Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

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

Rules.  They are everywhere!  Rules are posted anywhere and everywhere people gather.  Don’t flush paper towels or other large objects down the toilet. Okay, we get that one.  Don’t ride your bikes on the sidewalk where pedestrians walk.  Well, that makes sense.  Stop at red lights, speed up at yellow lights.  Wait, no, don’t speed up at yellow lights!  (And there is no “orange” excuse, people!)  Green means GO as quickly as you can or someone behind you will honk at you.  Yield unless you think you can beat the car coming up beside you in the lane you want to be.  Merge has different interruptions according to the education of drivers!  Rules, meant to protect us, are translated as rules meant to be broken or set aside when it applies to certain people it seems. 

But when rules are added to become ways to push people around for their own advantage in order to gain power over an already oppressed people, we need to revisit the intent and purpose of the rule.  That’s what Jesus is doing in this passage where the religious leaders are questioning every detail of Jesus’ behaviors and habits as they use their manmade rules as a way to measure and judge His lifestyle. 

The Pharisees and other religious leaders do not know or accept Jesus as Messiah or Lord of the Sabbath.  They do not know Jesus was with God when He wrote The Law, given to Moses, to teach people how to love God back and to love each other. The religious have developed more of a taste for judgement and punishment.  Because of this taste of power, they made a plethora of rules that were ridiculous, hard to keep, and had little to nothing to do with God or His people. 

Here’s an example of one of hundreds of detailed rules:  You were punished and/or fined if you dragged a chair across the dirt floor of your home on the Sabbath because they would be considered work as you “plowed” a furrow across the room!  Oh yeah, there were many manmade rules like this developed over time!  The “religious” felt it was their duty and right to make new rules that suited them.  These manmade rules were not of God but by men who wanted power.    

Jesus is not being rebellious to The Law but is showing the religious the true meaning of reconnecting and relating to God who is The Law!

Mark 2, The Message

Feasting or Fasting?

¹⁸ The disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees made a practice of fasting. Some people confronted Jesus: “Why do the followers of John and the Pharisees take on the discipline of fasting, but your followers don’t?”

^19-20 Jesus said, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!”

^21-22 He went on, “No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles.”

^23-24 One Sabbath day he was walking through a field of ripe grain. As his disciples made a path, they pulled off heads of grain. The Pharisees told on them to Jesus: “Look, your disciples are breaking Sabbath rules!”

^25-28 Jesus said, “Really? Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was hungry, along with those who were with him? How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, with the Chief Priest Abiathar right there watching—holy bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat—and handed it out to his companions?” Then Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no yes-man to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Years ago, Randy became the new pastor of a small country church who said they wanted to grow in number.  He was called of God to go there with a mind to follow what God wanted for His church.  Things were going well until that first Easter.  We had great services, some accepted Jesus salvation, lives were changed.  One woman, however, didn’t speak to us for weeks afterwards and we couldn’t figure out why. Finally, in a board meeting, we learned that Randy didn’t go to the basement and carry up the cross stored there and put it up in front, behind the pulpit for Easter.  “We always have the cross.”  We didn’t know the “rule” of habit.  Yikes, help us, dear Jesus.

The Sabbath was set aside to “serve” our need for focusing on God!  And in this time set aside, we spend it thanking and praising Him.  We enjoy resting from the daily routines of our work lives to center our thoughts on God and all He has provided.  The disciples’ “breakfast” in the field didn’t break The Law if Jesus who is The Law told them to eat to satisfy their physical hunger!

THIS is Kingdom come!  Leaders, Jesus, who is the Messiah you’ve been waiting for, has come and is standing right in front of you!  But you are so religiously concerned over your rules that you are missing Him!  How many times do we miss our Savior as He passes by or miss out on seeing His glory at work when we get overly concerned about our rules of habit not being observed?  Too many!

God is here!  God is The Law and The Law is being fulfilled in His Son, Jesus!  Jesus is not breaking the Law but living it in the way God intended—bringing all our attention and focus back on God!

To “patch up” The Law with our own manmade rules is as ridiculous as putting new wine in an old worn out, cracked bag that will break when the wine ferments and swells as wine is supposed to do.  Jesus is the new wine.  Jesus lives in us who believe. Jesus will become greater in us when we give all of ourselves to Him.  Don’t try to fit Jesus into your old lifestyle.  Let Jesus be in charge of your new life with Him! 

Lord,

I love you with all that is in me.  I offer my life to you.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  I don’t want to miss a think you do or say!  Thank you for all you have provided. Thank you for your Word and Your Holy Spirit who guides us to all Truth.  You are Truth.  Help me now to live who and what I know.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Many of us go through life merely trying to survive from paycheck to paycheck.  We get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed so we can do it all again the next day.  When we marry, have a few kids, it becomes even more important to provide for family so this going-to-work thing becomes a great part of our lives.  We do it for them as well as us.  But when sickness suddenly overtakes health, we cry out, “Is there a doctor in the house!?”

