Author: Jillian McGriff

Parable of the Dishonest (“Shrewd”) Manager

Luke 16: 1-8 

 ^1-2 Jesus said to his disciples, “There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? You’re fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.’

^3-4 “The manager said to himself, ‘What am I going to do? I’ve lost my job as manager. I’m not strong enough for a laboring job, and I’m too proud to beg. . . . Ah, I’ve got a plan. Here’s what I’ll do . . . then when I’m turned out into the street, people will take me into their houses.’

⁵ “Then he went at it. One after another, he called in the people who were in debt to his master. He said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

⁶ “He replied, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’

“The manager said, ‘Here, take your bill, sit down here—quick now—write fifty.’

⁷ “To the next he said, ‘And you, what do you owe?’

“He answered, ‘A hundred sacks of wheat.’

“He said, ‘Take your bill, write in eighty.’

^8-9 “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”

The definition of shrewd is complex in nature.  In the Oxford Dictionary, the term shrewd is used to describe a person that is wise and clever in a particular way.  Shrewd is derived from shrew, which means “an evil person or villain”.  So depending on the context being shrewd could be praise or an insult.

In the parable, it can be seen from both perspectives. First, the manager was evil by doing ill and deceitful management of the Masters estate.  Second, when called to report his actions he uses his cunningness to settle the owner’s debts and also gain praise in the midst of correcting his folly.

This makes us understand that at the core of the manager: his primary interest was his own survival by any means necessary.  This parable echoes some of the previous teaching of Christ in Luke 11:10-13

¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for^[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹² or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

 Even the evil person knows how to do the right thing and also know how to do good.  At the core of each individual the ability to do good is present. The core of a person can be exhibited in many forms, but it is reviled in times of survival. Now the questions to ask ourselves are: How can we be clever and not “shrewd” as managers of what God has given us?  How can we allow the Spirit of God be our core?  What type of managers are we of the riches and talents His has give us?  Can we allow Him to be the owner and we the managers of this life He gives us?  We are the managers of His wealth, His houses, His marriages and relationships, His children, His everything.  Can we be accountable for all that He has entrusted us? What is our core?

 

 

My children took part in Vacation Bible School last week and it was some of the most enlivened and exhilarating and anticipated parts of the kids’ summer.  Since the early part of May, we have been rehearsing the songs in each car ride with the program CD.  The church that hosts the VBS is also the church that houses the Pre-School that all of our children have attended over the past several years.

A couple of weeks before VBS started my son and I had an interesting conversation.  As we are driving, he starts telling a story of his time in Pre-school.  “ Dad, you know that I really like VBS and preschool at Noah’s Ark.  But one thing that I remember is the seating at preschool.  I really didn’t like where I sat.  At the beginning of the year, you have to choose a place to sit down, and then that is your place for the remainder of the school year.  I really didn’t like to sit in that same seat each day.” As the dad, I followed up with the usual question “Could you have asked to move?” and his reply was  “I didn’t ask.”    In this little conversation, I was able to see that his mind still associated the place with a feeling of questioning and a feeling of familiarity.  How interesting that this particular event would still play a vital role in his memory 4 years later.

Luke 14: 7-14

⁷ Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, ⁸ “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, ⁹ and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.¹¹ For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

¹² He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers^[b] or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

In the reading and parable, Jesus allows us to analyze ourselves and listen for guidance of our proper placement in life and in service.  We cannot arbitrarily create a place of honor and prestige for ourselves above others.  God is the giver of goodness of life.  He is welcoming to all that are in search of Him and He wants us to give to our brothers and sisters that are in need as well.  We have to be aware that we can at anytime be the poor, the crippled, the lame, or the blind, so we must be patient and loving to others because we will be blessing God in turn.  We must ask if we are seating in the right place or is there a different place to sit.

 

Be Blessed in Steadfast love.   Psalm 118

 

Today’s Readings: Matthew 13:31; Mark 4:30-32; Luke13: 18-19; Psalm 106

The Parable of the Mustard Seed is a tale of small faith with extraordinary outcomes.

