Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

I was born and raised in Oklahoma.  I grew up going to church, taught to love God with everything within me.  I gave my life to Jesus as a child just before going to church camp one Sunday—led by my mom.  I volunteered to teach a toddler Sunday School class at 15 years old.  May uncle took me aside at 16 years old and told me, “You are kid-magnet, you need to study to be a teacher!”  That affirmation lead me to go to college to do just that—teach.  Before finishing college, my boyfriend who also grew up in church and wanted to be a teacher, became the person who I would commute to college with each day.  That led to a love for each other that was going to last forever. 

One night, after the wedding celebration of his brother to my best friend, we expressed love in ways that led to pregnancy of our first child.  We were engaged but not yet married.  We eloped to marry as soon as we found out.  Then we continued our lives of college work and school as we worked our way through to graduation.  We did this with harsh and humiliating, under their breath, comments from relatives and friends who went to our church with speculation that this baby was coming before the marriage took place.

The subsequent years brought us closer to God who provided all we needed as we raised three children, finished college to earn master’s degrees, and go on to teach in public schools nearby for a few years.  Then God led us both to full time ministry of preaching, speaking and training others in their God led pursuits with a passion only God can give. 

God forgive us through Jesus’ work on the cross.  But people will always remember what you did and who you were as a child.  We left Oklahoma at forty years of age to earn even more education as we pursued God’s leading for our lives.  We are learners with desires to keep learning and growing to the fullness of Christ until we see Him face to face.  At 72 years of age and 52 years of marriage, our love for each other is deeper still.  Our love for God is greater still along with the confidence and assurance that He always knows what He is doing in and through our lives in Jesus Name.

When we go back to visit our hometown after all these years of devotion to God, each other, our children, their spouses, and grandchildren, we hear these comments…

“Well, here they are, the kids whose marriage we didn’t think would last.”

“Remember when you…”

“You don’t talk or act like us anymore…too proud, eh?”

So, this passage always hits my heart deeply when Jesus receives comments that sting his heart.  When they call him “Mary’s boy,” they are acknowledging for all to hear, as a slander to the family—that Jesus is not really Joseph’s, boy.  Jesus is just a carpenter apprentice who left Joseph’s carpenter’s shop that was income to the family to do “his own thing.”  Ouch.

Mark 6, The Message

^1-2 He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He stole the show, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?”

³ But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s boy. We’ve known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?” They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.

^4-6 Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.” Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn’t get over their stubbornness. He left and made a circuit of the other villages, teaching.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus understands what we all go through in this world.  Jesus, who never sinned, died for our sins.  There is nothing we have done or currently doing that Jesus will not forgive. 

“ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)

We can all learn great lessons of compassion, faith, resilience, commitment, love, mercy, and grace from our falls, trials and failures from His Holy Spirit who comes to reside in our hearts, minds, and souls of all who truly believe.

Sometimes you must leave town to grow and mature in what God planned for you long before you were born.

Believe and be saved forever—God’s promise through His Son, Jesus.  Nothing and no one can separate us from His love.

Lord, God of heaven and earth,

Thank you, Jesus for saving our souls and making us whole.  We learn that comments are made from people who don’t know what they’re saying because they don’t choose to really know you or others.  We get that—and forgive them like you forgave us.  Thank you for teaching us to forgive.

In Jesus Name, Amen

What happens in the span of twelve years?  In a young person’s life from birth to reaching twelve years seems like a lifetime already!  Twelve years think they can conquer the world.  Most twelve year olds have developed such confidence from “living in the world so long” that they begin to think they know it all.  They navigated their elementary years with constant new experiences in learning, social interactions, but still live with parents who do not think they are ready to live life on their own. Most parents love their children more than they love themselves and would do anything for them, especially when it is a matter of life or death!

As an adult twelve years is a long time to suffer with an illness that demands constant care.  Twelve years is a long time to continually cleanse yourself and your clothing almost hourly because of your illness.  Bleeding that flows beyond your ability or the doctors’ skills who say they can help you but don’t threatens to end your life.  Blood flow is life giving until it flows freely beyond the ability to replenish itself.  The woman hemorrhaged for twelve long years.  She was ready to give up, but had heard about Jesus.  She had enough faith to crawl under the pushy crowd of people around Jesus to reach out and touch the hem of His robe.

It is no wonder or secret what God can do through Jesus, His Son—sent to seek and to save lost people with power to heal.  Twelve years of time gone by is but a moment on the journey to salvation.

Mark 5, The Message

A Risk of Faith

^21-24 After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, “My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.” Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him.

^25-29 A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.

³⁰ At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”

³¹ His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”

^32-33 But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.

³⁴ Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”

* * *

³⁵ While he was still talking, some people came from the leader’s house and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?”

³⁶ Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.”

