by Matthew Casteel on August 16, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 12:47-48
47 “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. 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.
Observation:
There are different levels of responsibility in God’s kingdom. When I know what should be done but fail to get it done, I have a harsh punishment waiting me. God is demanding much from me if he has given me much. The word used here is entrusted. God is “entrusting” me with much and I am expected to do much with what He has given to me. This speaks about personal responsibility. This is a Biblical reality-God is holding me responsible for what he has given to me.
Application:
Am I taking my responsibilities seriously? Do I look at what I have as from God? Health, time, family, income, relationships, church, gifts, homes, marriage, body, etc. are all things I have been given that are under my stewardship. What am I doing with these resources? How many years, months, weeks and even days have gone by where I know I have missed what I should have been doing? We are surrounded by much victim talk in our society, it is so easy to blame everything and everyone else without taking personal responsibility.
Thank God for his grace and love and mercy, but I don’t think that means much is still not required of me. I know I will never be as disciplined as I wish, but what am I doing with today? What IS God requiring of me? Am I willing to change and to rearrange so I can see my “talents” grow instead of being buried.
Prayer:
Lord, I need your help today. I know what things I should be doing, but I fall so short in accomplishing them. I don’t want another year to go by without arranging my life in such a way where you are glorified. I want to “beat my body into submission”. I don’t want to do this in a legalistic way because I’m somehow earning your favor, but because You have entrusted me with so much and I’m responsible for what You have given me. I don’t think I’m taking responsibility like I should many times. Television, movies, laziness takes priority too often. I haven’t been willing to cut off the things which hold me back. Help me to get radical in my approach to personal responsibility. Lord give me total freedom in all areas of my life. You have truly set me free and I want to walk in that freedom today. Completely. Amen!
by Matthew Casteel on August 12, 2010
Scripture:
1 Samuel 2:29 ‘Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?’
Observation:
This is a sad story about the wickedness of Eli the priest’s sons. Here is a man of God knowledgeable in the Law of God, yet his sons are wicked above all the people of Israel. The Bible calls them “worthless men”. They took advantage of the people and were involved in major sexual immorality, maybe even rape. At the very least they definitely abused their position of leadership. Eli failed miserably not only his family but the whole nation of Israel. He was so unaware of what was happening he had to hear about it from all the people (unless he chose to ignore it and only was embarrassed that people were talking about it).
And we see how God saw Eli as guilty in this matter by partaking of the stolen meat making himself fat from all the choice meats. This really is sad. Here Eli honored his sons above the Lord and caused great damage because of it, damage which would last for generations to come.
Application:
If I really want to honor my family, I must first learn to honor the Lord. By following closely all His commands and remaining obedient to His ways am I able to really lead my family and bring true honor to my household. When I get that backwards and allow the immediate wants and needs and behaviors of my kids to run the house I am in danger of really destroying them. When I am out of godly order and balance in the home everyone suffers. This is especially true as a leader in ministry. God has a great vision for my family to walk in His ways and to honor Him. I have the opportunity to raise a generation who will follow hard after the Lord.
Prayer:
God, help me be the father I need to be. I pray I wouldn’t lead my family from a place of convenience or laziness. Give me wisdom and strength to stand up and be the dad I need to be. Help me to lead by example and to speak into the heart of my children. May I never put “family loyalty” above my loyalty to you. May I never be so quick to hide the dysfunctions of my family to the point where it causes damage for generations to come. Please allow the blessings of walking with you and raising a godly heritage pass on from me to my kids and to their kids and beyond for generations and generations. Help me to establish a deep family root of godliness in my line. May the Casteel family be one dedicated to serving You all the days of their lives. This I pray in Your name-Amen.
by Matthew Casteel on August 11, 2010
Scripture:
Romans 1:11-12
11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Observation:
Paul has so much to pour into the believers. He is called by Jesus Christ to be His special messenger to the Gentile believers, yet Paul sees the important role the believers play in his own spiritual development. Paul is not simply bringing the Word of God from a distant, high position. He is sharing life with his disciples. This was true with Jesus as well. Paul puts himself on equal ground (if not on lower ground at times) with those whom he is ministering, never coming in as a mystic or an oracle delivering a message without delivering his own life as well and while valuing what he is receiving from the people.
Application:
I must really evaluate how I think about ministry. Am I simply doing a job? Ministry without real, vulnerable relationships is not ministry at all. Ministry starts with love and care for those around me. I must walk in humility and grace. It is right to stand on the authority of God and Scripture, never compromising the truth even if that is offensive to some. But that doesn’t mean I carry some great authority and greatness in an of myself. I am a sinner who has been saved by God’s grace, not by anything of my own doing so that I may not boast. To lead others is to share life and truth with others. It’s not all about giving but healthy ministry involves receiving encouragement as well
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving your people to one another. Help me to minister in such a way that moves beyond the superficial and into real life. Help me to avoid the “presentation” trap and to really walk in the living life model as seen in Paul and in Christ. Thank you for making it so simple and real. Help me to see more opportunities to truly minister your love and truth to those around me. Amen
by Matthew Casteel on August 10, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 7:41-43,47
41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Observation:
God demonstrates his grace and love to all people. Some receive it with thanksgiving some reject it. The one who had a small debt forgiven was not as grateful as the one who had been forgiven much. He who is forgiven little, loves little. The reality is, we are all in need of much forgiveness. Unfortunately, instead of acknowledging my need of “much forgiveness” I instead am prone to judge others pointing out their great failures. Instead of elevating myself to a holier standing before God, this sinful attitude actually keeps me from receiving from the Lord. Instead of receiving grace and mercy I receive judgment from God in the same manner I have judged others. I am capable of rejecting the just work of God on my behalf through Jesus Christ. If I am well (in my own eyes) I am not in need of the good physician.
Application:
I need to be slow to pass judgment and quick to show compassion. How do I view others in light of what Christ has done for me. Do I sit at the table with Christ, judging his words and his works to see if I approve of them? Do I look for ways where I don’t need to apply His word to my own life or am I on the floor worshiping at His feet because of the great burden of sin that has been lifted off of me? Do I remain cold and judgmental and hard of heart or am I broken before my God deeply grateful for His undeserved mercy? I need to observe my attitude towards others and recognize where my heart is.
Prayer:
Lord help me to recognize my own sin and misery before You. Break my heart over my sin and the way I have treated others in my heart. I’ve been concerned about the condition of others’ life forgetting to look into my own life and see the bounty of wickedness that still remains. Cleanse me O Lord, make me white as snow. Thank You for forgiving me “much” may I never forget all You have done on my behalf and help me to extend that mercy and grace towards others, not just those I like, but those for whom it is difficult for me.
