BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes….” Romans 1:16 ESV

The gospel is a message of “inclusiveness.” While current culture has a variety of views as to what it means to be “inclusive” we can see that the simple message of the gospel has always been one that is for all people or all categories, for all time.

Paul was not afraid to declare this message of hope to Jews, gentiles, the rich, the poor. Regardless of how people may categorize each other, the Bible sees every person the same.

Scripture declares, “all have sinned.” (Romans 3:23) And then see the immediate declaration that all can be redeemed and forgiven by God’s grace. “[All] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:24,25 ESV)

The need of all is the same. The answer to that need for all is the same. That was why Paul was committed to preaching the gospel to everyone. As he opens the Book of Romans, he declares,

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” (Romans 1:14,15 ESV)

Paul was not concerned about the “wise” viewing the gospel as to simple or the “barbarian” viewing it as only for the educated. Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel, because it contains universal truth. The adage that has been used to describe this concept is, “the ground is level at the cross.” All who come to Christ recognize that they are sinners in need of a savior.

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because he knew of its power. He had experienced himself in a unique and dramatic way. Whether the power of the gospel is like a gentle breeze or a blinding sun, it is that which transforms a life and in an instant of time brings peace, joy and a new life.

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, because it was his calling and passion. Paul was a “man on a mission.” But he realized that he was not alone. As one who was “under obligation” to the gospel, he was also one who knew the need for community.

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith….” (Romans 1:11,12 ESV)

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel because of what it reveals to people about God. ^“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17 ESV)

God’s “right-ness” and justice was satisfied with the death of Christ on the cross. As a result, faith in Jesus brings God’s righteousness to the repentant heart.

Prayer for today…. Lord, help us to be those who “are not ashamed” of the gospel. It is Your message of hope and power and life. Thank you that the gospel is “one size fits all.” May we view ourselves as “under obligation” not out of some imposed burden, but out of the change which has transpired in our own life.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1,2 ESV

Psalm 116 stands in stark contrast to Psalm 115. The psalmist declares his love for the Lord, because…..“he has heard my voice and my please for mercy…” Having the god you worship hear and respond to your needs was not something you could take for granted in ancient Israel.

Consider the cries and gyrations of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Pleading, chanting, dancing all day long without a reply.

Psalm 115 gives a vivid description of the man-made gods of the day.

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:4-8 ESV)

Lifeless gods, are worshiped by lifeless people. So, the psalmist rejoices in God’s attentive ear, and deliberate actions. He not only hears, but “inclines” His ear. You don’t have to work to get the Lord’s attention, His ear is sensitive to the cries of His children, just as a parent, listens for the cry of their children.

A child was frightened by the night storm. He calls for his father who responds to his cry. “I hear you son” says, the father. The child asks, “are you looking my way?” “Yes, son, I am looking your way.” When you pray, pray in confidence that the Lord hears. Not only does He hear, He is looking your way.

The summary of the Lord’s response is seen in these verses, “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:8,9 ESV)

Prayer for today…. Lord may the reality that you hear us when we pray, never to taken for granted. Let it be an encouragement to call on You and a reason for our love for You. You hear, You respond, You deliver. 

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Mathew 28:5-8 ESV

Resurrection Day was the early morning surprise that the women who went to the tomb did not expect. They would have been pleased and surprised to have found someone help them roll away the stone get to the body of Jesus to complete the burial preparation that was done with haste just a few days before.

The Passover regulations kept them from performing any customary duties until the end of the Sabbath. So, as soon as possible, even as the sun was rising on the first day of the week, they encountered the first day of “Sunday” worship.

As I look at these verses, I see the angels proclamation of Jesus resurrection was, “just as he said.” The angels  did not point to the words of the prophets of old. They did not share news for the first time. But they reminded the women that what had happened Jesus had foretold.

During Jesus ministry as they passed through Galilee He said, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” (Mark 9:31,32 NIV)

Now the angels told the women to let the disciples know that Jesus would meet them in the place where He had told them of this event that would take place. What God says, will come to pass. What the Lord reveals that we don’t understand, we will understand in due time.

The angels told the women, “Come and see the place where he lay…” It wasn’t “just take my word for it.” Although that would have been sufficient coming from an angelic visitor. There was an opportunity for them to see for themselves, to witness with their own eyes, what their ears and their minds could not comprehend. Perhaps this is an early experience of, “seeing is believing.”

