March 2

today's reading: Mark 10:32-52

Can you place yourself in the shoes of those who walked that road with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem?

The disciples were astonished.

Those who followed them were afraid.

As Jesus began to reveal to the disciples what was about to happen to him in Jerusalem, they were completely at a loss to understand his words.
They took his words literally, and in so doing, downplayed all that he was trying to tell them.

They could not understand this laying down of life and in three days taking it up again.  Even though he tells them the facts of his betrayal, condemnation and death, they seem to miss the gravity of it all.

James and John were worried about their place beside him in his glory.
( Remember, James and John were with him at the mountain of transfiguration! chapter 9:2) . They had just experienced a ring-side seat as Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus.

They had heard the voice of God confirming Jesus as His one and only Son.

Perhaps having been taken to that mountain of divine privilege, they were unable to contain their pride.

That same pride can consume us today, if we lose sight of the prize that we have in the Lord Jesus and His salvation. If we allow ourselves to think that WE are doing great things.....to think that WE have it all together.........to think that our walk with God makes us somehow above reproach.

The same lack of understanding can plague us, if we don't look into the Word with expectation of receiving clarity from the Holy Spirit. 

Let us never stop searching for the truth in His Word, the Bible.
Let us never stop laying down our SELF and taking him into our hearts.

We need not be afraid, because we can place our Trust in Him completely.

Oh, Lord, help us to live a surrendered life, seeking to always serve others in your name, and by your power, not our own.





 

March 1

today's reading: Mark 10:13-31

Go with me today. Back 2000 years or so to a dusty little town in Judea.

As you walk with me near the Jordan River and away into the little village, we see a delightful sight!

There are children, and lots of them, gathered around, climbing on, making faces at...Jesus! Jesus' gentle story telling and easy laughter have captured the full attention of the little ones that surround Him.

Their parents stand just a little aside.
Hoping that their child might receive a special blessing from this Holy man,
doting moms and dads hold their breath, not wanting to miss the moment when He speaks to their little one.

The disciples have given up trying to get the children away from Jesus....He is enjoying their company so much.....and they too are now caught up in the joy of it all.

We see Jesus playing a game, using sign language to illustrate His tale....it must have been hilarious, because we hear the giggles of the children escalate to wild laughter...we see the disciples chuckling and poking one another and following the actions of the Teacher... they copy His demonstration... of.....

A CAMEL trying to get through the eye of a needle!!!!

I love thinking about scripture as though it were happening right now, in real time.

Try it for yourselves.... as you read... read outloud... but give yourself time to set the scene in your mind.. or perhaps you would like to write down your thoughts as you do this.

Either way, it is an enriching and exciting way to read the Bible.
These are not just stories of long ago people in far away places. They are REAL and most importantly, we know they are placed in scripture for US; to teach us His ways.

Enjoy your journey, today and everyday!

 

February 28

today's reading: Mark 9:30-10:12

End of the Line

Clamoring to be seen and heard, we speak out

speak up

shout out and over the top

HEAR ME!

We cry out... I HAVE THINGS TO SAY

I AM IMPORTANT

Please need me.

Need to hear MY voice.

How proud we are of our selves.

Then comes ONE who says,

If you want to be the first, the greatest, the best...

You must become the servant of ALL.

Really?

The unpleasant ones of humanity?

The ones who rant and rave.........who don't understand ?

The ones who are crass and dirty?

The ones who sleep in the street?

The ones who have everything?

The ones who have nothing .....seemingly nothing.... to offer me?

So I must wait at the end of the line while all of these "others" push in ahead of me.

I must even give them my place?

Must I, Lord Jesus? Must I

serve

them?

Lord Jesus, please help me. Please help me.








 

February 27

today's reading: Mark 9:1-29

A Day in the Life
What must it have been like to be Peter or James or John on this day!

How could they wrap their minds around what was taking place on that mountain?
No television, movies, or video games to prepare them for what they were experiencing. ....

The thing that makes these three so very REAL in this account, is that they did what I would probably do in a similar situation..... stammer around trying to sound like I know what is happening... so I don't sound like a fool........but then sounding like a fool anyway....They were so frightened! (vs.6)

Have any of you "been there"?

These guys just couldn't get it right.

But there was so much to take in! And even though they had been with Jesus for quite awhile by this time, nothing had prepared them to see MOSES(long dead) and ELIJAH(also long dead)  talking with JESUS!

Then, the cloud and voice of God!

