June 1, 2012 Spirit's Power

Spirit’s Power Mark 13:9-12 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” YOU see Jesus draw a really grim picture for a Jesus follower, don’t you? Who wants that? I do, and here’s why: I see the Spirit’s power. When Jesus says, “Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Jesus promises his disciples the Holy Spirit will be with them. The promise of the Spirit’s presence is an extraordinary promise. The Spirit’s presence brings life to you. This is the Spirit that formed the universe at the spoken Word of God! Yes, from the formless void came the world. Into your mind’s void comes the power into your mind to know Jesus’ truth. Words flow before you can think, and words come before you know what you will say. God’s Spirit connects to your spirit; you know God is right there with you! He gives you vision beyond today’s persecution, heartache, joyless days and disappointments to open the eyes of your heart to those around you. You go where you go, do what you do, say what you say because the Holy Spirit pours into you. Yes, the Spirit is extraordinary power, and he is powerful for you. Pause and consider God’s power is for you.

May 31, 2012 See the Signs

See the Signs Mark 13:4-8 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” YOU’VE heard the bad news. “A storm’s coming!” You want to know when, don’t you? You want to know the details, so you’ll be prepared. Maybe, just maybe, you can do something to prevent the storm. As Jesus prophecies the temple’s destruction, the disciples ask the “When?” question. Jesus doesn’t tell them specifically when it will be, but he tells them signs they will see as the “Judgment Storm” approaches. Jesus paints a grim picture. Imagine you are Jesus’ disciple, and he talks to you of impending doom. What would you do? Or should I say, “What will you do?” If you call yourself Jesus’ disciple, you must listen to Jesus’ warnings telling you that wars will rage, earthquakes will destroy, and many false teachers will turn people from Jesus. These things are happening. All creation is scheduled for the final “Judgment Storm”. As Jesus’ disciples then, you don’t know the precise answer to the “When?” question, but you can trust Jesus’ words it will occur. No, you cannot stop the destruction, but if you believe in the Jesus’ words, you will live in God’s new creation. A good Jesus disciple is properly prepared. Pause and consider: are you ready?

May 29, 2012 Self-Focused Teachers

Self-focused Teachers Mark 12:38-40 as he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” HYPOCRISY is a great evil in Jesus’ eyes. He condemns the Pharisees for the ways they use their status to their advantage. Jesus is particularly harsh as he says they “devour widows’ houses”. What does he mean by that? The Pharisees had the authority to exact an excessive tithe of 20-30 per cent from the people. Such a requirement of a widow could make her homeless. Jesus severely condemns this practice. The Son of God often speaks of widows’ care as a sign of belief in God. And God’s law specifically required the Jews to care for a widow’s daily needs. Causing widows to become homeless was clearly a sin. Now Jesus deals with the sin as he speaks to spiritually “defrock” the ones who wear flowing robes but wear no heart for their people. The Pharisees’ pride has become a stumbling block to the heart of God. Jesus calls them out of their hypocrisy into reality. He wants them to be “real” before God, so they will be “real” before his people. The Pharisees have the knowledge to teach people of God’s glory. But pridefully they point to their own glory. This is a grave sin. Keeping people from God will keep the Pharisees from God forever. Pause and consider: is there any hypocrisy in your heart that might keep someone from God?

May 23, 2012 God's Inscription

God’s Inscription Mark 12:13-17 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar's,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.” And they were amazed at him. WHEN the Bible says in Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” God is making it clear he has put his mark on every person who is ever born. Thus, when Jesus says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.” he could be talking about money, but it is easy to see he is talking about Kingdom commitment. “Yes,” Jesus says, “pay Caesar his coin. Then give to God what is his—your self—you.” Made in the image of God, you are stamped with God’s image. You are clearly his. Give to him your commitment. Pause and consider—a coin’s image changes. God’s does not.

May 22, 2012 The Lord Reigns

The Lord Reigns Mark 12:1-12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 12 Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. THE TEACHERS acted as the farmers in the parable. They would kill the Son. But the Son reigns over them. Pause and consider the victory is the Lord’s.

May 21, 2012 What Do You Choose?

