And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matt 5:41

A well understood practice in military leadership is that “the minimum that you inspect is the maximum that you can expect.” The same may be said of basic standards and mastery requirements. The one who meets the standard or makes the mark are recognized as successful. Those who overachieve, exceed, or excel consistently are considered champions for a cause. Champions strive for excellence and embrace opportunities to excel. They press themselves beyond the mark and go the extra mile. The scripture passage teaches us to be ready to give of ourselves what is required, but also go beyond what is expected. Jesus teaches His disciples to know their duty, to do what is asked of them. The performance of their duty “compel thee to go a mile” they have little choice. He encourages them to do what is a matter of choice, “go with him twain.”  The first mile is a matter of duty. The second is a matter of choice. He teaches them to choose at the onset to meet and exceed what is expected so “that they (others) may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16). Those who witnessed the miracles and teachings of Jesus marveled at His miraculous accomplishments and testified “for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him” (Mt 3:2). Jesus considered every occasion as an opportunity to glorify the Father and “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Heb 12:2). He went the extra mile. He went outside the gate, to Golgotha’s hill, to suffer and die for the sin of the world. He did it not for duty, but for the Father’s delight. My Friend, “delight yourself in the Lord” and consider every occasion as an opportunity for service to Kingdom service. “Set your mind on things above” to serve the Kingdom agenda and “do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Col 3:23) with sincerity and reverence to God. Choose to go the extra mile of service to the Lord and give God praise for the opportunity. Father, thank You for the health, strength, and opportunity to serve You. May the “joy of Your salvation” shine brightly before others that men may glorify You and exalt the Name of Jesus. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Matt 8:21

Tug of war is a sport to test the strength of two opposing teaming. The object is to overpower the opposing team and pull the rope a determined distance toward the home team side. The competition begins with the teams aligned at opposite ends of the rope, facing the ground and away from a rope. Upon hearing the command, the teams immediately turn to the rope, take hold of it and pull towards their home with all their energy. So often the victor is determined by the initial advantage gained at the start to be ready, with a quick response, and commitment of all their might and strength. This is also true for success and victory in Christian living. Be ready, respond immediately and be fully committed. The scripture passage illustrates an example of one who came to Jesus with a sincere request, yet not ready to respond and follow Jesus. The man had a responsibility to care for his elderly father until his father’s death. It seemed an honorable delay to care for his father and return to follow Jesus at a more appropriate time. The man was drawn to Jesus for his greater gain rather than God’s glory. He allowed his priority of responsibilities hinder him from following Jesus. Jesus knew the man, his responsibilities and the man’s father. Jesus cared for the man and his father, and He would have cared for the man’s father had he chosen to follow Him immediately and completely. The man had an opportunity to walk with the Son of God, but the cares of life competed for his obedience. My friend, priorities of life constantly compete for devotion to Christ and challenge our obedience to follow God’s word. When God reveals His will, the opportunity to respond is limited. Occasions to minister to others may pass quickly. When impressed to pray, stop immediately and pray. When impressed to go to a neighbor or friend, go immediately and not at a more convenient time. Timing of obedience is crucial. What shall we say when we hear the Master’s call? “Suffer me first go and” care for a matter of great concern or will He hear us say “Here am I! Send me” (Isa 6:8). “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16). Be ready, respond immediately, and commit to follow the Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). Father, teach me Your ways that I may be ready to hear Your call and respond immediately, obediently and without hesitation. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14

I pray that you had a blessed and wonderful day of worship this past Lord’s Day with your local church. I pray that your heart and soul were refreshed by the preached word of God. There is nothing more soothing than a cool drink of water to our dry lips on a hot day, sunny day. Yet, to plunge in a cool pool of water, splash into a watery lake, or wade into a flowing stream can be refreshing to the body, heart, and soul. Our scripture passage reminds us of the refreshing flow that comes from Emmanuel’s vein. It is the eternal flow that renews faith, restores hope, and redirects us into the path of righteousness. The woman who came to well in the heat of the day, had an unquenchable thirst, disappointed by human love and her flawed character not tolerated by neighbors and long passed friends. Her hope was fading, her faith was failing and had fallen into discouraging time and confusion. She was sincere in her efforts and faithfully seeking to appease her sick and weary heart with the things of the world and religion but found herself empty and always thirsting. Her thirst continued, her soul was dusty and dry until the day she met the Stranger, who offered her “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” The Stranger, who traveled far out of His way, became her salvation. He refreshed her soul with hope, restored her heart with faith to believe, and redirected her path in life that her proclaimed good news to family, friend, and foe. My friend, Jesus travels down the dry, dusty roads of life to seek out the thirsty and weary soul. He refreshes with living water that “whosoever drinketh…shall never thirst.” Have you tasted the living water? You have within your soul “a well of water” that will refresh, renew, and restore you with eternal life that is filled with “faith, hope, and love” (Gal 5:22) that many others might believe for themselves “the Christ, the Savior of the world” (Jn 4:42). Father, thank You for the Living water of life that flows from Emmanuel’s veins. Thank You for the blood of Jesus Christ that forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9) that the water of Eternal life may freely forever flow, and we thirst no more. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.