The Eye: Window to the Heart

It is often said that our eyes are the window to our heart. Jesus remarked about this: Mk 7:20-23 “For from within, out of the human heart, come evil thoughts….” But, when Jesus enters our heart our eyes are enlightened to know spiritual wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:18). We are now cleansed and we can reveal Jesus’ love through our eyes to others. Today in Prov 21 we read about our heart as well as our eyes. In scripture the eye is referred to as the lamp of our body; we might say that our eyes reveal what our life is within. 

As you read Prov 21, look at the different people that the writer exposes. Take some principles from this chapter and turn them into questions. Example: 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin. Thus you can ask: Am I demonstrating righteousness and justice? Is my attitude haughty and proud? 

Although the writer pinpoints women two times, the principle can be carried over for all family members. To that end, ask: Am I being contentious or calm and easy going? Would my family rather live on a rooftop or in the house with me? Am I quarrelsome or seeking peaceful solutions? Is my mouth guarded so that only those words that come forth are pleasing and honoring to the Lord? 

Prov 21:31 points out that although a horse is prepared for the day of battle, the victory is from the Lord. Ask: When I am successful, am I giving the Lord praise or taking it as my own accomplishment?

Check your eyes and your heart today and ask: What is my eye/heart revealing to God, to myself and to others? Pick a verse from this chapter to guide you through this day.

“The Secret Disciple”

Have you ever wondered what a secret disciple looks, thinks, and acts like? Meet such a man and his friend who “because of the fear of the Jews” had a choice: will they remain a secret disciple or one that will stand out from the shadows and reveal their heart and beliefs.

Put yourself into the place of this man, a member of the elite of the elite, schooled in the Torah, a wealthy landowner but an outsider in Jerusalem,  one who  was earnestly looking for the kingdom of God. Yet for all of that he was a secret disciple due to his fear of the leaders in the Sanhedrin (see John 12: 42-43) and in particular Caiaphas. In the heat of the moment he and his friend refused to consent to the death sentence that Caiaphas had sought. This was his first but not the last time he will stand for his convictions because it was just not the right thing to do. Why? Because in his heart he just “knew” that he “knew” that this man was indeed the Son of God. Perhaps it was when Jesus was asked that very question that his heart was quickened.  As he sat and listened to the false witnesses he cringed and in his heart he rebelled but the 68 others who joined Caiaphas were stronger than the voice of himself and his friend. But…

After the crucifixion this man gathered courage and boldly went to the Roman Governor and begged that he might have the body of this Jesus. The Romans had a rule that these that were crucified were to be left to the birds, no family burials, no burials in the pauper’s grave. Perhaps Pilate saw in the eyes of this man a heart that he had not seen in the eyes of the other religious leaders. He saw compassion and because he had been manipulated by Caiaphas and the others he chose to see a way to humiliate them as they had done to him. Thus Pilate, seeking corroboration from the Centurion on duty, was once again amazed that death had come so quickly and gave the order to release the body to this disciple. And where were the followers of this Messiah? They, unlike this man, were fearfully secluded themselves. They the public followers now became the secret followers. They did not go and seek the body of Jesus so that the words of the prophet Isaiah may be fulfilled: 53:9 “They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb,”

And so this secret disciple and his friend purchased linen and 75 pounds of spices and wrapped the body and lovingly placed it in the tomb. You won’t read about his deed in the Jerusalem Times and in fact Caiaphas was probably so incensed at this that he put aside his Sabbath rules and sought that this the tomb be sealed with the Roman seal. We never hear of this man or his friend from this point on but their legacy remains strong and firm. Who are these men we read about in Mark 15 and 16?  Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. 

What can we learn from this? We will find secret disciples in the most unlikely places, God can and will use them to fulfill His will and scripture that the others may be without excuse when they meet God. Sometimes they are those who are surrounded by mystery as Joseph of Arimathea was. Check a map. Where is Arimathea? Not to be found. Sometimes they, like us, progress one step at a time to come to the point that there is no turning back. Joseph and Nicodemus lived out the verse of being unashamed when the right time came. Secret disciples often have much to lose yet they choose to step out of the shadows into the light for others to see their heart. Their legacy shows that even in the worst of times they are the ones that will rise up and call evil evil not by words but by actions. 

