ALL – Psalm 55:1-23
ALL – Proverbs 11:7
OT – Numbers 16:41-18:32
NT – Mark 16:1-20
Have you ever had a close friend or family member die? Who? Have you ever wished you could see them again or hear them? Don’t you ache for them? Wouldn’t it be best, most memorable news in the world if an angel showed up at the funeral and told you they were alive?
That’s what happened to several ladies a few days after Jesus’ death. They went to His tomb, prepared to embalm Him, but unsure of how to move aside an enormous stone that covered the entrance to His tomb.
But when they arrived they looked up and saw that the stone—a very heavy one—was already moved away and the entrance was open! So they entered the tomb—and there on the right sat a young man clothed in white. The women were startled, but the angel said, “Don’t be so surprised. Aren’t you looking for Jesus, the Nazarene who was crucified? He isn’t here! He has come back to life! Look, that’s where his body was lying. – Mark 16:4-6, The Living Bible
I don’t think I would know what to do with this kind of announcement. It turns out that the women didn’t know what to do, either, initially. They were confused and scared. But this was the beginning of the good news. Jesus really had risen from the dead!
You know what? Part of the reason this is good news is that Jesus rose from the dead. But part of the reason that this is good news has to do with your friends and families. The idea at the beginning, that it would be awesome for them to come back to life, is a very real possibility! Because Jesus rose from the dead, all those who hope in Him and live by His Spirit will also rise one day! The good news about Jesus’ resurrection will be multiplied thousands, millions—even billions, perhaps—of times over!
What would you do to bring your friends and family back to life? Anything, right? Urge them to put their faith in Jesus Christ, who died and rose from the grave so that they could rise, too.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Guard Your Reputation – Ha!
ALL – Psalm 57:1-7
ALL – Proverbs 11:5-6
OT – Numbers 15:17-16:40
NT – Mark 15:1-47
We have two ways to protect our reputations. One is by being men and women of integrity; we can guard our reputations by consistently doing and speaking what’s right. The other way is to argue with people who accuse you of doing wrong; we can try to prove to people through arguments that we are people who do what is right.
Jesus did the first. I can’t think of a time when He did the second—when he guarded His reputation by arguing that He was righteous, by refusing to be called an evil man or associated with them. If anybody could have and should have defended His own reputation, it was Jesus. And yet the way that Jesus died was a way that dragged His reputation through the mud; Jesus was righteous, but the perception that day was that Jesus was a criminal.
Two robbers were also crucified that morning, their crosses on either side of his. And so the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among evil men.” – Mark 15:27-28, The Living Bible
Jesus was counted among evil men. Not because He was evil, but because His opponents wanted to paint a picture of Him as a wicked criminal. Arguing would have done little to no good. It’s not as though His miracles were a secret, and Jesus’ teachings were public knowledge, too. The only way for Jesus to prove His claims would have been for heaven to open up, angels to descend, and Jesus to display His glory in full. And it wasn’t yet time for that.
It’s not yet time for our glory as God’s children to be displayed in full. We can display the glory of the righteousness that God has given us and re-created us to live. But even that glory is something we display imperfectly, waiting for Jesus Christ to return and make us wholly new. In the meantime, we simply cannot guard our reputations—at least, not by arguing with people and trying to convince them that we’re God’s children. Our best argument for now is the same as Jesus’ was: the argument of a righteous life of integrity. If people don’t listen to that argument, then we shouldn’t be surprised when they find a way to do as they did with our Lord, counting us among evil men. Our reputations will be dragged through the mud, whether we like it or not.
How can we help one another stay the course and keep doing the good God calls us to, even when we’re being falsely accused of terrible, wicked things?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 11:5-6
OT – Numbers 15:17-16:40
NT – Mark 15:1-47
We have two ways to protect our reputations. One is by being men and women of integrity; we can guard our reputations by consistently doing and speaking what’s right. The other way is to argue with people who accuse you of doing wrong; we can try to prove to people through arguments that we are people who do what is right.
Jesus did the first. I can’t think of a time when He did the second—when he guarded His reputation by arguing that He was righteous, by refusing to be called an evil man or associated with them. If anybody could have and should have defended His own reputation, it was Jesus. And yet the way that Jesus died was a way that dragged His reputation through the mud; Jesus was righteous, but the perception that day was that Jesus was a criminal.
Two robbers were also crucified that morning, their crosses on either side of his. And so the Scripture was fulfilled that said, “He was counted among evil men.” – Mark 15:27-28, The Living Bible
Jesus was counted among evil men. Not because He was evil, but because His opponents wanted to paint a picture of Him as a wicked criminal. Arguing would have done little to no good. It’s not as though His miracles were a secret, and Jesus’ teachings were public knowledge, too. The only way for Jesus to prove His claims would have been for heaven to open up, angels to descend, and Jesus to display His glory in full. And it wasn’t yet time for that.
It’s not yet time for our glory as God’s children to be displayed in full. We can display the glory of the righteousness that God has given us and re-created us to live. But even that glory is something we display imperfectly, waiting for Jesus Christ to return and make us wholly new. In the meantime, we simply cannot guard our reputations—at least, not by arguing with people and trying to convince them that we’re God’s children. Our best argument for now is the same as Jesus’ was: the argument of a righteous life of integrity. If people don’t listen to that argument, then we shouldn’t be surprised when they find a way to do as they did with our Lord, counting us among evil men. Our reputations will be dragged through the mud, whether we like it or not.
How can we help one another stay the course and keep doing the good God calls us to, even when we’re being falsely accused of terrible, wicked things?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Does Taking Hits Equal Powerlessness?
ALL – Psalm 53:1-6
ALL – Proverbs 11:4
OT – Numbers 14:1-15:16
NT – Mark 14:53-72
As men, we don’t like to be accused of being wimps. We’d rather get into a losing battle and show that we’re tough enough to fight than not put up a fight at all. People seem to think that if they can walk all over a man, he’s weak, but that if he puts up a fight he’s a man.
What about Jesus?
Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and began to hammer his face with their fists. “Who hit you that time, you prophet?” they jeered. And even the bailiffs were using their fists on him as they led him away. – Mark 14:65, The Living Bible
He was on trial for claiming to be the Christ, the King of all Creation, the Son of God. Obviously, His accusers didn’t believe His claim. But notice what they do to try to reassure themselves that Jesus is just some helpless, weak moron making foolish claims. They beat on Him. They spit at Him. And since Jesus doesn’t fight back, they think they’ve proved that He’s powerless.
Of course, the truth is that Jesus is the all-powerful God, so powerful that everything in all creation came into being just by His command. Apparently, taking hits without responding does not equal being powerless.
And Christians are His people. We are called to follow Him, even in this area of allowing ourselves to be abused at times. Don’t worry, Christian men. Letting yourselves be walked over won’t mean that you’re a wimp. You’ve got all the power in the world backing you. In fact, it’s the power of Jesus Christ and His gospel that enables us to put up with being abused.