The truth is, the Lord Jesus was trying to prepare them for what was to come. The disciples would very soon need to be absolutely certain about Jesus identity as the Son of God.
They would need this information set in stone in their minds, so that they would be able to carry on the ministry with unflinching certainty in His Deity.

They were chosen and called out specifically for this purpose.

As you read this lesson today, I hope you will allow the Lord to impress on your heart that as His own disciple, He is preparing YOU for a specific purpose.

We know for sure that the days are numbered when the Lord "can be found". Our specific purpose as followers of Christ, is to love people with the Love of the Lord, and bring as many of them to Him as we can.

He has chosen YOU and called YOU.
Walk with Him expecting great and amazing things, each and every day! 

 

February 26

today's reading: Mark 8:11-38

New Math

Do you see that there is something supernatural about Jesus' multiplication system? 
His system allows five loaves of bread to feed more than five thousand people, and then to produce twelve baskets full of leftovers!

Verse 20 reminds us of yet another day when Jesus had been given only seven loaves of bread. With those few loaves He fed more than four thousand people, and there were seven baskets full of leftovers!

It sounds a little like the math problems that I wrestled with in my high school years!
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get them to add up right!
For example, using those special Algebraic formulas, I could sometimes make 2 + 2 equal 9.99 to infinity!!!

Similarly( I'm stretching it a little here)  the math that Jesus uses in increasing those loaves of bread to feed thousands is "SUPERNATURAL MATH" ! 
The math that Jesus uses in increasing our offerings of self or possessions to serve many others, leaving enough to fill us up again.... that is also "SUPERNATURAL MATH".

We give our measly "little" to Jesus, and He blesses it to become something much bigger than ourselves....

In trusting Him to sustain us, we will have all the strength, vision, material possessions, courage, financial resources,  ... everything.....we need.

Amazing thought, isn't it!

Remain surrendered to the Lord.
Let Him have complete access to every part of your self and you will be filled

                           and refilled

                                     and filled again....

We give everything..............to gain the only thing that matters............
Jesus gave everything .............to give us the only thing that matters............







 

February 25

today's reading: Mark 7: 24- 8:10


With humility beyond my understanding, the SyroPhoenician woman gave a perfect response to the Lord Jesus who seemed to be saying, "I have not come to help one like you."

She was fully aware that, being Greek, she was not one of the "chosen" Israelites. But overcome with deep love  for her suffering child, she pressed into Jesus, pleading for deliverance for her little one.

She believed without a doubt that He could deliver the child from demon possession and would not let the opportunity pass by to seek His help.

The woman's faith was honored by the compassion that Jesus had for her and her child, and the child was made well!

Are you as willing to humble yourself before Him,seeking answers to your deepest needs?  

Can you be satisfied, believing that He is sufficient in all things?

Have faith and Believe Him. Trust His love for you and His desire minister to you.

In faith, you will receive lavish gifts of love, forgiveness, healing and restoration from His Holy Hands.




 

February 24

today's reading: Mark 7: 1-23

My True Identity

vs 13: Help me to see when I nullify God's Word by insisting on my own traditions.

Vs 20-23 God help me to acknowledge my own evil thoughts:

• The sexual immorality that I entertain from what I watch on television.
• The personal theft that seems so inconsequential.
• The murder in my slanderous heart.
• My greedy ways that desire just "one more".
• The malice and disdain I have for others, mocking them in my heart.
• The opportunities for deceit that I give in to.
• The lust of my eyes that causes me to look........ and look again when something unwholesome passes in front of me.
• My envy of others possessions, talents or gifts.
• The arrogance I have toward others.

Oh, Lord, help me to recognize any sinful way that dwells within my heart or mind.
Help me to repent of these sins......for they are all wicked,  and separate me from the rich  relationship that I desire to have with You.



 

February 23

today's reading: Mark 6: 30-56

Fame

Jesus' ministry and that of his disciples is really taking off in these passages.
The disciples have just returned from their first missionary journey, spilling over with the testimonies of all they had done and taught. Their hearts must have been bursting to share with their teacher, the stories of healing and deliverance!
Can you just see them, grinning from ear to ear, all talking at once, their voices animated and joyfilled,  as they shared their experiences with one another?

The Lord tried to find a quiet place to rest and listen to all that had taken place, but their fame had spread rapidly to all in the region; so that wherever Jesus and the disciples went, people came in droves bringing their sick relatives and friends for that precious healing touch.

As believers today in 2013, we must do all we can to bring our relatives and friends to Christ. People all around us, droves of them,  still need that precious healing touch!

With everything we do, let's be on a mission to spread Jesus's fame to everyone!



