carried him through. They came together for his benefit. They took time off work and took the risk of approaching Jesus. And when Jesus saw their faith, he was moved to heal their paralyzed friend. Do you have a faith that brings people to Jesus? Do you have a faith that is willing to take risks? Are you believing God for anything that takes more than just hard work to accomplish? Are you attempting some things that will fail unless God steps in? If we only act in the realm of the possible, how can we ever glorify God? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Solitude and Prayer

February 16

(Luke 5:15-16 NIV) “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. {16} But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

(Matthew 14:23 NIV) “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.”

After Jesus healed the leper, the crowds began to press in upon Him. It seemed like everyone wanted something from Him. The demands of ministry were draining, and Jesus had to continually renew his spirit. He would often withdraw from the crowds and go to a place where He could be alone with God. This was Christ’s source of power. Many times the disciples found him hidden away, praying to His Father. If Jesus needed that communion, how much more do we need it? Yet many Christians today spend little time alone with God. Perhaps this lack of solitude and prayer is why we often feel so powerless in the faith. How is your prayer life? How much time will you spend alone with God this week, talking and listening? Lack of communion with God drains us of our power. Following Jesus means doing what Jesus did. Make time to be alone with God and pray. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Filling In the Holes

February 15

(Luke 5:14 NIV) ““Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

(Proverbs 14:8-9 NIV)  "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. {9} Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright."

After Jesus healed the man with leprosy, He did something that may seem odd to us. He ordered the man to not tell anyone. Instead, the man was to go to the priest and do what it took to be certified as clean. Jesus wanted the priests to see what the mercy and the power of God can do. But He also wanted the former leper to be fully restored to society, and there were some earthly steps he needed to take. The same is true for us. There may be some earthly steps we need to take before we publicly proclaim our healing. After we have experienced the Master’s touch, it may take longer than we’d like to be restored. Jesus forgives sin instantaneously, but there may be some amends we need to make in order to restore our earthly relationships. Be patient. Take whatever steps are necessary to re-establish yourself. You can’t fill in a hole that took years to dig in just a few days. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

No Untouchables

February 14

(Luke 5:13 NIV) ““Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him.””

(Matthew 9:18-25 NIV) ““While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." {19} Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. {20} Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. {21} She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." {22} Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. {23} When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, {24} he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. {25} After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.””

Before Jesus ever spoke to the leper, He did the unthinkable -- He reached out His hand and touched him. This would have shocked the leper, the disciples, and any others around Jesus that day. No one touched a leper. Jesus broke all the established religious rules when He showed kindness and compassion to this outcast. This was grace in action, freely given to an untouchable. Many others would eventually be healed and restored by a touch from the Great Physician. We untouchables still need His touch. We still desperately need God’s grace. When sin has crippled us and all our meaningful relationships have been destroyed, we need a touch from Jesus. When we are at our worst and cut off from everyone we love, Christ comes to us and loves us. He is willing to touch us and cleanse us. He is willing and able to forgive our sins. There are no untouchables with Jesus. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Leper’s Faith

February 13

(Luke 5:12 NIV) “When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

(John 15:1-3 NIV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. {2} He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. {3} You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”

(John 20:29-31 NIV) “Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." {30} Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Faith opens the door to cleansing. Jesus Christ is the Cleanser. The leper who came to Jesus had great faith. His question was not about Christ’s ability, but about His willingness. This is faith: believing that God can do anything if He is willing. Today we battle the symptoms of spiritual leprosy. We experience a loss of feeling in our hearts. We hurt ourselves and grow bitter. As we become progressively sicker, our leprous behavior isolates us. We are unclean and we know it. Jesus is willing to heal us, but no sinner has ever realized cleansing without faith of some kind. Like the leper, we must approach the Lord in faith and beg Him for cleansing. Christ has shown His willingness to cleanse, but only by faith can we access that cleansing. When we believe, Jesus saves. Have you believed? Will you? “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day    

The Scourge

February 12

(Luke 5:12 NIV) “While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.”

