Month: May 2026

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When we invite Jesus.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”” Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Everyone has figured out that a Jewish accountant, working for the Roman empire is not an honorable, tasteful employment for a nice Jewish young man. However, it still happened. Some hated it, some understood its necessity. No matter what people felt about it, Jewish tax collectors needed God’s grace and mercy just like anyone else. Was it shocking that Jesus invited a tax collector (at the tax collector’s booth) to follow him, making himself a target for criticism with the religious leaders? Sure, but Jesus didn’t mind rubbing the religious the wrong way and seemed to handle negative publicity just fine.

Something extraordinary happened after the tax booth encounter. Matthew invited Jesus, the other disciples AND his friends to a meal! Jesus chose to recline at the table with Matthew and his friends. Matthew records his own admission about these “friends” of his. He calls them the (hamartólos) – deplorable sinners! Jesus was not shocked about being invited, nor was he surprised by who showed up. This is how life works, we share what we care about, it’s also how good news travels. When something significant, something spectacular happens in our life, we look for friends to share it with. We LOVE sharing hacks, tips, wins and life changing announcements with friends. Matthew was genuinely excited about deciding to follow Jesus, and wanted his work buddies to know about it. And, Matthew wanted those friends to meet Jesus.

The most effective moments in a new believer’s life is the first few years after coming to Christ. Every family member, every close friend, every co-worker has a front seat opportunity to watch the effects of Jesus in our lives. I don’t know what the stats are, but as believers go forward in their walk, they tend to have less connections with non-believers. That makes sense, right? Our ways change and it follows that our relationships change as well. My friend group in High School told me they preferred I not “hang out” with them at lunch anymore. They immediately saw the shift in my behavior after committing my life to Christ. I wasn’t hurt by that reality, I understood why – they thought I was going to get preachy with them. I don’t think I instantly began acting religious, but if they could see the changes Jesus made in my life in just a couple of days, I understood that they weren’t ready for how I might behave in the future. I spent the rest of my Junior year eating lunch alone. I later found out that one of my best friends (non schoolmate) did miraculously experience Jesus while on the way to a planned party weekend in the mountains.

The point is whether we’re surrounded by fellow tax collectors or just normal “sinners” like us, people tend to watch our lives and notice what’s going on.

Prayer

​Dad,
I often think of the immediate changes I saw in my life when I first surrendered my life to you. I didn’t realize then how many of those changes were apparent to folks close to me. If I understand this idea of constant and transparent change happening in my life, I also need to remember how many people see that change. Hopefully it’s especially seen when I am invitational in my own walk and talk. I saw two folks baptized yesterday and they invited friends to come and see their public declaration. I heard that those closest to them have already seen the changes you have made in their life. Your grace is so beautiful to see working in others! Thank You.

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Negotiating with God II.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “All right,” he told them, “go and worship the Lord your God. But who exactly will be going with you?” Moses replied, “We will all go—young and old, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in celebrating a festival to the Lord.” Pharaoh retorted, “The Lord will certainly need to be with you if I let you take your little ones! I can see through your evil plan. Never! Only the men may go and worship the Lord, since that is what you requested.” And Pharaoh threw them out of the palace. Exodus‬ ‭10‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Of course Pharaoh thought he was negotiating with Moses & Aaron! He was told that they were speaking on behalf of God, but Pharaoh, knowing all about working with deity’s, did not believe the one true God ruled and reigned over all gods. Pharaoh absolutely underestimated his position.

But, Pharaoh was a master negotiator, he didn’t get to be a demigod by being bamboozled on a deal. This was Pharaoh’s 8th round of the art of a deal. He wasn’t doing so well. He was losing the confidence of his cabinet and his people! And the losses were stacking up.

The first seven plagues (blood, frogs, lice/gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail) would have caused widespread social, religious, economic, and administrative disruption in Egypt. Key effects: Agriculture & food supply, by water contamination – blood and hail would damage irrigation, & drinking water. Livestock loss cut meat, milk, draft animals and secondary products (leather, manure), harming farm productivity and food supply. Public health and labor, boils and pest plagues (lice/gnats, flies) would increase illness and reduce workforce availability for farming, construction and state projects. General fear would lower labor discipline and productivity. Economy and trade; crop and livestock losses would reduce tax revenue and surplus grain that sustained the state and enabled trade. Disruption to transport (animals and river work) and contamination of Nile-dependent activities would impede internal commerce and export of grain, papyrus, and other goods. Short-term inflation and scarcity of staples; wealthier households might hoard or suffer asset losses. Then the 8th plague would wipe out crops, which was their primary food supply. These alone would have caused a national crisis.

