Listen To It. Use It.
Mark 4:24-25 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. 25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
DO YOU see the ways this scripture is true for you?
If you’re a student who needs to pass a class, you pay attention to enough information to get you through. If you’re a student who really wants to be good at something, you pay really close attention to know as much as you can know.
If for example, you want to be a great carpenter, the more you know and the more you put what you know to use, the greater you will be “measured” by those for whom you build.
One of my big questions in ministry is this: Why don’t people want to know as much of God as possible?
My second big question is: Why don’t people want to use God’s truth in their daily lives?
Jesus says it is critical first that you hear God’s truth (that can be through reading, listening to sermons, etc.) to learn the truth. Then it is mandatory to put God’s truth into action. If you don’t you will lose it.
If you’re a carpenter, pianist, teacher, accountant, salesperson, etc., and you fail to use what you know, you will lose what you know.
The same is true of God’s truth. If you hear it, then put it away, you will lose it. And God will judge you for your lack of faith.
The glorious promise here, though, is that when you begin to use God’s truth it will grow to be a blessing to you and to all around you.
Pause and consider that anything you don’t use is useless.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
February 7, 2012 Sing the Light
Show the Light
Mark 4:21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
THREE years ago on the show “Britian’s Got Talent”, Susan Boyle, a very ordinary-looking woman, stunned everyone with her extraordinary, emotional rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”.
Susan’s dream was to sing as Elaine Paige, one of Britain’s top show tune singers. Before she sang, all laughed at the silly woman with a silly dream. They stood and shouted approval after Susan’s song.
That night, Susan Boyle’s light burst forth onto the world’s stage. Millions of ears heard. To date, this performance on YouTube has 13,640,293 hits. (Elaine Paige’s YouTube songs aren’t even close.)
The people of the world crave the triumph of dreams. They crave the suppressed light bursting forth.
2,000 years ago, Jesus burst forth with the irrepressible Light of God’s truth onto the world stage. When you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that Light is in you and for you.
And so I ask, “What will you do with the Light?” Do you suppress the Light because you don’t trust Jesus’ truth? Are you ridiculed because thinks the Light is silly? Do you know you have it, but you are afraid to “sing it”?
I want to tell you something. Never mind the doubters. The world craves Jesus’ Light. Give it to them. Stand up and sing it out. It is Jesus’ song in you. Let those who have ears, hear Jesus’ truth from you.
Pause and consider, if Susan Boyle kept quiet, no one would know.
Mark 4:21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
THREE years ago on the show “Britian’s Got Talent”, Susan Boyle, a very ordinary-looking woman, stunned everyone with her extraordinary, emotional rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”.
Susan’s dream was to sing as Elaine Paige, one of Britain’s top show tune singers. Before she sang, all laughed at the silly woman with a silly dream. They stood and shouted approval after Susan’s song.
That night, Susan Boyle’s light burst forth onto the world’s stage. Millions of ears heard. To date, this performance on YouTube has 13,640,293 hits. (Elaine Paige’s YouTube songs aren’t even close.)
The people of the world crave the triumph of dreams. They crave the suppressed light bursting forth.
2,000 years ago, Jesus burst forth with the irrepressible Light of God’s truth onto the world stage. When you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that Light is in you and for you.
And so I ask, “What will you do with the Light?” Do you suppress the Light because you don’t trust Jesus’ truth? Are you ridiculed because thinks the Light is silly? Do you know you have it, but you are afraid to “sing it”?
I want to tell you something. Never mind the doubters. The world craves Jesus’ Light. Give it to them. Stand up and sing it out. It is Jesus’ song in you. Let those who have ears, hear Jesus’ truth from you.
Pause and consider, if Susan Boyle kept quiet, no one would know.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
February 6, 2012 Got Life?
Got Life?
Mark 4: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”
DO YOU desire to be good soil? Think of how life-giving is this picture that Jesus draws for you.
What a joy it is to travel America and see bountiful crops of many types fill the fields. America’s rich soil and ample water is one reason for our wealth.
Jesus wants you to be wealthy in his truth. As good soil needs living organisms to grow healthy crops, you must have the living word of God in you. God’s living word grows living truth. Living truth grows you strong against temptation and causes you to produce good fruit in your marriage, your children and your relationships.
I don’t know anyone who has had a garden and purposely ignored it, causing it to become arid, dry and lifeless. But I know many, many people who have an arid, lifeless faith because they do not seek the life-growing power of God’s Word for their lives.
I don’t understand why it is so difficult to get people to read the Bible. Do you?
Pause and consider that Life comes from Life. What is your life source?