So how powerful are you? Can you take a hit without dishing one out?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 11:4
OT – Numbers 14:1-15:16
NT – Mark 14:53-72
As men, we don’t like to be accused of being wimps. We’d rather get into a losing battle and show that we’re tough enough to fight than not put up a fight at all. People seem to think that if they can walk all over a man, he’s weak, but that if he puts up a fight he’s a man.
What about Jesus?
Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and began to hammer his face with their fists. “Who hit you that time, you prophet?” they jeered. And even the bailiffs were using their fists on him as they led him away. – Mark 14:65, The Living Bible
He was on trial for claiming to be the Christ, the King of all Creation, the Son of God. Obviously, His accusers didn’t believe His claim. But notice what they do to try to reassure themselves that Jesus is just some helpless, weak moron making foolish claims. They beat on Him. They spit at Him. And since Jesus doesn’t fight back, they think they’ve proved that He’s powerless.
Of course, the truth is that Jesus is the all-powerful God, so powerful that everything in all creation came into being just by His command. Apparently, taking hits without responding does not equal being powerless.
And Christians are His people. We are called to follow Him, even in this area of allowing ourselves to be abused at times. Don’t worry, Christian men. Letting yourselves be walked over won’t mean that you’re a wimp. You’ve got all the power in the world backing you. In fact, it’s the power of Jesus Christ and His gospel that enables us to put up with being abused.
So how powerful are you? Can you take a hit without dishing one out?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Willing Spirit, Weak Body
ALL – Psalm 52:1-9
ALL – Proverbs 11:1-3
OT – Numbers 11:24-13:33
NT – Mark 14:22-52
Good intentions fall short. As much as I would like to do a full day’s work, two hours of devotions, one hour of fitness training, four hours of family time, three hours of reading and an hour of cleaning the house into every day, I just can’t. I run out of energy. Out of time. I just run out.
Peter had made a promise to Jesus. He would never deny Him, even if it meant death (Mark 14:31). Wonderful intentions.
But then Jesus took Simon Peter and two other disciples with Him for a time of prayer. And how did that go?
“Simon!” he said. “Asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Watch with me and pray lest the Tempter overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak.” – Mark 14:37-38, The Living Bible
Who else hears in these words a hint of a warning about what it is that will lead Peter to deny Jesus in just a few hours? Jesus knows our hearts. But Jesus also knows our limits. He knows just how weak we are. And unfortunately, we’re very, very weak. That’s why we need Jesus to sustain us, to make us righteous, to give us strength.
Are you depending on Jesus today?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 11:1-3
OT – Numbers 11:24-13:33
NT – Mark 14:22-52
Good intentions fall short. As much as I would like to do a full day’s work, two hours of devotions, one hour of fitness training, four hours of family time, three hours of reading and an hour of cleaning the house into every day, I just can’t. I run out of energy. Out of time. I just run out.
Peter had made a promise to Jesus. He would never deny Him, even if it meant death (Mark 14:31). Wonderful intentions.
But then Jesus took Simon Peter and two other disciples with Him for a time of prayer. And how did that go?
“Simon!” he said. “Asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Watch with me and pray lest the Tempter overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak.” – Mark 14:37-38, The Living Bible
Who else hears in these words a hint of a warning about what it is that will lead Peter to deny Jesus in just a few hours? Jesus knows our hearts. But Jesus also knows our limits. He knows just how weak we are. And unfortunately, we’re very, very weak. That’s why we need Jesus to sustain us, to make us righteous, to give us strength.
Are you depending on Jesus today?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Use Your Life and Wealth for Good
ALL – Psalm 51:1-19
ALL – Proverbs 10:31-32
OT – Numbers 10:1-11:23
NT – Mark 14:1-21
It’s late, so I’m not going to say quite as much as usual. But here’s the gist of what I’m thinking. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “The good is enemy of the best.” I think that’s true if we get into a casual attitude of patting ourselves on the back and saying we did “good enough.” But read the following…
Some of those at the table were indignant among themselves about this “waste,” as they called it.
“Why, she could have sold that perfume for a fortune and given the money to the poor!” they snarled.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why berate her for doing a good thing?” – Mark 14:4-6, The Living Bible
This lady had done a good thing. The people around her were angry that she hadn’t done what they considered to be a better thing—perhaps even the best thing. But Jesus appreciated the good gesture of what she had done. She hadn’t been half-hearted. She wasn’t patting herself on the back for a job well done. She didn’t necessarily think she’d done “good enough.” But she’d done the good she knew how to do.
Let’s stop judging one another for not always achieving “the best.” Let’s rejoice in the good we see God doing through our Christian brothers and sisters. Let’s remove the burden from one another’s shoulders of feeling pressured to perform, and instead restore the joy of doing good wholeheartedly and lovingly in Jesus’ name and for His sake, side by side.
Who’s done something simple, but good, that made an impact on you? What did they do?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:31-32
OT – Numbers 10:1-11:23
NT – Mark 14:1-21
It’s late, so I’m not going to say quite as much as usual. But here’s the gist of what I’m thinking. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “The good is enemy of the best.” I think that’s true if we get into a casual attitude of patting ourselves on the back and saying we did “good enough.” But read the following…
Some of those at the table were indignant among themselves about this “waste,” as they called it.
“Why, she could have sold that perfume for a fortune and given the money to the poor!” they snarled.
But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why berate her for doing a good thing?” – Mark 14:4-6, The Living Bible
This lady had done a good thing. The people around her were angry that she hadn’t done what they considered to be a better thing—perhaps even the best thing. But Jesus appreciated the good gesture of what she had done. She hadn’t been half-hearted. She wasn’t patting herself on the back for a job well done. She didn’t necessarily think she’d done “good enough.” But she’d done the good she knew how to do.
Let’s stop judging one another for not always achieving “the best.” Let’s rejoice in the good we see God doing through our Christian brothers and sisters. Let’s remove the burden from one another’s shoulders of feeling pressured to perform, and instead restore the joy of doing good wholeheartedly and lovingly in Jesus’ name and for His sake, side by side.
Who’s done something simple, but good, that made an impact on you? What did they do?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Friday, March 5, 2010
L.O.V.E.
ALL – Psalm 48:1-14
ALL – Proverbs 10:26
OT – Numbers 4:1-5:31
NT – Mark 12:18-37
It’s amazing how quickly we forget what we’re up to. Not just in the little things of life, but the big things. Our expectations and perspectives are too quickly warped.
For instance, in marriage. We get married, usually, very much aware that our spouse wants us to be happy and that we want our spouse to be happy. But then, what happens? Well, unfortunately, no one pays us to make our spouse happy (wouldn’t that be an awesome job!). So we go off to work. At first, our intention at work is still largely to make our spouse happy; we’re there, after all, so that we can afford a place to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear, and a variety of fun things to do together. But then, it’s easy for work to become more and more important in our lives, and soon it’s our employers we are trying to please rather than our spouses. Work life goes great. Home life? Not so much.