(Matthew 10:5-8 NIV) “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. {6} Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. {7} As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' {8} Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Cancer and AIDS strike fear into our hearts today. In Christ’s day, it was leprosy. This scourge attacked the nervous system, causing the victim to lose the ability to feel pain. As extremities grew numb, injuries would take place. Infection would set in and overcome the immune system. Because of their grotesque appearance, and fear of catching the disease, lepers were social outcasts. The leper who approached Jesus had probably been isolated for years. Leprosy is curable today, but there is another scourge that disfigures our culture. It’s called sin. It numbs us, cripples us, and isolates us. It can cause injuries that turn us into spiritual and social lepers. Perhaps you are struggling with this disease today. People avoid you. You are isolated and alone. Jesus is still preaching truth, driving out demons, and healing the sick. Seek Him out. He is Lord over all things. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Surrender

February 11

(Luke 5:11 NIV) “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

(Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. {2} Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

(Mark 10:28-31 NIV) “Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" {29} "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel {30} will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. {31} But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””

We meet Jesus on the shoreline, but our journey as a serious disciple begins when we head out into the deep water. We make a decision to leave everything and follow Jesus. We surrender all. We walk away from relationships, occupations, and sins that would hinder our walk with the Lord. We are no longer free to live as we please. We put Christ ahead of all things. We are disciples of Jesus. We go where He leads. We do what He commands. We live as He lived. We leave everything else behind. This is the open secret of discipleship. This is the unhidden clause in the contract that so many churches fail to disclose today. This relinquishment of rights is found throughout Scripture. If we choose to follow Jesus, we must stop following the other gods of our polytheistic culture. We cannot do both. This is no pleasure cruise. This is a trip out into deep water. Will you make the trip? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Mission

February 10

(Luke 5:9-10 NIV) “For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, {10} and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”

(Matthew 13:47-48 NIV) “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. {48} When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.”

Jesus amazed His fledgling disciples with a miracle in the deep water. No one but God could accomplish something like this. That’s why the next words of Jesus had such impact. Jesus told Peter and the others that He was here to make them into fishers of men. Their mission in life would no longer be to catch fish, but to cast God’s net upon the unbelieving waters of this world in search of lost souls. Every Christian has a mission. Some are called to large and grand missions that may change the face of a nation. Others are given small everyday missions. These are important to God’s kingdom, for they can change the eternal destiny of a human soul. What is your mission? We will seldom be astonished, or called to mission, if we remain along the shoreline of God’s will. When we risk little, our faith remains little. Put out into deep water. There you will find your mission. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Revelations

February 9

(Luke 5:8 NIV) ““When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!””

(Luke 18:10-14 NIV) ““Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' {13} "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.””

When we fish the deep water with Jesus, we experience things that reveal who God is, and who we are as well. We experience the glory, and realize our sinfulness. We are put in our place… and that’s a good thing. We see God’s power and provision, and we begin to see ourselves as powerless, and in need of grace. When we meet the holy God of the deep, we realize that our righteousness is like filthy rags. There’s an old saying that goes, “We cannot come to the beginning of God until we come to the end of ourselves.” That is where Peter found himself. It was the genesis of a lasting relationship. The faith of the shallows assumes we are better than the sinners around us. It allows us to continue in our smug religions. Out in the deep water, God’s glory reveals us as the worst of sinners. Head out into the deep, clinging to the mercy of God. That’s where salvation is found. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Blessings

February 8

(Luke 5:6-7 NIV) “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. {7} So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.”