Are you a secret disciple? Are you fearful of those who are in authority over you? Take heart from these two men. If they could come and talk to you they would say that being a secret disciple is not what Jesus would want ...Instead they would give you this verse out of 2Tim to encourage you: "1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." Go forth and be used of the Lord this day. 

Jesus - Pilate- The Crucifixion

“The Characters of the Crucifixion”

Three recent reads have given much to reflect upon regarding the passage under our discussion for today. The book authored by Robert Wilkerson indulges the reader to walk with him and see the characters of this chapter through the eyes of our “now.” Through the looking glass of words we are able to stand in the crowd and experience the trials of Jesus. But nothing is more gripping than seeking how to understand the rejection by two prominent churches of an artist’s rendition of Jesus as being homeless resting only with a simple garment upon a park bench while the ravages of time and weather take their toll. Seeing this and reading of His rejection makes this chapter ever more poignant.

One author observes that the response we have to God and His Word reveals our lives now as well as our destiny for all of eternity. Take Pilate for an example. He asked the question that we all need to ask of ourselves: “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” Make the question fit yourself. What should I/you do with the one we call the King of the Jews? Wilkerson writes: We only have these choices: accept or reject. Pilate had the same choices. He had heard his wife say “Have nothing to do with this innocent man.” His heart and mind recoiled at the religious leaders who had brought Jesus to him out of envy. He was amazed when Jesus did not respond as the religious leaders had painted him and he had questioned him. He was even more astonished when this popular teacher who had ridden into Jerusalem on a docile animal with throngs surrounding him now stood before him without a single supporter. Thinking that many would rally to his side Pilate is placed in the position of deciding what to do when he asked “What wrong has he done?” and heard instead: “we have no king but Caesar.” Jesus had told the religious leaders that they were murderers and of their father the devil. Now they will fulfill these words and choose a murderer to join them while casting their King to remain as this statue: alone, homeless and without support.

Matthew records that Pilate washed his hands of the affair seeking his own innocence—he said it but the stain remained upon his heart and hands. Mark depicts Pilate as reluctant to execute Jesus. Neither Pilate nor Herod could find any evidence to his being one calling for treason against Rome. John records this fact: Pilate announces that he finds no guilt in Jesus.  Is Pilate innocent or guilty? Is Pilate merely a figure in a historical record or is he a picture of who we all are when faced with the King of Kings? The Word is clear: we all like Pilate are guilty before God and in need of God’s grace.

One wonders how Pilate handled his conscience when the earth was cloaked in darkness for 3 full hours after his orders to crucify Jesus. In the darkness did he realize his error, did he ever repent? Did he ever allow his sin to be subdued and forgiven by the man called the King of the Jews?  Eusebius noted that Pilate committed suicide …but no record has ever been found. Perhaps that is best…that we not know his true end.  He is just one very sad and tragic character. He had the opportunity to bow the knee to Jesus who was the King of the Jews but chose instead to wash his hands seeking absolution. There is only one way to resolve the issue of “what shall I do with Jesus?” and that is to accept His free offer of salvation.

Our question for today is: “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” Have you accepted Him?

Picture courtesy of Susan Thistlewaite’s blog post “No Place to lay his head”: Jesus the Homeless Statue rejected.”

Born into Slavery...Freed by the Blood

I, like Onesimus, was born into slavery – the slavery of the kingdom of the Prince of the Air who now rules this earthly kingdom—but freed from the shackles of slavery by the blood spilled Lamb of God who said “It is finished”--- and the price was paid.

I like the slave born into the household of the earthly master ran and ran and ran and in a time of turmoil God directed my feet to encounter a wonderfully aged couple and through this encounter,I saw the truth and power of forgiveness that would change my heart and soul forever. In the prison cell the slave Onesimus saw the one who was a former blasphemer and persecutor and arrogant against The Way but on the road to Damascus encountered The One who would reveal His mercy and grace. He now joined this aged prisoner and went from being a willing slave of the evil kingdom to a bondslave of the heavenly kingdom; to serve Him willingly out of gratitude. Before he was useless but now useful not only for this aged prisoner but also for his earthly master. I can relate!