It’s like that with God sometimes, too. We know that our relationship with Him is first. And we want to respond appropriately, lovingly, wholeheartedly. And then we begin to do things out of love for Him. And then we begin to do the same things to prove how much we love Him. And soon we’re doing those things to prove how much God ought to love us—and not just God, but everyone else, too. We begin to get caught up in the work we first did because of God’s love for us, and that same work becomes a matter of our love for us—our self-justifications, our basis for boasting, our reputations, our honor. No longer Christ’s. No longer Christ’s.
It’s amazing how quickly we forget what we’re up to. We forget what drives us. We forget who gives us strength. We begin to take control. We begin to set up our own goals, our own masterplans, our own motivations. And rather than living a life powered by love of and for God, we do the same things in a life powered by love of and for ourselves.
Jesus always knew what He was up to, and what we all should be up to:
One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus replied, “The one that says, ‘Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ The second is, ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.” – Mark 12:28-31, The Living Bible
Have you forgotten what you’re up to? How can we help to turn one another back to a wholehearted love for God and for those He’s put into our lives?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:26
OT – Numbers 4:1-5:31
NT – Mark 12:18-37
It’s amazing how quickly we forget what we’re up to. Not just in the little things of life, but the big things. Our expectations and perspectives are too quickly warped.
For instance, in marriage. We get married, usually, very much aware that our spouse wants us to be happy and that we want our spouse to be happy. But then, what happens? Well, unfortunately, no one pays us to make our spouse happy (wouldn’t that be an awesome job!). So we go off to work. At first, our intention at work is still largely to make our spouse happy; we’re there, after all, so that we can afford a place to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear, and a variety of fun things to do together. But then, it’s easy for work to become more and more important in our lives, and soon it’s our employers we are trying to please rather than our spouses. Work life goes great. Home life? Not so much.
It’s like that with God sometimes, too. We know that our relationship with Him is first. And we want to respond appropriately, lovingly, wholeheartedly. And then we begin to do things out of love for Him. And then we begin to do the same things to prove how much we love Him. And soon we’re doing those things to prove how much God ought to love us—and not just God, but everyone else, too. We begin to get caught up in the work we first did because of God’s love for us, and that same work becomes a matter of our love for us—our self-justifications, our basis for boasting, our reputations, our honor. No longer Christ’s. No longer Christ’s.
It’s amazing how quickly we forget what we’re up to. We forget what drives us. We forget who gives us strength. We begin to take control. We begin to set up our own goals, our own masterplans, our own motivations. And rather than living a life powered by love of and for God, we do the same things in a life powered by love of and for ourselves.
Jesus always knew what He was up to, and what we all should be up to:
One of the teachers of religion who was standing there listening to the discussion realized that Jesus had answered well. So he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus replied, “The one that says, ‘Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God. And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’ The second is, ‘You must love others as much as yourself.’ No other commandments are greater than these.” – Mark 12:28-31, The Living Bible
Have you forgotten what you’re up to? How can we help to turn one another back to a wholehearted love for God and for those He’s put into our lives?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Trapped Leader
ALL – Psalm 47:1-9
ALL – Proverbs 10:24-25
OT – Numbers 2:1-3:51
NT – Mark 11:27-12:17
Too often leaders feel like they can’t admit their faults. This happens whether they’re simply husbands leading their homes or CEOs leading huge corporations or pastors leading churches. It’s a temptation all leaders face at some point, and maybe often.
When leaders who can’t admit their faults come face to face with Jesus, they’re doomed:
The Jewish leaders wanted to arrest him then and there for using this illustration, for they knew he was pointing at them—they were the wicked farmers in his story. But they were afraid to touch him for fear of a mob. So they left him and went away. – Mark 12:12, The Living Bible
Jesus sees our faults. Jesus not only sees them, but He points them out in such a way that we know when He’s talking about us. As leaders who don’t want to admit our faults, we have a choice. We can either embrace Jesus and His loving honesty, or we can hate Him for revealing our sinful ways and putting us to shame. The best choice is obvious. But we don’t like to make that choice to admit our faults and let Him change us. We often prefer to protect ourselves and our reputations—to try to save face.
Won’t you join me in committing to listen to Jesus, to humble yourself before Him? I often fight to save face, too, but we all need His loving truthfulness, His transforming grace.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:24-25
OT – Numbers 2:1-3:51
NT – Mark 11:27-12:17
Too often leaders feel like they can’t admit their faults. This happens whether they’re simply husbands leading their homes or CEOs leading huge corporations or pastors leading churches. It’s a temptation all leaders face at some point, and maybe often.
When leaders who can’t admit their faults come face to face with Jesus, they’re doomed:
The Jewish leaders wanted to arrest him then and there for using this illustration, for they knew he was pointing at them—they were the wicked farmers in his story. But they were afraid to touch him for fear of a mob. So they left him and went away. – Mark 12:12, The Living Bible
Jesus sees our faults. Jesus not only sees them, but He points them out in such a way that we know when He’s talking about us. As leaders who don’t want to admit our faults, we have a choice. We can either embrace Jesus and His loving honesty, or we can hate Him for revealing our sinful ways and putting us to shame. The best choice is obvious. But we don’t like to make that choice to admit our faults and let Him change us. We often prefer to protect ourselves and our reputations—to try to save face.
Won’t you join me in committing to listen to Jesus, to humble yourself before Him? I often fight to save face, too, but we all need His loving truthfulness, His transforming grace.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Prayer Follows Forgiveness
ALL – Psalm 46:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 10:23
OT – Leviticus 27:14 – Numbers 1:1-54
NT – Mark 11:1-26
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins, too. – Mark 11:25, The Living Bible
Sometimes easier said than done. We’re such foolish people. Why would we rather hold on to a grudge against another human than keep an open relationship with the Living God?
So prayer follows forgiveness. In two ways.
1. Prayer follows us forgiving others. It’s pretty much pointless until then (see the parable of the unmerciful servant).
2. Prayer follows God forgiving us. Again, it’s pretty much pointless until then. Can you imagine trying to get an offended God to listen to our prayers?
The wonderful thing is that God has graciously provided for us to be forgiven; He wants to hear our prayers. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that God could forgive us and hear our prayers. Again, see the parable of the unmerciful servant. After God provides such a vast forgiveness for us, how can we not forgive others? If we remain unforgiving, then it becomes clear to God that we haven’t really accepted the new nature and relationship He’s offering us.
Forgive. Because God forgives. And then pray. And God will do what you ask.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:23
OT – Leviticus 27:14 – Numbers 1:1-54
NT – Mark 11:1-26
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins, too. – Mark 11:25, The Living Bible
Sometimes easier said than done. We’re such foolish people. Why would we rather hold on to a grudge against another human than keep an open relationship with the Living God?
So prayer follows forgiveness. In two ways.
1. Prayer follows us forgiving others. It’s pretty much pointless until then (see the parable of the unmerciful servant).
2. Prayer follows God forgiving us. Again, it’s pretty much pointless until then. Can you imagine trying to get an offended God to listen to our prayers?