^37-40 He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John. They entered the leader’s house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: “Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn’t dead; she’s sleeping.” Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn’t know what he was talking about.

^40-43 But when he had sent them all out, he took the child’s father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child’s room. He clasped the girl’s hand and said, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, get up.” At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God has his own sense of timing: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). He has perfect timing: never early, never late. God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time.  So, it’s not too late to turn to Him!

Twelve years of life on earth for a little girl and twelve years a women has suffered as an adult with illness is no coincidence to God in these two interwoven stories of risky faith, small faith, but enough faith to know Jesus can be trusted.  The woman and the father’s faith was enough fall to their knees and reach out to Jesus.

How risky is our faith?  Even a “seed” of faith is enough, says Jesus to turn to Him for help, healing, wisdom, and most of—salvation—all because of God’s love, mercy, and grace.  With a mere seed of faith, we are set free from all our sins, set free from the hold sin’s entanglements have on us.  We can live this new, changed life of freedom, even while living in an imperfect world, because of our perfect forgiveness from our Savior who wants to be our Lord.

Believe, repent, rise up to be saved for eternity!  Jesus is worth the risk—worth it all!  So, reach out and touch the hem and be healed of all that stops you from coming to Him for help. 

Oh Lord,

Thank you for these moments to consider your works and deeds!  You are life!  You are love!  You are all we need!  Cleanse our hearts, heal our minds with renewal, refresh and feed our souls with your new mercies today, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work within us.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

What has God delivered from you lately?  Isn’t there a time in your life when a challenging situation seemed so difficult that at the time you thought it would impossible to resolve?  What was your response when suddenly circumstances changed and the problem had an answer?  I’m thinking of more than a dozen times of deliverance!

Mark tells of us the fascinating story about a man fighting a war with demons within his soul.  The demons torture this man day and night.  No one can win this war for him.  It is impossible to control the demons who are using this man to torment others in the community.  Then the demon possessed man saw Jesus…

Mark 5, The Message

The Madman

^1-5 They arrived on the other side of the sea in the country of the Gerasenes. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.

^6-8 When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then howled in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”)

^9-10 Jesus asked him, “Tell me your name.”

He replied, “My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob.” Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.

^11-13 A large herd of pigs was grazing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, “Send us to the pigs so we can live in them.” Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.

^14-15 Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. Everyone wanted to see what had happened. They came up to Jesus and saw the madman sitting there wearing decent clothes and making sense, no longer a walking madhouse of a man.

^16-17 Those who had seen it told the others what had happened to the demon-possessed man and the pigs. At first they were in awe—and then they were upset, upset over the drowned pigs. They demanded that Jesus leave and not come back.

^18-20 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn’t let him. Jesus said, “Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.” The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

What seems impossible is always possible with God.  The demons possessing the man knew what God’s Son, Jesus could do.  They knew Him by name and knew that His power would be beyond their limited control.  “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!”  The demons of Satan, the fallen angel from heaven, are doing the work of Satan who thinks he has control over the earth.  “Don’t mess with what I’m doing—I control this man and I intend to control others.” 

But the man who was blatantly demon-possessed sees things differently.  He sees Jesus far down the road, has heard about what He can do, and RUNS to Him!  What a battle the man is in!  He bows down to worship Jesus then the demons in him howl in protest against Jesus in the same breath!  Talk about conflicted!  Jesus sees the work of the demons for exactly who they are.  Jesus knows them as well as the demons know Jesus!  And they are no match for Jesus!

TAKE NOTE:  God is always in control.  Read that again.  I know when difficulties invade our peace, it is hard to wrap our heads around this truth but the quicker we remember, the more quickly the peace of Christ returns to our present circumstance.  Trust God, He knows what He is doing.  BEFORE the man’s demons ask what “business” did Jesus have here on earth, Jesus was ready to send the demons packing—into pigs? Okay, pigs are a disgusting animal to the Jews, so done!  The demons caused the pigs to go so crazy they jumped off the cliff to their death. 

With Jesus, everything changes!  The demon possessed man has a new identity and mission!  He is now known as the demon-delivered man and he has a story to tell!

Again we ask; what has God, through Jesus, delivered you from lately?  Who have you told?  Need help?  Psalm 66 provides a litany of praise to God with words that we can use in our own testimony!

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
²     Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
³ Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”^[a]

⁵ Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
⁷ He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him.

⁸ Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
¹⁰ For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
¹¹ You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
¹² You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.

¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.

¹⁶ Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
²⁰ Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

When we believe, repent, seeking God with all our hearts, minds and souls, we, too, are demon delivered with a new identity.  Our new identity is in Jesus as “child of God.”  In fact, when we become followers and believers in Jesus, we lose our identity of this world and embrace our identity in Christ. Our identity in Christ is being a member of His body, the church.