(Malachi 3:10 NIV) “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

(John 16:33 NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Blessing is almost always a mixed bag. Peter’s crew did what Jesus asked them to do, and God blessed their obedience with so many fish that their nets began to break and their boats began to sink. Blessings and problems often blend together in life. Many times it’s difficult to sort them out. We need to grasp this concept, for some in Christian circles today believe that blessing is the absence of strife, stress, and difficulty. This thinking is unbiblical. Blessed people in Scripture lived with problems. Deep water blessing can be uncomfortable at times, but it’s better than the empty boats of mediocrity that many Christians settle for today. Blessing comes with taking risks. If we stay in shallow water we may keep our boats safe, but they will also never be filled to overflowing as God intends for them to be. Head out into the deep water, Christian. That’s where the blessing is. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Deep Water Catch

February 7

(Luke 5:6 NIV) “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.”

(Acts 2:36-41 NIV) ““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." {37} When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" {38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {39} The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." {40} With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." {41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.””

At the prompting of Jesus, Peter headed out into deep water. Christ took him there because that’s where the fish were… that is where the big catch was to be found. Heading out into deep water can produce some anxiety, but it’s still where we find the big catch. If we won’t leave the shallows, we are doomed to be small time fishers of men. The big catch is out there in the deep water… out there where we can’t touch bottom… out there where it takes faith to go. Has your Christian walk been less than fruitful? Perhaps it’s because you have refused to leave the shallows. Think about it. What calls to minister have you turned down? What opportunities to witness have you declined? What places have you refused to go because you preferred safety and security? God has something bigger for you. Don’t miss it. The fish are out in the deep water. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Faith

February 6

(Luke 5:4-5 NIV) ““When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." {5} Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.””

(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.”

“Because I said so…” At some point, who hasn’t heard these words from a parent or grandparent? Jesus tells Peter to head out into the deep water, because He wants Peter to develop some deep water faith. We see that the would-be disciple has a mustard seed of faith, because he complies, even though the fishing has been very poor. He goes because Jesus said to go. Jesus wants to develop a deep water faith in us -- faith that sustains us in those times when we go through the deep waters of life -- faith that doesn’t fail when we can no longer touch bottom. But we must be willing to leave our comfort zones and head out into the deep water. Deep water faith can only be developed by being willing to push out into the deep waters of life. If we refuse to leave the shallows, we will remain shallow Christians. Deep faith requires deep water. Are you willing to go there? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Deep Water Fishing

February 5

(Luke 5:1-4 NIV) “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, {2} he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. {3} He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. {4} When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

(1 Corinthians 2:9-12 NIV) “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- {10} but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. {11} For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. {12} We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”

While Jesus was preaching to a large crowd, He got into a fishing boat and went out onto the water. He did this for a couple of reasons. First, water is a natural voice amplifier. Sound skips across water like a flat stone. Having created water, sound, and the human ear, Jesus would have known this. Secondly, Jesus was interested in the boat’s owner, Simon, who would later become known as Peter, the Rock of the Church. Jesus knew Peter before Peter knew Jesus. Isn’t that the way it works for all of us? Christ was looking for some “fishers of men”, and on this day, He took Peter into the deep water to teach him a lesson in both fishing and faith. We’re all called to be “fishers of men”, and at some point, Jesus takes us all out into the deep water for some lessons in faith. Are you in over your head today? Maybe God is trying to teach you something. Pay attention! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Preach the Good News

February 4

(Luke 4:42-44 NIV) “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. {43} But he said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." {44} And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

(2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV) “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Jesus needed time alone to stay in touch with His Father, and to keep His calling in focus. Jesus healed people, and they would beg him to stay and do more. But Jesus was called by God to preach the good news in as many places as possible. He said, “I MUST preach. That’s why I was sent.” And so He left a place where His healing ministry could have been very lucrative. Jesus was a preacher. He is still preaching if we will listen, but we resist. A favorite phrase in our culture today is, “Don’t preach to me. I don’t want any sermons.” We don’t want anyone speaking God’s truth to us, even though we desperately need it. If this is your attitude, then you don’t want Jesus. Jesus was a preacher. That’s why He was sent. He is still preaching through faithful, obedient, Spirit filled servants who have heard His call, and those with wisdom will be hearing Him. Are you listening? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

The Deliverance Man

February 3

(Luke 4:41 NIV) “Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.”