The wonderful thing is that God has graciously provided for us to be forgiven; He wants to hear our prayers. Jesus Christ died on the cross so that God could forgive us and hear our prayers. Again, see the parable of the unmerciful servant. After God provides such a vast forgiveness for us, how can we not forgive others? If we remain unforgiving, then it becomes clear to God that we haven’t really accepted the new nature and relationship He’s offering us.
Forgive. Because God forgives. And then pray. And God will do what you ask.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I Laugh in the Face of Danger
ALL – Psalm 45:1-17
ALL – Proverbs 10:22
OT – Leviticus 25:47-27:13
NT – Mark 10:32-52
Do you laugh in the face of danger? Or at least, can you look into the eyes of danger and calmly step forward, knowing the pain that you will definitely experience and choosing to go through it fearlessly? Jesus did. And Christians should. As Jesus headed toward Jerusalem with His disciples, He said:
They will mock me and spit on me and flog me with their whips and kill me; but after three days I will come back to life again. – Mark 10:34, The Living Bible
Jesus sounds so matter of fact. He knows what’s coming. Yet His disciples aren’t giving Him a pep talk; Jesus is leading them to Jerusalem.
How could Jesus do this? Here’s how. “For the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). He knew He would rise again. And He knew that He would enable us to join Him in rising from the dead.
So what about us? Do we really believe we’ll rise from the dead? Our unwillingness to boldly and courageously stand for the gospel and for our King might say otherwise. Do we look at danger and flee? Or do we walk through danger, gladly and vibrantly carrying the gospel in our hearts and mouths, knowing that on the other side of the cross is the resurrection? Let’s trust in God’s power to raise the dead; let’s carry the gospel into the face of danger.
What makes you fear sharing the gospel? Are you willing to trust Jesus with it and move forward anyway?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:22
OT – Leviticus 25:47-27:13
NT – Mark 10:32-52
Do you laugh in the face of danger? Or at least, can you look into the eyes of danger and calmly step forward, knowing the pain that you will definitely experience and choosing to go through it fearlessly? Jesus did. And Christians should. As Jesus headed toward Jerusalem with His disciples, He said:
They will mock me and spit on me and flog me with their whips and kill me; but after three days I will come back to life again. – Mark 10:34, The Living Bible
Jesus sounds so matter of fact. He knows what’s coming. Yet His disciples aren’t giving Him a pep talk; Jesus is leading them to Jerusalem.
How could Jesus do this? Here’s how. “For the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). He knew He would rise again. And He knew that He would enable us to join Him in rising from the dead.
So what about us? Do we really believe we’ll rise from the dead? Our unwillingness to boldly and courageously stand for the gospel and for our King might say otherwise. Do we look at danger and flee? Or do we walk through danger, gladly and vibrantly carrying the gospel in our hearts and mouths, knowing that on the other side of the cross is the resurrection? Let’s trust in God’s power to raise the dead; let’s carry the gospel into the face of danger.
What makes you fear sharing the gospel? Are you willing to trust Jesus with it and move forward anyway?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sell and Give and Follow
ALL – Psalm 44:9-26
ALL – Proverbs 10:20-21
OT – Leviticus 24:1-25:46
NT – Mark 10:13-31
Which of the Ten Commandments do you get hung up on? Anything come to mind? Seriously. Have you ever murdered anyone? Are you a thief? A liar? An adulterer? Do you hate your momma?
A young man came to Jesus, asking about the way to eternal life. Jesus pointed him back to the commandments. And this young man said he’d kept them all. A.L.L.
So. What’s left?
Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him; “go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor—and you shall have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.” – Mark 10:21, The Living Bible
I’ve often heard that Jesus was pointing this young man to his covetousness. But covetousness really seems to be about wanting what others own, primarily. Still, Jesus was clearly pointing out a heart-sin closely related to covetousness: greed. And greed is idolatry (Col. 3:5). Greed is the sin of a heart that refuses to be generous toward those in need, as God commands. Greed says that wealth is more important than God; therefore, greed is idolatry.
Then the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away, for he was very rich. – Mark 10:22, The Living Bible
Rather than following Jesus, God the Son, the man went away “for he was very rich.” He chose wealth over God. He committed idolatry, breaking the second commandment. And in so doing, he made it very plain that he was not fulfilling the first commandment, either: “You may worship no other god than me” (Exodus 20:3, The Living Bible).
When I look at the number of possessions I own—and the number of possessions I allow my children to own, implicitly teaching them that owning a lot is a normal part of life—this passage pulls me up short. I’d like to say that I’m not committing idolatry, that I’d willingly sell everything and follow Jesus, if Jesus called me to do it. It’s easy enough to say; but would I sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Jesus? Would you? I recognize in my heart a root of greed, which is idolatry. I recognize my desire to own, to possess, to have, to keep.
Jesus, forgive me and cleanse me of greed. Make me generous. May there be no idolatry in my heart. Be my Lord, my Christ, my King.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:20-21
OT – Leviticus 24:1-25:46
NT – Mark 10:13-31
Which of the Ten Commandments do you get hung up on? Anything come to mind? Seriously. Have you ever murdered anyone? Are you a thief? A liar? An adulterer? Do you hate your momma?
A young man came to Jesus, asking about the way to eternal life. Jesus pointed him back to the commandments. And this young man said he’d kept them all. A.L.L.
So. What’s left?
Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him; “go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor—and you shall have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.” – Mark 10:21, The Living Bible
I’ve often heard that Jesus was pointing this young man to his covetousness. But covetousness really seems to be about wanting what others own, primarily. Still, Jesus was clearly pointing out a heart-sin closely related to covetousness: greed. And greed is idolatry (Col. 3:5). Greed is the sin of a heart that refuses to be generous toward those in need, as God commands. Greed says that wealth is more important than God; therefore, greed is idolatry.
Then the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away, for he was very rich. – Mark 10:22, The Living Bible
Rather than following Jesus, God the Son, the man went away “for he was very rich.” He chose wealth over God. He committed idolatry, breaking the second commandment. And in so doing, he made it very plain that he was not fulfilling the first commandment, either: “You may worship no other god than me” (Exodus 20:3, The Living Bible).
When I look at the number of possessions I own—and the number of possessions I allow my children to own, implicitly teaching them that owning a lot is a normal part of life—this passage pulls me up short. I’d like to say that I’m not committing idolatry, that I’d willingly sell everything and follow Jesus, if Jesus called me to do it. It’s easy enough to say; but would I sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Jesus? Would you? I recognize in my heart a root of greed, which is idolatry. I recognize my desire to own, to possess, to have, to keep.
Jesus, forgive me and cleanse me of greed. Make me generous. May there be no idolatry in my heart. Be my Lord, my Christ, my King.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Child, You’re Welcome In This House
ALL – Psalm 44:1-8
ALL – Proverbs 10:19
OT – Leviticus 22:17-23:44
NT – Mark 9:30-10:12
If you’re a mom or dad and don’t believe that children are disruptive, you need to start helping your spouse take care of your kids! Or else you need to reclaim your kids from the daycare center. Children are cute, but they definitely cut down on productivity—at least, on what most people consider to be productive.
