Hear
Mark 1:1-2 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"
WHAT HAPPENS when you want to deliver a clear message to someone? For example, “Dinner’s ready!” “It’s cold out. Wear your hat.” “Our guests are arriving in 5 minutes; set the table.”
You get direct with people don’t you. Sometimes, maybe you get too direct and express impatience. The thing is, you want to deliver a critical message to someone for their benefit (I hope), and you speak as clearly, directly as possible.
Mark, the gospel writer, has something very important to tell you. He has been around with the Apostles Peter and Paul telling the Good New of Jesus Christ. He’s been involved in starting new churches. He knows the key truth to life is this: the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Now he’s about to deliver the key truth. Mark’s Gospel is short, direct and passionate. He tells you the evidence of Jesus, the Son of God. He show in words and stories how this is true based on the evidence of Jesus’ life.
The first point he makes for the evidence is the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. To his Jewish audience he speaks directly to say in effect, “Jesus is the Son of God, the one Isaiah, the great prophet, told us would come. Pay attention. Get ready. Respond to the truth.”
When you speak directly to someone about the truth, you want them to respond, don’t you? Guess what? God has used Mark to speak directly to you. Will you respond?
Pause and consider that the truth will save your life to eternal life.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
January 6, 2012 What's In A Gift?
What’s In A Gift?
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
WHAT’S in a gift? It depends on how and why you give it, doesn’t it? You can give an expensive diamond. But if you give it with an empty heart, it means nothing to you and little to the recipient. You can give a can of soup with a love in your heart, and it will mean life to the recipient.
The Magi’s gifts to child Jesus were gifts from men who gave their riches from the depth of their heart. They had traveled so long and struggled to find Jesus. They knew from the heavenly sign that Jesus would reign one day. They desired to honor the King. With their bodies bowing down and their hearts full of passion, they gave their best to Jesus.
The thing is, he had given them nothing. They likely expected they would not live to see his reign. They had nothing to gain in their giving. Still, they gave in response to the heavenly signs.
Now, what about you? Jesus has done everything for you. Must I say it? Yes, he’s the King of Kings, who reigns over your life because he has died on a stinky cross for you. Will you give him an empty heart with occasional, meager attempts at worship? Or will you respond to the heavenly signs and give to him your heart?
Pause and Consider...what will you give him?
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
WHAT’S in a gift? It depends on how and why you give it, doesn’t it? You can give an expensive diamond. But if you give it with an empty heart, it means nothing to you and little to the recipient. You can give a can of soup with a love in your heart, and it will mean life to the recipient.
The Magi’s gifts to child Jesus were gifts from men who gave their riches from the depth of their heart. They had traveled so long and struggled to find Jesus. They knew from the heavenly sign that Jesus would reign one day. They desired to honor the King. With their bodies bowing down and their hearts full of passion, they gave their best to Jesus.
The thing is, he had given them nothing. They likely expected they would not live to see his reign. They had nothing to gain in their giving. Still, they gave in response to the heavenly signs.
Now, what about you? Jesus has done everything for you. Must I say it? Yes, he’s the King of Kings, who reigns over your life because he has died on a stinky cross for you. Will you give him an empty heart with occasional, meager attempts at worship? Or will you respond to the heavenly signs and give to him your heart?
Pause and Consider...what will you give him?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
January 5, 2012 The Glory of the Lord
The Glory of the Lord
Matthew 2:9-10 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
MUCH has been written about the star. Was it a supernova? Was it a comet? Was it visible in the daytime? When did it appear?
How about this idea: The Star of Bethlehem was the Glory of the Lord. God is really good at making his presence known. And he’s really good at leading you to where he wants you to go.
Witness the Glory of the Lord in the Hebrews’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land in Numbers 14:14 And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O Lord, are with these people and that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
And then on the night of Jesus’ birth, see this: Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
God is light. He begins the creation of the world with light. His light breaks into the darkness of the empty void. His light breaks into the darkness of our empty souls. His light points the way for you to find him. Follow his light and you, too, as the Magi will find Jesus. You’ll find joy.
Pause and consider how the Bible is the Glory of the Lord pointing you to God.
Matthew 2:9-10 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
MUCH has been written about the star. Was it a supernova? Was it a comet? Was it visible in the daytime? When did it appear?
How about this idea: The Star of Bethlehem was the Glory of the Lord. God is really good at making his presence known. And he’s really good at leading you to where he wants you to go.
Witness the Glory of the Lord in the Hebrews’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land in Numbers 14:14 And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O Lord, are with these people and that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
And then on the night of Jesus’ birth, see this: Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
God is light. He begins the creation of the world with light. His light breaks into the darkness of the empty void. His light breaks into the darkness of our empty souls. His light points the way for you to find him. Follow his light and you, too, as the Magi will find Jesus. You’ll find joy.