 

February 22

today's reading: Mark 6:1-29

Miracle Stopper

The Lord Jesus Christ, in his home town, was blocked from doing all the miracles that He wanted to do for them, because of their unbelief!

This says to me that UNBELIEF is a very powerful thing; powerful enough to refuse the miracle producing power of Christ Jesus!

Don't entertain unbelief in any form.
Use the weapons of the word of God and of prayer, when unbelief steps out of the shadows to attack you.

Speak scripture OUT LOUD to any unbelief that comes your way.
 
Pray asking God to help you in your unbelief, just like the centurion in another part of scripture did when he asked for healing for his family member.

Praise God for who He is to you. Praise is very powerful to ignite faith into action and is able to dispel doubt!

We don't ever want to allow unbelief to block the mighty works of the Lord Jesus Christ,  that He has planned for us!




 

February 21

today's reading: Mark 5:21-43

the Hem of His Garment

There is a lovely old song with this title ..........

If I could touch just the hem of His garment

then I know

I would be made whole.

 

 

If I could just touch the hem of His garment
I know I'd be made whole
If I could just press my way through this madness
His love would heal my soul

Making our way through this difficult earthy life,

we need that kind of faith!

The faith that says .... just a touch of the hem of His garment

just a touch of His holiness...

and I will be set free from my sickness,

released from my painful past,

set free from anxiety about my children,

free from worry over my finances

restored to emotional health

 

Just one touch of His garment.....

 of His holiness

 and I will be able to go on for another day....

because one touch of that Mighty power will keep me going....

 

One touch of the Hem of His garment.......

means I am reaching for Him ... stretching out my hands to Him so that

even if my grasping fingertips brush the edge of His Magnificent Holiness...

I will receive that healing power........

 

There will be no escape.

It will consume all my fears

worries

doubts

anxieties

illness

uncertainties

pain

frustration

self

There will be nothing but that POWER

washing over me and making me

whole and holy

like Him.

 

 

February 20

today's reading: Mark 4:26- 5:20

Show and Tell

As we read today's scripture notice the healing of the demon possessed man named "Legion".
What an extraordinary sight that must have been!

2000 pigs rushing down a steep bank into the lake as the farmers watched helplessly.

I am sure they were astounded, maybe really angry, but amazed at the healing of this poor demonized soul. The one that many had no doubt feared and steered clear of, was able to speak and act normally!

......but the pigs! What about those pigs?

The farmers and locals came out to investigate and air their opinions... and begged Jesus to leave them alone!

I don't wonder! They were surely afraid of what might happen next had Jesus stayed around any longer!

But there stands the man....free FREE !!!! SO VERY FREE at long last, able to live a normal life!
Jesus command to him was to go to the people of the region.... show yourself to them as healed and delivered..... tell of this amazing thing that has happened to restore you to life!

Are you ready to share what God has done for you with everyone your family and friends?
You may never know the impact YOUR STORY has on them and on their friends and families.... but you can KNOW  that it will have an effect on them for good.

So Go! Show and Tell your story to everyone who will listen!

February 19

today's reading: Mark 4:1-25

Hearing Check 

The Lord asks us again and again to truly LISTEN to Him.
We know that His Word and all of His teaching is completely trustworthy.

When the Lord speaks to us in parables, we must pray for ears to hear... the ears of understanding.

The meaning of these parables are hidden behind the words, but they are not completely obscured.
With the ears of understanding....which we are given when we seek them from the Lord, we are able to see "into"  the words and into the truth of the teaching.

Pray for those hi-tech "ears to hear"
             finely tuned to the sound of the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ !


 


 

February 18

today's reading: Mark 3: 7-30

Family Ties

Speaking of "family" brings up a whole gamut of emotions for most people.

There are many kinds of families. Some are healthy in their function, and some are not so healthy.

But ideally, "family" should hold a warm place in our hearts.

Family, functioning properly,  is a place of enrichment, a place of refuge in times of trouble, a place of joy in times of blessing.

Family teaches us how to love, how to play, how to fight, how to forgive.

Family, at it's best, shows us unconditional acceptance, and nurtures us to become confident in our abilities.

So after the Lord Jesus is told that his mother and brothers are waiting outside to speak to him, it seems odd that He does not respond with joy.

What do you think this scripture is revealing about the family relationship He had with them? Or was He just using this as a "teachable moment" for His followers?

Christ shows us, by his reaction, how precious those are to Him who believe in Him as the Son of the Living God, who receive Him as Savior and Redeemer, and who submit to His authority over their lives.