Like the thief on the cross, Onesimus cried out to the Crucified One: remember me when I pass from this earthly kingdom into the heavenly one and heard this reply: I promise you will be with me in Paradise. Now with letter in hand, Onesimus returned to his earthly master. Will he be forgiven by him as he has been by the Holy Father? He will for now both the slave and the master are brothers redeemed by the Crucified Christ. The slave will serve with a renewed purpose and vision and the master will accept his service just as the Holy Father accepts ours for now it is a service out of love and compassion. And just as Onesimus began a new life of service, I too began. No more running, no more sin. I had been redeemed and set free.



Like the thief on the cross, Onesimus cried out to the Crucified One: remember me when you come in to your kingdom and heard this reply: Today thou will be with me in Paradise. Now with letter in hand he returns to his earthly master. Will he be forgiven by him as he has been by the Holy Father? He will for now both the slave and the master are brothers redeemed by the Crucified Christ. The slave will serve with a renewed purpose and vision and the master will accept his service just as the Holy Father accepts our for now it is a service out of love and compassion.

How thankful I am that I am no longer bound by the shackles of the kingdom of sin but freed by the blood of the Crucified Christ. He called unto me: Come unto me all who are weary and laden with sin and I will give you rest and I came.

The Eye of God

Ponder this fact: God’s eye is ever present, His eye rests upon him whose foundation is in the fear of the Lord. God’s eye can penetrate the hardest heart, the deepest valley of man’s sin for He sees, He seeks and He desires that all turn to Him.


In the courtyard sat a disciple who promised that he would never leave the side of Jesus and he would pay the price of death rather than deny Him yet within the span of a few hours he denied him thrice. As he spoke his last denial the face of Jesus turned to this disciple and His eye penetrated his soul. The rooster crowed and the disciple remembered: before the cock crows you will deny me three times. The disciple left the courtyard and wept bitter tears as he recalled the penetrating eye of the Messiah as He looked deep into his heart and soul. His vitality was stripped bare and before him it lay bare and open to His gaze and piercing arrows. Later this same Messiah, now risen, spoke to this disciple three times: Do you love me? Tend my lambs. Do you love me? Shepherd my sheep. Do you love me? Tend my sheep.

Behold the eye of the Lord is upon you. He looks out and He will counsel you with His eye upon you and He will pour out His lovingkindness upon you to restore you and to reconcile you to Himself. Remember this: The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely devoted to Him.

What does God’s eye see in me this day? As I sought the Illuminating Holy Spirit’s I heard:
Do you love Him? Tend his lambs. Do you love Him? Shepherd his sheep. Do you love Him? Tend his sheep.

Who is the Lord?

When the world asks: Who is the Lord what I should obey Him, give them these answers:
The Lord delivers and protects
He lives in the Holy Temple on high and it is there that His splendor and majesty is revealed
The Lord is a teacher who reveals to each one the path of life
The Lord is reliant and trustworthy IS mercy!
The Lord is perfect and just
The Lord’s voice can be heard in the quiet stillness and over the raging waters for His voice is power
The Lord is majestic and is the eternal king

Who is the Lord that I should obey Him? How could you even ask that question? The answer lies here: For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. (Rom 1:20)

“Never is a BIG word”

Beware: NEVER is a BIG word which opens the door to the work of the devil. Satan is one who loves to hear Christians boast about the “never’s” in their lives for this is his perfect opportunity to test. It was not that Peter’s heart was not right but the fact that he was boasting about something over which he thought he had under control. How often do we do the same! We think we have our faith under control, our love under control, our passions under control and then “boom.” The Lord Jesus warned Peter that that night all of them, including Peter, would be scattered and to add to that, Peter himself would deny he ever knew Jesus---not once but thrice. To Peter that was unthinkable, unconscionable and yet a few hours later the face of Jesus turned to him and revealed what he had said would happen, happened.

This example gives us understanding of why Paul emphatically told Timothy: elders must not be recent converts or they may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact and again they must be men whose reputation precedes them outside lest they fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.

Today may we draw close to Jesus and listen carefully to his words of warning when we begin boasting about what we can or cannot do. May our hearts remain tender and open to what He would have us hear so that we can be discerning about our choices. Maybe that is why the author of Hebrews tells us:
Heb 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil."

1Tim 3 1Tim 3
Matt 26:30 to 46 Matt 26:30-46

Centuries Apart but Closer to Heaven....

