I'm Grown Now

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

Another parable Jesus put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32

The kingdom of heaven is not like an earthly kingdom, with boundaries that can be outlined on a map and buildings that define its skyline.  The kingdom of heaven is not a physical place, but a spiritual domain — God’s domain.  When you make the decision to surrender your life toJesus Christ, your heart becomes God’s domain.  And as you grow in faith, that domain grows bigger and bigger — it expands within you as God reigns more fully each day in your life, and it overflows from you as the Lord draws those around you to Himself through your witness and example. 

In Matthew 13, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed “which a man took and sowed in his field” (verse 31).  Among the smallest of all seeds, a mustard seed is only about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter.  In fact, there are grains of dirt larger than a mustard seed!  But when it is planted, it can become a mighty tree.  You see, if we are willing to allow the kingdom of heaven to be planted in our hearts, even when the seed is only the size of a mustard seed, it will grow and become stronger until it is like a mighty tree that gives shade to those below it, and a place of nesting for the birds flying above it.

Jesus says in Matthew 4:17, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  He’s not making reference to a celestial city with pearly gates and fluffy clouds — He is proclaiming that through His death, if we will repent, our sins will be forgiven and our hearts will become God’s domain.  The kingdom of heaven will take root in our lives, like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a strong tree.

Today, does God truly have reign over your heart?  Is His kingdom expanding both in and through you?  Maybe you think, “My life is a mess — I’ll get my act together first, and then I’ll go to God.”  No!  That’s like saying, “I’ll grow the mustard tree myself, and then I’ll plant the seed.”  God desires that we come to Him exactly as we are, with all our hurts, problems, bitterness, sadness, anger — everything.  Nothing is a surprise to Him, and only He can bring restoration. 

Or maybe you think, “I know the Lord wants me to do something for Him, but I don’t have the time or resources.”  Let the Lord grow the mustard tree.  Let Him provide everything you need.  You must simply be faithful to plant the seed.

That’s all God requires.  If you will have faith the size of that tiny mustard seed, He will be faithful to take His place in your heart, and do a work in and through you like you never imagined. 

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Walk In the Light

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-7

Oftentimes, I meet with friends and we get up very early to walk on the beach a couple of miles. It’s dark when we start; then as we get stretched and walking, the surfers start showing up and the sun rises. There’s a period where it’s almost dark, but it’s not very light, either. You know what I’m talking about? Just before sunrise? It happens again at twilight.

And it doesn’t last very long.

First John tells us that light and darkness cannot dwell together. Where there is darkness, there is no light. But where there is light, there cannot be darkness. Do you see the difference? They are not opposites. Light shines; darkness is merely the absence of light. Twilight is not a combination of lightness and darkness — it is dim light.

A lot of people live their lives, spiritually, in this “dim light.” They try to have one foot in darkness and one in the light, but rather than living in a spiritually “gray” area, they actually live in a spiritually “dim” area. They have a certain form of godliness — a certain amount of “light” — but it has no power in their lives. It’s dim. It’s weak.

And it doesn’t last very long.

Just as the dim light of twilight quickly fades to darkness, so does the weak faith of someone who lives only in the shadows of a radiant life with Jesus.

But just as the dim light before sunrise quickly turns to the brightness of day — to awake those who are sleeping, warm those who are shivering, and bring light to the world — so does the faith of someone who chooses to live a life illuminated by the light of Jesus Christ.

I want to be someone who lives in light, don’t you?

Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are called sons and daughters of light! We are called children of the day, not the night. We have no fear of death. In fact, Jesus said that Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

Today, you may be the only light your co-workers will see. You may be the only glimpse of brightness your family sees. So shine! Don’t be lulled to sleep by the enemy, but walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and allow His Word to sink deeply into your soul. You may feel like you’re in that “dim” area — with one foot in light and the other in darkness. Now is the time, right this very moment, to ask God to deliver you into His light. He loves you more than you know, and that’s what He wants for you. His Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Today is the day to walk in the “marvelous light” of Jesus (1 Peter 2:9)!

Indeed, it is the only light that will last.

Before Blessing Comes Brokeness

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.
Mark 14:22-24

Years ago, I learned a simple lesson that I pray will help you today. If you want to be blessed, you first need to be broken.

Earlier, in Mark chapter 6, Jesus fed the five thousand; He broke the bread and blessed it, and the disciples distributed the food to everyone. This breaking, blessing, and distributing of bread brought life. And now, Jesus is taking the bread and breaking it as a symbol of His imminent death—a symbol that still resonates in our lives to this day when we take communion. Before blessing comes brokenness. It was that way in Jesus’ life and it will be that way in your life.