When Jesus began His ministry, Philip found Nathaniel and told him of Jesus, Nathaniel’s response about a prophet from Nazareth was, “Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.” (John 1:46 NIV)

The invitation to the doubting, the invitation to the confused, the invitation to the curious is simply, “come and see!” Jesus and His truth is open to investigation and discovery.

Finally the emotional reaction of the women is of interest. They left with “fear and great joy.” They had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, but for Him to be raised through God’s own power and to experience the second earthquake to strike Jerusalem in three days would be a cause for “fear.” Undoubted their minds were racing with thoughts of, “What is happening? We don’t understand?” But even in the midst of that which was too good to be true, they were filled with great joy.

Experiencing the supernatural can be a fearful experience. It is the normal reaction to angelic appearances. It is the normal reaction to a true God encounter. It is something beyond ourselves. But when that encounter is from heaven, it also brings great joy. There is life! There is an elevation of our lives from this world to the next. From the temporal to the eternal.

That is what we experience in resurrection and that is what provides hope and life for all who encounter an empty tomb and a risen Savior.

He is Risen! All praise and glory to God!

On Thursday of this week I had the opportunity to tour a new Comcast call center that is opening here in Fort Collins. I met the Senior Vice President of Customer Service and the new director of the call center here in Fort Collins. This will bring 600 jobs to our city in the next year.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64 ESV

With the betrayal of Judas and all that the religious leaders had “on Jesus” they were having trouble verifying any charges worthy of death. One of the gospels reveals how the testimony of various people was inconsistent and even contradicted each other.

If seems out desperation the high priest places Jesus in a position to incriminate himself. Mark’s gospel records Jesus response with a more emphatic “I am.” During Jesus ministry when He spoke the power of “I am” out of the nature of His divinity it caused people to fall down, as in the garden when the soldiers came to arrest Him.

In this situation Jesus not only responds to the question, affirming who He was, but what His future destiny would be. He as the eternal Son of God would no longer be seen in human flesh; but would in the future be seen at the Father’s right hand and would come in the clouds of heaven.

As Jesus began the most agonizing time, torture and death that could be imagined, He was able to see beyond present circumstances and the hours that He would face, and know that His destiny was set and His future was secure.

That is what is needed in our lives when we face challenge, times of uncertainty and what is unbearable. When we place our faith in the resurrected Christ, we know that our destiny is set and our future is secure. There are no situations in this life when we can be confident of the outcome. Life is filled with uncertainty, but history reveals those who trusted in the Lord, prevailed and were victorious.

When the colonies of the newly declared “united states” challenged the might of Great Britain, it look more life a suicide mission than an opportunity with an expected positive outcome. But there was prayer and trust in God.

When the United States was torn by civil war, no one could have predicted the outcome and survival of a nation. But God’s will prevailed.

When the United States entered World War II, its military power was weak and unprepared. But people joined together, sacrificed and prayed and God’s will prevailed over anarchy and tyranny.

In all that Job faced, not knowing what the final outcome would be, he confidently asserted, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (Job 19:25 NIV)

The Lord who goes before us in all that we face, is able to help us to keep our faith and focus, seeing even in the midst of the test, the triumph of the final outcome.

Prayer for today…. Lord thank You, that You not only knew what You were called to endure, but what Your destiny was. Allow us to hold fast to our confidence and destiny that is in You, when we face the greatest challenges in this life, knowing there is more to life, than “this” life.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him….Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”….See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Matthew 26:16,25,45-46 ESV

How does it feel to be betrayed? What is it like to have a friendship that ends with that individuals turning on you and treating you like an enemy? What is it like when that individual is someone close to you and chosen to be part of a special group with whom you would share your life?

The psalmist wrote, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” (Psalm 41:9 NLT) Isaiah declared of the Messiah, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV)

Judas was one of the 12 that was chosen to be in the group that would be close to Jesus. He would hear Jesus teach what others did not. He would be among those who were sent out to preach the gospel and perform miracles in Jesus name. He would see what others did not. He would hear what others did not. He was trusted with “the purse.” What money the disciples had, it was entrusted to Judas, not Matthew the tax collector.

Every one who is in leadership has faced some degree of “betrayal” at one time or another. It may be more subtle. It may be more calculated and direct. There can be just a questioning of your decisions or criticism of your leadership to outright falsehoods and those who openly plan and plot against you.

