Notes to the Lord:Faith Over Fear

Matthew 25

²⁴"And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.²⁵'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'

Lord Jesus--Fear can not be in control or I will never be what you have called me to be. Fear is what kept this person not using the resources that were available to him. Fear of lose? Fear of rejection? Fear of what could happen? Fear of judgment? Fear of failure? Fears kept this person from using what had been given into his keeping in his Master's best interest. But in the end his fear cost him everything.

The silly thing is that this slave was also a part of what the master owned...I wonder if he gave himself back to his master at the same time?

²⁶"But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.²⁷'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.

There are always ways to use what you have given. Some are visible and some are just beneath the surface of what shows. This servant could have just put the resources in a place where they were earning interest and safe. Yet he choose a hiding place for the money.

Where are the places where fear and faith keep me from using all that you have given me Lord? Help me choose faith today and everyday.

²⁸'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' ²⁹"For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.³⁰"Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Up Close and Personal--This is the hard part. Grace given makes me accountable for the use of all that you have given me...body, mind, skills, outlook, understanding, place in life, dreams, hopes, visions. Everything comes from you and I have it only in safe keeping.

Luke 12:48 From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Lord Jesus--It is always a choice to pick faith over fear. I choose faith. Help me in this day that will start in just a bit to be accountable and use it as faith would have me to.

Notes to the Lord:Risks Affirmed

Matthew 25

19"Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

Lord Jesus--You remind me that there is a time when accounts will all be brought to the One who gave it all to me in the first place. I just want to be about what you have given me to do when you return. Keep my feet moving toward your will and engaged in your work,

20"The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' 21"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

Lord Jesus--Everything that was given back to the Master is returned as well as everything that was achieved. That really is the way that life is...it is all yours. The major step that this slave did was to take the risk of investing what he was given. I am sure that it could have gone badly. But it didn't. It really never can go badly when we invest in your kingdom's advance. The very first words that this slave heard on your return was affirmation of a job well done. "Well done" is what I am working for.

22"Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' 23"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

Lord Jesus--This slave received less but made less and yet received the same affirmation. There was risk that this slave also took and the possibility of loss.

Up Close and Personal--Risk surrounds on every side. There is the possibility of energies being wasted and resources being dissipated. Risk is just a part of the deal, there is no way that a journey with you will be anything less than risky business from beginning to end. I don't like the risk but without the risk there could be no real possibility of experiencing the blessing of seeing you work with clarity and power.

Work Lord Jesus is a way that defies explanation in the life of your people.

Notes to the Lord:Avoiding the Hole

Matthew 25

14"For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15"To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Lord Jesus--Sometimes I wonder about the way that resources are allocated. There have been times when I have thought that I was the guy with so little, but in reality as time as accumulated your blessings have also. You have entrusted much into my care. Help me as I invest in you Kingdom's work to invest wisely.

16"Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17"In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.

Lord Jesus--I am sure I have a lot to learn about investing in your kingdom. Right now it really doesn't have a lot to do with money management so much as time and ability management. There are always lessons to be learned on how to do things cheaper and better...but the real growing edge right now for me is using the time and abilities that I have been given in a way that brings honor and glory to you.

18"But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

Lord Jesus--What am I throwing into a hole and letting rot? Are there resources that are available that I am not using wisely? Don't let me be that guy who is surrounded with the evidences of grace and misses them because they are not packaged in a way that catches my eye. Lord, don't let me be a hoarder of your grace and gifts.

Up Close And Personal--The piece that always has given me trouble about this parable is the simple fact that the giving is not fair. Sometimes it just does not seem fair what I end up with...it is usually the fixer upper. Then I realize that you also gave me these two hands and a life that shaped me into a person who could do the fixing up. Where your grace calls, your hand supplies the needs no matter what that is:skills or resources...they are all from your hand. Thank you...

Lord Jesus work in every aspect of this life you have given me...that I might be your hands doing the work that you have set before me to the glory of the Father. Let every act be an offering today.

Notes to the Lord: Ready for Waiting

Scripture Reflection:Matthew 25

1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2"Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3"For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

Lord Jesus--The lesson is on being prepared for the eventualities of life. Oil was fuel for their lamps. Some of those waiting had thought through the need to be prepared for the possibility of a delay in the arrival of the bridegroom. Some had not prepared for a delay.

5"Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7"Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

Lord Jesus--The reality is the delay in your coming is much longer than anyone expected. Your people have not stayed prepared...we have made this place home when really it is just a stop in the journey. We have become too comfortable and too complacent.

8 "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9"But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

Lord Jesus--This journey of faith is so personal. We try to make it a community activity and some of it is. But the reality is: I have to be prepared. No one else can make sure that I am ready and alert.