Brokenness hurts. Trials are no fun. But in those broken times, God reveals Himself to you in powerful ways; ways that you wouldn’t otherwise see. He wants to teach you things beyond your imagination. He wants to show you how to live and what it means to live by faith. Guess what happens when you break in a horse? Yep, you got it. Among many things, that horse becomes your companion, useful for so many things. Now, I’m not saying that you all are horses, but I think you get the picture.

The brokenness of Jesus brought about eternal life! Any amount of being broken cannot compare to His awesome sacrifice for our sins. So learn from the trials that come your way. God is doing amazing things in your life. Experience and embrace those broken times and be ready for God’s blessing to flow.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizon’s Daily Devotion: Discover the Heart of God

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man, Gabriel, whom I had seen in a vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.”
Daniel 9:20-22

Many people pray very little — or not at all — because they think of prayer as a duty to perform, an obligation to fulfill, or a chore to cross off their daily to-do list. Others discipline themselves to pray regularly, but they find the process tedious and tiresome.

I would like to help you see prayer in a new light. Think about it: we have access to the Creator of the universe. Read the passage from Daniel above. I certainly don’t get the sense that Daniel was praying out of duty. You see, through prayer we can tap into His power, His might, and His supernatural creativity. What’s more, we can come to know our God more intimately and deeply as we communicate with Him and listen as He speaks to us.

I like the way Herbert Lockyer describes prayer: “Is prayer not the desire, opportunity, and privilege of talking with God?” Desire. Opportunity. Privilege. Those three words form the foundation of a healthy perspective of prayer.

The Bible makes crystal clear the importance and significance of prayer. There are more than 650 prayers recorded in God’s Word, not including the Book of Psalms. There are also more than 450 answers to prayer! Indeed, there are examples of prayers for virtually every situation you face. As you look closely at biblical accounts, you will realize that people prayed in many different ways, and God’s answers to those petitions were often surprising and unexpected.

So, prayer is not a duty or a discipline. It’s a discovery into the very heart of God. When you pray, be ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizon’s Devotional: God is Calling You

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
Mark 10:49-50

God is calling out to you right now; He desires to speak with you and to guide you. So what will your response be? The blind man threw off his coat and ran after Jesus. Did you catch the significance of him taking off his coat? As a blind homeless beggar in the streets, he needed that coat every night to keep warm. Yet he was willing to throw it aside to come to Jesus.

So, what are you holding on to that you need to cast aside? Is there any materialism that is keeping you from rising up and giving your time and efforts to the Lord Jesus? Nothing was going to stand in the way of this blind man receiving a touch from Jesus; clearly he was living by faith and not by sight.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been following the Lord for one year or twenty years; we all have things in our lives that need to be stripped off.  Let everything go that you are holding on to. Cast it aside and come to Jesus Christ.

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizon’s Devotional: Life’s Not Fair

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:46-48

Aren’t you glad that Jesus never tires of granting His mercy? We deserve nothing but judgment and fair payment for our sin, and for the sins that we’ve caused in others. Yet God, who is rich in mercy, is willing to give us His mercy.

I’ve heard so many people through the years complain, saying that life is unfair, and that they deserved so much more than they’d received. But the question isn’t, “God, why don’t I have what I deserve,” but rather, “God, why have you loved me so much that I am not getting what is really due me—punishment for my sin?”

You see, life’s not fair — we have been given so much!

Consider Bartimaeus. Though a blind man, he could clearly see that, in Jesus Christ, complete forgiveness of sin and an outpouring of God’s mercy is found. With a humble heart, he cried out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And yet many in the crowd of people followingJesus warned Bartimaeus to keep quiet. Did they think Jesus was too busy? Did they think He was too important? Did this blind man’s faith in Jesus embarrass them? We’re not given the reasons, but what a sad commentary on the people following Jesus.

Ask yourself today: Are you hindering others from asking for God’s healing touch, just as these people were? For example, I know how difficult it is to talk about the things of the Lord when I’m flying back home from a long trip. Tired, crammed into a small space, and low on patience, the last thing I want to do is talk with someone. But so often it’s as if the Lord places a person in the seat next to me, specifically so I can talk to him about salvation. God gives us opportunities to share His love, but how many times do we hinder His work and shut people out?

Let the Holy Spirit flow through your life and use every opportunity that comes your way to share Jesus Christ. Keep your heart humble and be in that place where you see the Lord’s mercies new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizon’s Daily Devotion: True Leadership

And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:41-45

Leadership isn’t about exercising your authority over people, nor is it influencing people to do what you want them to do. Look at what Jesus says here. Leading people is all about serving them!

Paul said in Galatians 5:13, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” You see, true, biblical leadership is about loving others and serving them in every need that they have.

