As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (David Zier):

On the surface of this passage, I read about destruction and the second coming. But that’s what I have always been told it says. Beneath the surface, though, I read about life.

Some of the phrases and thoughts that stand out for me are:

• “Beware that no one leads you astray.”
• “. . . do not worry beforehand about what you are to say . . . for it is not you but the Holy Spirit.”
• “. . . be alert. . . ”

I think about my own situations, when I let others or outside forces get the best of me. I allow myself to get caught up in rumor or innuendo, or I allow my own desolation get the best of me. My faith takes a hit. I doubt, I lose trust, I suffer from events that may be out of my control, and I allow my soul to be taken with the flow of all that negativity.

When I see desolating sacrilege, do I flee? In other words, do I let myself get caught up in what takes me away from God, like participating in gossip, doing harm to others even with my words, not recognizing those who need my help, or reaching out to those Jesus calls us to be with?

Or, do I flee to be with God in the mountains, as Jesus would go up the mountain to spend time with God? Do I have my own sacred place where I can spend time with God and build my relationship with God so that nothing leads me astray, and I am better able to do the things that Jesus has taught me to do?

And guess what? I will suffer. There is no guarantee of escape from suffering, but this is no excuse to allow suffering to continue. When we suffer or when we see others suffering, what is God calling on us to do? Speak out for justice. Remember, do not worry about what to say, just allow the Holy Spirit to speak out through us!

I also read that I should stay alert. Staying alert will allow me to seek God, allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me, and to see clearly the power and glory of Jesus, even when all is dark, and all seems to be going astray. Then I will be able to see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, and I can help build God’s commonwealth by being Jesus to others.

As I read this challenging chapter, this is the message that was speaking to me loud and clear. We’re often distracted by obstacles and events, but we need to remember to flee to be with God, to remain alert, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak the truth through us.

Prayer for the day: God, I pray that I can remain alert, that I can be aware of those distractions that lead me away from you, and that I not get in your way when you want to speak through me.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Jeff Miner):

The Jerusalem temple, as it existed in Jesus’ day, was one of the greatest buildings on the face of the earth. The lavish complex covered 35 acres — enormous by ancient standards! During the height of construction, one thousand priests were trained as stonemasons and carpenters to work on the most holy portions of the complex. The main temple building stood 100 cubits high, equivalent to a 15 story building. It would have towered over every surrounding structure. Some of the stones used in the temple compound weighed over 300 tons.

All of which caused one of Jesus’ disciples to say, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Jesus’ disciples came from Galilee, a region considered rural and unsophisticated compared to Jerusalem. They were probably blown away by the grandeur of the temple. It was probably the greatest human achievement they ever witnessed.

Jesus used their wonderment as a teaching moment. “See these great buildings?” Jesus said. “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down!”

That which greatly impressed the typical person made little impression on Jesus.

His attitude reminds me of the words of an old Keith Green song, “Nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand. . . .”

Which is greater — a grandiose act or an act of grace? Who is greater — the one who constructs a mighty building overlaid in gold or one who feeds the hungry? One who grows famous enough to become a household name or one who spends a quiet hour talking to a lonely child?

Jesus said, “If [you] give even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones . . . , [you] will not lose [your] reward.” Matthew 10:42. Acts of grace last forever; grandiose acts last for only a season. So which are you investing in?

Thought for the day: Every kind act done in the name of Jesus lasts forever.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):

Let’s say you’re at a party and from across the room you notice Jesus. You’ve met before, exchanged a few pleasantries, but that’s about it. He probably wouldn’t pick you out in a crowd. Well, today you want to get His attention. You want Him to notice you and remember you, even talk about you in a good way to His boys (aka the disciples). What is your game plan? What would you do? Before you answer, let’s look at how one woman got the Master’s attention.

Nancy was here faithfully for evening service like she always was. She had gotten so attached to seeing this prophet here on Sunday and longed for Him to notice her. But it had been a whole month now and she had seen Him many times but just hadn’t gotten Him to take notice.

So she just let it go. This was the service when the deacons collected offerings to bless the poor, so she had prepared her offering envelope. Nancy was down to her last $4.00. She hadn’t paid her rent in full and hadn’t gotten her groceries yet. Everyone else had jobs that enabled them to consistently give to help cover the church’s expenses, but she didn’t have it like that. Her little $4.00 would not really make a difference to anybody — even a value meal to help a homeless person would cost at least $5.00! And here is Jesus sitting in the front, watching people drop their offering in. She really felt on front street. One would think that would deter her from doing anything at all, but no no no, she gave her last $4.00.