He is not ashamed to call us His own.
In all of our failure, all of our inadequacy, all of our complaining and misery, He loves us unconditionally and with an everlasting love!

Don't you want to live forever in HIS FOREVER FAMILY?

February 17

today's reading: Mark 2:13-36

The Sabbath


As followers of Christ Jesus, we consider it appropriate to  attend worship services on our Sabbath, either Saturday or Sunday, whichever is the custom for your denomination.

The keeping of the Sabbath has changed greatly over the past decade or two.
I still remember that many businesses were closed on Sundays when I was a child. Most gas stations, some restaurants, most clothing stores and other retail shops were NEVER open on Sunday.
That was before the "shopping mall" came into existence!

It is hard to even imagine that now, isn't it? These days, schools even hold sportsing events on Sundays. Most gas stations, restaurants, and retail stores in the shopping malls are open 7 days a week; Sunday's are no exception.

Jesus did not always keep the Sabbath as the religious leaders thought He should. And He was interrogated several times by the Jewish leaders who wanted to know why He would help people on the Sabbath.

In responding to their questions, Jesus seems to be saying that He, as the Son of God, determines the true meaning of the Sabbath,

and He determines how it is to be observed.  

He states, "it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath".

 

By emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, ( Mark 2:27 ) Jesus reminds us that this day is a gift to us from God the Father.

Just as the Father rested on the seventh day of Creation, He has given this day, set aside for us to rest and restore our body, mind and spirit. 

 As you observe the Sabbath today
 take some time to consider it's importance.  

• Determine to keep it well.
• Plan to observe this day with an attitude of worship and refreshment.
• Don't allow this special day to become a day full of mundane ritual or habit! 

What will you do today to rest and refresh yourself for the week ahead?

 

 

 

 

February 16

today's reading: Mark 1:29 - 2:12

A Little Analysis

Reading through the first four books( the Gospels) of the New Testament, you will see four unique narratives of the Life of Jesus Christ.

Having just begun the Gospel of Mark, I thought I would take today to share with you a brief overview of the book.

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four books referred to as "the Gospels". 
Mark was a companion of Simon Peter and worked alongside him and the other apostles to build and encourage the early church.
Mark
Mark shows his desire to let the amazing works of Jesus provide testimony of His deity.
He also frequently alludes to the human feelings that the Lord experienced; such as disappointment, tiredness, weariness, as well as his affection for people.
Mark loves to share with us the mighty works of Jesus! And we will study them all in the next few days.  

In today's reading we see several miracles being performed, and notice that the communities began to respond to Jesus by coming to listen to him teach.
The population would travel to wherever He was staying to bring their sick to him for healing. They would listen to Him teach and preach for hours.
Also, most importantly, Jesus began to reveal his ability to forgive sin.

Immediately, we see the religious leaders of the day taking particular notice of His ministry; not because they wanted to know God the Father better or understand that Jesus was the Messiah.
But because they felt threatened by His popularity among the people and became jealous of His Power.

How you would you respond to Jesus coming to your town today?

You could sit under His teaching, and then witness the mighty miracles of healing people from all their diseases, see demons cast out, hear the Lord Himself say, "your faith has healed you. Your sins are forgiven."

What would your reaction be to this miracle man?
Would you believe Him to be the promised One; the Messiah?

Would you do everything possible to bring all your loved ones to Him for a touch or a word of truth?

Will you?











 

February 15

today's reading: Mark 1: 1-28

I hope you are pleased that you have completed the book of Matthew!
See how easy it is to make your way through scripture when you take it just a little each day!

I pray for each of you, that the Holy Spirit is revealing more and more of the nature and character of the Lord each and every day~!

I would ask that if you aren't already doing so, you would pray before you read, asking the Lord to open your heart and mind to whatever He would teach you today.

Stay with us as we dive into the book of Mark!
************************************************************************

• When you find yourself in the desert and temptations are threatening to undo you, realize that you too can use the weapon of scripture to overcome the enemy!

• Would you drop everything to be obedient to Christ?

• Know that YOU CAN TRUST HIM even when you don't see where to place your foot to take the next step.

         Just BELIEVE AND FOLLOW HIM..........


 

February 14

today's reading: Matthew 28:1-20

Love Story

There is no greater love than that a man would lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

It seems that the end of Jesus life on earth has several similarities to it's beginning.

The angel of the Lord comes to make the holy announcement........
            to confirm that prophecy has been fulfilled at this moment in history....
        The good news is given,telling where they will be able to find Jesus.......