Matthew 13:31

³¹ He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

Mark 4:30-32

³⁰ And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹ It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, ³² yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Luke 13: 18- 19

¹⁸ He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

 

In the ancient Jewish culture, there were many things that were common and widely known.  Everyone was aware of and some practiced the Levitical practices prescribed by the Torah, for example abstaining from work on the Sabbath.   Another common topic was gardening and harvest. Many people during this time relied on producing their own food through means of planting and harvesting or shepherding or fishing.  The parable of the Mustard Seed is one that utilizes the commonness of a “weed” to make an important point of faith and transformation.  The mustard seed that is mentioned in these stories, was considered a weed and not suitable for cultivating.  The size of the seed was among the smallest seeds known at that time. The plant was not as desirable to eat or cultivate.  The normal size of the plant would be the size of a regular bush.  Jesus uses this example to illustrate the immense power of transformation and glory of God and His the kingdom.  He shows that the purpose of this small and somewhat insignificant seed can be transformed from the small bush to one of the trees that can be houses for birds.  In this context it is aligned with the olive tree and fig trees, two of the largest trees during this time period.  The parable demonstrates that no matter how small or insignificant we might think of something, God has the ability to change it into something monumental and awe inspiring.

 

I am continually awed by the grace and wonderfulness of God.  Throughout our life, we have the fortune and opportunity to witness the newness of life and the tenderness of the delivery process.  In the hospital setting, we witness countless births that take place on a daily basis.  A week ago, some close friends of mine where expecting their second child to be delivered through a regular process.  Within hours of the delivery process, there were some complications that arose and the life of the mother and child were compromised.  Emergency procedures were done to revive the mother and deliver the child.  The mother and child were place in critical care and the odds of full recovery seemed dim and uncertain.  But God has used this situation to show demonstrate His  awesome grace and healing. The mother was released from the critical care area and released home this weekend.  The baby is stable and making progress.  God has used this situation to show that in the midst of “common” processes, He has the control and the power to make it extraordinary.    Lets ask God to reveal the extraordinary in the common and regular activities of our life.

Today’s Readings: Mark 13:33-37, Luke 12:35-40, Psalm 100

Good Morning! I hope you have the day off for Memorial Day and you are able to devote some of your free time to prayer and study in God’s word. Often, when I write for Bible Journal I take a few hours during the week to study my assigned passages in depth before I start the process of writing to you. I like to read several Bible translations, various commentaries and research the author and historic context. Well friends, I didn’t do any of that today. The thing is, this week has been sort of a mess! A heavy blanket of worry and anxiety has settled over us that we can’t seem to shake. This afternoon, I sat down and just copied today’s parables from Mark and Luke onto a piece of notebook paper. I asked God to speak truth into my heart and to help me share that truth to you. The first words we hear in Mark 13:33 say:

“Be on guard! Be alert!” You do not know when the time will come.” Mark 13:33

Did you see that? Jesus said, “you do not know WHEN the time will come” he did not say, you do not know IF the time will come. That’s a promise that we can trust in Jesus to keep. How often do we spin our wheels trying to solve our problems or take control of a situation without asking Him first to work in our lives? In this passage, Jesus is urging his followers to look for a future event. Our culture invites us to indulge in immediate gratification and concentrate only on the present conditions. Instead, Jesus is calling us to stay alert and engaged in our faith. He’s encouraging us to be always at the ready for his return:

“Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” Luke 12:35-37

So what does it look like to be dressed for action as modern Christians? How can we remain awakened to the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives? I think it starts with a commitment to prayer and a willingness to be vulnerable with Him. I think it looks like serving Him and worshiping Him even in the midst of a storm. I think it looks like going to Him and believingthat He is the only true healer that can restore us. Worship is the glue that holds us together in the most difficult times. God is present in each situation and when we can awaken ourselves to His promise to restore us, we can let go of our own expectations. When we are stripped of all else, God offers us the power to endure through the Holy Spirit.

^“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:35-37

Lord, help us to stay awakened to your presence in our life. Help us to always be ready to invite you into our life and allow you to intercede. Lord, give us the patience and the wisdom to be faithful to you and await your return. -Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s reading  : Matt 9:17, Mark 2:22, Luke 5:37-38 , Psalm 94

Matthew 9:17

¹⁷ Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

This particular parable has been one that is a constant reminder for me throughout my life.  I have heard this spoken on, debated over, preached on for at least 30 years.  I find myself again with a new take on the parable now.

In the scriptures, John the Baptist’s disciples are questioning Jesus on fasting and Jewish laws. Jesus uses the parable of the wine skins to state that His followers were not trying to get into commune with God and seek unspoken answers. But by being in His presence His disciples were with God, in the form of Christ, and were being filled physically and spiritually.