Jesus says something about children. We usually read it to our Sunday school and children’s church workers, or perhaps at Christian teachers’ conferences. We almost never think about reading it to parents. But you, moms and dads, are probably the first people who ought to hear Jesus’ words, the first people who find applying them to be a challenge, the first people who have the opportunity to experience the promise Jesus leaves behind:
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me! – Mark 9:37, The Living Bible
Are your children welcome in your home—in their home? Do you view serving them as an opportunity to serve your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about caving to every one of their childish demands; that would be foolish and inappropriate, and ultimately wouldn’t really serve your children beneficially. But listening to them, responding to them, caring for them, playing with them, interacting with them, teaching them?
Let’s welcome our own children into our lives, no matter how frustrating they sometimes are, rather than shutting them out. Let’s welcome them, our Jesus, and the Father Himself!
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:19
OT – Leviticus 22:17-23:44
NT – Mark 9:30-10:12
If you’re a mom or dad and don’t believe that children are disruptive, you need to start helping your spouse take care of your kids! Or else you need to reclaim your kids from the daycare center. Children are cute, but they definitely cut down on productivity—at least, on what most people consider to be productive.
Jesus says something about children. We usually read it to our Sunday school and children’s church workers, or perhaps at Christian teachers’ conferences. We almost never think about reading it to parents. But you, moms and dads, are probably the first people who ought to hear Jesus’ words, the first people who find applying them to be a challenge, the first people who have the opportunity to experience the promise Jesus leaves behind:
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me! – Mark 9:37, The Living Bible
Are your children welcome in your home—in their home? Do you view serving them as an opportunity to serve your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I’m not talking about caving to every one of their childish demands; that would be foolish and inappropriate, and ultimately wouldn’t really serve your children beneficially. But listening to them, responding to them, caring for them, playing with them, interacting with them, teaching them?
Let’s welcome our own children into our lives, no matter how frustrating they sometimes are, rather than shutting them out. Let’s welcome them, our Jesus, and the Father Himself!
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Like Teacher, Like Disciple
ALL – Psalm 42:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 10:17
OT – Leviticus 19:1-20:21
NT – Mark 8:11-38
If you want to be a marine biologist, you don’t major in English. If you want to be an anthropologist, you don’t major in math. Students go where their chosen teachers lead.
Jesus knew where He was going, and He shared openly with His disciples what His journey would be:
Then he began to tell them about the terrible things he would suffer, and that he would be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the other Jewish leaders—and be killed, and that he would rise again three days afterwards. – Mark 8:31, The Living Bible
But Jesus’ journey wasn’t His alone. Since Jesus was the Teacher-Master, it was a journey for all His disciples, His followers, His students:
Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen, “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live. – Mark 8:34-35, The Living Bible
Jesus’ journey included suffering and death; the disciples would follow in His steps. Jesus’ journey included a resurrection; the disciples, too, would gain life as they followed Jesus. Students go where their teachers lead, and Jesus has led the way through death to eternal life in the New Heavens and the New Earth that He’s preparing for His disciples even now. Not only has He led the way; He is the Way. No disciple can walk that road without the provision of His life, His blood and death, His resurrection, His Spirit.
Students go where their chosen teachers lead. Have you chosen to accept Jesus’ call?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:17
OT – Leviticus 19:1-20:21
NT – Mark 8:11-38
If you want to be a marine biologist, you don’t major in English. If you want to be an anthropologist, you don’t major in math. Students go where their chosen teachers lead.
Jesus knew where He was going, and He shared openly with His disciples what His journey would be:
Then he began to tell them about the terrible things he would suffer, and that he would be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the other Jewish leaders—and be killed, and that he would rise again three days afterwards. – Mark 8:31, The Living Bible
But Jesus’ journey wasn’t His alone. Since Jesus was the Teacher-Master, it was a journey for all His disciples, His followers, His students:
Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen, “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live. – Mark 8:34-35, The Living Bible
Jesus’ journey included suffering and death; the disciples would follow in His steps. Jesus’ journey included a resurrection; the disciples, too, would gain life as they followed Jesus. Students go where their teachers lead, and Jesus has led the way through death to eternal life in the New Heavens and the New Earth that He’s preparing for His disciples even now. Not only has He led the way; He is the Way. No disciple can walk that road without the provision of His life, His blood and death, His resurrection, His Spirit.
Students go where their chosen teachers lead. Have you chosen to accept Jesus’ call?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Repetition That Means Something
ALL – Psalm 41:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 10:15-16
OT – Leviticus 16:29-18:30
NT – Mark 7:24-8:10
Repetition can be dull. Boring. Tedious.
But sometimes we need our teachers to repeat the truth. We’re so prone to forget life’s most important lessons.
See if this scene sounds familiar:
“Are we supposed to find food for them here in the desert?” his disciples scoffed.
“How many loaves of bread do you have?” he asked.
“Seven,” they replied. – Mark 8:4-5, The Living Bible
The last time we read something like this, a crowd of 5000 men was listening to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus told His disciples to feed them, and the disciples were overwhelmed. So Jesus asked the disciples to bring him what food they could find. It turned out to be five small loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took them, gave thanks to the Father, and fed the whole crowd with them.
This time there’s a crowd of 4000. Jesus tells His disciples that He doesn’t want to send the crowd away hungry because they’re too far out in the wilderness, and some of the people might have difficulty making it to the nearest town walking on an empty stomach. Again, the disciples protest, Jesus asks the disciples what they have, they give Him what they have (this time seven loaves and a few small fish), and He thanks the Father while providing food for the whole crowd. Seven large basketfuls of food were left over!
Why the repetition? Why did the disciples need it? It’s easy to mock them. After all, they saw the first miracle; you would think they could trust Jesus for a second.
But why do the gospels record both miracles for us? Why do we need the repetition?
I think there’s something fundamental we’re meant to believe—but don’t.
We’re so concerned with meeting our own needs. We’re so afraid that we don’t have food to spare. We don’t trust God to meet our own family’s needs, so we hoard what He’s provided, not sharing with others when they’re in need.
God is the Provider. He will meet your needs. And both of these miracles demonstrate not only that He’s willing, but that He’s able to meet not only our needs. In fact, with the little that we have, God is able and willing to meet many more needs than we trust Him to meet—not just ours and our family’s, but the needs of those all the people we encounter. He invites us—Jesus urges us—to stop clinging so tightly to our “little,” to give it to Him, and to watch Him provide for many more people than we thought He could.
What is overwhelming to us is easy for God. What are you withholding from others because of your fear that God won’t meet your needs?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:15-16
OT – Leviticus 16:29-18:30
NT – Mark 7:24-8:10
Repetition can be dull. Boring. Tedious.
But sometimes we need our teachers to repeat the truth. We’re so prone to forget life’s most important lessons.
See if this scene sounds familiar:
“Are we supposed to find food for them here in the desert?” his disciples scoffed.
“How many loaves of bread do you have?” he asked.