“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:11-13 ESV

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10

The demons have no power over the power of Christ Jesus, our Lord!  “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” –Jesus (1 John 4:4)

Jesus sends the demon delivered back home to tell His story of God’s goodness and grace.  Wow!  New identity—Preacher of the Power of Jesus to the most populated area at that time—the “Ten Towns.”  Yes, God always knows what He is doing and He is always at work.  Trust Him.

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Cleanse our hearts, remove all that offends you in us, send the demons packing, renew our minds, fill our souls daily with your new mercies, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work within us!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Life happens suddenly in an imperfect, constantly in flux world in ways so unexpected it threatens our very existence—we think.  Our first thought is panic until we are forced to deal with the situation in the best way possible—we think.  “Do something!” we shout in panic to anyone standing around us this seems to be the method by which we problem solve which includes blaming others who are near the situation. We are fixers and faultfinders.

What if we trained ourselves in a new habit?  What if our first thought was to ask God the Creator of all, who knows all before, during and after any crisis we might endure what He thinks we should do—or not do?  What if we relied so heavily on the power of the God’s Holy Spirit living in us, being aware of His Presence in our lives, that any crisis became just another challenge in which to learn something new?  I know, right?!

Mark 4, The Message

^35-38 Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

^39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?”

⁴¹ They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this, anyway?” they asked. “Wind and sea at his beck and call!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, The One who was with God at the beginning of all creation was asleep. The Son of Man was tired from preaching, telling stories of life change and redemption, and healing!  The One who had the power to heal the sick and remove demons from those in bondage was in the boat with them!  But when the storm threatened to sink their boat, panic and blame were their first human thoughts. 

Some of these guys were fishermen!  They knew boats and they knew storms can pop up on the sea!  But instead, they panic with the rest.  Can we blame them?  They know enough to know they are in trouble!

“Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”  How many times have we said the same in our troubles?  “God, isn’t there something you can do to get me out of this?”  Jesus knows, not only how storms work, He has control over them. 

Jesus can and will settle the storm and teaches a faith lesson these disciples will never forget!  With merely a few words, God created the waters and set them in place.  With a few words, Jesus commanded the wind and the waters to calm down.  (See the relationship?) The wind ran out of breath, the sea was smooth as glass, and there was peace once more…with just His word.

Don’t you have any faith at all?” –Jesus

Ouch! Jesus has reprimanded me with this question many times after my own overthinking, finding blame in myself and others, and other ungodly actions and reactions to uncontrollable life situations that I try to “fix” on my own, in a panic.  Panic is a default human first response but can be quickly overridden with honest prayer.  It only takes a few words from our hearts to God’s ears!

“Lord, God, help me!” 

“Jesus, lead me!”

“Jesus, I trust you!”

Hide God’s Word in your heart so that when the storms come and panic threatens our being; we remember how God promises to help us! He always has and always will!

“Show me how to be and what to do according to your will for you know what is on the other side of this situation!”  (“Be still and know that I am God”, Psalm 46)

“Lord, I cry out for wisdom, insight, and understanding!” (Proverbs 2:3-6 response!)

When perplexed and confused by life, I often turn to Psalm 143 for confidence as I remember God is in control and will lead me through it all “on level ground”.  Here are some snippets that we can pray from this psalm of praise, help and assurance—

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.”  (Praise to God who saves us!)

“I am paralyzed with fear. I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.”  (Gratitude to God!)

“I lift my hands to you in prayer.” (Turn to God for help!)

“Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens.” (Confession to God!  I cannot do this alone.)

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Declaring our trust in God as we let go of self!)

“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.(God is our rescue and shelter!)

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.”  (God is our Master Teacher)

“May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (Acknowledging who God is and is with us always.)

“I am your servant.”  (We resolve and declare God to be in charge of every part of our lives!)

In Psalm 143, David prayed for God’s strength when he felt overwhelmed.  I’m so glad we have this prayer to guide us! Through praying this psalm of David, God gives us the endurance we need to face whatever situation life brings us.  No need to panic.  No need to blame.  Just let God do what He does best!  There are lessons to learn!

Panic vanishes like the wind that lost its breath when we pray to God and let God take control —in Jesus Name!

May our shock turn to awe of you, dear Jesus!

Lord,

Thank you for these blessed thoughts of assurance from your Word today.  Be our strength and our song all day long and into the night!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Teach me to do your will as we Your Spirit leads me to level headed thinking and behaving.  I am yours.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word,
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

(Fanny Crosby)

I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

As we come intimately involved with the story of Jesus, God’s Son sent to save the world of all our sins, we never seem to tire of yet another story from Jesus that tells us what to expect when we love Him back. 

Jesus—just saying His Name gives us encouragement when worries leap into our thoughts. 

Jesus—the One and Only we trust with laying all our burdens and concerns for others at His feet in prayer. 