Jillian and I have recently moved into a new house and this has been such a blessing.  The children are able to have play dates across the street and the people are really warm and welcoming.  A couple of days after moving into the house, we receive a notice that our water main system would be completely remolded and the project would take place between May 1 and August 31, the entire summer.  This was a new issue as a new homeowner that we were not ready, but it is a needed update. The old system seems to have been placed about 70 to 80 years ago and the pipes were 4 inches wide.  The new system is 8 inches wide, which will decrease the current flow by half and increase the efficiency of the system.   The city was looking forward to the future and anticipating the stress of the system with the growth of the community and decided to make the proper plans and mitigate the situation before there are worst complications from the existing pipes.   As with Christ’s disciples, he was making new connections and understandings in the midst of mature and solid doctrine.  Christ didn’t completely destroy the beliefs of the disciples, He upgraded them to hold more capacity and be able to work more efficiently.

With the guidance and direction of the Spirit, I have been mentoring a young man who has had a history of violence and brokenness.  We have on several occasions visited with each other and have created a space of connection and healing.  As we have visited the Spirit has allow each other to come together in peace and understanding.  If we had met several years ago and under different circumstances, we would never have this connection.   As we fellowshipped, the Spirit was physically and spiritually changing both of us, the Spirit was creating New Wine Skins in us. This was truly palpable and awe inspiring.  A young man who has been hardened by life, choices, and circumstances allow the Spirit to transform him into something different and something stronger.  He and I, together have allowed God to transform our Old Wine Skins (the manner in which we perceive people and life) and form New Wine Skins (a renewed life in the Spirit and not allowing others to influence the newness of the change).

New wine skins and Old wine skins are not necessarily talking about people (the Pharisees or John the Baptist’s disciples or others), but the refocus and realignment of our thoughts on how we see and recognize Christ.  If we continue with our old habits and refuse to change, we will not be doing God’s work [Old Wine Skin}.  We would become unfit because we will negate our transformation and testimony.  We have to continuously allow the Spirit to renew our old wine skins to reflect the new and awesome wine that is given to us, [New Wine Skins].  This is essential to increase our efficiency as His Workmanship.  Be Blessed.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:15-20 and Psalm 88

Jesus told the crowds, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus speaks to us in rich tangible images today. The one and only perfect author writes to us in words that pierce the veil of truth. The primary message Jesus has for us today is to beware of false prophets. As a new Christian, this is something I’ve certainly wrestled with. When I made a dramatic change in the way I worship God, my friends and family questioned whether the pastor at my church was “the real deal.” I was ill equipped to satisfy their concern about stages, sound, lights and the absence of rituals, ordained priests and incense. Jesus commands us to beware of false prophets but how can we spot that wolf in sheep’s clothing? How do we see the rotten apple within when the skin is shiny and red?

Paul writes about the fruits of the spirit to the Galatians in Chapter 5:22-23. He lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as evidence of God’s work. We can use these very practical guidelines as tools for our discernment. We are called to use discernment when evaluating the prophets we choose to direct our spiritual life. As we draw closer to Jesus in prayer, we realize that he is the ultimate source of truth and meaning. Other leaders may inspire and encourage, but I trust Jesus as the truth. Those prophets that speak truth will produce good fruit. When I challenge myself to respond to Jesus in the same rich images about my spiritual health, what are the illustrations I can use to describe my life with Jesus? Is my church community thriving like a lush green rainforest? Is my pastor a firmly rooted tree, shading his congregation with broad healthy leaves and feeding them with firm ripened fruit? Is my small group leader demonstrating those fruits of the spirit described by Paul? Jesus calls us to take this inventory not only of the prophets in our life but also to examine our own heart. We can often identify a bad spirit taking root in another but are we able to turn that discerning lens inward?  Lord, strengthen us in our desire to grow in discipleship with you. Strengthen our character and bless us with the fruits of the Spirit we so crave. Help us to see your truth so that we may come and live a life with you. Amen

 

 

 

Today’s Reading Matthew 6:25-34 ; Psalms 82

Upon reading todays passage of the Sermon on the Mount, “Worry”, my mind started to sing different songs about “Worry”.  The first melody that I started to think of was “Don’t you Worry ‘bout A Thing”- Stevie Wonder, due to the countless times that the movie “Sing” has been played in our house for the last several months.  The next song was “Three Little Birds”-Bob Marley and then the iconic “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.  My curiosity kept me searching and I found that hundreds of songs subject is Worry and anxiety. The conclusion is there is so much Worry and Anxiety everywhere in the world.

As I think about the worry and anxiety, I wonder if the where the origin of this visceral emotion started, The Garden of Eden?  Before Original Sin, Adam and Eve did not have to worry about anything: food, clothing, shelter, protection, or the future.  But once they took their focus off of God and began to think about self, then worry and anxiety started to creep in and manifest in their mind.