What Do You Choose? Mark 11:31-33 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’ . . . .” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” DO YOU wonder, “Where is God when I need him? Is Jesus real for me today? I can hardly believe what the Bible says. Savior? I could use some saving right now, Jesus.” Why is it so hard to see Jesus in your life, do you think? Could you possibly be too much like these questioning teachers of Israel? They kept questioning, but they seldom believed. They seemed to always be demanding one more miracle or two more answers or some self-determined sign that Jesus was conforming to their view of life. They did not understand that Jesus came to change their view of life—life “right now” and life eternal. Jesus walked into their homes, villages, towns, synagogues, cities and temple. He spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, the illustrious wonder of salvation and the joy of forgiveness and love. But they didn’t buy it. Actually, they didn’t receive it. They didn’t have to buy it. Jesus was giving it to them. He was giving all they needed, and they refused it. There’s a deadly truth about people that is deeply disturbing. It goes like this, “When people face change or death, they choose death.” It’s true, isn’t it? Keep up the smoking, drinking, overeating, doing drugs, driving too fast, sexual immorality...ignoring Jesus. Pause and consider what Jesus gives to you is life for you.

May 20, 2012

Hinge Point Mark 11:29-30 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism — was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” WHAT’S your response when some person or persons consistently doubts you? Are you frustrated and hurt from their persistent challenges to who you are? Of course you are, and so is Jesus. He has cleansed the temple of ungodly activity. He has repeatedly shown the miracles of Heaven come to earth. He has preached forgiveness and love. Again and again and again he steps into the public forum to debate the legalists and bring hope to those without hope. All he wants is to love on his people. And all the educated teachers do is say to him in effect, “Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to cleanse the temple, to judge us and to remove our source of profit?” Jesus’ response is designed to get them to remember their response to John the Baptist. The people of Jerusalem went out into the Jordan to be baptized. John was a popular prophet. People believed him to be the Messiah and that his works were the works of God on earth. Jesus has drawn a line. If the teachers won’t admit John’s baptism came from heaven, then what is the point of him telling them, “My authority is from heaven.” It’s useless to keep preaching to the “deaf”. You probably know that. Some people will never listen to you because they don’t want to hear your truth. Question is, are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth? Pause and consider Jesus’ has come in the authority of God to speak his truth.

May 19, 2012 What Authority?

What Authority? Mark 11:27-28 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” THE day after his temple cleansing, Jesus is “walking in the temple courts”. Possibly he has come to teach in the space the livestock and merchants have vacated. There is now physical room for him to teach and preach. Unfortunately, though, more spiritual warfare confronts him. The temple authorities want to know where Jesus, the rabbi, gets the authority to do cleanse the temple and to overrule them. Do you ever feel the teachings in the church are too authoritative, too confrontational over your life? Does a teacher at a Bible study or the pastor in a sermon, or I in these writings, say something that causes you to ask, “Who appointed you judge of my life?” or “Who gave you the authority to tell me what to do?” If you’re asking that question, then you need to go to the Bible to find the answers. God’s Word is the authority over your life as you declare Jesus your Lord. Humble yourself. Ask God, “Is this really a sin I must confront?” You must be willing to face your sins if you are to live in God’s eternal authority. Jesus had condemned the temple authorities with his powerful teaching. They objected. No one would tell them how to act! Well, someone did. And that someone is the living Son of God. For the sake of their mortal souls, I hope they humbled themselves before him. Pause and consider the authority by which you live—yours or Jesus’?

May 18, 2012 Mountain Moving Prayer

Mountain Moving Prayer Mark 11:23-25 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” YOU’RE likely wondering, “When has anyone prayed and a mountain moved into the sea? Surely there have been many people of great faith. Wouldn’t someone have tried that prayer to prove Jesus correct? Maybe no one has. It would be such an amazing faith prayer: “Mountain, move!” But is that what Jesus is teaching here? The mountain is symbolic in Jewish teachings. Mountains are the place of awesome power as God gave the law to them at Mt. Sinai. He also offered great demonstrations of power at Mt. Horeb. Mountains are also a place of protection. Jerusalem is on a mountain. Mountains symbolize God’s holiness, power and protection. Jesus’ teaches his disciples here that prayer is a powerful tool to move the power of God to do God’s will. A faithful person’s prayer will bring God’s will into one’s life or the lives of those for whom the prayer is offered. Then there’s one more thing Jesus teaches: a praying person’s heart must be clean of unforgiveness. Before praying for your need, forgive those who have sinned against you. Ask God to cleanse your heart. Then pray, “Lord, your will be done…” Pause and consider is your praying heart a faith-filled clean heart?