Jesus experienced betrayal from Judas, whose name has become synonymous with the term. Even though he regretted his actions and took his own life in remorse. Even though, for all but a few weeks or moments, he had been faithful; his final actions were those that marked his life.

That is an important lesson for all to heed. We see it in many arenas, where an otherwise successful career in public or private life is defined by a behavioral, moral or ethical failure of some kind.

Did Jesus know from the beginning that Judas would betray Him? Did He sense the change in Judas by virtue of his attitude or actions. Was Judas never really “on board” with Jesus’ and His mission and priorities? Did Judas view Jesus as just an end of accomplishing his own political or personal agenda?

We don’t know the answer to these questions. However, those types of questions challenge us in our own attitudes and actions. Do we view Jesus was One we follow and to whom we submit our lives and our motives and our actions? Or do we follow Jesus as long as it is acceptable to our personal views?

Betrayal doesn’t happen in a moment of time, it usually happens over time and is finally revealed in a moment with actions and attitudes. Judas was missing from the disciples when Jesus went to the garden to pray, but he distanced himself from Jesus long before the final meal in the upper room. Judas seemed to try to hide what was in his heart when he asked with the others, “Is it I?” to Jesus’ announcement that one of the disciples would betray Him.

Judas betrayed Jesus with his actions, Peter betrayed Jesus with his words, the adoring crowds on Palm Sunday, betrayed Jesus with shouts of “crucify Him!” by the end of the week. The challenge of being a faithful follower, not reluctant, half-hearted, or insincere remains for all of Jesus disciples today.

Prayer for today…. Lord, help us to be those who with sincere hearts remain faithful and loyal to You. When You challenge our actions and attitudes, may we be quick to yield to You and Your ways. Give us strength to stand for You, to speak for You in the midst of a challenging world that calls us to deny You.

Last night I was sworn in to the Fort Collins City Council. It will be the shortest meeting in the next four years. Today, I spent time making some connections and doing a radio interview related to the National Day of Prayer coming in May.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Matthew 26:1,2 ESV

After the “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem Jesus spends a considerable amount of time speaking prophetic messages and about His coming Kingdom and the end of the age. He begins with foretelling of the destruction of the Temple. He shares parables and gives warnings about the “coming of the Son of Man.” He ends with the “Parable of the 10 Virgins.” “The Parable of the Talents” and “The Final Judgment.” (Matthew 25)

In His teaching Jesus not only tells of coming days, but how His followers are to live. They are live watchful, they are to be “about the Master’s business” they are to serve the least and the overlooked as if they were serving Jesus.

All of these teachings are “these sayings,” Matthew is referring to before Jesus, one last time, tells His disciples that he “will be delivered up to be crucified.” I am sure that it was difficult for the disciples to comprehend all that Jesus was telling them. It just seemed too hard to comprehend. Jesus had used parables and images of speech in His teaching, so perhaps they didn’t take Him literally.

Perhaps their minds were processing Jesus’ words like they did when the news of Lazarus’ illness and death was reported. Scripture records that just before, Lazarus was raised from the dead, Jesus told His disciples that “Lazarus was a sleep.” That news didn’t sink in until Jesus said directly, “Lazarus is dead.”

What is of interest is that Jesus knew exactly the fate the was before Him. Since He knew, how much of that weighed on his mind and heart even for this entire week? Did his tone change in these final times of instruction? Jesus even knew what those who plotted His death did not.

As Jesus gave the disciples the final warning, the religious leaders were beginning their plot to destroy Jesus.

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:3-5 ESV)

We don’t know of any specific plans brewing in the minds of the chief priests and elders. At this point they were still concerned about Jesus’ popularity with the crowds and the potential for “an uproar” from the people. They were looking for a “big break.” That would take place in an unexpected moment when one of Jesus’ own disciples came to them and offered to help turn Jesus over to them. I am sure that opportunity was beyond their expectations. For the price of a slave they would have the opportunity to silence the man who had been their biggest “thorn in the flesh” for the last three years.

Prayer to today…. Lord we are reminded that none of what took place caught You by surprise. But it was still agonizing and difficult as walked through these events in human flesh. Help us to understand and appreciate all that you have experienced so that when we experience anxiety and times of uncertainty, that we will look to You for strength and comfort and peace.