Mark 4: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”
DO YOU desire to be good soil? Think of how life-giving is this picture that Jesus draws for you.
What a joy it is to travel America and see bountiful crops of many types fill the fields. America’s rich soil and ample water is one reason for our wealth.
Jesus wants you to be wealthy in his truth. As good soil needs living organisms to grow healthy crops, you must have the living word of God in you. God’s living word grows living truth. Living truth grows you strong against temptation and causes you to produce good fruit in your marriage, your children and your relationships.
I don’t know anyone who has had a garden and purposely ignored it, causing it to become arid, dry and lifeless. But I know many, many people who have an arid, lifeless faith because they do not seek the life-growing power of God’s Word for their lives.
I don’t understand why it is so difficult to get people to read the Bible. Do you?
Pause and consider that Life comes from Life. What is your life source?
Saturday, February 4, 2012
February 5 Trust the Spirit
Trust the Spirit
Mark 3:22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
&
Mark 3:28-29 “I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
YOU SAY, “I thought God forgave all sins. What’s this eternal sin?”
This does seem to contradict the picture of the all-forgiving God who offers you forgiveness and salvation if (Romans 10:9) you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
How can there be any eternal sin?
When you look at Mark 3:22, you see the teachers refusing to believe the Holy Spirit is working to drive demons from people. They are giving the credit due God to Satan.
Now is it clear why this is an eternal, unforgiveable sin? These men refuse to give praise and worship to the holy God, who clearly shows his power to heal.
Do you get that way? Do you refuse, first of all, to believe the Holy Spirit can and will do miracles in your life? Do you believe the Holy Spirit has the power to heal your disease, to guide your life, and to save you from Hell?
Or, do you give credit of the good things in your life to luck, coincidence and chance?
If so, you are neglecting the power of the Holy Spirit. You must stop that false thinking and turn to trust the truth of the Spirit in your life.
Believe in the Spirit. He is alive and powerful. He loves you.
Pause and consider: How is anything possible without the living Spirit of God?
Mark 3:22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
&
Mark 3:28-29 “I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
YOU SAY, “I thought God forgave all sins. What’s this eternal sin?”
This does seem to contradict the picture of the all-forgiving God who offers you forgiveness and salvation if (Romans 10:9) you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
How can there be any eternal sin?
When you look at Mark 3:22, you see the teachers refusing to believe the Holy Spirit is working to drive demons from people. They are giving the credit due God to Satan.
Now is it clear why this is an eternal, unforgiveable sin? These men refuse to give praise and worship to the holy God, who clearly shows his power to heal.
Do you get that way? Do you refuse, first of all, to believe the Holy Spirit can and will do miracles in your life? Do you believe the Holy Spirit has the power to heal your disease, to guide your life, and to save you from Hell?
Or, do you give credit of the good things in your life to luck, coincidence and chance?
If so, you are neglecting the power of the Holy Spirit. You must stop that false thinking and turn to trust the truth of the Spirit in your life.
Believe in the Spirit. He is alive and powerful. He loves you.
Pause and consider: How is anything possible without the living Spirit of God?
Friday, February 3, 2012
February 4 Untie the Gospel
Untie the Gospel
Mark 3:22-28 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.
LOOKING for a way to discredit the demon-driving-out miracles Jesus is doing, the teachers of the law claim he is Satan. After all, Satan is the only one who could cause the demons to go away.
Jesus’ reply is essentially, “That’s ridiculous. A house is divided against cannot stand.”
Let’s shift the view and look at the church and ask, “What, too often, holds back the purpose of the church?” There are many influences that can stop a church “dead” in its mission. Unfortunately one of those mission-killing factors is how we “tie up” Jesus, the “strong man”.
Think how God’s house is too often divided against itself with, “I want things my way?” or “I’m too busy to help.” or “We never did it that way before.” Ministries are left undone because we “tie up” the God we claim to worship with, “Later.” and “Not me.” God cannot work on hearts tied to their own preferences. He needs hearts untied for him.
Pause and consider your heart. Is it bound by “me”, or in Jesus is it free?
Mark 3:22-28 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.
LOOKING for a way to discredit the demon-driving-out miracles Jesus is doing, the teachers of the law claim he is Satan. After all, Satan is the only one who could cause the demons to go away.
Jesus’ reply is essentially, “That’s ridiculous. A house is divided against cannot stand.”
Let’s shift the view and look at the church and ask, “What, too often, holds back the purpose of the church?” There are many influences that can stop a church “dead” in its mission. Unfortunately one of those mission-killing factors is how we “tie up” Jesus, the “strong man”.
