October 2022 – Sonshine's Journal

October 29, 2022September 30, 2022

Actions Speak!

Luke 14 Shame and Honor

How do you handle shame and the contrasting character quality of honor? Jesus knows his audience pretty well. He observes, interprets, and then applies principles that we might learn. Invited to a dinner party, he notices how people jostle to sit closest to the host. He notices some take the best seats “up front and center.” How often do we see that in church or at a function we attend? It seems that we want to take in some of the glitter and glam of the host so we can say to another tomorrow; I sat near so and so. It is the same today as it was in the day of Jesus, so he used that occasion to teach a parable—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

The scene is a wedding feast with many guests, and after hors ‘doeveres, the maitre d’ announces that dinner is served. Jesus notices that they jockey for the places of honor. With a red face, some are caught in the most honored seat and therefore must move to the back while the late arriving honored guest gets to sit in that seat up front. How embarrassing!

Jesus uses this to remind us that we pride ourselves on our “position.” Our actions speak louder than words.

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Luke 1-3 The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, fully God and fully Spirit. He is not stationary but can move and work in individuals’ hearts. He comes silently and reveals His gifts or messages from God to each person according to their need and will. His power will be evident in the response of the people.

From chapter 1 to chapter 3, He is busy interacting with each person:
Vs. 15 John will be filled with the Holy Spirit; .even before his birth, and it was manifested in Chapter 3 when he spoke with power
Vs. 35 The Holy Spirit announced that He would fill Mary and as prophesied, it happened. Mary responded with humility; I am a servant of the Lord.
Vs. 41 when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the Holy Spirit filled her and the baby John leaped in her womb.
Vs. 64 Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied and blessed God.
2:25-27 Simeon, the Holy Spirit was upon him, and He revealed that he would see the Lord’s Christ. He blessed God.

3:22 the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove at his baptism, opening the way for God to speak regarding the Son of God
God, the Holy Spirit, loves, acts, and reveals the truth of God’s Word and His will. As He descends and moves, we see how we are to respond. Some, like Zechariah, responded with unbelief, and others, like Elizabeth, Mary, and Simeon, responded in humility and praise.

How do I/we respond when the Holy Spirit descends upon my/our heart?

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022

The Tenderness of Jesus

Mark 14-16 Peter is one of the strongest and perhaps the weakest disciple. He announces he will not fail Christ in the time of testing, but his words fall on fallow ground. Christ reminds him that he will not only fail but also fail miserably. We equate with Peter because we, too, when faced with challenges to our faith and identification with Christ, resoundingly fail. 🙁 Yet, as Peter reviews this section, you can see Peter never forgot these words: “But go, tell his disciples, even Peter, ” [Mark 16:7] How gracious is our Lord.

Even when we fail, He is there to call us back into service.

Jesus knows the truth of our heart.

Where am I today? Where are you?

October 24, 2022November 1, 2022

Stay alert!

Mark 13 Be Alert!

I don’t know about you, but daily my phone rings, not with calls from a friend but calls that my phone notes as scam alerts. That is why in today’s cyber world, we are cautioned by veteran spies to be ever alert to the scams that come across in emails, texts, etc. Just as in the time of Jesus, we must be attentive, observant, on guard, and vigilant. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that their time of discipling with Him would soon come to a screeching halt. All of life would then become a world in which they must be on guard against those who would claim to be Messiah but are false. Today we live in a world that moves at “warp speed” with our texts, Twitter, and Facebook posts. Our phones rarely ring, but they send us alerts to scams, alerts to a missing person, and unknown phone numbers! Thus Jesus’ warning to “be alert” comes at a precipitous moment. But how do you stay alert all the time?

We do it by asking God for wisdom. “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.” [James 1:5] In addition, we must know the signs of his return even though we recognize that only the Father knows the “when.” Therefore, as we wait, be prepared lest He comes and finds us not involved in the task He has left us to go and tell the gospel message.

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022

The Heart

Mark 7 The religious leaders were intent on being perfect before men and before God. Their intent was good, but their practice was fraught with pride. They were insistent on how they were to wash their hands before taking in food, and today we, too, wash before eating—however, they thought this practice is what made them holy. They thought works led to salvation, but nothing could be further from the truth. Works are an evidence, but only faith saves. (Eph 2:8-9; James 2:17-18) It was again a reminder of what He had said earlier; you study the scripture because, in them, you think you have eternal life, but these same scriptures testify of me. [Jn 5:39]

Jesus then lists what did defile. The list causes us to judge our hearts about what we say and then do. Christ said that defilement begins in the human heart, which is deceitfully wicked, and only God can know it. [Jer 17:9] As you read this list in Mark 7, allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate and judge where you are spiritually and practically; otherwise, we honor God with our lips, but our heart is far from Him. [Is 29:13]

Today I had to take time to do a self-evaluation of my heart and actions. How about you?

October 22, 2022October 22, 2022

Left Behind.

Mark 4-6 Some years ago, a series called Left Behind told about those who were left when the Rapture happened. The story is spellbinding and leaves one to stop and consider what might happen if Jesus should return.

