Day 154 "Sometimes attention is a sign of weakness rather than a badge of honor."

Day 154 Matthew 18:12-14 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” In both the world of business and the world of ministry (which is, all too often, hard to tell apart), there are many constant truths–some good, some not so, and some that just are like it or not. One of the unfair and yet constant truths has to do with those who tend to stray or lack either the ability or desire to follow direction for one reason or another. The truth is that these types of people are the ones who get the most attention. Those who have vision or follow direction well tend to receive less attention from the boss and therefore tend to feel neglected. However, those who stray and receive more attention often perceive it incorrectly as the boss favoring them or feeling that they are more worthy of the attention than others. Yet the opposite would be more often the truth than not in both cases. Generally, we leaders desire to spend more time with our other competent leaders rather than spending our time correcting and keeping the strays on track, yet necessity or care dictates that we must. For those of you who are feeling neglected because you don't get much time with the boss, can I say to you, "Thank You." It is people like you who truly allow great things to happen, for if all were strays, nothing would ever be accomplished. And while it is frustrating for you and often your leaders, it is necessary that we all search for the lost and roaming strays, for if we neglect them, we have forgotten how to submit and love and we have become selfish in our ambition. Unfortunately, Churches are filled with people who have gotten what they need and are selfishly filling the pews and who are not willing to have their lives disrupted by seeking to save the lost. People and bodies of believers who neglect the strays and the lost will, just as a business that would do the same, suffer the consequences of their action–they will lose their culture and identity, and the end result will more than likely be a slow death. If we lose sight of the fact that Jesus came for the lost, the strays, the weak, and the little ones, we lose sight of Him, and without Him, we have no hope. So, rather than complain about those who need attention, praise God that you’re not one, and get in there and help in some way to bring them into the fold. Everyone will be better and blessed for it! Daily Prayer: Father, thank You that You came for the lost and the strays, and may we never forget that we, too, were once the same and You, Lord, brought us into Your fold. Show us how we can do likewise. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Sometimes attention is a sign of weakness rather than a badge of honor." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 153 "To live like a child is to love without fear."

Day 153 Matthew 18:10-11 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” As a child growing up, I remember very distinctly a picture my grandmother gave me that hung in my room. It showed a child on a bridge precariously reaching to pluck a flower, and behind the child was an angel, ever ready to keep the child from harm. In some amazing way, that picture gave me incredible confidence and peace to know that God had His angels watching over me, and I dare say I surely put my angel to the test! In this passage, we see what very well may have been the inspiration for that now very famous painting that hung not only in my room but in many others as well, and for that artist I, for one, am very grateful. If there is one thing children need in their lives it is peace, especially in today's chaotic electronic world filled with a constant barrage of images and influences. Knowing that God has placed angels over my children, angels that see the face of God, brings me great peace, and as I share this passage with them, I pray it would bring them great peace as well. I wonder, however, what it means for an angel to be able to see the very face of God. It is obviously a privilege, and because of the emphasis Jesus places upon it, I would assume that it is one not given to all angels in heaven. I would also gather from this passage that these angels have the face of God because they are assigned to those who are lost, since this is how verse 11 ends. So, what does that mean for us? I believe for all of us it means that we, too, should walk in great peace–the peace of knowing we are never out of the grip of God. If I may, I would like to share what the Lord has been reminding me of in what I would consider a most divinely inspired way. The youth are, of course, our hope and our future. If we lose them or miss an opportunity to disciple them or lead them to Christ, we are risking more than we will be able to realize until we are with the Lord, and then it will be too late to change things. I, for one, am feeling called more than ever to minister to our youth in every way possible. When we minister to them, we minister to the family as well, let alone the fact that we bless God by doing so. Therefore, as we pray for guidance and are led by the Holy Spirit, may we continue and even increase our influence upon the youth of America in every way in which we can. Can I challenge you today to ask the Lord how and where He wants your focus to be? Ask Him for fresh vision, clarity, and peace, for if we continue to do things the way we always have, we will be left behind in an ever-changing world. God loves His children and you are His child. Could it be that you, too, still have an angel over you who has access to the face of God? I should hope so. Daily Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding us of the need to come to You as a child, to have childlike faith, and to trust You as a child can trust a loving Father. Bless You, Lord, and guide me through this day by Your Spirit. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen. "To live like a child is to love without fear." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 152 "The truth spoken in love needs no excuse."