Jesus—The One who embodied a love greater than us, a love that is beyond our human thinking, a love than held him to a cross of shame until the work of paying our debt of sin was finished. 

Jesus—who died and rose again to give us hope for a future with Him for eternity and is preparing a place for us!

Jesus—the best storyteller on earth who showed us to Way to God, the Truth about God along with how to live a full Life with God now and forever!

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there’s something about that name.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there’s something about that name…

(Bill and Gloria Gather)

Mark 4, The Message

Never Without a Story

^26-29 Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!

^30-32 “How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like an acorn. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge oak tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.”

^33-34 With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus told stories that FIT His audience.  His stories about farmers and seeds resonated with those listening who were Sowers of seeds, expecting a harvest for their families’ survival! The farmers listening would agree they didn’t know how a small seed planted in the ground would grow and mature to provide food or give shade in the summer.  They just knew it would happen.

God’s Kingdom work was compared to planting seeds.  We don’t have to know all the details of why God loves us the way He does—He just does and we tell others the story by planting seeds of His Truth.  We don’t have to know all the details of how our problems will be resolved or how a way is made through a sea of overwhelming circumstances, we just trust God’s process and depend on Him for all of life.  Then we testify what Jesus does for those who ask and believe in Him!  We don’t need to question our worthiness or value—Jesus died for ALL.  If fact, “God demonstrated His love for us—while were yet sinners, Christ died for us!, says Paul.  (Romans 5:8)

Yes, we don’t know about tomorrow, as the song goes, but we know Who holds our hand through all of life provided all that we need.  God is for us, not against us. Plant those seeds of Truth—let God do the rest!  We don’t have to know how He works, just that He is always at work!

Believers know Jesus was sent to earth as the Way, the only Way, back to God.  We must also realize that God does not anyone to perish but to be reconciled to Him through Jesus and simply love Him back.  “We love Him because He first loved us,” says John, the beloved disciples who walked with Jesus and learned just how deep the Father’s love is for us. (1 John 4:19) It is this same John who wrote THE verse that even those who don’t know God have seen written on the foreheads of believing sports stars, on buildings, in the spectators stands, as well as preached from platforms of Truth.  “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.”  John 3:16

Want to be more and more like Jesus?  Never be without a story about what Jesus has done in our lives!  His Holy Spirit will give us the words at just the right time and place.  Take Paul’s advice in seed planting:

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:2-6

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

Lord,

Thank you for opportunities to tell YOUR story for your glory and praise.  I am grateful for all you have done for me and in me.  Help me to tell your story simply and clearly so others will know you, too.

In Jesus Name, Amen

I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

According to Adam Grant, author of “Give and Take,” there are three different types of reciprocity types: givers, takers, and matchers.

Givers, takers, and matchers–What’s the difference between these types? According to Grant…

• Takers are self-focused and put their own interests ahead of others’ needs. They try to gain as much as possible from their interactions while contributing as little as they can in return.
• Matchers like to preserve an equal balance of giving and taking. Their mindset is: “If you take from me, I’ll take from you. If you give to me, I’ll give to you.”
• Givers are others-focused, and tend to provide support to others with no strings attached. They ask themselves, “How can I add value for this person? What can I contribute?”

Grant continues to say that there are two types of givers: ‘selfless’ givers and ‘otherish’ givers among us.

• Selfless givers, as you may guess, are the ones who drop everything to help people all the time, which means they tend to fall behind on their own work. Therefore, they usually end up at the bottom of the success ladder (though they’re still happier people than takers).
• On the other hand, otherish givers are smart and strategic about their giving. While they’re just as much givers as the selfless givers, they’ve learned to successfully navigate a world with matchers and takers, so others don’t take advantage of them.

Mm, Let’s see what Jesus says….

Mark 4, The Message

Giving, Not Getting

^21-22 Jesus went on: “Does anyone bring a lamp home and put it under a bucket or beneath the bed? Don’t you put it up on a table or on the mantel? We’re not keeping secrets, we’re telling them; we’re not hiding things, we’re bringing them out into the open.

²³ “Are you listening to this? Really listening?

^24-25 “Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN, HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God is the Giver of all givers.  “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.” John 3:16  Jesus is the greatest gift of all to all the world!  Who can outgive God?  (No one!)

Jesus is bringing God out into the open, demonstrating for all to see this Love of God, while telling stories for greater human understanding about God.  He is not hiding anything of God from the people.  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  (John 8:12) Jesus is not keeping this great Light and Love from people but bringing this Light out into the open for all to see.  

Are we listening, really listening?