When Jesus entered Gadera, he found a demon-possessed man who spoke to Jesus and called him the Son of God. Demons controlled the man, but Jesus controlled the demons. The demons knew Jesus could send them into torments, but he sent them into unclean pigs to prove that he had the power of life and death. The pigs were “slain” in the water rather than at the fire spit, which would have been an illustration of hell. How gracious was our Lord!

Jesus spoke a word, and the demons were gone, and the man was transformed—instantly! The former demoniac wanted to join Jesus and the band of disciples. Instead, Jesus told the man to “go and tell,” what great things God had done for him. Are we telling others of our transformation from being controlled by Satan to being controlled by the Holy Spirit? We are the people who are left behind to go and tell.

We are the “left behind” not because we missed something, but because we have story to tell! Who will you tell about your transformation today?

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022

Now or Later?

Mark 1-3 Mark as a protege of Peter, has given us a way to see real life for Jesus. His two favorite words are “immediately” and “multitudes.” He fast-tracks the life of Jesus from synagogue to synagogue and from town to town. In each one, Jesus never stayed put for very long but “immediately” served and moved on. Jesus moved from the river to the wilderness, then to the city proper, where he preached and taught in the synagogues. He knew his time was short, and he needed to accomplish much before God would call him to give his one last service, which was to give his life as a ransom for many.

Those He called also “immediately” left all and followed Jesus. How do I see my time here on earth? Do I know I must “immediately” serve, or do I procrastinate for another day? Mark opens our hearts to see that there is only a short time to accomplish the Father’s work and bring about the good news of salvation to all people. Are we ready for the journey of a lifetime? Are we prepared to step out and change our culture? Let’s go and “immediately” begin the work He has prepared and called us to do.

October 20, 2022October 20, 2022

God’s Cast of Characters

Matt 26-28 Matthew’s bird’s eye view of the last days in the life of Christ gives us a window into the cast of characters of God’s drama. Each reveals to us where we were or are in our walk. First are Caiaphas and Judas, the ultimate rejecters of God’s grace. Both saw, heard, and experienced God’s love in some way. Jesus reminded Caiaphas, I was in the Temple teaching daily, and you did nothing. Yet, each rejected Jesus and joined the rich man in Torments crying for a drop of water to cool their tongue. [Luke 16:19-31] They had the prophets of old, the miracles, yet they chose Hell rather than Heaven.

The character of Peter is like the many that make a profession of faith, but their seed was sown in the rocky soil and floundered when the trials of life came. Yet when questioned, Peter did not hesitate but responded truthfully, Lord, you know I love you and was restored. [John 21:15-19]

Lastly are Joseph of Arimathea and the women at the tomb. All served behind the scenes in quiet faith. Their humility and quiet faith are an example to us of how to handle the tests of life. They rose to the occasion and passed the test of faith, and they are recorded in the halls of the faithful.

Where are you/am I in the cast of characters? Which one reflects your/my walk? Are you like Caiaphas and Judas? If so, today is the day of salvation; call upon His name and be saved.

I wish I could say I am more like Joseph and the women, but honestly, I am more like Peter.

October 19, 2022October 19, 2022

Servant or Pharisee?

Matt 23 Are you a detailed person like Matthew who didn’t miss a jot or tittle? Being a tax collector, he observed the happenings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They were often at odds, but he noted they were on the same page regarding “this” Jesus. He listened and took note of what they said and what they did. Jesus also took notice and told his listeners to do as they said but not as they did because they did not practice what they taught. Instead of being an example of righteousness, they hypocritically dressed in their religious finery and listened for others to call them Rabbi because they wanted recognition for their title.

It was because of this hypocrisy that Jesus pronounced seven woes upon them. First, they were locking people out of God’s kingdom, saying that they could only earn entrance into heaven with multiple deeds. Second, Jesus reminded them that works do not save but only faith. Third, they also wanted others to serve them, forgetting that the greatest among men is one who is a servant. Therefore, God would hold them accountable for their hypocrisy.

Do you yearn for someone to call you by your title rather than as a servant? May we be servants, not Pharisees.

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022

Rewards and Grace

Matt 20 As we move through life, we seem to think we deserve this or that. In reality, we deserve nothing, for we are a part of the evil and adulterous generation, as Jesus said to a listening audience. But, when God’s grace appeared, and we accepted that grace as our salvation, we were given far more than we deserved. We all deserve the wrath of God, but Christ came to pay our sin penalty. Why, then, are we jealous when we see others gain more notoriety or more fame, or rewards? We deserve hell, but we have been given grace. That is the point of the parable Jesus was teaching. He revealed the true heart issue is one of jealousy, not gratefulness.

When we enter heaven’s gate, we will be placed in line to receive our rewards. Some behind us will have received God’s grace millennia ago, while others are standing before us, having accepted Christ on their deathbed and had no service, just like the thief on the cross. He did not belong to a church, had no baptism experience, and did no service in Christ’s kingdom, but Christ told him, today you will be with me in Paradise.

Today may we be grateful for every avenue of service God has given us and every reward, whether it be little or plenty.