Jesus purpose for the Sermon of the Mount was to give us guidance and direction in some of the most profound issues that were separating us from God.  His main purpose was to bring the true word of God and create a new relationship between God and us.  In these verses Jesus tells us that we should not allow the anxieties and worries of this life to distract us from the ultimate goal of living for God.  In another example we are shown that even in the midst of Christ we can have worry.

Matthew 14: 28-33

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind,^[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

While on the Sea of Galilee, Peter sees Jesus walking on water to the ship.  When Peter knew that it was Christ, he asked to come and he started to walk on the water to Christ.  When the Peter felt the shift in the wind and sea, he started to worry and took his eyes off of Christ and started to sink.

We have the tendency to worry about many things on a daily, sometime hourly basis.  We worry about finances, family and friends, the future.  We worry about jobs, schools, food, shelter, and keeping up with others.   We have to really ask ourselves “why are we worrying?”  Why do we worry when God has the ultimate control?  He has the control over all things, including Satan.  Satan has to ask for permission to expose, inflict, tempt, and create worry.    Worry is the illusion of having power and the fear of losing this power.   God has control and has planned good things for us, why worry?

 

Matthew 19:13-15: ¹³ Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, ¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”¹⁵ And he laid his hands on them and went away.   As I have stated on many occasions, God speaks through me from my experience as a father. The one verse that resonates with me about worry and God’s provision for me is the one mention previously.  We have to have the heart of a child and allow God to be our Father.   With my kids, I can take them to the doctor’s office, the movies, the museum, the dentist’s office, event up rocky hikes and steep cliffs and they will be at ease and calm.  They have experienced that I will protect them and give them good things and love them unconditionally.  If we adults can have this same amount of trust in Our Heavenly Father, we will not have to worry.

God,

Allow us to not lose sight of you when the world gives us obstacles that distract us from you. Please give us the ability to realign and focus on you and rest in your Calm and Comfort. Amen

Todays Reading: Matthew 6:7 ; Psalm 70  

Matthew 6: 7

 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

How many words are enough? How loud or soft, should I pray? Will He hear me?  God has not heard me, should I pray more or increase in my frequency or intensity?   I have struggled with and grown in my prayer life over these last 36 years.  I still find myself wrestling with these thoughts and others as I pray.  Through this journey, I have learned  it is not about the perfect words or phrases, but it is about the relationship.

 

Prayer can be broken down into three areas: presence, relationship, and alignment.  Over the years, I have prayed to have a better relationship and prayer life and these are the areas that have helped me to grow.

 

Presence.  We have to allow our mind, body, and spirit to become reserved and in reverence of the awesomeness of God.  We have to place ourselves actually in the presence of God.  We have to literally see Him for all that He is.  In Revelation, John states that when he saw Christ, he fell down and worshipped.

 

Revelation 1: 17-18

“¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

 

May we fall down and humble ourselves each time we make a petition to God.  I don’t literally fall completely down in the streets every time I pray, but I submit my heart and soul to Him.

 

Relationship.  The relationship that we have with God is our own personal connection with him.  I have heard many pastors and clergy speak about the relationship with God should be “this” or “that”, but the relationship is up to the individual and is always a working progress.  The relationship dictates the interaction that you have with God. I have many relationships with friends and family and there are times that you can talk for hours and other times you can be silent for long periods of time.  The relationship with God can be similar, there can be times that you are in awe of all that He has given you and cannot stop thanking him with your words.  In other times, there can be times where you are so overwhelmed by His presence that you are at a lost for words.  The great thing about God is He loves the time you.  No matter if you have many words or no words.

 

Alignment.  The proper placement of our lives, attitudes, and emotions allows us to hear and interact with God better.  For example, I have a wonderful seven-year-old on who is always running around and finding things to make, play or do.  If I am inside the house and he is outside the house, when I call him, he might be able to respond. But if I am in the same area, either the house or outside and I call him, he will respond quickly.  This is the same with our Heavenly Father, if we are in the same mindset or atmosphere; we are better aligned to respond to His calling and His voice.  If we are not aligned then the slight whispers of protection and prosperity might be obscured, but He is a loving Father and will continually pursue us.

 

While being in the presence of God, and creating a relationship with God, and aligning ourselves with God we will be able to connect with him throughout the day and in the midst of daily living.  As Matthew states, we do not have give many words to God as prayers, but be earnest and sincere and connect with the Father and He already knows your desires and petitions of your heart.

 

Dear God,

Allow us to speak and hear your will. Amen