“Seven,” they replied. – Mark 8:4-5, The Living Bible
The last time we read something like this, a crowd of 5000 men was listening to Jesus’ teaching. Jesus told His disciples to feed them, and the disciples were overwhelmed. So Jesus asked the disciples to bring him what food they could find. It turned out to be five small loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus took them, gave thanks to the Father, and fed the whole crowd with them.
This time there’s a crowd of 4000. Jesus tells His disciples that He doesn’t want to send the crowd away hungry because they’re too far out in the wilderness, and some of the people might have difficulty making it to the nearest town walking on an empty stomach. Again, the disciples protest, Jesus asks the disciples what they have, they give Him what they have (this time seven loaves and a few small fish), and He thanks the Father while providing food for the whole crowd. Seven large basketfuls of food were left over!
Why the repetition? Why did the disciples need it? It’s easy to mock them. After all, they saw the first miracle; you would think they could trust Jesus for a second.
But why do the gospels record both miracles for us? Why do we need the repetition?
I think there’s something fundamental we’re meant to believe—but don’t.
We’re so concerned with meeting our own needs. We’re so afraid that we don’t have food to spare. We don’t trust God to meet our own family’s needs, so we hoard what He’s provided, not sharing with others when they’re in need.
God is the Provider. He will meet your needs. And both of these miracles demonstrate not only that He’s willing, but that He’s able to meet not only our needs. In fact, with the little that we have, God is able and willing to meet many more needs than we trust Him to meet—not just ours and our family’s, but the needs of those all the people we encounter. He invites us—Jesus urges us—to stop clinging so tightly to our “little,” to give it to Him, and to watch Him provide for many more people than we thought He could.
What is overwhelming to us is easy for God. What are you withholding from others because of your fear that God won’t meet your needs?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Perfect Lawbreakers, Perfect Cover
ALL – Psalm 40:11-17
ALL – Proverbs 10:13-14
OT – Leviticus 15:1-16:28
NT – Mark 7:1-23
Criminals usually don’t want to get caught. Usually they try to cover their tracks, sometimes better than others. That’s why Bernie Madoff got away with his criminal activity for so long; everyone thought he was trying to help them earn money, when in fact his criminal concern was to take their money away. When you can look like the good guy even though you’re the bad guy, you’ve done a pretty good job covering your tracks.
We try to do that with God and with God’s people. We try to have things our way, but say things and do things in such a way that we look like we care about doing things God’s way. You will find no more righteous people than Jesus’ disciples; at the same time, you will find no more heinous sinners than those who have convinced the world that they are Jesus’ disciples. They’re called “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
The problem is that we forget we can’t fool God. Jesus Christ encountered some Pharisees who had justified disobeying God’s commands by claiming to obey God in other, “more important” ways. And He saw right through them.
And so you break the law of God in order to protect your manmade tradition. And this is only one example. There are many, many others. – Mark 7:12-13, The Living Bible
Are there any patterns like this in your life—any ways that you claim to be obeying and serving God while actually manipulating things to your own benefit?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:13-14
OT – Leviticus 15:1-16:28
NT – Mark 7:1-23
Criminals usually don’t want to get caught. Usually they try to cover their tracks, sometimes better than others. That’s why Bernie Madoff got away with his criminal activity for so long; everyone thought he was trying to help them earn money, when in fact his criminal concern was to take their money away. When you can look like the good guy even though you’re the bad guy, you’ve done a pretty good job covering your tracks.
We try to do that with God and with God’s people. We try to have things our way, but say things and do things in such a way that we look like we care about doing things God’s way. You will find no more righteous people than Jesus’ disciples; at the same time, you will find no more heinous sinners than those who have convinced the world that they are Jesus’ disciples. They’re called “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
The problem is that we forget we can’t fool God. Jesus Christ encountered some Pharisees who had justified disobeying God’s commands by claiming to obey God in other, “more important” ways. And He saw right through them.
And so you break the law of God in order to protect your manmade tradition. And this is only one example. There are many, many others. – Mark 7:12-13, The Living Bible
Are there any patterns like this in your life—any ways that you claim to be obeying and serving God while actually manipulating things to your own benefit?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
With What Shall I Fix It?
ALL – Psalm 40:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 10:11-12
OT – Leviticus 14:1-57
NT – Mark 6:30-56
One of my best excuses is, “I don’t know how.”
It covers just about everything I don’t want to do. After all, anything that I want to do, I make time to learn and to practice. So there are quite a few things I have almost no knowledge about.
Another great excuse is, “I don’t have anything to give.” What we mean, of course, is that the budget is tight and helping out would be a sacrifice. Sometimes the need is actually greater than we can meet by ourselves. But usually not. Usually it’s just that we would prefer not to give, so we say, “I don’t have anything to give.”
Jesus disciples faced that situation one day. A crowd of at least 5000 was in front of them, and Jesus came up with a crazy idea:
But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“With what?” they asked. “It would take a fortune to buy food for all this crowd!”
“How much food do we have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back to report that there were five loaves of bread and two fish. – Mark 6:37-38
It’s at this point that we expect Jesus to say, “Oh, you’re right. You really don’t have enough. Oh well. Forget that plan.” But instead Jesus takes what the disciples have been able to drum up and uses it to feed the whole crowd.
When will we stop holding so tightly to the little we have instead of obeying Jesus and giving to meet the needs He calls us to meet? When will we learn that He doesn’t expect us to meet people’s needs on our own? When will we realize that Jesus can take care of the needs on His own? When will we see that Jesus’ goal is to change our hearts? When will we respond by trusting Him and generously joining Him in His acts of love?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:11-12
OT – Leviticus 14:1-57
NT – Mark 6:30-56
One of my best excuses is, “I don’t know how.”
It covers just about everything I don’t want to do. After all, anything that I want to do, I make time to learn and to practice. So there are quite a few things I have almost no knowledge about.
Another great excuse is, “I don’t have anything to give.” What we mean, of course, is that the budget is tight and helping out would be a sacrifice. Sometimes the need is actually greater than we can meet by ourselves. But usually not. Usually it’s just that we would prefer not to give, so we say, “I don’t have anything to give.”
Jesus disciples faced that situation one day. A crowd of at least 5000 was in front of them, and Jesus came up with a crazy idea:
But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“With what?” they asked. “It would take a fortune to buy food for all this crowd!”
“How much food do we have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back to report that there were five loaves of bread and two fish. – Mark 6:37-38
It’s at this point that we expect Jesus to say, “Oh, you’re right. You really don’t have enough. Oh well. Forget that plan.” But instead Jesus takes what the disciples have been able to drum up and uses it to feed the whole crowd.