Yet, Pharaoh remains cool and calm, almost yielding to God’s demands. That is until he asks this question. Who exactly is going with you? “ALL OF US,” Moses told him. This God of yours must be going with you if you take the kids. Then it dawns on Pharaoh, “oh, you’re not planning to return are you?” History records that The Israelite work force was likely only 3% of the total laborers, so it was more than just “slave labor” that was affecting Pharaoh’s stubbornness. It was more about his “hard heart,” not yielding to anyone – especially to THE Lord God of all things. These plagues were systematically humiliating Pharaoh while deconstructing the entire civil and cultural ways of Egypt. It’s an absolute marvel that Egypt still exists today!

Even through all the pressures of collapsing the entire society. The Pharaoh then threw the men out of the palace. Whether it was Amenhotep II or Ramses II – they could not defy God’s will and power. Both would have been known for their rebellion against divine authority, viewing them as a symbol of corruption and pride, but that is from the biblical perspective. History records Ramses II as one of the greatest Pharaoh’s becuse of his extensive building projects, military campaigns, and a reign that lasted approximately 66 years, marking the height of Egypt’s power and glory.

When I see world leaders rising up in arrogance and stubbornness to lead out of ego and self preservation, rather than govern their people well, I see a Pharaoh’s heart, hardened and immovable. They would rather see their entire culture and identity as a people be destroyed rather than yield. Because of their hubris of power and wealth, they believe they are immortal and untouchable. Pharaoh found out he was neither.

Prayer

​Dad,
I, and others have fought WITH You, struggling to do your will. But against You? Not a chance. Dumbest thing ever! Most of the time, you completely allow us to do our own thing, letting us go pretty far to try to escape your plan – enter Jonah and Moses. Then there are times when no is not an option. I do not want to find myself in that kind of situation. Your will, Your way for me – even when I don’t see or understand what You are up to. I also do not want to push against the limits of your grace and mercy. Thank you for your enduring patience towards me.

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Equipping to do God’s will.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The author of Hebrews excels in helping us understand the efficacy (effectiveness) and efficiency (competence) of Jesus work on the cross. It is a powerful reminder that all of human history past and future is secured by Jesus’ death and resurrection. These truths power this prayer! May the God of peace, using the Greek word “eiréné” for the Hebrew word shalom. May that God of peace equip (make complete, mending to perfection) us with everything we need to do God’s will. And produce in us every good thing (euarestos: acceptable, pleasing).

All the power and effects of what Jesus has done is leveraged and applied to give us everything we need to accomplishing what God has set before us. Each and every human being on the planet uniquely gifted and given a role in God’s plan to love Him, glorifying Him and sharing in the redemption that Christ has won. Just the thought that God not only gives us purpose designed specifically for each of us, but that He also supplies what is necessary to accomplish those purposes.

When people ask me, “how do I know what my purpose is?” Or, “how do I know what to do next?” The answers aren’t always easy. I tell them that I have followed the Proverbs 16 principles. Verse 3 says to “commit your work…” your deeds, acts, or labor to the Lord and He will establish your plans. But I follow up with verse 9, “we think, make or contemplate our plans, but the Lord determines or establishes our steps.” Just as we put an actionable plan together, raising that most difficult first step forward, God makes sure, when our foot lands, it lands where He intends it.

It takes faith! We pray, we ponder, we dream and wonder, but as we begin to move forward, God is there directing AS WE GO! This is where I always encourage folks to stay in God’s word, listening for His voice, the Holy Spirit’s guidance as Jesus promised. But I also encourage them to follow the peace of God as we move towards our plans. It may be a whisper. It may be through circumstances that seem random or coincidental. But in that process, that mysterious movement of faith, God leads and guides us with His peace! God wants to lead us! God wants to reveal himself, speaking to us. God wants us to walk in faith and move with Him!

Prayer

​Dad,
Your promises are true and You have kept Your Word throughout my entire life! There were times that I had to remind myself of your trustworthiness when things went wrong, or felt like plans fell apart. But as I looked back, I could see your hand guiding and it gave me the hope I needed to look forward. Thank you for Your faithfulness!