This day was like the “lull before the storm.” It was the first Monday since the end of December I have not been thinking about or involved in a political campaign. I did have a couple of meetings but for the most part a good day to even get out and ride my bike for an hour. Tomorrow night, I am sworn in as a new Council member.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:12-13 ESV

Have you ever visited a city for the first time and have planned ahead and thought, “the first place I want to go is_______”

Jesus was not on a vacation, He was a man with a purpose who knew His destiny and what He did and where He went was important. So, after entering Jerusalem, He first goes to “His Father’s House.” Jesus is visiting in human flesh the Temple that was built in honor of the Lord God of Israel. As the Eternal Son of God He was mindful of all the Temples of the past. Solomon’s Temple, the rebuilt Temple under the leadership of Ezra and now “Herod’s” Temple.

God’s House is a “House of Prayer.” As Jesus comes to the Temple, He finds misplaced priorities and abused power. The practice of “money exchange” for those who traveled a long distance, that was intended to facilitate worship began to replace worship. So, often that is the case. We can observe it in and outside of the “Church.” A practice that was intended for good, becomes the “end”, instead of the means to an end.

This is not “Jesus meek and mild.” This is the God who sets things right as He overturns tables and drives people out that should not be in the Temple so that those who should be could have free access. “My House shall be called a ‘house of prayer’.” Prayer over profit was the order of the day.

Then we see the Lord’s House is a “house of healing.”  “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.” (Matthew 21:14 ESV) In Jesus’ ministry we see people healed in towns and villages. They were healed as they came to Jesus as He walked the road. Now here in the Temple the lame and the blind come to find healing.

God’s House as a “house of prayer” should be a place where people find “restoration and wholeness.” People in need were in the Temple. This was not just a place for the “trim and fit” and “well off.” God’s House is a place where people in need of help and healing find hope.

God’s House is a “house of praise.” “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:15-16 ESV)

People being healed, praise to the Lord from children. It is obvious that the children didn’t realize the “parade” that brought Jesus into the city was over. They were still offering up their “Hosanna’s.” The excitement of earlier had not left them. They didn’t just get back to “business as usual.” They may have followed, Jesus, stayed close to Him and continued their shouts of praise.

This became an irritant to the religious leaders whose traditions was being upset along with the tables of the money changers. What Jesus heard was natural and anticipated, to the religious it was “out of order” and “inappropriate.” Simple praise, sincere praise should characterize the lives of all God’s “children.”

Prayer, healing and praise. They were priorities for God’s house to Jesus and they should be for us in “God’s House” today.

Prayer for today…. Lord allow the priorities that we see reflected in Your actions and in this visit to the Temple, be those that we seek in our day when we gather in “Your House.”

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of “Holy Week” that culminates on Easter Sunday. I conducted the chapel service at Mackenzie Place and then had my final meeting with my campaign team to wrap up and reflect on the past 12 weeks. I take the oath of office on Tuesday night to begin my City Council service.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  Matthew 21:2-3 ESV

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, it was not by accident. This was “the” entrance, “the” time of His arrival in the Capital city of God’s people. Jesus did not make His “headquarters” in Jerusalem. He ministered in remote places, much like his predecessor John the Baptist.

On one occasion Jesus told His disciples,  ^“And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.” (Luke 18:31 ESV)

The first fulfillment of the prophet is how the Messiah would arrive. The prophet Zachariah is quoted by Matthew.

“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 21:5 ESV)

God in His sovereign plan even prepared the particular donkey that Jesus would ride. We don’t know who the owner was, but when he would be told the “master needed” his animals that he would willingly send them. Jesus began the week with a borrowed donkey and would end the week in a borrowed tomb.

Then we see the crowds prepare. They cut down palm branches, they take off their coats and spread them on the ground in honor of Jesus. The excitement is high and there is excitement in the air.

“Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting,“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:8-9 ESV)

This is the ancient “ticker tape” parade. The crowd is declaring praise and expressing their hope in what Jesus had done and who He was. It is difficult to comprehend the turn of events that would transpire by the end of week.

But in this moment, at this time, Jesus “the Son of David” is entering the City of David and the people are welcoming and worshiping the King who is coming.

When I reflect on the Triumphal entry, I often think of these words in Psalm 24:

“Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:9-10 ESV)

Jesus is worthy of praise, He is the King of glory! He is the Savior, He is our hope.

Prayer for today…. Lord, we praise You for who You are. We can see now that those in times past were not able to comprehend. You are the Lord, who is our Savior and You did come to Jerusalem to save Your people; not from political tyranny, but from slavery to sin, and granting eternal life.