When we believe, repent of our sins, accept Jesus’ forgiveness, with a decision to follow in His ways, we experience a new way of thinking, a new life of giving, a new voice from God through Jesus, to share the secret of eternal life—Jesus in us!  (Colossians 1:42)

New life—New goals!  As believers, we no longer strive to get ahead in the world on our own, we follow what God wants for us. We are more giving and compassionate because God loves a cheerful giver and we love God.  We help when help is needed because we are changing because of Jesus in us—our inside thinking becomes “others” focused therefore what people see on the outside is different.  Our new goal, as Paul so eloquently writes is Jesus, the Giver of Life!

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Pressing toward the Goal

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”  Philippians 3:8-14, NLT

God’s generous gift of eternal life by believing in Jesus, His Son…Hide it under a bushel?  No!  I’m gonna let it shine—in Jesus Name by telling His story for His glory!

 “Freely you have received; freely give.” –Jesus to His disciples.  Mattew 10:8

“Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”—Jesus

Lord,

We learn that giving is what you do and who you are. To become more and more like you, we become givers that think beyond human understanding in this world.  We give with no thought to expecting anything in return. Giving, Helping, Telling becomes our lifestyle and a character trait of you that develops in us!  Thank you for not only saving us because of your love for us; but for growing us in your ways by your mercy and grace.  We don’t deserve it, but you give still.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  May I be a giver of Light!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen!

And we’re singing… “Freely, Freely” (Carol Owen, 1972)

 God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name.
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share his love as he told me to.

He said ‘Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

THE IMPORTANCE OF READINESS… This is a very familiar story of the Farmer and the Seeds to church goers.  The story has been preached from the platform and taught in Sunday School classes and other small groups for decades but are we “listening, really listening?” Jesus asks me today.  Do we teach as Jesus taught—in story form—in order to ready people with where they are, beginning with what they already know in order to point the way to Jesus?  Are we getting the attention of people who do not know to be ready to know and believe? 

People who are not “in the know” are as Jesus described those:

Whose eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Whose ears are open but don’t understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.”

So, Jesus tells stories that relate to the current, everyday life of His listeners so they have an opportunity to hear and understand what they need most—a relationship with God. 

So, what do you make of this story?

Mark 4, The Message

The Story of the Scattered Seed

^1-2 He went back to teaching by the sea. A crowd built up to such a great size that he had to get into an offshore boat, using the boat as a pulpit as the people pushed to the water’s edge. He taught by using stories, many stories.

^3-8 “Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.

⁹ “Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

^10-12 When they were off by themselves, those who were close to him, along with the Twelve, asked about the stories. He told them, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. But to those who can’t see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward a welcome awakening. These are people—

Whose eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Whose ears are open but don’t understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.”

¹³ He continued, “Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way.

^14-15 “The farmer plants the Word. Some people are like the seed that falls on the hardened soil of the road. No sooner do they hear the Word than Satan snatches away what has been planted in them.

^16-17 “And some are like the seed that lands in the gravel. When they first hear the Word, they respond with great enthusiasm. But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

^18-19 “The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news but are overwhelmed with worries about all the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.

²⁰ “But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Don’t skip this message within the message!  Jesus is teaching us that every person is living and growing in and out of the many phases of belief and acceptance of Him as Savior and Lord. 

Think about it, there are people today who:

• Have never heard and not concerned enough to hear. Complete apathy.
• Heard about Jesus, considered His story of salvation, but don’t think or believe Jesus was or is real as the Savior.
• Avoid church because people who go to church hurt or offended them.  They judge the imperfect church to be the same as Jesus.
• Visit church with a friend, get excited with others in worship, hear the message of redemption, accept it on the spot while emotions run high, then go home and fall for Satan’s voice telling them that what they just heard isn’t really real and are “snatched” from believing what they just heard and accepted.
• Hear the Word through a song with a story over media playing in their car.  They want what Jesus has to offer—love, acceptance, no condemnation, mercy, and grace, but all their friends do not believe in what they seek, so their growth is “strangled” among friends who do not support their search for Jesus.

• Hear the Word but still consistently worry, waffling between do I commit or not, because of what Jesus might ask them to let go of or add to their already overstressed schedules of life stuff in order to be established in the community.  (Work, kids’ activities, school, family, hobbies, etc.) Their main character trait is people pleasing which is having one foot in the world and one foot into Jesus abundant living.  They soon discover that life cannot thrive divided and cut up into parts.  It doesn’t work.  Their attention is divided between worry, stress, performing well, doing more with less energy, overwhelmed by to do lists versus being with Jesus. They are living in the gravel, the “shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.”  
• Then there are those who are ready to hear with understanding and desire to know more about Jesus.  Their eyes are wide open to see Jesus in all His glory.  These seeds are learners that grow readily and steadily.  They absorb the nutrients of God’s Word. They even memorize portions of His Word so that when trouble comes, they remember what God promises.  Remembering helps them to stand firm against the storms of life and with Satan’s attempts to “snatch and grab” them, by God’s power, strength and wisdom helping them.  These people have an eternal, unquenchable joy, even in challenging times, that is the work of God in them.  There is peace that seems to guide their walk and keeps them in balance.  They are not perfect, but are assured they are perfectly forgiven by Jesus.  They are content because they believe with all their heart, mind, and soul, that Jesus is all they really need to live life to the full.  AND they can’t wait to tell others about who Jesus is and what He can do for them! Bonus harvest!