Not only did Jesus tell us to serve and minister to each other’s needs, He also lived it out. He washed dirty feet. He touched lepers and the unclean of society. He had meals with the unloved in society. Truly we can say “amen” to Jesus’words, “For the Son of Man came to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” Not only should we be so thankful for JesusChrist, His life, and His ultimate sacrifice, but we should imitate Him in the things that He’s called us to do.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizon’s Devotional: Run to Him

Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
Mark 9:9-15

What group of people do you most identity yourself with in this story? First, there were the disciples who were with Jesus, experiencing the amazing view of Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. Yet when it was all said and done, their hearts were no different than before. Instead of worshiping the Lord, basking in His glory and His presence, they had more questions they felt needed to be answered. And maybe some of you are that way; God has met with you and you know what it means to be a Christian, but instead of following Him and worshiping Him, you decide to not trust Him until you have all of your questions answered.

Another group of people were the rest of the disciples down the mountain. It appears that these guys didn’t know what to do; they seemed helpless. Although Jesus had been with them, instructing them and investing His life into them, they seemed clueless and apathetic. They didn’t know how to control the crowds and they didn’t know how to adequately answer the scribes. Maybe some of you feel this way. Maybe you’ve been to church much of your life, but you really don’t know the Scriptures, how to share your faith with others, or how to defend your faith. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Are you built up in the faith and in your relationship with the Lord to do this?  

The third group of people that Mark mentions were the scribes. It seems that all they wanted to do was to argue and pick theological fights with the people. May I encourage you to look to the Lord for your guidance, wisdom, and strength. Get into the Word of God and bring your questions to Him. When we don’t understand things clearly, it seems so easy to start complaining or criticizing with others. Don’t be like the scribes who just looked for fights.

The last group of people in this account were the crowds. These were the people who, when seeing Jesus, ran to Him and greeted Him. And I believe that this is the kind of people Jesusdesires. Jesus is with you and He desires to bless you. He doesn’t want you to concern yourselves with theological arguments and questions that you cannot answer. He wants full and complete trust from you. Yes, He wants you to search the Scriptures and know what the Bible says. He wants you to share that, and your faith, with others. But He also wants you to run to Him and see Him as your Lord and Savior each and every day. 

So what person are you? Ask the Lord to change your heart. Let Jesus Christ be the only one you go to when your life is full of questions and difficulties. Run to Him.

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Led With a Purpose

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1

If God is calling you to do something for Him, expect to be tested.  Temptation challenges your convictions and exposes your weaknesses.  But it serves an important purpose.

Jesus, here in Matthew 4, is being led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  He was probably dreading the trip — He hadn’t eaten in 40 days, it was hot, and the terrain was rugged.  But it wasn’t the devil who led Him up into the wilderness, it was the Spirit of God.

Yes, the Holy Spirit led Jesus. Notice that word “led.”  The Greek word (“anago”) means “to lead up into a higher place.”  You see, the Holy Spirit was leading Jesus into a higher place.  And in the same way, testings from God will lead you into a higher place. Only there can He broaden your perspective and deepen your understanding. Only there can He give you the bigger picture.

So often when negative things happen, we let them bring us down.  But God’s plan is to take you higher.  He is leading you with a purpose!

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Borrowed Knowledge — Horizon’s Devotional 4/12/11

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:12

The Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the wilderness where He would be tempted in all areas of His life. The Book of Matthew gives us a fuller account of Jesus’ temptation, and there we see that the devil was pounding Jesus. Do you ever feel that way? That the enemy is just pounding you? The pain hurts. But the good thing is this: the pain points us to Jesus Christ.

Stop and think about that; you don’t really grow up until you’ve felt pain in your life. Our society tells us to hide the pain, to mask it. They tell us that using drugs or alcohol or having affairs will dull the pain, making us feel good. But all it does is drive us to an even greater, excruciating and senseless agony in our lives and in our marriages.

Maybe you have been thrust or driven into a situation. The natural human reaction in the flesh is to run away. But to be mature, many times we have to face the music and stay where we are. One of the great sins of our nation is the divorce rate. You can get a divorce for any reason you want these days; sort of like trading in an older car for a newer one. Well, a marriage isn’t like a car! And we forget the vows we take are serious things. The devil wants to ruin your marriage. He will tempt you in every way to break up your family. There are times when God puts you into situations that don’t always make you feel comfortable. Maybe it’s with people who rub you the wrong way, or maybe it’s a job that causes you stress. But God wants you to be in these situations to strengthen your faith and to rely on Him more.

The pain of obedience and patience will be rewarded to you. Pain reminds us that we are alive; people that are in the grave feel no pain. When things get hard and painful for you, just realize that God is using that to remind you that you are alive and that you are dependent on Him to get you through. Look to Jesus for your answers to life’s pains, not the bottle or the pills. Look to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life to keep you from the enemy’s lies. Go to the Father in prayer, asking Him for the supernatural strength to endure. Only then in your pain will you find true happiness and joy.

(Source: horizonsd.org)