When will we stop holding so tightly to the little we have instead of obeying Jesus and giving to meet the needs He calls us to meet? When will we learn that He doesn’t expect us to meet people’s needs on our own? When will we realize that Jesus can take care of the needs on His own? When will we see that Jesus’ goal is to change our hearts? When will we respond by trusting Him and generously joining Him in His acts of love?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
More to Come Today…
ALL – Psalm 40:1-10
ALL – Proverbs 10:11-12
OT – Leviticus 14:1-57
NT – Mark 6:30-56
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:11-12
OT – Leviticus 14:1-57
NT – Mark 6:30-56
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
No Honor at Home
ALL – Psalm 39:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 10:10
OT – Leviticus 13:1-59
NT – Mark 6:1-29
Perhaps you have experienced this. Your sibling’s pretty normal. They’ve been pretty normal forever. You’re used to them. You usually don’t listen to a word they say. But then one day, they say something amazing. Or perhaps they do something amazing. Something you know you should admire and honor. But they’re your sibling. So you overlook what they’ve done. You shrug it off, ignore it, perhaps even mock your sibling a bit and say, “Oh, (s)he’s not really that great. I remember when…”
Why do we do that?
There weren’t any stories people could tell about Jesus that would actually paint Him as a “bad boy when He was young.” But perhaps He made a few mistakes in the process of trying to learn carpentry. Perhaps He messed up a few orders, perhaps He was clumsy at times, perhaps He was usually a bit dirty and wearing second- or third-hand clothing given to His family by other families whose boys outgrew the clothes of their youth. We don’t know all the reasons that people in Jesus’ hometown thought of Him as just a normal young man. But He certainly didn’t get much respect.
“He’s no better than we are,” they said. “He’s just a carpenter, Mary’s boy, and a brother of James and Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” And they were offended! – Mark 6:3, The Living Bible
When people think you’re normal, they don’t want you to act special. But Christian, you are special! You are a child of God. You have the eternal Word of God in your mouth and in your heart. You have the eternal Spirit of God living in You. And so you have something special to offer your neighbors, something that can make them special, too—something that has the power to bring them into the Family of God. You’re carrying a treasure around in you.
Just remember as you seek to share that treasure that’s in you… You don’t look like a treasure any more than Jesus did. For sure. Don’t expect people to treat you with tons of respect and appreciation. In fact, they might try to fight your claims to have the very words and Spirit of God in you. After all, you look like they do, you sound like they do, and they might even be able to outwork, outplay and out-think you. That’s ok. Just keep seeking to share that treasure. A prophet may have no honor in his hometown, but that doesn’t change the fact that, “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7, NIV).
Oh, and one more thing. Let’s look at other believers as people full of God’s treasure instead of acting surprised when they come up with a good idea or an amazing insight into the Scriptures. Believers should recognize believers as people worth knowing and spending time with, people who have a close relationship with the Creator.
How have you misjudged God’s people and avoided giving them the honor they deserve?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:10
OT – Leviticus 13:1-59
NT – Mark 6:1-29
Perhaps you have experienced this. Your sibling’s pretty normal. They’ve been pretty normal forever. You’re used to them. You usually don’t listen to a word they say. But then one day, they say something amazing. Or perhaps they do something amazing. Something you know you should admire and honor. But they’re your sibling. So you overlook what they’ve done. You shrug it off, ignore it, perhaps even mock your sibling a bit and say, “Oh, (s)he’s not really that great. I remember when…”
Why do we do that?
There weren’t any stories people could tell about Jesus that would actually paint Him as a “bad boy when He was young.” But perhaps He made a few mistakes in the process of trying to learn carpentry. Perhaps He messed up a few orders, perhaps He was clumsy at times, perhaps He was usually a bit dirty and wearing second- or third-hand clothing given to His family by other families whose boys outgrew the clothes of their youth. We don’t know all the reasons that people in Jesus’ hometown thought of Him as just a normal young man. But He certainly didn’t get much respect.
“He’s no better than we are,” they said. “He’s just a carpenter, Mary’s boy, and a brother of James and Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” And they were offended! – Mark 6:3, The Living Bible
When people think you’re normal, they don’t want you to act special. But Christian, you are special! You are a child of God. You have the eternal Word of God in your mouth and in your heart. You have the eternal Spirit of God living in You. And so you have something special to offer your neighbors, something that can make them special, too—something that has the power to bring them into the Family of God. You’re carrying a treasure around in you.
Just remember as you seek to share that treasure that’s in you… You don’t look like a treasure any more than Jesus did. For sure. Don’t expect people to treat you with tons of respect and appreciation. In fact, they might try to fight your claims to have the very words and Spirit of God in you. After all, you look like they do, you sound like they do, and they might even be able to outwork, outplay and out-think you. That’s ok. Just keep seeking to share that treasure. A prophet may have no honor in his hometown, but that doesn’t change the fact that, “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7, NIV).
Oh, and one more thing. Let’s look at other believers as people full of God’s treasure instead of acting surprised when they come up with a good idea or an amazing insight into the Scriptures. Believers should recognize believers as people worth knowing and spending time with, people who have a close relationship with the Creator.
How have you misjudged God’s people and avoided giving them the honor they deserve?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Hardness
ALL – Psalm 37:12-29
ALL – Proverbs 10:5
OT – Leviticus 7:28-9:6
NT – Mark 3:31-4:25
Growing up, I lived in an area where there weren’t many sidewalks, but everyone walked. If they walked across a field, for a while they would be going through fairly tall grass. But over time, as people used the same pathway repeatedly, something happened. The grass under their feet bruised and began to wilt. As it died, the ground under their feet grew harder and harder. Eventually, despite that ground being surrounded by field plants of every kind, despite seeds falling on the pathway frequently, seeds could not take root in that pathway. It was too hard.
The hard pathway, where some of the seed fell, represents the hard hearts of some of those who hear God’s message; Satan comes at once to make them try to forget it. – Mark 4:15, The Living Bible
God’s Word is like a seed. It is intended to produce growth and fruit in our lives. But some of us have developed habits of sinfulness. We justify our sins; whether the sins stay in our hearts, barely leak out our lips, or burst through our behaviors, we justify them and keep on sinning. We walk the path of sin day after day, and we harden our hearts to the fruitful influence of God’s Word. We leave ourselves barren, devoid of obedience, righteousness and peace.
Don’t get used to disobeying God. Don’t get used to turning off the voice of the conscience He’s given you, or your heart will be hardened even to the voice of God. As you hear His voice, don’t just think about it: obey!
What sin has God brought to mind as you read this? Don’t delay. Respond immediately with faith, repentance and obedience. Don’t harden your heart today.
How can we help one another keep our hearts tilled and soft to God’s Word?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:5
OT – Leviticus 7:28-9:6
NT – Mark 3:31-4:25
Growing up, I lived in an area where there weren’t many sidewalks, but everyone walked. If they walked across a field, for a while they would be going through fairly tall grass. But over time, as people used the same pathway repeatedly, something happened. The grass under their feet bruised and began to wilt. As it died, the ground under their feet grew harder and harder. Eventually, despite that ground being surrounded by field plants of every kind, despite seeds falling on the pathway frequently, seeds could not take root in that pathway. It was too hard.
The hard pathway, where some of the seed fell, represents the hard hearts of some of those who hear God’s message; Satan comes at once to make them try to forget it. – Mark 4:15, The Living Bible
God’s Word is like a seed. It is intended to produce growth and fruit in our lives. But some of us have developed habits of sinfulness. We justify our sins; whether the sins stay in our hearts, barely leak out our lips, or burst through our behaviors, we justify them and keep on sinning. We walk the path of sin day after day, and we harden our hearts to the fruitful influence of God’s Word. We leave ourselves barren, devoid of obedience, righteousness and peace.