Day 152 Matthew 18:8-9 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” The message of Jesus is one that is always the same: it is consistent, it is truth, and it is life. So why is it that so many have such a hard time truly understanding it? Why is it that so many books have been written, sermons preached, and other methods of explanation created for a message that is truly simplistic? How many ways are there to tell people that Jesus paid the price for their sin, paved the way for eternal life, and that He requires we change our lifestyle thus removing ourselves from sin and temptation? While, yes, there are many ways to share the message, I fear far too often the message of the gospel has been watered down in order for people to be willing to even consider hearing it; however, is that a biblical approach? Jesus is not trying to be funny or considerate or condescending when He goes so far as to tell people to cut off their body parts in order to avoid sin, and while, yes, I would agree, He is not being literal here. There is no doubt that He is trying to drive home a very serious point. The fact is that eternal life is not something that will be handed out to people on a silver platter; there must be commitment, change, and conversion. When we water it down and make it look all pretty and mushy, are we really doing anyone a favor? Is it possible that we, by watering down the gospel, give people a false sense of hope and a confused view of Christ and salvation? Could it at times even be a false salvation experience? I'll say it again, it makes my stomach churn when I hear people making excuses for other brothers or sisters in Christ who are willfully disobeying God and/or those in authority over them by saying things like, "Oh, that’s just the way he or she is; you need to chill out." While, yes, judgment is for the Lord, complacency toward sin, whether it be my own or a member of the family, is not a biblical approach–confronting in love, however, is. Jesus is saying here that "it is better to enter into life lame" than not at all. How serious is that? He's not mixing words; there is no hidden theological explanation; there is no doubt about what our Lord and Savior is saying. If you are in sin and can't control yourself, take drastic measures to get away from the source of your temptation; otherwise, you will not enter into eternal life with Christ, but rather without! By the way, if I love someone, will I do everything in my power to help them or will I stand by and watch them be deceived? Daily Prayer: Father, help us to be considerate and loving in our approach to those who do not know You; however, Lord, if I have ever lessened the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice by watering down Your Word, please forgive me. I ask that You would give me the confidence to always speak the truth in love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "The truth spoken in love needs no excuse." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 151 "Children are always watching and listening, may we be examples worthy of their following."

Day 151 Matthew 18:6-7 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” This passage came up at a very appropriate time for me, as my first wife and I had just spent four days as the teachers at a camp designed for children fourth through sixth grade. We started this particular camp about 18 years ago because we saw so many of the young people of this age group dealing with big-people issues and felt the call to use a camp setting to allow the kids to get away, have some fun, and be equipped by the Word to help them deal with day-to-day issues. Since we had been gone for the past four years, it was refreshing, as well as a blessing, to be asked to return; it was also a stark reminder of where we, as a world, are headed. The children of our world are dealing with issues that they are simply too young, immature, and ill-equipped to deal with–issues caused by sin and disobedience. Jesus is warning us not to cause these little ones to sin, not to cause our children to question the love or existence of God or to turn their back on Him because of the things they are exposed to or situations they are placed in. For example, these are some of the questions we hear on a constant and growing basis: "If my parents don't love me enough to stay together, how can God love me?", "If God is my Father and He loves me like my father, I don't want anything to do with Him.", "Why does God let my mom or dad use drugs?", "Why does God let bad things happen?" and finally, "Everyone tells me how ugly or stupid I am, so why did God make me this way if He loves me?" These are just a few of the types of questions children are asking all over the world today, and my question is, Why? Why is it that when people get caught up in sin, they have to drag the children in with them. Why can't we at least give a child a childhood? Of course I know the answer, and it generates even more anger and, yes, even hatred for sin and the father of sin, satan. However, satan is not an excuse for people to hide behind, as many have made him. He is nothing more than a fallen angel who has been allowed for a time the opportunity to refine mankind, simply because mankind has asked for him in defiance of God. This passage should, quite frankly, scare the sin right out of any adult who is in any way causing harm to children, even in what some would say is in a small way, for if we cause a child to sin, we have caused grave consequences for ourselves. I have described some rather harsh sins; however, let me bring it to a level we can all relate to. Colossians 3:21: "Fathers do not provoke your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." Is anger a sin? It can be. Have you provoked your child to the point of anger, to the point of sinful rage? Just a reminder from the Word we can all use. Daily Prayer: Father, I ask forgiveness for any time I have ever caused anyone to sin, especially a child, and I ask you, Lord, to give me the wisdom and understanding to avoid ever doing so again. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Children are always watching and listening, may we be examples worthy of their following." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 150 "Some people think they are smarter than God; however, they are too ignorant to know it."

