Asides

March 15
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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV)

The humorist Will Rogers said, “Learn from the mistakes of others; you won’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” 

Wisdom lightens the burden of decision-making. The source of wisdom is God, “who gives generously to all.”  We need only ask for it to receive it. 

Another thing: God’s wisdom is not derived from the collected errors of humanity, but from a perspective that sees all things perfectly; and aims to deliver us to each way point in life whole, ready, and on-time.   

Will you invite the wisdom of our heavenly Father into your decisions today; or will you persist in living by trial-and-error?  – Luther

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March 14
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“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27, NIV)

A disciple is a follower. A disciple aspires to be exactly like his or her teacher.  As Jesus is Truth, we must be scrupulously truthful — and everything else He is, including a cross-bearer. Anything less is not true discipleship.  Anything else is not obedience.

A disciple is holy.  The disciple’s holiness is measured in the points of similarity to his or her teacher; and in the degree of difference from the “common way” in his or her way of thinking (e. g. love for enemies, blessings for curses, concern for the poor, readiness to reconcile, etc. . .). 

Today’s scripture takes us to the bedrock of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus: Holiness, obedience, and cross-bearing.  – Luther

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March 13
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“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9, NASB)

We frequently here the word “passion,” or its derivative, “passionate,” to describe the drive, energy, and the focus that someone brings to an activity. It is meant to be a compliment, but when we are driven for the wrong reasons; or focused on the wrong things, it is anything but complimentary. 

As disciples of Jesus, our passion is to be pleasing to God. All other interests are subordinate; and all other invitations for our time, talent, and treasure are subject to — and informed by — this singular, supreme, objective.

To “have as our ambition. . . to be pleasing to Him,” is to succeed at all else, because all else is affected by this one thing! – Luther

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