Pause and consider how the Bible is the Glory of the Lord pointing you to God.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January 4, 2012 Where's the King?
Where’s the King?
Matthew 2:4-7 When King Herod had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
HEAD knowledge was pretty high in Jerusalem. Heart knowledge was very low in Jerusalem.
The Magi told King Herod they had followed a star to find the King of the Jews born in the last year or so. Herod needed to know what the chief priests and teachers of God’s Word knew about this king’s birthplace. They knew a good deal.
The priests and teachers have God’s Word in the scrolls. They knew exactly where the King of the Jews would be born – in Bethlehem. Their head knowledge is big.
But where’s their heart? They can see the star. They know more than the Magi. But they’re still at home. They’re still in their church. They have no heart desire to seek and follow the King.
How about you? You read the Bible. You read these words. You hear God’s Word taught. You go to church. But where’s your heart? What do you do with what you hear? Does what you know in your mind make any difference in your life?
The teachers and priests missed the King. You don’t have to. Go find him and give him your heart. It will change your life.
Pause and consider how Jesus’ heart is for you. Is yours for him?
Matthew 2:4-7 When King Herod had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'" 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.
HEAD knowledge was pretty high in Jerusalem. Heart knowledge was very low in Jerusalem.
The Magi told King Herod they had followed a star to find the King of the Jews born in the last year or so. Herod needed to know what the chief priests and teachers of God’s Word knew about this king’s birthplace. They knew a good deal.
The priests and teachers have God’s Word in the scrolls. They knew exactly where the King of the Jews would be born – in Bethlehem. Their head knowledge is big.
But where’s their heart? They can see the star. They know more than the Magi. But they’re still at home. They’re still in their church. They have no heart desire to seek and follow the King.
How about you? You read the Bible. You read these words. You hear God’s Word taught. You go to church. But where’s your heart? What do you do with what you hear? Does what you know in your mind make any difference in your life?
The teachers and priests missed the King. You don’t have to. Go find him and give him your heart. It will change your life.
Pause and consider how Jesus’ heart is for you. Is yours for him?
Monday, January 2, 2012
January 3, 2012 Disturbing News
Does Jesus Disturb You?
Matthew 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
DISTURBED? Why would Herod and all of Jerusalem be disturbed? After all, the Magi were seeking an infant boy who would one day be a king. The Magi wanted to worship him a little boy. Why weren’t Herod and Jerusalem excited a future King had been born? Why weren’t they joyful the Heavens proclaimed the sign? Why weren’t they fired up to find out more?
I don’t know. Are you? For years, or perhaps for the first time today,, you may have heard the good news: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Now I ask, “Does that news get you excited and joyful, or does it disturb you?” How could such Good News disturb you?
Perhaps it threatens your way of life. After all, you like living to your own purposes, doing what you want to do, focusing on yourself, instead of the Good News Giver. Or, it could be that the Good News might cause you to really live in Jesus’ teachings—how would that change your life? Perhaps this is disturbing because beneath the gift of love and salvation lies the promise of condemnation if you do not believe.
The truth is, God desires to disturb you to where you cry out to him, “Save me, Lord! I have sinned, and I need a Savior.”
Herod and Jerusalem were disturbed because the King threatened their way of life. God wants you to be disturbed because the King promises you a new life.
Pause and Consider that the Good News will calm what disturbs your soul.
Matthew 2:3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
DISTURBED? Why would Herod and all of Jerusalem be disturbed? After all, the Magi were seeking an infant boy who would one day be a king. The Magi wanted to worship him a little boy. Why weren’t Herod and Jerusalem excited a future King had been born? Why weren’t they joyful the Heavens proclaimed the sign? Why weren’t they fired up to find out more?
I don’t know. Are you? For years, or perhaps for the first time today,, you may have heard the good news: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Now I ask, “Does that news get you excited and joyful, or does it disturb you?” How could such Good News disturb you?
Perhaps it threatens your way of life. After all, you like living to your own purposes, doing what you want to do, focusing on yourself, instead of the Good News Giver. Or, it could be that the Good News might cause you to really live in Jesus’ teachings—how would that change your life? Perhaps this is disturbing because beneath the gift of love and salvation lies the promise of condemnation if you do not believe.
The truth is, God desires to disturb you to where you cry out to him, “Save me, Lord! I have sinned, and I need a Savior.”
Herod and Jerusalem were disturbed because the King threatened their way of life. God wants you to be disturbed because the King promises you a new life.
Pause and Consider that the Good News will calm what disturbs your soul.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
January 2, 2012 Are You Seeking Jesus?
January 2
Are You Seeking Jesus?
Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
THERE’S a good deal of misconception about the Magi going to see Jesus. For example, there were more than three of them—probably at least a dozen men and their attendants traveled to worship Jesus. Also, they didn’t show up at the stable of Jesus’ birth. They show up about 2 years after Jesus is born.
My point here is not so much to clarify some Magi misconceptions, but to ask you, “Do you know the truth
about Jesus?” Or do you rely on someone else to tell you about him? The key to the Bible and knowing God is knowing the truth to this question: Who is Jesus?
As the Magi persistently traveled on a difficult journey in response to the Heavenly star to worship Jesus, so must you be persistent to follow the Bible’s truth to know the truth of Jesus. Don’t rely solely on someone to tell you about him—get to know him for yourself.
Yes, persistently follow God’s Word, the True Sign come from the throne of Heaven to you. You say that the Bible is hard to understand? Then read it again. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Then read it again. The information for you is eternal. Read it again.
Consider how Jesus was persistent to come to you, to die for you, to rise for you. Why wouldn’t you be persistent to know the truth of Jesus, your Savior?
Pause and Consider: What’s your first step to truly know Jesus?
Are You Seeking Jesus?
Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
THERE’S a good deal of misconception about the Magi going to see Jesus. For example, there were more than three of them—probably at least a dozen men and their attendants traveled to worship Jesus. Also, they didn’t show up at the stable of Jesus’ birth. They show up about 2 years after Jesus is born.
My point here is not so much to clarify some Magi misconceptions, but to ask you, “Do you know the truth
about Jesus?” Or do you rely on someone else to tell you about him? The key to the Bible and knowing God is knowing the truth to this question: Who is Jesus?
As the Magi persistently traveled on a difficult journey in response to the Heavenly star to worship Jesus, so must you be persistent to follow the Bible’s truth to know the truth of Jesus. Don’t rely solely on someone to tell you about him—get to know him for yourself.
Yes, persistently follow God’s Word, the True Sign come from the throne of Heaven to you. You say that the Bible is hard to understand? Then read it again. Pray to the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Then read it again. The information for you is eternal. Read it again.
Consider how Jesus was persistent to come to you, to die for you, to rise for you. Why wouldn’t you be persistent to know the truth of Jesus, your Savior?
Pause and Consider: What’s your first step to truly know Jesus?
January1, 2012 A Good Start
A Good Start
Jude 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance &
Jude 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority
JUDE begins this short letter with a blessing. I think the blessing is appropriate for each day, but I think it especially right for today, January 1. What better thing could happen to you this year than to experience and enjoy an abundance of mercy, peace and love to give and to receive? A life filled with these blessings is a life God honors and a life that honors others (love God and love your neighbor?)
But there is a problem to live this way, and that problem is essentially the topic of Jude’s letter. He speaks of people who are disobedient to God’s Word, and those who take grace as a license to do evil. Disobeying God is the reason for strife, hatred and condemnation between people. Seeking our own way instead of God’s is the reason we do not have mercy, love and peace in our lives.
The answer to this problem, of course, is Jesus Christ. That is Jude’s encouragement and conclusion to his letter. When we experience God’s glory and his power in our lives, we know his majesty reigns over those who denounce and disobey him. When we look to the One Who Reigns, we know what mercy, love and peace are. From God we receive these great blessings when we recognize his authority.
Pray this year for yourself and for others to enjoy these wondrous gifts from God. Give grace, mercy and peace to all around you. You will see what a great difference that makes in your life and theirs.
Pause and Consider: Who is the first person you need to make peace with?
Jude 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance &
Jude 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority
JUDE begins this short letter with a blessing. I think the blessing is appropriate for each day, but I think it especially right for today, January 1. What better thing could happen to you this year than to experience and enjoy an abundance of mercy, peace and love to give and to receive? A life filled with these blessings is a life God honors and a life that honors others (love God and love your neighbor?)
But there is a problem to live this way, and that problem is essentially the topic of Jude’s letter. He speaks of people who are disobedient to God’s Word, and those who take grace as a license to do evil. Disobeying God is the reason for strife, hatred and condemnation between people. Seeking our own way instead of God’s is the reason we do not have mercy, love and peace in our lives.
The answer to this problem, of course, is Jesus Christ. That is Jude’s encouragement and conclusion to his letter. When we experience God’s glory and his power in our lives, we know his majesty reigns over those who denounce and disobey him. When we look to the One Who Reigns, we know what mercy, love and peace are. From God we receive these great blessings when we recognize his authority.
Pray this year for yourself and for others to enjoy these wondrous gifts from God. Give grace, mercy and peace to all around you. You will see what a great difference that makes in your life and theirs.
Pause and Consider: Who is the first person you need to make peace with?
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