"What's your 10-20?"

"However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:20

A good many years ago my wife and I owned CB radios. They were popular for just about everybody on the road before there were cell phones. These archaic forms of communication served us in many ways. We would chat with each other when our schedules took us in different directions and we would share traffic information that would make our traveling easier. But, the most important information was our location.  This was given in answer to the CB slang "what's your 10-20?"

When the seventy-two evangelists returned from a successful outreach campaign they were overjoyed with the results. Miracles and spiritual victories were abundantly reported. The power of God thrilled their hearts and they couldn't say enough about His great provision. But the Lord redirected them to the most important of all works of God. He called them to rejoice in their names being written in heaven. The overshadowing question for every person should be this; when you leave this earth, what will be your 10-20?

You might have already noticed that our Scripture of reference today is a 10:20 passage. I would have you take this to heart my friend. There will never be any spiritual accomplishment or personal gain on this earth that will compare to whether your name is written in heaven or not. At the end of life's journey, the only important question that will remain is ... "What's your 10-20?"

Never Look Back...

"Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.'" - Luke 9:62

On February 19, 1916 Joseph T. Higgins of Holy Cross College gave away a victory to Dave Caldwell of Boston A.A. in the 1,000 yard invitation race. The loss was a true curiosity since Higgins was one of the country's top middle distance stars and the captain of the 1916 undefeated Holy Cross College track team. Why did he lose this race you may ask? Simple, he looked back...

When Jesus calls us to follow Him he means business. As the United States Marines put it, He's looking for "a few good men". Discipleship was never meant to be an easy path, but with full concentration on the Lord and His goals much can be accomplished for His glory. To achieve such a "win" in life every disciple must keep focused and never be distracted by looking back... 

Stay the course my friend. Plow the field for the glory of God and be faithful in all your labors. Run the race with your eyes always "looking to Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and set aside all that would get in your way. "Press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:14)  and never be found looking back...

The "Cutting Edge"...

"And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone..." - Luke 9:35-36

I have had knee pain for ages. Arthroscopic surgery has helped to some degree, but I still take a Glucosamine supplement. Before I refill the bottle, I usually take time and read about newer competitive products. It's always interesting to see how many additional ingredients are included that supposedly make the product "cutting edge". We never seem to be satisfied with the basics in life.

Peter, James and John had traveled with Jesus for three years. They experienced the teachings, miracles and abundant provisions of the Son of God. One would think that Jesus alone would be quite enough for these guys. But Peter, like so many down through the years, thought three would better than one. Then there was a word from the Father ...  “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” The message? Be satisfied with the basics in life.

Jesus is far more than just "basic" my friend. He is our all, and in all, according to Paul in Colossians 3:11. Jesus is... Alpha and Omega, Author of Salvation, Ancient of Days, Almighty, Bread of Life, Bridegroom, Bright Morning Star, Creator of all things, Cornerstone, Captain of Salvation, Chosen of God, Chief Shepherd, Days-man  Defender, Door of the Sheep, Day-star  Emmanuel, Firstborn, Fountain of Life, Good, Gracious, Great Physician, Head of the Body, Heir of all things, High Priest, Holy, The"I Am", King of Kings, King of the Ages, Lamb of God, The Life, Lily of the Valley, Light of the World, Lord of the Harvest, Lord of Lords, Love of God, Man of Sorrows, Merciful, Mighty God, Messiah, Master, Name above every name, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Passover Lamb, Redeemer, Rose of Sharon, The Resurrection, Righteous, Refuge, Rock, Root of David, Savior, Shepherd, Son of God, Shield, Sun, Star, The Truth, True Vine, Wonderful Counselor, Wisdom of God, The Way and The Word of God, just to name a few names and attributes. So,we really don't need more than Jesus alone. Let's get back to the "Basic One" of life... for Jesus is, and always will be "The Cutting Edge"! 

What's waiting for you?

"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" - Luke 9:25 

Yesterday, Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh died at the age of 99. On the same day Rapper DMX, born Earl Simmons, died at the age of 50. Two well known personalities from two different countries and two very different circles of life. They both left a footprint in time and memory for many people. The lingering thought still remains; while one may leave a huge legacy, what will they have in eternity?

Jesus taught a great lesson in spiritual economics. Our lives are a stewardship with which to we can invest. We choose every day to invest in either earthly recognition or heavenly reward. There is a cost for both achievements, but the one of greater value calls for greater commitment. It all boils down to this; "whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it".

Do you ever wonder what will be written or said about you when you check out my friend? What's more, have you considered how quickly you will be forgotten by this world? If all you do is invest in the "here and now", it will all be lost in the "then and gone". Be wise and labor for that which will be waiting for you in eternity! (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Great Expectation...

"Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him." - Luke 8:40

In the words of one sports commentator, March Madness may be best described as the "Super Bowl" of college sports. According to WalletHub, the starting retail price for a ticket to one of the 2021 Final Four games costs around $1,500. In addition, game distracted employees cost businesses a loss of approximately $13.3 billion dollars per year. The fans follow the games with great expectation.

There was a day when large crowds gathered to hear the Lord speak and see Him do great works of healing. They knew the occasion would be rewarding and quite memorable for the rest of their lives. The results of each encounter were unknown but people knew that only good things could come from Jesus. The people always waited with great expectation.

What about today my friend? As you rise each morning, the Lord is ready to do amazing things in your life. Every week as we gather at church, He has tremendous plans for all who attend. But, will we welcome Him like the crowds at the Georgia Dome received their favorite basketball players last night? Do we wait for the Lord each morning and every week with great expectation?

Never Forget...

"'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him." - Luke 8:39

There seems to be a general perception that ingratitude prevails in our world. At least Genghis Khan thought so, as he stated on his death bed, "My descendants will wear gold, they will eat the choicest meats, they will ride the finest horses... and they will forget to whom they owe it all." The old adage puts it well... "How soon we forget".

Jesus performed a profound, life changing work in the life of this man. This demoniac had been bound by evil "for a long time", and now he was free. While his first thought was to follow the Lord, he was told to spread the news. True gratitude is a lifestyle, not just a moment in time. When we consider to Whom we owe it all... we too should tell our world "How much He has done!"

While we are called to follow the Lord my friend, our lifestyle should always be one of incredible gratitude. May the world constantly hear our words of thanksgiving for the great blessings that God has given. In this way, we become "living epistles" as we proclaim "How much He has done!"

Let It Shine!

"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light." - Luke 8:16

On this day, April 7, 1959 radar from Stanford, California bounced off the Sun for the first time. While radar can give us an average sun-to-earth distance, it isn't needed to verify the sun's existence. Every morning this mighty God created star greets us, even on a cloudy day. The truth of the matter is this: the light of the sun regularly shines in the face of the world!

Every believer has received the Light of Jesus and has become a shining light as well. Our Lord never hid His light and He sends us out to let our light shine in the same way. No one should ever need radar to detect our spiritual light. Jesus never intended for our light to be hidden; He wants it to regularly shine in the face of the world.

Every day is a new opportunity for us to enjoy the light of God's radiant sunshine. At the same time every day is a new opportunity for our neighbors, family and friends to enjoy the light of God's radiant SON shining through us. Don't hide your light my friend, let it regularly shine in the face of the world.