Think how God’s house is too often divided against itself with, “I want things my way?” or “I’m too busy to help.” or “We never did it that way before.” Ministries are left undone because we “tie up” the God we claim to worship with, “Later.” and “Not me.” God cannot work on hearts tied to their own preferences. He needs hearts untied for him.
Pause and consider your heart. Is it bound by “me”, or in Jesus is it free?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
February 4 Family First?
Family First?
Mark 3:20-21 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Mark 3:33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
YOU likely put a high priority on family life. You desire to nurture and care for them. God desires you do so.
Jesus’ family went out to get him. He was so intense in his work, he hadn’t eaten. They likely feared for him, also, because of the large crowds around him. They thought it best to go get Jesus and bring him home.
That was good of them from a human point of view, but it was not what God wanted them to do. It’s not what Jesus needed to do right then. He was about his work. There’s family time and there’s “mission of God” time. Jesus’ passion was to be on mission to proclaim the Word of God through his teaching and healing. This was his highest priority.
Yes, Jesus may have been hungry, but he knew he’d survive – remember 40 days in the desert? Yes, people were opposing him, but he certainly would defend himself – remember 40 days against the devil?
When Jesus rhetorically asks, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He’s saying, “My mission is my purpose. My work is to save all my people. I cannot be distracted, and I must do it.”
Pause and consider Jesus has come to take you home.
Mark 3:20-21 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Mark 3:33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
YOU likely put a high priority on family life. You desire to nurture and care for them. God desires you do so.
Jesus’ family went out to get him. He was so intense in his work, he hadn’t eaten. They likely feared for him, also, because of the large crowds around him. They thought it best to go get Jesus and bring him home.
That was good of them from a human point of view, but it was not what God wanted them to do. It’s not what Jesus needed to do right then. He was about his work. There’s family time and there’s “mission of God” time. Jesus’ passion was to be on mission to proclaim the Word of God through his teaching and healing. This was his highest priority.
Yes, Jesus may have been hungry, but he knew he’d survive – remember 40 days in the desert? Yes, people were opposing him, but he certainly would defend himself – remember 40 days against the devil?
When Jesus rhetorically asks, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” He’s saying, “My mission is my purpose. My work is to save all my people. I cannot be distracted, and I must do it.”
Pause and consider Jesus has come to take you home.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 2 12 Real Guys
Twelve Real Guys
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
QUITE a draft day, isn’t it? The Lord Jesus is the General Manager, the owner, the head coach wrapped into one. He has “drafted” 12 young men (most around the age of a college sports draftee) of various skills and abilities to form a world-changing team.
They are ordinary men with no particular reputation. He drafts them from the fishing boats, from the streets, from a tax collector’s booth, from obscurity, and he calls them into an eternal purpose.
As a draftee comes into a professional team to learn a new system of how the team functions, these men will need training. They need to know who the opponent is. They need to know the plan to defeat the opponent. Jesus is calling these men to be on the team, and he needs their full commitment to be an effective team member. He calls them disciples.
Of course, the one nagging question is, “Why did Jesus choose Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him?” It seems to make no sense. But, in God’s plan to send Jesus to the cross, there would have to be one close to Jesus who would reject him. It seems so unfair that Jesus would purposefully call one to betray him.
The reality is, though, the ultimate unfairness in our lives is that God so loved you, a sinner, that Jesus, the only one without sin, would die for you. Makes no sense—we get what we don’t deserve.
Pause and consider that even though our hearts betray Jesus, he has chosen you to be his.
Mark 3:16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
QUITE a draft day, isn’t it? The Lord Jesus is the General Manager, the owner, the head coach wrapped into one. He has “drafted” 12 young men (most around the age of a college sports draftee) of various skills and abilities to form a world-changing team.
They are ordinary men with no particular reputation. He drafts them from the fishing boats, from the streets, from a tax collector’s booth, from obscurity, and he calls them into an eternal purpose.
As a draftee comes into a professional team to learn a new system of how the team functions, these men will need training. They need to know who the opponent is. They need to know the plan to defeat the opponent. Jesus is calling these men to be on the team, and he needs their full commitment to be an effective team member. He calls them disciples.
Of course, the one nagging question is, “Why did Jesus choose Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him?” It seems to make no sense. But, in God’s plan to send Jesus to the cross, there would have to be one close to Jesus who would reject him. It seems so unfair that Jesus would purposefully call one to betray him.
The reality is, though, the ultimate unfairness in our lives is that God so loved you, a sinner, that Jesus, the only one without sin, would die for you. Makes no sense—we get what we don’t deserve.
Pause and consider that even though our hearts betray Jesus, he has chosen you to be his.
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