What happens when this Doctor comes into our daily lives, interrupts our daily agendas, and presents a different way of thinking that includes a different way to do what we have always done?  He suddenly gets our attention, we can’t help it, He is different.  We are drawn to this person who strolls along peacefully and teaches in ways we have never heard before.  This isn’t normal.  But this Doctor seems to know exactly what each person needs most.

This Doctor can heal the sick, raise the expectations of mundane living, while giving hope to the hopeless.  How is He doing that?

Mark 2, The Message

The Tax Collector

^13-14 Then Jesus went again to walk alongside the lake. Again a crowd came to him, and he taught them. Strolling along, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” He came.

^15-16 Later Jesus and his disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers. The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: “What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the misfits?”

¹⁷ Jesus, overhearing, shot back, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus said more than once, “I have come to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10, John 10:11 for example)  But who are the lost?, we might wonder.  The lost were real people, created by God, but never really knew God.  The lost went about their lives of survival and didn’t give God a second thought.  They only trusted in the what they themselves could do physically to get by in a Roman occupied and oppressed world. If that meant earning a living by charging more taxes, cheating people in trading goods with unfair scales, and then drinking to excess to forget all about it, then that’s the way it was.  They worshipped self and sometimes superstitiously worshiped (or made bets on) the gods of sun, moon, and stars, along with all the other manmade gods for good fortune.  Adultery was just one of many pleasures of life to soothe a sick soul.  Sin was a sickness among the lost.

Is there a Doctor in the house?  Why, yes there is!

Jesus walks among all the people and seeks out the sick who need healing from being lost without God. The Great Physician presents diagnosis with a cure!  The Doctor comes to where the sick live and shows them the Way to better health through forgiveness of sins.  He shows them compassionate mercy and offers His grace.  Yes, He is different than those deemed “religious” as this Doctor comes with a love for people and grows a relationship with people.  He values all who come to be healed.  He turns no one away who seek Him with honest hearts with a desire to receive what He has to give.

“The religion scholars and Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company and lit into his disciples: What kind of example is this, acting cozy with the misfits?”  (Notice they didn’t come straight to Jesus with their complaints.)  

Aren’t the religious leaders the most sick of all?  (Admit it, we’re all thinking it.)  Jesus came to people who have never heard about God because they are more likely to listen with open minds.  What they have been doing and feeling is not working, so Kingdom of God thinking seems like a better way and certainly worth considering. 

The religious leaders are so steeped in self-importance, arrogance, and pride of position that they feel they “know it all” will not consider anything else.  They seem untouchable and beyond reaching and understanding. We get this from what we understand in our reading, not our judgement, but Jesus’ observation who sees the inside of their hearts.  They know God’s rules and regulations well and execute them religiously—but don’t know God.  They seem “terminal” with no hope of recovery.

I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.”

So, the question that deserves our thoughtful, reflective response is this;

Are we sin-sick? 

Do we need a checkup from the Doctor? 

Are we spiritually fit?  But without a growing, healthy relationship with God?

God’s Prescription that is readily available is this:

Believe and be saved for eternity. 

Repent and be healed. 

Be still and know God through Jesus, His Son and His Word. 

Commune with God daily.  Put Him first in our lives.

Be led by His Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of all who really believe that Jesus is not only Savior but Lord of every part of our lives.

Jesus gives life and more life—eternal life!  Jesus removes sins through forgiveness and replaces sin’s effects with restorative health.

“Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep rustlers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”  John 10:10, MSG 

“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 Way to Truth that leads to Life. 

Lord,

You are Life to me!  You came to save us from ourselves and heal us of all sin.  You offer abundant, expectant, living like no other.  You are God.  We are not.  Who else would we turn to for healing and restoration but you?  There is no one like you!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  You are Savior and Lord!  To you be the glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

And we’re singing in worship, ‘Great are You, Lord!”!

(Songwriters: Jason Ingram / David Leonard / Leslie Jordan)

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord

It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore (You restore)
Every heart that is broken
And great are You, Lord…

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will say
Great are You, Lord…

What will shock and awe us these days?  Is it an incredible, never done before physical stunt by men and women who have trained to perform this unbelievable act?  Is it a musical performance that was wonderfully flawless?  Or was it a near miss from being in a highway accident?  Was it the threat of death as you rushed a loved one to the emergency room?  What shocks us and brings us to our knees in awe?  What causes immediate praises to God in our lives? 

What does  it take for our natural, skeptical minds to change to wonder?  These are the thoughts I have as I read the next passage that is very familiar to most of us who were raised in church.  As we sat as young children in Sunday School, we were taught this story at least once a year as an incredible story of the love of friends who risked it all to bring their loved one to Jesus for healing.  But there is so much more!

The greater message is JESUS, Son of Man, with authority from God, who instantly forgave and healed a man who could not walk—and told him to walk home in front of the crowd!  JESUS caused the skeptics to wonder and the crowd to be shocked and awed by Jesus.  JESUS’ demonstration of the power of God caused the crowd to immediately praise God!  JESUS is the One and Only who can reconcile people to God.  JESUS came to seek and save the lost.  Healing was a byproduct of God’s compassion.

What causes us to immediately praise God?