(Acts 19:11-12 NIV) “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, {12} so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”  

(Acts 26:17-18 NIV) “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them {18} to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'”

Jesus is the Deliverer. Everywhere He went, He demonstrated His Lordship over all things. When He arrived, demons trembled. When He spoke, they obeyed. Jesus is Lord. God’s plan is that we be delivered from darkness and brought into the light -- that we turn from the power of evil to the power of God. Then we are called to become advocates for deliverance. God has chosen to work through us, but first, we must be delivered from whatever has mastered us. Whatever has us under its thumb… addictions, attitudes, hurts, sins… we must allow God to set us free. We must be delivered before we can help others find freedom in His name. Christ rescues us, restores us, and then sends us out in His name as agents of deliverance. The name of Jesus still has authority and power today, and we are privileged to use it in freeing ourselves and others. Jesus is still the Deliverer. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Healed to Serve

February 2

(Luke 4:38-40 NIV) “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. {39} So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. {40} When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.”

(Mark 5:18-20 NIV) “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. {19} Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." {20} So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”

Jesus was a healer. He preached, delivered, and discipled -- but he was also a healer. Everywhere Christ went, people were brought to him who needed healing and deliverance. Every one of them were healed and delivered. When Jesus spoke, healing happened. When it came to sickness, addiction, demonic possession and every other malady of mankind, He batted a thousand. He never failed. Jesus is Lord. But His healing and deliverance have a purpose. We are delivered to witness. We are healed to serve. Think about it. Death is a blessing for those who believe. We are heaven bound. So there must be a reason for Christ’s earthly healing. Simon’s mother models it for us. Jesus healed her, and immediately, she got up and began to serve others. This is God’s call for the healed and delivered. We are healed to serve. Let’s get to it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Power and Authority for Believers

February 1

(Luke 4:32, 36 NIV) “They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. {36} With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”

(Romans 1:16 NIV) “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

(Colossians 2:9-10 NIV) “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, {10} and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

Jesus had power and authority, and He passed some of that power and authority on to his disciples. That would include us, if we are followers of Jesus. He gave His disciples authority to share the gospel with the world and told them they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Christians, we have the same power and authority to share the gospel as those early disciples. We have been given fullness in Christ. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit. This gospel that we carry around in our hearts is nothing to be ashamed of. It has authority. It has power for the salvation of everyone who believes. Do you understand what this means? We have the words of life. We have the power that changes lives. We have authority to overcome evil. Christ lives in us. Let him out! Stand and deliver the gospel with power and authority. Honor God’s call on your life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Stories of Change

January 31

(Luke 4:37 NIV) “And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.”

(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.”

(Acts 19:18-20 NIV) “Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. {19} A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. {20} In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

News of Christ spread rapidly because His preaching and healing changed people. Word of mouth carried His name far and wide as people told others what they had witnessed. Stories of change still produce results for the Kingdom of God. Changed lives are evidence of God’s presence and power here on Earth. The best advertising a church can produce are people changed by Jesus -- disciples who live a Spirit filled life in front of their neighbors and friends. When we live like Jesus, our words of witness carry weight. This requires a people who are bold enough to live for Christ, and give glory to His name when others notice. At least once this week, make it your goal to mention the name of Jesus to someone. At least once, share how Jesus has changed your life. Release your witness. Genuine stories of change produce results for the Kingdom of God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Every Knee Will Bow

January 30

(Luke 4:35-36 NIV) "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. {36} All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!"

(Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In the cosmic struggle between Self, Satan, and the Son of God, there will be only one winner. Every being will eventually bow before the name of Jesus. Every mouth will find itself saying, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” All things created will submit to God’s power, for all power and authority lives in the Godhead. This means that when we set ourselves up in opposition to God, we set ourselves up to fail. We may enjoy our power and autonomy for a season, but eventually, we all end up at the feet of Jesus. The wise man will submit to Christ’s power and authority while the choice is still his. Those who wait until they stand in front of God, at the end of all things, will not enjoy the benefits of those who answered the divine call during their lifetime. Every knee will bow. Has yours? Have you given your heart to Jesus? There is no time like today to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Challenging Authority

January 29

(Luke 4:33-35 NIV) “In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, {34} "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" {35} "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.”

(Luke 20:1-2 NIV) “One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. {2} "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?""

Among the first to recognize Christ were the demons. They knew God’s Son before we were created. In Luke 4, some demons recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God and made the mistake of challenging His authority. Demons have great power, but they are no match for God. Jesus silenced them and cast them out of the man. Christ spoke, and the demons obeyed. That’s authority. When we speak God’s word, we will be challenged. Evil spirits and evil men always challenge the authority of God. When we shake the world’s tree, all kinds of rotten fruit will fall out. Anyone with power they want to keep will challenge the authority of Christ, including us. If you have a call on your life, but have been ignoring it, you are challenging the authority of Jesus. If you have a sin you are protecting, you are challenging the authority of Jesus. And we all know how that will turn out in the end. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Message with Authority

January 28

(Luke 4:32 NIV) “They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.”

(John 17:1-5 NIV) “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. {2} For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. {3} Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. {4} I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. {5} And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

(Matthew 28:16-20 NIV) “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. {17} When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. {18} Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Sometimes a message can be good, but the one speaking it has no authority. Words can have great impact, or words can fall to the ground, never to be remembered. The words of Jesus always cut to the heart. People either hated Him or were moved to follow Him. Few who heard Him remained neutral. He spoke with authority that came from His Father in heaven. He spoke the word of God. Believers should remember this today. Without God’s word, our message will not fly. Without the Holy Spirit, our witness has no wings. But when God’s word is spoken with power and authority, we will see both conversion and resistance. Some will be inspired to follow Jesus; others will hate us. Speaking with authority will bring both converts and enemies. When you speak the gospel with love, you speak with authority given by Christ. Declare it fearlessly and leave the results up to God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Some Will Hear, Some Won’t

January 27

(Luke 4:31-32a NIV) “Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. {32} They were amazed at his teaching…”

(1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV) “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

(1 Corinthians 9:22) “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Jesus shook the dust off His feet at Nazareth and moved on to Capernaum, which became His base of operations. Five of the original twelve disciples came from this small fishing village. Some will hear -- some won’t. Christ’s teaching was no different in Nazareth than in Capernaum. But in Nazareth, He was booed down and thrown out of town -- in Capernaum, he was accepted as a great teacher. Some will hear -- some won’t. Jesus died to save the world, but only some will be saved. Some will be drawn to Christ, while some will cover their ears and refuse to hear Him. Some will hear -- some won’t. And it’s none of our business who that turns out to be. Our business is to be faithful in our witness and proclamation. We are called to be salt, not to be successful. We are called to be light, and commanded to love. God will sort out the details of who hears and who doesn’t. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

From Reject to Redeemer

January 26

(Luke 4:28-30 NIV) “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. {29} They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. {30} But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.”

(Isaiah 53:1-5 NIV) “Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? {2} He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. {3} He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. {4} Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. {5} But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Jesus came to save people we don’t like, or perhaps even hate. That can cause problems. Most of us have a list of people who do not deserve to ever be forgiven. There are people in our lives that we believe should rot in hell. The Jews hated their Gentile neighbors so much that even the mention of giving them aid set off a firestorm, and even became grounds for a death sentence. These hostile hometown haters took Jesus to a cliff to throw him off. They wanted to kill him. But He didn’t hate back. He didn’t call down fire on Nazareth. He just “walked through the crowd and went on his way.” Their judgment would come later. Christ had received His first rejection notice. It wouldn’t be the last. He is still being rejected today. Everyone likes Jesus the social worker -- very few like Jesus the prophet. But his rejection led to a resurrection and the reject became the Redeemer. Accept Him! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Ratings Plunge

January 25

(Luke 4:22-28 NIV) “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.” {23} “Jesus said to them, "Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'" {24} "I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. {25} I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. {26} Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. {27} And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian. {28} All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.”