Although the Psalmist lived centuries before Christ, the thoughts he penned are woven like a Tapestry in John 16. It is into this secret place of prayer that we walk today to see and to learn, a place where we come alone to meet with God and to pour out our inner thoughts to Him who hears and answers. It is there that we glean ideas on what to do as we seek solace and peace.
A = Adoration: My God, I trust in you, you are the God who delivers me; on you I rely all day long. You are compassionate and faithful and your deeds have proven this to me over and over; you are kind and fair and teach me a sinner the right way to live; You have sent the Spirit of truth, to guide us into all truth. I know that, You, the Father loves me for I have loved the only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. How I adore You Father of Lights because you chose from the beginning to draw your Son back to you so that the way would be open for Your Holy Spirit to come and indwell each believer.
C = Confession: There are times when I find I am experiencing humiliation and rejection. I will experience those will seek to put me out of places of worship or even a time is coming when my brothers or sisters in the Lord will experience physical death by the ones who think they are offering service to You. Father I confess that at times like this I need to understand your ways. I confess my lack of understanding for it is weak and childlike and I need the power to discern and to stand strong, exhibiting Your power and Your love. Do not hold against me the sins of my youth or my lack of understanding.
T = Thankfulness: How thankful I am that you prove faithful and reliable to those who follow the demands of Your covenant and we have received your guidance, and the revelation of your covenantal demands. How thankful to know that the indwelling Holy Spirit will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment – concerning sin, because they do not believe in the Son of God; concerning righteousness, because He returned to the Father; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
S = Solitude Supplications: Father give me and others who walk with me in Christ-likeness, courage: do not let our enemies triumphantly rejoice that they have conquered, keep us faithful to You! Guide me and my fellow believers into your truth and teach us the all things that we may have an answer ready—about the hope we possess---the hope of eternal life! Forgive all our sins! May integrity and godliness protect us.
A-C-T-S…try it today! Right click and open each scripture in a new tab
Scripture: Ps 25 and 26 and John 16

You shall speak for Me....

If Paul knew what lay ahead he may have thought twice about entering the Temple that day. But now after a mob scene we find him on an expedited adventure from Jerusalem to a Caesarean prison by God’s divine orchestration so that he may begin to see the prophecy of: “you will speak to kings” begin its fulfillment...but certainly not as Paul had envisioned.

Prison Fellowship with a Roman procurator is probably not what was on Paul's mind! This Roman understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately but a man who vacillated, often unwilling to commit when pushed come to shove, one who abandoned wives to marry another. His new wife, Drusilla is only near the age of 20; is his third wife and also a divorcee. Together they paint a picture of those who seek the world’s answer to happiness but when presented with faith in Christ Jesus, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix, and most likely Drusilla, became frightened and sent Paul away with these words: “when I have an opportunity I will send for you.” The world says tomorrow, tomorrow but not today. Beware, tomorrow may never come. For two years Felix had many opportunities and talked with Paul often but Felix’s heart remained un-resilient to the gospel message.

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix and thereupon inherited the problem of Paul. Festus was a man-pleaser who wanted to do the Jews a favor, and also naïve to the ways of the Jewish religious leaders. Festus was also a man who could not or would not made decisions regarding the fate of Paul. Upon hearing that Paul appealed to Caesar he found himself in a bind with no easy answers.

Enter King Agrippa I who arrives in Caesarea for a visit accompanied by his sister Bernice. Agrippa, unwilling to just decide, opens the door to hear Paul and thus once again “you shall speak to kings” is being fulfilled. As Paul speaks the hearts of two men listening must decide not for Paul’s guilt but for who Christ is. Festus responds with “Paul you are mad!” Paul takes the upper hand and gives Agrippa the opportunity to decide: “Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.” Agrippa answers with a question: “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”

God is patient but presented with the gospel message all three reject and thus one day will have to stand before the judgment seat to hear “I never knew you.” Others too reject because of fear OR because the gospel message is just too simple OR because they do not want to lose face. Jesus, the Servant has come that all men may have the opportunity to accept Him. It is my prayer that you will accept Him as your Christ, your Redeemer. You believe the prophets right? I know you believe. Will you accept?


Acts 24 to 26