Psalm 69:9-10

I have become an outcast to my kin, a stranger to my mother’s children. Because zeal for your house consumes me, I am scorned by those who scorn you.

Jesus became the “outcast”…the “scapegoat”…so that we could see what happens when we make someone the “rejected other”…in the name of being right or more worthy. We are called to follow Jesus…to feed the hungry…clothe the naked…comfort those who are sick…visit those who are imprisoned…and to love our enemies! It’s a tall order! But if you do this…you will see wonders and will experience the kingdom of God breaking into the present. But…you will also experience scorn…and you will likely be cast-out by others. Will you be able to respond in love as Jesus did? “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

Suggested song of the day—”I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

John 13:21

Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

Before we look down on Judas and lay the blame on him…let us remember that we are all Judas. We have all turned our backs on Jesus over and over and over again. Thankfully, God is an unconditional lover. Jesus told his followers to forgive…always! Whom do I need to forgive? It could be myself. Invite Jesus…the suffering servant…into your heart.

Suggested song of the day—”Come to Jesus” from the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

Isaiah 42:6-7

I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

God spoke these words through the prophet Isaiah about the coming Messiah…700 years before Jesus. Jesus would read these words and realize that they speak of Him and His mission. God is very patient and creative…yearning to use all of us in a wonderful love story. There were many characters in this story leading up to Jesus…and many after. We are part of God’s great love story…each of us. What part do you play? If you are a follower of Jesus…then you are also meant to take part in His mission stated above. How are you God’s Light to the world?

Suggested song of the day—”May I Be Light” from the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

Psalm 18:3-4

I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies.

Sometimes we are persecuted in life…but if we rely on God…we will be rescued! When you are unable to save yourself…allow God to take care of it. God is really good at it! Jesus showed us the extent God was willing to go to show us unconditional Love. If you are amidst a storm…allow God to cradle you in His arms like a father would cradle a child while whispering into your ear, “I love you…we’re going to make it!”

Suggested song of the day—”I Will Give You Rest” from the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

Luke 1:38

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary gives us the perfect example of openness to God. She is open to receiving a divine message. She is open to setting aside her own ego and its desires and is open to allowing God to do something with her life that she could never have dreamed on her own. Are we following Mary’s example? If we did…God just might do something amazing with our lives as well!

Suggested song of the day—”Singing My Song” from the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

John 8:31-32

“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

What would you give to be free? What about surrendering your life…all the things your ego wants…and handing it all over to God? Our Loving Creator is the One responsible for everything you have anyway! Jesus says to “remain in my word.” Do we do that? Do we read His words in the gospels and spend time allowing those words to sink in? He promises that if we do this He will lead us to truth and freedom.

Suggested song of the day—”I Surrender” from the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

John 8:29

“The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.”

Jesus knew who He was. He came to know this through his close relationship with God. This was something no doubt modeled to Him by His father and mother, Joseph and Mary. Jesus then cultivated this relationship with His divine Father through quiet prayer…spending time in prayerful meditation alone. He allowed God to name Him…and define Him. The relationship was intimate. Set aside some special one-on-one time with God.

Suggested song of the day—”Show Me…Me” from the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

Psalm 23:4

Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side.

When you feel rejected…buried in troubles…lost…remember that Jesus felt the same feelings in the most extreme way. The Son of God chose to be fully human and allow Himself to become the one rejected, cast-out, despised and finally nailed to a cross to die in the most painful and humiliating way…so He could say to each of us: “Do you see? No matter what you do…I will hang with you and not reject you!” This is God’s Love for you…both now…and forever!

Suggested song of the day: “Going Over There” from the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.

Matthew 1:20

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.”

What a deeply spiritual man Joseph must have been! How connected he must have been to God…open to receiving a message from a “higher source” than his own ego. The message he received in a dream was enough to change his mind about Mary…and to change the whole course of his life! Are we open to hearing and seeing messages from God? Are we expecting a life-changing message that will lead us to wholeness and peace? Or are we immersing ourselves further and further into the noise of the world?

Suggested song of the day: “Turn Off the Noise” from the Listen to Your Heart album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper right corner.

Psalm 106:19-20

At Horeb they fashioned a calf, worshiped a metal statue. They exchanged their glorious God for the image of a grass-eating bull.

When we hear what God’s people did after God had faithfully freed them from oppression through the leadership of Moses…we shake our heads. How could they actually worship a statue of a bull? And yet, what takes center-stage in our lives? Instead of a statue of a bull…is it our televisions? Is it our computers and the internet? Is it money, alcohol, sex, etc.? Is it sports? Is our “church” a metal structure called a stadium and do we glorify and worship the team on the field? Dear Jesus, you turned away from all the false gods…and gave yourself totally to the One God. Help me…to do the same.

Suggested song of the day: “God Is the Goal” from the Live to Love album.

To hear a clip, click on the itunes link in the upper-right corner.