May 17 , 2012 Have Faith

Have Faith Mark 11:19-22 When evening came, they went out of the city. 20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. JESUS had cursed the tree the day before because it did not bear fruit. Now that the tree is dead, he seems to be telling his disciples, “You could curse this tree, too, if you had faith in God.” But, instead, he’s giving to them a life-giving warning. When he says, “have faith in God”, Jesus is reminding them that unbelief in God will cause their death. If they understand nothing else, they must know that without faith, they, just as the fruitless tree, will perish. Jesus keeps pressing into his disciples to dramatically demonstrate his faith lessons for their lives. He has shown Peter, John and James his glory on the mountaintop. He has corrected John's and James’ misconception of kingdom glory. He has demonstrated his glory in the blind Bartimaeus’ healing. Jesus has cleansed his temple of sin. He has cursed a fruitless fig tree. All of this is a picture of the future. People will enter into God’s glory only as they believe Jesus’ teaching. If they have no faith, they will die in the curse of sin, condemned to Hell. Jesus urgently says to his disciples, “Have faith in God.” to clearly warn them of the penalty of a faithless life. I urge you to consider your faith. Do you know Jesus is your Lord and Savior? Will your faith lead you to his glory? Pause and carefully consider your answers.

May 16, 2012 Don't Accuse Me!

Don’t Accuse Me! Mark 11:18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. JESUS had just told the chief priests that they had made his temple “a den of robbers”. That’s a serious charge, especially if he’s right. Of course, Jesus is right. The chief priests who guide the temple and the worship there know he’s right. They know the temple was built with God’s glory as the focus. They know they have stolen away God’s glory through their sinful acts. What is the matter with them? Why do they resist Jesus’ truth? Why do they plot to kill the truth? Why didn’t they bow down and worship him? I don’t know. Are they, perhaps, afraid of the truth? Would they be acting in a way similar to you rejecting the truth of someone telling you, “You sin as you ignore God’s Word. You have made God to be a liar because you don’t trust his truth. You fail to pray, and you fail to love God. You waste time in worthless activities, running around seeking glory for yourself while you don’t even consider you must act to glorify God.” What would you say if someone said that to you? Would you plot to “kill” them with negative comments, harsh words or rejection of their truth? Would you say to them, “Stop accusing me.” even though you know they speak the truth? The chief priests of the temple had acted to remove God from his own house. Have you acted to remove or keep God from your heart? Pause and consider your actions and words. Are they about you or about God?

May 15, 2012 Jesus Cleans His House

Jesus Loves His House Mark 11:15-17 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” JESUS is angry. This is the judge, the Son of Man come to pass judgment on his people who do evil in his house. Imagine if you go to your home and you find people selling goods in your driveway, cattle in your entryway and people lending money in your kitchen. You’d be enraged wouldn’t you? Your home was meant for family life, not business! That’s what is happening here. God, the Father, had caused this temple to be built as a holy place where his Word was taught and where people could go to find the safety and protection of the Father’s mercy. God had built the temple in his image to display his pure love and care to his people. But there are cattle and sheep in the outer courts. There is no room now to teach God’s Word. Moneychangers replace the priests who should be offering sacrifices. God’s law is ignored, neither taught nor obeyed. It’s time for restoration of God’s house. As Jesus begins the cleansing removing animals and moneychangers, Jesus is as a housekeeper sweeping the dirt out. He’s removing the sin from the temple, so God’s people would clearly see the Father. Pause and consider how Jesus now cleans the dirt from you, his new temple.