10"And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11"Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12"But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13"Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Lord Jesus--Both groups waited in the light. I wonder if they were laughing and carrying on in the late night hours...they were getting ready for a party. They were going to wedding party that they had been anticipating. Both groups knew that they would be waiting for awhile, neither knew how long.

The difference was in how both of these groups approached the waiting. One group was prepared, one group wasn't. In the end the difference was in timing. Both groups were ready, it was just that one group was just too late in their preparations.

Lord Jesus--Just because I am in the light right now does not mean that I am ready for the wait. Prepare me for the wait no matter how long, Lord Jesus.

Notes to the Lord: On Getting Ready and Staying Ready

Scripture Reflection:Matthew 24

⁴²"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Lord Jesus--You want me to be alert but not anxious...alert but not afraid...alert but not obsessive...alert by not hyper-vigilant. Alert and willing to serve you...alert and engaged in the activity of growing to be more like you...alert doing the next right thing that you set before me.

⁴³"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Lord Jesus--Even for your alert and serving people, it will be a divine surprise when you show up to take them home. Thieves come when the house is quiet and settled for the night. I like surprises, but I can so easily be distracted.

⁴⁵"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. ⁴⁷"Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Up Close and Personal--Living out faithfulness over a life time is what you are asking. You know me so well, do I do it perfectly? Absolutely not...but that doesn't mean that the meals don't still need to be done. Is every meal a banquet? Not happening...

There is regularity and there are rituals of life that just have to get done...dishes that need to be washed, clothes that need to be washed...meals that need to be prepared. There are responsibilities and commitments that need to be lived out over a life time. There is blessing in living out the responsibilities you have called me to over time.

Lord Jesus--So what is it that you are asking of me? To do the hard work of follow through even when it isn't fun any more and the shine has rubbed off the job description. You have called me to be your servant throughout the stages of life until I see you.

In the day that will begin in just a couple hours remind me of the rituals that need to be lived out in the daily grind. Coffee that needs to be made, work that needs to be done well, words of encouragement that need to be said. Prayers that need to be prayed in the middle of a busy day.

Lord Jesus--Can you make each act an offering to you. Nothing grand in the coming day...just living out your call alert and ready for your return. Who knows maybe you will come back today.

Notes to the Lord:On Timing and Field Work

Scripture Reflections:Matthew 24

32"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Lord Jesus--The issue of timing runs through out this passage. This appears to be so clear a reference to time. "...this generation will not pass away until all these things take place" Which generation?The generation that You were a part of? Some have thought that...I am willing to guess that the disciples thought that was the case when they heard this teaching. From the context here it appears to be referring back to verse 15:

15"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place.
That is a fixed event that is specific in nature that the fig tree's leaves and branch. We have not seen this take place yet. So I know what to look for...when temple sacrifice is re-started? That is what it would take for event to occur. That is the beginning of the last things.

35"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Lord Jesus--You were concern that your people would know the season and when the fig tree was ready for harvest. Yet in the middle of this emphasis on timing of end things there are things that endure.

You remind me that the powers that hold this universe together may shake and seem to be falling apart but your word will not pass away. Your promises are true and stand the test of even the end times. There is no time and place where your word is not steadfast in a changing world.

37"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Lord Jesus--Your coming will be during normal times for most people. Normal things will be happening...marriages, and parties will be going on. The people of Noah's day did not sense the times in which they lived. Help me to aware of the times in which I live and be mindful of the dangers and the grace available.

40"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41"Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

Lord Jesus--During the normal activities of life...field work and mill work, the call will come and your people will leave to be with you. So here I am working and waiting for you to come get me, but in the mean time I will continue my field work to the best my ability.

Notes to the Lord: Return Highlights

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 24 29"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Lord Jesus--There will come a time when the fundamentals of the sun always rising will be stopped...the moon will wink out...the very powers that have been kept in balance will be shaken. Your return is the culmination of the reason for seasons in the first place. So the very forces that set the seasons will be disturbed in a way never before seen.

30"And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

Lord Jesus what will that sign be of your return ? Somehow I don't think it will be a star in the night like the first time...your return will be something so fundamentally universe changing that it will be a command performance of the sun, moon and stars.

31"And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Lord Jesus--This is the part that I am waiting for. To hear the trumpet sound and to be gathered from the four winds where we have been blown by your Holy Spirit's call and direction. Nothing and no one will be able to hold us. In the middle of the climatic events of the ending of all things you will not forget your own.

Lord Jesus--As we move toward that day, keep me obedient to the call of your Spirit alive within me. Hold me when I don't seem to be able to hold myself to the task, hold me within your strong and enduring grace.