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