May 14, 2012 Frustrated Jesus

Frustrated Jesus Mark 11:12-14 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. HOW is your faith journey? Do you have a bigger faith than you did last year, last month or yesterday? Has anything changed in your life regarding what you believe Jesus can and will do? Or maybe your faith is growing, but you’re moving so slowly. Hurry! There’s so much good ahead for you. Jesus wants your faith life to be productive and fruitful. When Jesus comes to the fig tree, he’s wondering, “Where are the figs?” The phrase “it was not the season for figs” refers to the time to gather figs. Figs were actually present all year in Judea. And the truth about a fig tree is that it bears its fruit before it produces leaves. Thus, when Jesus saw the leaves, he expected the fruit to be there. The “no fig” fig tree illustrates God’s faithless, fruitless people. For nearly 2,000 years God has been growing his people to the day of Jesus. But they do not know him as he walks into their lives. Rejecting and reshaping God’s Word, they have no faith in God, and their lives are fruitless before God. Then Jesus gives you a picture of his coming judgment as he curses the fruitless tree. Those whose faith is weak and without fruit will be condemned. Jesus has warned you. Pause and consider: would Jesus find you fruitless?

May 13, 2012 Waiting

Time to Wait Mark 11:11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. OFTEN the most profound messages come in the simplest phrases. Seeing our Lord walking to the Temple, looking around, and then leaving seems as if it’s a scene out of reality TV where you are doing nothing watching someone else doing nothing. But something is happening here, and it’s good for you to watch the Lord Jesus in action. You say, “He didn’t do anything.” But he did. He is the Son of God, who made a “house check” his priority that day. As Jesus “looks around”, he sees evidence of improper activities in the temple, his “house”, and the temple is at risk. Jesus leaves and prepares to return the next day to do what he must to care for and cleanse his house. Here’s Jesus’ lesson for you: Watch over your house. I’m not talking about the physical house; I’m talking about the “house” of relationships built on the foundational blocks of loving God and loving one another in the Lord’s grace and truth. Your house is to be a loving, nourishing environment for all who enter and all who live there. Whatever blocks that from happening, you must get rid of it. God built his temple to be a loving nourishing environment for his people. Jesus has come to “look around” the temple to know what he must do to protect the temple. On the next day he will act to clean his house from evil. Keep your eyes open. Look around. What must you do to protect your house, to clean it of evil? Pause and consider the threat is constant…constant…constant.

May 11, 2012 Get the Donkey

Get the Donkey Mark 11:1-3 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, ‘‘Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” THINK about these two things: Jesus has always walked in his ministry except for his boat rides on Galilee. Why ride a donkey now? And then this: Why does he instruct the disciple to take the donkey with the few words, “The Lord needs it and will bring it back shortly.” The answer to these questions is this: Jesus was saying to his followers and to Jerusalem, “The Messiah is here.” For thousands of years, Israel’s prophets had proclaimed the Messiah’s humble coming. For example the prophet Zechariah said, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zech 9:9) Jesus also shows his Messiaship in his “donkey directives”. In his all-knowing power, he tells the disciples where to find it and what to say when they take the animal. He knows that the words, “The Lord needs it.” will be enough for the people. Jesus’ purpose has transformed from seeking to save the lost to dieing to save the lost. He is drawing the line in the dirt to say, “The Messiah has come. Now it’s up to you to respond.” Pause and consider your response to the Messiah.

May 10, 2012 High Expectation

“I Want to See” Mark 10:51-52 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. DO YOU notice Jesus asks Bartimaeus the same question he asked James and John (see Mark 10:36)? Whether a man was Jesus’ close disciple or a blind beggar, Jesus brought the realm of all his power into play with that simple question. How did Bartimaeus’ answer differ from James’ and John’s answer, (Mark 10:37) “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Both answers are men honestly answering Jesus’ question and expecting he’ll do as asked. But here’s the difference. The disciples’ answer was pointed at themselves. They expected Jesus to use his power and authority to glorify them; whereas, Bartimaeus’ answer showed he trusted Jesus to use his power and authority over sin and sickness to glorify the Lord. Bartimaeus didn’t hold back saying, “I don’t know. Could you possibly heal my eyes, Lord?” Or he didn’t say, “Could I get a few coins for my next meal?” No, Bartimaeus didn’t mince words. He was sick of his blindness. The one who could heal him had just asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” In the breath of the Spirit, that question comes from Jesus through God’s Word upon you today. Jesus has made himself available to you. Get up and go to him in expectation. Then tell him what you passionately desire he does for you to bring glory to him today. Pause and consider Jesus’ power is the same transforming power as that day at Jericho.