If we really stop to think about all these scenarios of “knowing and believing,” we probably have passed through most of them in our search for what is most important—our relationship with God through Jesus, His Son.

The Farmer knows what the seeds need to grow and flourish.  He knows that the rain must fall, the soil stirred, and the Son must shine to give Light to grow healthy and strong seeds of faith.  The Farmer knows what stage of growth we are in.  He lovingly tills the soil making us ready to grow.  His tilling might be uncomfortable but necessary.

I like to grow vegetables and fruit as well as flowers in our gardens.  The most exciting day of all is when the “fruit” of our labors begin to appear on the vines.  Imagine what God is thinking when we grow and mature and finally begin to bear the fruits of His Holy Spirit when we fully embrace what He is doing in us—His character traits of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5)

Yes, the Farmer knows we are a work in progress.  Believe in the Farmer who knows exactly what we need when we need it most.  Trust and obey for there’s no other way to grow in His character, embrace His love, and be at peace with the One who loves us most.

Lord,

Thank you for stories that teach us how to grow, how to relate, how to love and how to trust and obey.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.  I’m listening—really listening—ready to obey.  Thank you for your daily manna through your Word that strengthens our resolve to follow you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Where God is at work, Satan soon follows to wreak havoc among the children of God.  Count on it—but we don’t have to fall for it.

Spoiler alert:  God wins now and in the end of time.  Jesus is victorious over Satan.  God’s Holy Spirit’s power lives in us and guides us in the daily skirmishes with our Enemy whose goal is to distract us from God.  This Holy Spirit power equals the power that resurrected Jesus from death to life!  Our response is to lean into and obey His Holy Spirit leading. 

Mark 3, The Message

Satan Fighting Satan?

^20-21 Jesus came home and, as usual, a crowd gathered—so many making demands on him that there wasn’t even time to eat. His friends heard what was going on and went to rescue him, by force if necessary. They suspected he was believing his own press.

^22-27 The religion scholars from Jerusalem came down spreading rumors that he was working black magic, using devil tricks to impress them with spiritual power. Jesus confronted their slander with a story: “Does it make sense to send a devil to catch a devil, to use Satan to get rid of Satan? A constantly squabbling family disintegrates. If Satan were fighting Satan, there soon wouldn’t be any Satan left. Do you think it’s possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man, and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out.

^28-30 “Listen to this carefully. I’m warning you. There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven. But if you persist in your slanders against God’s Holy Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives, sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” He gave this warning because they were accusing him of being in league with Evil.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

^31-32 Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.”

^33-35 Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven.” As soon as we say, “I repent of my sins, dear Jesus, please forgive me,” our sins are forgiven and we are given a new life with power!  This power generates from the Three-In-One, the Holy Trinity: God, The Father, Jesus, The Son, and God’s Holy Spirit. 

God created all and is in all He created.  Jesus, God in flesh, came to earth and moved into the neighborhood of all God created to seek and to save the lost.  When Jesus completed his mission to die for our sins and rise in resurrection power, he visited those who were still mourning his death to prove He defeated death for eternity for all who believed in Him then and now!  When Jesus ascended back to the Father, God’s Holy Spirit was sent as a Helper to come and live in the hearts of all believers, continuing to teach them all that God wanted them to know.  The Three-in-One lives in all who believe and follow Jesus!

We must believe and obey what the Holy Spirit says and go where He leads.  The Holy Spirit helps in every detail of our lives that God desires to be a part of.  His Word says that God actually “delights” in all the details of our lives.  Who else, but God, wants to hear about all the details?  Maybe only a few loved ones who give us some of their time and understanding to really see and hear us.  But God? —He is ALWAYS ready to listen as He guides us into all truth.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Want proof?  Of course—God proves Himself over and over to us…

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

Proverbs 16:9: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

Psalm 31:14-15: “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God. My times are in your hands.”

Proverbs 20:24: “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”

Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to guide My feet and a light for my path.”

Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Isaiah 48:17 (The Message): “I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.”

Father, Son, Holy Spirit have been Three-In-One since the beginning of creation.

We are “joint heirs” with Jesus, the One who saves us, the One who we believe, trust, and obey.  That means, as Jesus reveals in this passage, that we are His brothers and sisters!  Romans 8:17 says, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Our response?  Believe, repent, and be forgiven with the promises of God of His Helper living in us to guide us daily as we seek to trust and obey what He knows is best for us. 