There is hurrying away to share the news.........
       this time it is not shepherds, but the women who had followed Jesus
                running to tell the disciples all they had seen and heard...............

There is even the plotting of the shifty leadership .............
             to make sure that people were not allowed to know the truth...........
                    

When the disciples went to the mountain............
           they worshipped Him..........................


Just as in the beginning of Jesus life....so it was at the end..............
          He would be worshipped.
 
And so it is today................
         He will be worshipped, in love, by those who realize who He really is.

 

  What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

 

February 13

today's reading: Matthew 27: 54-66

Afraid

It is amazing what fear will drive people to do, isn't it?

The fear of the unknown must have been suffocating in the hours surrounding the death of Christ.

Just before He died, there were three hours of utter darkness in the middle of the day! The "sixth hour" until the "ninth hour" was actually noon until 3pm. Not usually a time of darkness.

As soon as Jesus gave up His life, the curtain in the temple(which was a very heavy cloth) was torn from top to bottom.

 

The earth shook SO violently THAT ROCKS AND BOULDERS SPLIT!

 

The most unusual event was that tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were RAISED TO LIFE!

 

Now, that's one POWER FULL earthquake!

 

It is no wonder that Pilate wanted to be absolutely certain that the body of the One whose death would precipitate these earthly phenomena, would be securely sealed in that tomb!

 

His fear and that of the soldiers, elders, and priests, was that the body of Jesus would be stolen to make people believe that Jesus had actually risen from the dead.

 

Do you imagine that there might have been some fear in them that it
JUST MIGHT BE TRUE?
 ...that Jesus REALLY HAD RISEN JUST AS HE SAID HE WOULD?

 

But, they would not have wanted it to be true, would they?

 

They would not want to have..........

       crucified one who would rise from the dead on the third day.....
 

               just as prophecy had said would be the case for the Messiah......

                      just as Jesus Christ had said He would do.......
 

                       .......... that would be too much ................

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 12

today's reading: Matthew 27: 32-53

CRUCIFIXION


Simon, a man from Cyrene-forced to carry the heavy cross to Golgotha.
The only reason the brutal Roman soldiers would have removed this burden from Jesus, would be His complete inability to continue.
And after what had been done to His physical body, isn't it amazing that He could walk on His own?

Crucified alongside the Lord Jesus Christ, were two thieves who were guilty of the crimes for which they were perishing.

This was no ordinary crucifixion day, as if any could be described as "ordinary".

On this day...........

....the Lord of Heaven took the sin of ALL OF HUMANITY upon Himself.

Can we explain what this really means? 
................in those moments, He took every dark, wicked, evil thought or deed, committed by every living soul, from the beginning to the end of time, INTO HIS SINLESS SELF.............

..........................The agony of this would surely have been excruciating beyond anything our words could explain. 

Fall on your knees........
                     Receive the mercy
                                  bought with the blood of the precious Lamb of God.
                                              Receive the love
                                                          poured out of His life into yours.




 

February 11

today's reading: Matthew 27:11-31

Pontius Pilate

Today we are introduced to yet another key character in the historical account of the death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Just who was Pontius Pilate? He was a Roman governor sent to rule over Judea.
He was a prominent figure of Roman rule, which was resented deeply by the Jewish population. He had been in power when Jesus began His ministry, so had no doubt been hearing the amazing stories that revealed Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

Scripture indicates that he was brutal and sacrilegious, but wished to avoid the problem of "Jesus" and squirmed , trying over and over again,  to find a way to release the Lord, rather than sentence Him to death.

Even Pilate's wife played a role, as she warned him to have nothing to do with "that innocent man", saying she had suffered greatly from dreams she had concerning Him.

Reading through today's events, we can see the power of the enemy to take over a situation where people are not seeking the Lord's guidance.

The "mob mentality" is played out to it's miserable end as the Jewish leaders exerted their influence over the crowd to demand the crucifixion of Jesus by the governor.  

Pilate must have seen the folly of it, as he washed his hands of the matter, literally. He looked for every excuse to set the Lord Jesus free, but that crowd would have none of it.

They wanted blood, and in the end, Pilate gave in.

We are called into the picture again as we witness, through the reading of the Word, the beating, humiliation, mocking, the degradation, the heartless and relentless injury.

How do we take it in?

How will you respond?

Do not give in to complacency.

Do not give in to fear.

Do not give in to any emotion

that would ever tear you away from the Savior

 who will never forsake you... not even as He suffers to pay for your sin....