May 9, 2012 High Expectation

High Expectation Mark 10:49-50 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. YOU’VE had a long day. Worse it’s been a long week. And even worse it’s been a long, long time since you felt any joy or heard any hope in your heart as the Facebook friend who wrote, “I haven’t smiled inside and out for a long time.” Too often dark clouds seem to hover over your soul. You look around to see people enjoying life, loving others and being loved. You don’t have the relationships you’d hoped for, or they have disappeared as loved ones are gone from your life. You wonder, “Why can’t I have what they have?” You feel as an outcast. People talk to you, but no one knows what to really say because you seem so sad. Then one day you hear a voice say, “Jesus is here! Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.” What? Jesus is calling me? Why would he care about me? I’m a hopeless mess. I’m not loveable. Life is always handing me more heartache than I care to consider. Why would Jesus call me? I’ll tell you why Jesus calls to you. He loves you. I know you’ve heard that before, but listen! Get on your feet. Get out of your sad chair. Move off the couch of despair. Leave your sadness there and come see what the Lord of Life has for you! Who knows, he might give you new eyes to see how wonderful life is when you let him take you by the hand. Pause and consider the Savior beckons you—yes you.

May 8, 2012 Son of David

Son of David Mark 10:46-48 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” JESUS continues his walk to Jerusalem. Picture a significant entourage of men and women who have supported the Rabbi. They’re anxious, hopeful and fearful. Jesus is fixed on his purpose. Then comes the cry, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Who is this beggar who dares to interrupt the Rabbi? Why it is Bartimaeus, the blind beggar. He’s always here along the road. But what does he say? He calls Jesus, “Son of David.” Why would he say that? He says it because it is true. The Jews know the Messiah will come from the family of David. Bartimaeus’ cry is a profession of faith that the Messiah has come. Bartimaeus has heard the news of Jesus. Perhaps he has heard him teach. As Jesus walks by his begging place, Bartimaeus cries out to the Messiah. Tomorrow you’ll see why. But for now take on this lesson. The blind man clearly sees the truth of Jesus. The Son of David has entered into his midst, and he will not let him depart without speaking his petition to him. What do you need? Cry out to Jesus and let him know. It changed Bartimaeus. It will change you, too. Pause and consider the cry of the faithful falls fully on Jesus’ ears.

May 7, 2012 Get In Line

Get in Line Mark 10:41-45 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” TEN disciples are angry with James and John for requesting their glory seats next to Jesus (see Mark 10:36-40). (Matthew 20:20 records their mother made the request—nice work, “mom”.) The disciples are divided. “Division” is not a good word for people who live under the discipline of the Lord. (Note “disciple” in the root of discipline.) Now Jesus brings disciplines his disciples with the truth of his servant life. You see, the disciples are worried about who will sit next to Jesus on an earthly throne. Jesus pointedly tells them that leadership in the Kingdom of God begins with servant hood to the point of death. Even more dramatically, he uses himself as the model of this life-sacrificing servant discipleship. Think of this! The beloved Rabbi says, “I came to seek the lost. I came to save the lost. I came to die for you. Why are you fighting? Stop fighting among yourselves and start serving those who need my salvation!” That’s a good lesson for the church, and a good lesson for you. Pause and consider: are you in line to be served or in line to serve?

May 5, 2012 Rather Presumptuous?

Rather Presumptuous? Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” HAVE YOU ever said to Jesus, “Lord, I want you to do whatever I ask.” in a demanding tone? That’s what James and John were doing here. How do you think they could be so presumptuous to expect Jesus to do “whatever they asked”? Could it be they believed what Jesus had said? Look in John 14:13-14 and see this: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” So, shouldn’t Jesus do what they ask him to do? He said he would. Or did he? John and James forgot something. They didn’t make their request in Jesus’ name. In other words, they didn’t pray to the Father n the name of Jesus to seek the Father’s will. What they were asking was of their own will. That approach will never get you what your desires in line with God’s desires—your will in line with God’s will. Jesus could not have been pleased at his presumptuous disciples. Their only desire should have been to glorify their Lord through a life of obedience to his will and not a life of “give us what we want.” Again it’s time for them to learn a lesson about submitting their lives to truly follow Jesus. James and John need a lesson to turn their will to Jesus’ will. What about you? Pause and consider your prayers: Your will or God’s will be done?