Day 150 Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” While it appears in this message that Jesus is sharing is about small children, I would tend to think it actually has more to do with us being like little children. Our tendency as adults is to continue as we age to complicate our world, our beliefs, and, consequently, our actions. No longer do we simplistically approach the world around us as we did when we were children, but rather we often, I believe, become too educated or intellectual to even understand or believe in the simplicity of God. As a result, the life-changing attributes of being a sold out believer tend to get caught up and lost in the practicality of it all, thus greatly reducing our effectiveness for the kingdom. The real danger, according to this passage, is when we cause others who maintain that childlike faith to become more like us and cause offenses, all in the name of higher learning, greater understanding, or for any other reason. Jesus is telling His disciples that they, too, need to stop worrying about how they can attain a greater gift or place with God and get back to a childlike faith–one that believes simply because that is the thing to do. I, for one, am so tired of hearing people say "You need to grow up," not necessarily to me (however they do). Why do we need to grow up? Oh yes, I understand taking responsibility but we’re not talking about in the physical sense–I am speaking of the spiritual sense. Why is it that to have simplistic faith is looked upon as an undesirable thing? My theory is that people with simplistic childlike faith tend to make others around them uncomfortable or even intimidated; after all, if they make it look easy, it somewhat negates our higher learning, does it not? When my children and grandchildren began to walk, I never once caught myself chastising them for doing it wrong–they were doing the best they could. They were trying with all of their might to learn how to walk and, yes, they all learned and now walk quite well. However, now that they have learned to walk, is it time for me to show them everything wrong with their stride or do I allow them to be confident in their walk? After all, it is theirs, is it not? The same could be said for us believers. If someone has childlike faith, allow them to walk in it. If you do enjoy it and if someone has stolen it from you, take it back–it's yours, and Jesus wants you to walk in it. Daily Prayer: Father, help me to remember the simplicity of Your message. May I never become too wise to allow Your Spirit to direct me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Some people think they are smarter than God; however, they are too ignorant to know it." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 149 "Offense equals a fence between you and Your creator’s blessings."