God is for us, not against us.  Satan wants to destroy us.  Know the difference.  Be the difference.  Live the difference!

Lord,

I offer my life to you, all that I am, all that I have.  Cleanse my heart, remove all that offends you, renew and transform my mind, refresh and feed my soul, restoring the joy and peace of your salvation at work within me. Thank you, Lord!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Most of us in ministry dream of a getaway to do less “people things” with only those who live in our household to relax and just be with them for a while.  Most times we get the opportunity to do so.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, just going to a different location supplies new air to breathe with time to talk and listen to each other.  One of those times for our family was a camping trip planned after a long summer of ministry to many children and teens at various camps.  We longed to get away to be with just our three kids and enjoy the quiet of nature, a campfire, and listening to what they had to say.

We pull into the campground to find it is not crowded.  In fact, the camp space on either side of us was empty—score!  We set up camp together, smothered the fire we made, and got ready for our first night of peaceful sleep.  However, Randy and I woke up around midnight by the noises of campers moving in next to us.  It seems a “youth group” were moving in right next door, full of energy, and ready to socialize.  They weren’t obnoxious, just ready to party together in a good way.  The leaders built a fire, a couple of guitar players appeared and they group began singing Kumbaya in unison.  “Come by here, My Lord.”  We sighed.  Really, Lord?

Then Randy and I just laughed at the thought of a youth group following us there!  We can’t get away from teens!  I’m still smiling as I write this memory.  You can get away from the people you minister to for a bit, but God reminds us He is always with us no matter where we go.  We went back to sleep with that thought in mind.

Jesus attempts a getaway to seaside with His guys, but His popularity is too great.  Crowds are swarming from all the surrounding towns because everyone has heard about His miracles.  Everyone with an ailment pushes and shoves to touch the One who heals.

Mark 3, The Message

The Twelve Apostles

^7-10 Jesus went off with his disciples to the sea to get away. But a huge crowd from Galilee trailed after them—also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, across the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon—swarms of people who had heard the reports and had come to see for themselves. He told his disciples to get a boat ready so he wouldn’t be trampled by the crowd. He had healed many people, and now everyone who had something wrong was pushing and shoving to get near and touch him.

^11-12 Evil spirits, when they recognized him, fell down and cried out, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus would have none of it. He shut them up, forbidding them to identify him in public.

^13-19 He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together. He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons. These are the Twelve:

Simon (Jesus later named him Peter, meaning “Rock”),

James, son of Zebedee,

John, brother of James (Jesus nicknamed the Zebedee brothers Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),

Andrew,

Philip,

Bartholomew,

Matthew,

Thomas,

James, son of Alphaeus,

Thaddaeus,

Simon the Canaanite,

Judas Iscariot (who betrayed him).

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, Master Teacher, teaches us how to teach and lead others in the midst of the clamoring crowd.  Even though the crowds press in to get what they want from Him, He set aside time to be with those who devoted themselves, gave all they had, just to be with Him and learn from Him.  Jesus invited them to join Him in His work and they felt honored to follow in obedience to Him.

Jesus chose The Twelve and immediately began to train them to do what He does.  He will teach them to pray, heal, help, and train others In His Name for the glory of God.  He will show them what real life is all about.  Because Jesus is “God in the flesh” as His Son, He will teach them the love of God by example.  He will teach them Kingdom of God thinking that is unlike how the world thinks. Through Him they will “be still, let go and know God.”  At this point, we might wonder what Judas is thinking?  We don’t know but Jesus does and He will work with those He has chosen and have decided to follow Him. 

Since Jesus died and rose again for our sins, we are all given the choice to follow Him—or not.  It is completely up to us to say yes to Jesus who sets us free from all our sins or to decline the offered gift of eternal life. 

Once we do say yes, God’s Holy Spirit moves into our being to teach us as Jesus taught His disciples.  Our minds change when we offer our lives to Him.  Our behaviors begin to change as we become more like the One we are learning from.  Jesus changes everything!  Our prayer life takes on new meaning and intimacy with God.  Our love begins to grow as His deep love for us takes root in our souls.

Our desires change.  What we once sought for ourselves alone changes to telling others about who Jesus is and what He can be for them when they say yes. 

Paul, trained later by these disciples trained by Jesus, explains this discipling process that goes on and on and on through generation after generation…

“…Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, NLT (Emphasis mine)

To be a disciple of Jesus Christ carries a great responsibility which is also a privilege—”Go and tell, and make disciples…!”  (See Matthew 28) and all we do must be done In Jesus Name for His Glory.  He is God and we are not.  Jesus saves, we point the way to Jesus.  God grows the seeds of loving discipleship He plants in us and through us to be planted in others. 