May 4 Jesus Leads

Jesus Leads Mark 10:32-34 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” DO YOU see the picture? Jesus is walking to Jerusalem. The disciples are right behind him. Then other followers are next. The disciples are amazed. The others are afraid. Why? They know the danger Jesus is walking into as he approaches Jerusalem. They know his accusers want to be rid of him. They are afraid Jesus’ enemies will harm him and possibly persecute them. Their religious and government rulers are very oppressive. But Jesus isn’t oppressed. He is the amazing Lord, the Everlasting God who has the power and the strength to face and defeat all opposition. He carefully tells his disciples what will happen. Then he keeps going to Jerusalem, fearless of death, focused on life. Are you afraid? Take heart and step into your Savior’s footsteps. His victory for you is sure. He leads the way to the truth. Follow him. Arrive at the truth. Live in the truth, and your fears will no longer oppress you. The disciples and Jesus’ other followers would see him killed. They would see him rise. Their fear would leave them forever. See your crucified, risen Savior. Your fears will be gone, too. Pause and consider: Jesus’ truth destroys your fears.

May 3, 2012 The Answer

The Answer Mark 10:29-31 And Jesus replied, “Let me assure you that no one has ever given up anything-home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or property-for love of me and to tell others the Good News, 30 who won't be given back, a hundred times over, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land-with persecutions! “All these will be his here on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life. 31 But many people who seem to be important now will be the least important then; and many who are considered least here shall be greatest there.” THE ONLY thing that could make life for my wife and me better than it is would be to live close to our daughter and her family. Seeing them about 4 weeks a year is a difficult circumstance. That separation essentially exists because of God’s call on our lives to live and minister where we do. On the other hand, God has given us an incredible family of “parents, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, and grandchildren” with a family of about 300 as we live and work with our Lord here. That’s what Jesus is describing to his disciples. He has told them they must leave everything for him. And he now tells them they will be rewarded with much more than they have left. Ministering the Gospel, they will live among people whom they will love and support. Their reward will be great. There is, though, that one reference to persecutions. People will come against you as you talk of Jesus. They might make fun of you, avoid you, or even kill you. Even so, there is the ultimate reward of eternal life—ultimate joy forever. How good is that? Pause and consider: temporary ends. Forever doesn’t.

May 2, 2012 Bragging or Complaining

Bragging of Complaining? Mark 10:28 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” PETER’S words seem to shout off the page. Jesus had told the rich young man to leave everything to follow him. Now Peter is reminding his Lord, “That’s exactly what we did, Jesus. Aren’t we good?” Also you can hear Peter desperately calling to Jesus. Jesus had also just said it was as impossible to enter the Kingdom of God as it would be for a camel to go through the eye of a real needle! Oh no! Peter and Jesus’ disciples are in a faith quandary. “We left everything. Will this save us? Was it worth it to leave our businesses, our possessions, our families, our futures to follow you, Jesus? What’s the point if it’s impossible to enter into the Kingdom?” Either way, the disciples’ attitude is out of faith. If they have been obedient to Jesus, they must humbly honor him as the one who called them to “give up all” and follow him. They must be grateful and joyful that the Lord has called them to his Kingdom. If they are wondering if it’s worth it to follow Jesus, they must consider that they gave up much, but there wasn’t one thing of any value compared to the Kingdom promise. These are good lessons. Do you ever think, “Jesus, look at what I’ve done for you!” Or do you ever wonder, “Jesus, is my sacrifice to you worth it? I’ve given up so much. All the fun I used to have, all the things I used to have, all the ….” Is anything more valuable than truly following God? Gladly leave the temporary, and you will gain the eternal. Pause and consider how you really have no choice.