Day 149 Matthew 17:24-27 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Ever since I read this passage a few days ago, the Lord has been keeping a particular section of it on my heart, one of those burning, sort of nagging feelings that won't go away. I know it well enough to know that it's Him, my Lord, wanting to teach me more. After waiting upon Him and listening for His voice, He has revealed to me a life-changing (for me) section of this passage that I cannot let go unnoticed. I pray it influences you as it has me, so here goes. Jesus, in His dialog with Peter, makes its rather clear that He and Peter are not required to pay the tax when He said, "Then the sons are free"; however, He does not stop there, as I am now doing as well. Just for a moment, let’s put things in perspective. Jesus and Simon Peter have been asked by people who are soon to be a part of Christ's rejection, beating, and crucifixion to pay a tax that they are not required paying. These people do not believe Jesus is the Messiah; they are set against Him and desire to destroy Him. Yet, nevertheless, they are a part of God's chosen people, the keepers of the faith to this point; they have served God well up until now–and now they have denied Him once again. Yet this is truly not the most amazing point. The most amazing point is what Jesus says and does next: "Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." In order not to be an offense to those who will soon betray and have denied Him, He performs a miracle! Did you catch that? Jesus, in order not to offend these people who He knew would betray, beat, and crucify Him, performed a miracle. Did He need to? We don't know, but we do know He performed a miracle in order not to offend and, yes, I'm driving home the point. Why? Could it possibly be that if we, by our actions, are intentionally or unintentionally being an offense, yes, even to our enemies, God will not do miracles or that we will, in some way, prevent the will of God to be fulfilled in our lives? Think about it. Have we by our self-serving, self-righteous, and ‘I deserve because I'm right’ attitudes somehow prevented the complete and uninhibited move of the Holy Spirit in our lives and consequently in our ministries and service to Him? I, for one, am convicted and ashamed of the times that I have said things like "it's their problem, not mine" or because I have been right and know it, I have been an offense in my arrogance. Ouch! We have no right as believers to be offensive, in control of, or in any other way placing ourselves above anyone. We have the right and are required to do one thing for our fellow man, Serve! My friend Troy once told me this: "There are two positions in the Kingdom: one is master the other is servant; Master is taken." Oh, how true that is! If Jesus will do miracles to keep from offending His accusers, how can He allow us to experience the miraculous if we are choosing to offend by whatever means? More good news–He loved them enough to perform another miracle–His death and resurrection; complete forgiveness upon confession of who He truly was. How many of those He chose not to offend will be in heaven? How many will I not see because I have offended? Ouch again! Here's another one: how many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have I offended or harmed and consequently caused their ministry to not flow in the fullness of God? Yes, it goes on, as it should. Healing is painful, yes, but it sure is better than an open wound! Daily Prayer: Father, I humbly seek Your forgiveness for the times that I have been the offender, especially for those times when I have done so in order to serve myself. Reveal to me my weaknesses, I pray, and lead me to a greater understanding that I may walk in the fullness of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Offense equals a fence between you and Your creator’s blessings." Pastor Gene Burroughs

Day 148 "Whatever is required of me by God will forever pale in comparison to what He required of Jesus."

Day 148 Matthew 17:24-27 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Every person who has ever believed that God has told them not to pay taxes needs to read this passage and pray for understanding, for this example, given once again by Jesus, is one of how we, as Christians, are to live. A few points are worthy to note here. First of all, Jesus allows Peter to acknowledge that these who are seeking payment are the very same people who are and will be persecuting them. Secondly, we pay the taxes in order that we might not be an offense to those who have been given authority to tax us. And the final point is that God will provide for the taxes–he placed money in the mouth of a fish; however, Peter did have to work for it. Being people of free will, we are often all too quick to lash out and protest things that we have no biblical or God-given right to protest, yet we do it in the name of the one who has told us not to protest. As we are currently going through another very tough political season in our Nation, I am quite frankly, once again, appalled at the behavior of many so-called Christians and, in particular, certain pastors–for example, the Church where President Obama was attending before being elected. When I hear that pastor use the name of Jesus to spread his message, which is, in fact, contrary to what Christ teaches us, it is appalling! Jesus did not tell us to fight against the government, each other, or anyone else in the flesh. He told us to turn the other cheek, to be respectful, and to submit to those in authority. Messages such as we have been hearing in the media cause us to be divisive, bitter, angry, and are in no way a proper example of how Christians should behave or live. By the way, this man is not the only pastor who is carrying on in such a way; there are plenty of others, many of which some would argue are not contrary to the Word, but please TEST US ALL against the Word. Jesus instructs us: "Pray for those in authority over you," something most of us struggle with at one time or another. A more typical response would be to lash out at those in authority in anger or out of frustration complain and pass judgment; hence, rather than praying for them we pray against them. The truth of this passage that Christ has laid before us is really rather simple: pay your taxes and dues to those over you, trust that God will provide for those taxes, and be a blessing to those who are in authority over you. Yes, it sounds easy to do; however, it can be hard, so lean on the Lord and let Him be your strength. And, please, do not make this political by saying I am against Obama for using his pastor as an example. It just so happens that this pastor has put himself out there and truly is an example of how we pastors are not to act. Daily Prayer: Father, may I never again complain about what is required of me to be an example for You on this earth. My sacrifice is nothing compared to that of Jesus, and for my past complaints, I seek Your forgiveness and restoration, Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Whatever is required of me by God will forever pale in comparison to what He required of Jesus." Pastor Gene Burroughs