And the beat goes on…to the glorious rhythm of His grace!

God multiplies.  His math, His way.

Lord,

Thank you for these thoughts of how time away to learn from you is so important in our lives with you.  Thank you for showing us by example the gift of discipling others so they can also train others in your love and care.  Thank you for your gift of salvation to me.  Cleanse my heart, change my mind, feed my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me.  Remove all that offends you in me.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

FUN FACT:

Did you know that “Rules of Engagement” is not just a TV show about a married couple trying to find their way through life together?  The Rules of Engagement is defined as a directive issued by a military authority specifying the circumstances and limitations under which forces will engage in combat with the enemy.

IN THE WORKPLACE:

Rules of engagement are also guidelines that dictate how employees should interact with one another. There are many ways to create rules of engagement, but it’s essential to make sure they are clear and concise. They cover everything from communication to conflict resolution and attempt to keep everyone fully informed of expectations.  Some companies create rules of engagement that are specific to their industry, while others opt for more general guidelines. Either way, it’s vital to make sure that all employees are aware of the rules and that they understand them.

OUR RELATIONSHIPS:

Rules of engagement can apply to relationships, as well. Rules of engagement in a relationship are a set of guidelines that dictate how the couple should interact with each other. These rules might cover communication styles, conflict resolution, appropriate behavior or parenting issues. These rules aren’t meant to stifle a relationship but to help it grow in a healthy and productive way. They should apply to both partners and be thoughtful and clear.  Creating rules of engagement is a way to promote a healthy and positive relationship. They ensure that both partners know how they are expected to behave.

JESUS: 

Do what God says when He says to do it. 

Do good—avoid evil. (The real Enemy is not flesh and blood, but Satan who tries to disarm and destroy all that God has created.)

May the love of God lead us.

Mark 2, The Message

Doing Good on the Sabbath

^1-3 Then he went back in the meeting place where he found a man with a crippled hand. The Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if he would heal him, hoping to catch him in a Sabbath violation. He said to the man with the crippled hand, “Stand here where we can see you.”

⁴ Then he spoke to the people: “What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?” No one said a word.

^5-6 He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out—it was as good as new! The Pharisees got out as fast as they could, sputtering about how they would join forces with Herod’s followers and ruin him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

• When a person needs help, help.
• When others are falling, help them to their feet.
• When people need Jesus, point the way to Him.  If necessary, use your words.
• No matter what day of the week, time, or place, if God says help—help.
• We don’t need to form a committee to decide to help.

These are some of the “rules of engagement” as we follow God’s command to love Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls and to love others like He loves us—without conditions.  (See also the other Eight of the Ten, Exodus 20)

NEED MORE PROOF?  LET’S TAKE A QUICK WALK THROUGH GOD’S WORD…

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

“Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.”  Hebrews 13:16

“This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42

“Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.” Proverbs 19:17

“Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.” Romans 12:13

“In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Don’t withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.” Proverbs 3:27

“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” Philippians 2:4

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’” Matthew 25:44-45

“The crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ He answered, ‘Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.'” Luke 3:10-11

“My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, ‘Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!?’ What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.” James 2:14-17

“God isn’t unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name’s sake when you served and continue to serve God’s holy people.”  Hebrews 6:10

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment.” Matthew 10:8 (So maybe you can’t literally raise the dead. But what this verse is really saying is that if you’ve lived a life filled with blessings, you have a duty to extend that love to others. You’ve been fortunate enough to have help from God and likely from people in your community; now it’s time to give back.)

“Poor persons will never disappear from the earth. That’s why I’m giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11

“Generous persons will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

“Don’t just watch your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fall down in the road and do nothing about it. You must help your fellow Israelite get the animal up again.” Deuteronomy 22:4

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion — packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing — will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” Luke 6:38

“But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help — how can the love of God dwell in a person like that?” 1 John 3:17

“Happy are generous people, because they give some of their food to the poor.”  Proverbs 22:9

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out — a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys.”  Luke 12:33

“In everything I have shown you that, by working hard, we must help the weak. In this way we remember the Lord Jesus’ words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” Acts 20:35

“So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.”  Ephesians 4:32

Lord,

Thank you for taking our thoughts much deeper than this personal story of a man who You saw needed help—on the Sabbath—and you helped by healing the man and changing his life.  You challenged the rules of the Pharisees but fulfilled the Law of God and our Father’s intentions and meanings.

The implications go deeper still as you teach and remind us to be helpers in our world of daily living.  Yes, helping is healthy in all ways.  It’s one on one or to a group.  It’s showing your love to others while pointing the way back to you.  Thank you for the opportunities to be your hands and feet, helping without thinking of anyone but You, as we strive to become more like you in all we think, say or do.

In Jesus Name, Amen