Don’t get used to disobeying God. Don’t get used to turning off the voice of the conscience He’s given you, or your heart will be hardened even to the voice of God. As you hear His voice, don’t just think about it: obey!
What sin has God brought to mind as you read this? Don’t delay. Respond immediately with faith, repentance and obedience. Don’t harden your heart today.
How can we help one another keep our hearts tilled and soft to God’s Word?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Unforgiveable
ALL – Psalm 37:1-11
ALL – Proverbs 10:3-4
OT – Leviticus 6:1-7:27
NT – Mark 3:7-30
There may be times when we don’t really care whether we receive forgiveness or not. We may justify our behavior or words and not even seek forgiveness. But when we get to the point where we want to be forgiven—well, then we pretty much expect forgiveness. I mean, we shouldn’t. But we do. We expect forgiveness. And the idea that anything might not be forgiven is horrifying. Horrifying, but not unimaginable.
What we cannot imagine is that we might be unforgiveable.
I solemnly declare that any sin of man can be forgiven, even blasphemy against me; but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin. – Jesus (Mark 3:28-29, The Living Bible).
The unimaginable. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable.
What’s blasphemy, by the way?
• Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. (Exodus 22:28, NIV) – Here it has to do with the violence with which we speak against God.
• But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the Lord, and that person must be cut off from his people. (Numbers 15:30, NIV) – Here it has to do with the defiance of one’s sins.
So what’s blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? It’s either speaking of the Holy Spirit or acting toward Him in a way that declares your hatred and disdain for Him.
Some blasphemy may be done ignorantly, without any genuine belief that one is actually blaspheming God. Paul says that he blasphemed in this way, and says, “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13, NIV). It may be that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, if done in ignorance and unbelief, can still receive mercy.
But this isn’t one of those situations when I would suggest testing your luck.
How can we encourage one another to obey and speak well of the Holy Spirit?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:3-4
OT – Leviticus 6:1-7:27
NT – Mark 3:7-30
There may be times when we don’t really care whether we receive forgiveness or not. We may justify our behavior or words and not even seek forgiveness. But when we get to the point where we want to be forgiven—well, then we pretty much expect forgiveness. I mean, we shouldn’t. But we do. We expect forgiveness. And the idea that anything might not be forgiven is horrifying. Horrifying, but not unimaginable.
What we cannot imagine is that we might be unforgiveable.
I solemnly declare that any sin of man can be forgiven, even blasphemy against me; but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin. – Jesus (Mark 3:28-29, The Living Bible).
The unimaginable. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable.
What’s blasphemy, by the way?
• Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. (Exodus 22:28, NIV) – Here it has to do with the violence with which we speak against God.
• But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the Lord, and that person must be cut off from his people. (Numbers 15:30, NIV) – Here it has to do with the defiance of one’s sins.
So what’s blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? It’s either speaking of the Holy Spirit or acting toward Him in a way that declares your hatred and disdain for Him.
Some blasphemy may be done ignorantly, without any genuine belief that one is actually blaspheming God. Paul says that he blasphemed in this way, and says, “I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13, NIV). It may be that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, if done in ignorance and unbelief, can still receive mercy.
But this isn’t one of those situations when I would suggest testing your luck.
How can we encourage one another to obey and speak well of the Holy Spirit?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
New is Usually Different
ALL – Psalm 36:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 10:1-2
OT – Leviticus 4:1-5:19
NT – Mark 2:13-3:6
The unexpected can be annoying—perhaps even offensive.
But when Jesus came, He didn’t apologize for His unexpected new ways. In fact, He defended them. When the Pharisees implied that His disciples ought to be fasting along with theirs and John’s (the Baptist), Jesus said,
It is like patching an old garment with unshrunk cloth! What happens? The patch pulls away and leaves the hole worse than before. You know better than to put new wine into old wineskins. They would burst. The wine would be spilled out and the wineskins ruined. New wine needs fresh wineskins. – Mark 2:21-22
The old and the new often don’t work well together. Everything about Jesus was new, and new is usually different. Jesus was surprising. Jesus was unconventional. Jesus was different. Why? Because Jesus was new and brought a new reality with Him from heaven.
As Christians, we have to be careful how we apply this lesson. We want to be new like Jesus—there’s no question about that. But to some people, “new like Jesus” means that we must shake up the traditional ways of the church at every opportunity. “New like Jesus” can be used to justify people’s whims to be different, unconventional, even slightly rebellious against church practices and traditions. That’s not what being new like Jesus is about. We must remember that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago. For Christians, there is much about following Jesus that should be tradition by now. Why? Because we can never become newer than Jesus. He is the Father’s final word.
On the other hand, our behavior and teachings will always be new to the world around us, because people perpetually follow the world’s tradition of sinning against God. That is the tradition we must aim most passionately to break as we stand with Jesus in the newness of the covenant He sealed with His blood. We are not to differ from Jesus’ followers, but from the world and its patterns. New is usually different. Let’s aim to be different in Jesus’ way—not from Jesus and His followers, but from those who oppose Him.
What is new in your life because Jesus lives in you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 10:1-2
OT – Leviticus 4:1-5:19
NT – Mark 2:13-3:6
The unexpected can be annoying—perhaps even offensive.
But when Jesus came, He didn’t apologize for His unexpected new ways. In fact, He defended them. When the Pharisees implied that His disciples ought to be fasting along with theirs and John’s (the Baptist), Jesus said,
It is like patching an old garment with unshrunk cloth! What happens? The patch pulls away and leaves the hole worse than before. You know better than to put new wine into old wineskins. They would burst. The wine would be spilled out and the wineskins ruined. New wine needs fresh wineskins. – Mark 2:21-22
The old and the new often don’t work well together. Everything about Jesus was new, and new is usually different. Jesus was surprising. Jesus was unconventional. Jesus was different. Why? Because Jesus was new and brought a new reality with Him from heaven.
As Christians, we have to be careful how we apply this lesson. We want to be new like Jesus—there’s no question about that. But to some people, “new like Jesus” means that we must shake up the traditional ways of the church at every opportunity. “New like Jesus” can be used to justify people’s whims to be different, unconventional, even slightly rebellious against church practices and traditions. That’s not what being new like Jesus is about. We must remember that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago. For Christians, there is much about following Jesus that should be tradition by now. Why? Because we can never become newer than Jesus. He is the Father’s final word.
On the other hand, our behavior and teachings will always be new to the world around us, because people perpetually follow the world’s tradition of sinning against God. That is the tradition we must aim most passionately to break as we stand with Jesus in the newness of the covenant He sealed with His blood. We are not to differ from Jesus’ followers, but from the world and its patterns. New is usually different. Let’s aim to be different in Jesus’ way—not from Jesus and His followers, but from those who oppose Him.
What is new in your life because Jesus lives in you?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
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