And do you see what happened? It got Jesus’ attention. He was impressed. Not by how much she gave, but the way she gave it. She got His attention by showing Him she would love Him even if it meant a sacrifice.

When you pray, do you get God’s attention? When you give, do you get God’s attention? If you’re giving from your heart, I think the answer is yes. But if you’ve giving just to look good, or giving God the crumbs, then God’s probably not impressed. You’re just another face in the crowd. Examine yourself.

Thought for the day: Do my acts of love get God’s attention?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Kristin Lee):

In today’s scripture, Jesus warns against teachers who put on a show to appear important and condemns those who exploit others for their own gain.

I have enough negative characteristics (just the ones I’m aware of) that I don’t believe I’m in a position to point fingers. The adage, “To point one finger at others causes three fingers to point back at you” is oh, so true for me. And even if the same applies to you, I would bet that you, like me, are ready to point to the world of difference between our mistakes and the exploitation of others. I mean, with all my faults, I don’t think I’m the teacher Jesus warns against.

But that doesn’t mean that I don’t need to be constantly aware of my actions. The truth is that we hold so much power in our actions, our words, and our reactions. I’m reminded of a story Angelo Pizzo shared with my college graduating class as our commencement speaker. Mr. Pizzo wrote the screenplay to the movie Hoosiers.  He said that after he wrote it, he shared it with one of his mentors who criticized it heavily. Crestfallen, Mr. Pizzo came close to never sharing his script with another person, never having it filmed, never making Indiana history.

We all want to be accepted for who we are and have our contributions appreciated by others. As we strive to find approval from our teachers, the ones who are the experts in our field, we need to remember that they are human, just like us. And as we interact with others, who look to us as a teacher, the one who can give acceptance, we need to remember our Christian service and be loving, kind, and gentle.

Thought for the day: Help me, Lord, to be mindful of those I elevate to the status of teacher and of those who have done the same to me.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

The Archives can be found in the blue sidebars, below, and you can search by topic, author, or date. If you’re reading this via email, rss reader, or on Whosoever.org, you’ll need to visit the site to see the archives.

Today’s Parable by Julie Benson
Monday, June 29

God’s Image by Melody Merida
Tuesday, June 30

We Are Family by Brent Walsh
Wednesday, July 1

Love Is Enough by Tyler Connoley
Thursday, July 2

Peer Pressure by Tammy Mills
Friday, July 3

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As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Tammy Mills):

These verses get me to thinking politically! There was a lot of pressure on Jesus to take on the role of political savior and restore the kingdom of this world. Here though, Jesus seems to be trying to tell the folks that his kingdom is not of this world. He wasn’t going to be a political savior but rather a spiritual savior.

The pressure on Jesus had to have been enormous. Many of those around him wanted him to step into the role of political or military leader. He might even have wanted to step into that role. After all, he had the power, might and political forces behind him to do just that.

Jesus predicament reminds me, that just because I can do something, doesn’t mean I should do it! Jesus stayed strong and followed the path that wasn’t popular with his followers. He went on to fulfill the role he believed he was called to, not the role people around him wished him to aspire to.

Thought for the day: How often do I simply do stuff because others think I should, or because I can? How can I stay true to the path God calls me to?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):

In my position as Hospice Chaplain, I was on my way to visit a patient with dementia. She had a lot of anxiety, and there seemed to be nothing I or anyone else could do about it. As I entered her home that afternoon, and greeted her caregiver, I prayed the prayer my mentor had taught me to say in tough situations: “God, let me be an open channel for your love.”

As I pulled up a chair and sat next to the patient, she was awake. When she saw me, she began her usual chatter. “I’m dying,” she called out. “I’m dying. Come help me. C-O-M-E H-E-L-P. I’m dying! H-E-L-P!” Her favorite past time before getting dementia was word puzzles, and she continued to spell in her current state of mind. “C-O-M-E H-E-L-P!”

I took her hand, and focused on love. I basked in God’s love for us, my love for God, and my love for her. I didn’t say anything. I simply kept myself open to God’s love. We sat like that for twenty minutes. When she would notice me, I would smile to let her know I was there, and I loved her. That was all I knew to do. Eventually, she stopped the chatter and began to nod off.

Then, I heard her speaking again. “I-N-G,” she said. “I-N-G — You’re helping.”

Thought for the day: There are 613 rules to follow in the Old Testament, but there are only two that make all the difference: Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.