(Acts 20:26-27 NIV)  "Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. {27} For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."

(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)  "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Nazareth was proud of their hometown boy. But then, Jesus spoiled his ratings. The crowd went from applause to hostility in less than a minute. Jesus said He hadn’t come to do miracles that impress, but to preach truth that convicts. He said that God sent the prophet Elijah to live with a widow in the region of Sidon, and to heal a Syrian by the name of Naaman. Sidon and Syria were Israel’s enemies, populated by the hated Gentiles. Lifting up these verses was seen as treasonous by Christ’s listeners. Jesus was saying that God loves everyone -- Jews and Gentiles alike. Those living in Nazareth had placed the love of nation before the truth of Scripture. Patriotism had trumped piety. Then, as many Christians do today, they simply ignored the difficult verses they didn’t like. Don’t travel with this crowd. “All Scripture is God breathed.” Receive the whole will of God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day   

Coming Out

January 24

(Luke 4:16-21 NIV) “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. {17} The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: {18} "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, {19} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." {20} Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, {21} and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

(Isaiah 61:1-3 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, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, {3} and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth, went to the synagogue, and was asked to read from Isaiah 61. The verses speak of Israel’s coming Messiah and what He would do when He came. When Jesus had finished reading, He declared that Isaiah’s prophecy had just been fulfilled. He was the one spoken of in Isaiah. Jesus “came out” as the Messiah of Israel. It was a holy moment. He proclaimed through the prophet’s words that He had not come for the rich, the powerful, and the religious, but for the poor, the prisoners, the oppressed, and the blind. For a brief moment, the crowd was amazed and spoke well of Him, but then the tide turned. This is how it will be when we “come out” as Christians. We’ll get lots of “likes” on our Facebook page, until people realize that we represent radical change and a threat to their way of life. “Come out” anyway. It’s a God thing. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Short Honeymoon

January 23

(Luke 4:14-15 NIV) "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. {15} He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him."

(Luke 2:52 NIV) "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

After Jesus had overcome the temptations in the wilderness, He began actively teaching in the area of Galilee. The power of the Holy Spirit was with Him and everyone spoke well of Him. Word got around, and the speaking offers rolled in. His stock was on the rise. It was a great honeymoon period, but it didn’t last long. Every relationship goes through a honeymoon period, including our relationship with Christ. At first, we love everything He says. But as time goes by, He begins to get personal. Walking in His light reveals our sins. He lets us know that He wants to be more than just our friend; He wants to be our Lord. Being with Him changes us in ways that are not always comfortable. And so we come to that proverbial fork in the road. Will we continue to grow in Christ, or dump Him and go back to who we were? Keep growing! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Simple Little Word

January 22

(Luke 4:13 NIV)  "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."

(1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

(1 Peter 5:7-11 NIV)  "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. {8} Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. {10} And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. {11} To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Temptation is never permanently defeated. Satan never gives up; he simply waits for a more opportune time. We may win today, but eventually, he will return in a different form with an even greater opportunity. The devil is like a shrewd and cunning lion, circling his prey. He watches for an opening to take us down. He knows our weaknesses and follows our life. Do not let your guard down. We may win today, but if we are not prepared, we can lose tomorrow. Always remember: we have a free will, and that means we always have a choice. God will always provide us with a way out, but we must choose to take it. Sometimes that way out is the simple, but profound little word, “No.” Practice saying it. The devil cannot override a “no” answer from us. He’ll be back later, but we can win many battles when we know the word of God, and when we learn to say “no.” -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day