Mark 2, The Message

A Paraplegic

^1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

^6-7 Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”

^8-12 Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, stunned—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It’s all about Jesus—not you and not me.  God created us.  Jesus is the One who saves us—we cannot save ourselves.  “Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep”. (Psalm 100:3, MSG)

The Trinity of God is God in Three Persons: God, the Father, Jesus, God’s Son, and His Holy Spirit.  Each one plays a role in our believing lives!

God’s Holy Spirit lives in us—sent from God to reside within the soul of every believer in Jesus as a Helper for us!  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” –Jesus (John 14:26)

God’s Holy Spirit guides us, consistently bringing us back to Truth who is Jesus!  “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”—Jesus (John 15:26)

“…And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. –Jesus (John 16:15) Convicting the world is the work of God’s Spirit, not us.

Don’t know what to pray to God when overwhelmed?  “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”  Romans 8:26

“It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free – signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13, MSG)

The secret that awes believers… “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” (Colossians 1:27, NLT)

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)

I’m in shock that Jesus came to die for me when I think of how messed up I can be in my thinking and behaving—but He did.  I’m in awe of the One who created me, came to earth to save me and His Holy Spirit who lives in me. 

I truly stand amazed in the Presence of the Holy One who chose to never leave me.  I’m in awe of a love like this that is like no other love on earth!

“Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’?” –Jesus

Jesus did both…and the man walked home.  Amazing.  Just amazing.

Lord,

Thank you, God.  Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, Holy Spirit!  You are welcome to convict, comfort, challenge, guide and direct my life as I strive to live for you with you living in me.  I stand in awe and I worship you—all day long and into the night—I worship you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Let the shocked and awed praise God!  And we’re singing…

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain
How marvelous, how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous, how wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me!

2 He took my sins and my sorrows; He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry and suffered and died alone. Refrain

3 When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see,
‘Twill be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me. Refrain

(Songwriter: Charles Gabiel, 1905, “My Savior’s Love”)

The book of James says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (5:16b ESV). Other translations say, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (NIV) or “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (KJV).

Great power comes from prayer!  Hopefully, you’ve noticed that just before Jesus does the extraordinary, He has been alone with His Father, God to commune with Him in prayer, listening for what God says to do next.  Mark tells of yet another time when this occurs.  Let’s talk about it…

As a believer, it becomes a part of our DNA as a new creation in Christ to want to spread His love by serving and helping others.  This desire is good until we serve and help others to serve the need we have to feel important, to look good to others, and to stay busy because somehow the busier we are the better we think we are.  This is a trap that we all fall into from time to time.  That’s why the Psalmist reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).  We learn from Jesus, God’s Son, to BE with God, let go or our will in return to grasp God’s will and then DO what HE says. 

Doing without being is just a lot of “noise” while the pure motivations of love, mercy, and grace slowly slip away.

To BEcome more like Jesus is to pray to God, asking what He wants, before doing anything.  As we read, we observe the habits and behaviors of Jesus throughout the Gospels.  We learn from the One we desire to imitate.  Jesus’ miraculous acts and His display of wisdom in teaching are demonstrated after being with the Father in prayer!

Prayer begins and ends His day, while often “getting away alone in a quiet place.”  We learn that prayer equals power.  For Jesus, prayer comes before agendas, before beginning the tasks of the day, before offering advice, before healing, before choosing disciples, before the crowds find him and clamor around Him for attention. 

So, if Jesus knew to step away, get quiet, be still and commune with His Father before doing another healing, performing another miracle, along with another round of teaching—shouldn’t we do the same?  If we are too busy to pray—we are too busy! 

Jesus stayed in touch with the One who sent Him to save us.  We, too must stay in touch with the One who is the Way, Truth and Life!  We are not of this world.  We are children of God with Kingdom of God thinking that come from staying in touch with our Father, In Jesus Name!   

Mark 1, The Message

The Leper

^35-37 While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with him went looking for him. They found him and said, “Everybody’s looking for you.”

^38-39 Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.” He went to their meeting places all through Galilee, preaching and throwing out the demons.

⁴⁰ A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me.”

^41-45 Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Prayer keeps us focused!  After Jesus gets in touch with His Father, He clarifies the mission God gave him to the other disciples.  “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so I can preach there also. This is why I’ve come.”  Healing is not the main work of Jesus; to seek and to save the lost who need God is central in His focus.  As the Son of Man, Jesus receives power to do what God has sent Him to do by staying in touch.  This same power also heals those who come to Him.

“If you want to…” says the leper are words of reverence and respect given to Jesus.  The leper is not demanding or assuming, he is asking Jesus what He thinks is best for him, believing that He can bring healing.  Jesus’ touch heals the man because he wants to do it and is probably impressed by the man’s faith as he humbly requests for His will in the matter.

Now, it will be harder for Jesus to move about freely because the word of His healing power has spread all over that part of the world.  But does He stop praying as His popularity grows?  Does He feel He no longer needs God’s help or direction? Absolutely not.  Jesus is in continual communication with God.  “I only do what my Father tells me to do.”  “I say what my Father tells me to say.” 

Can we say the same?  I’m not going to answer this one out loud.  It’s personal.

Jesus’ last prayer was from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”  Then Jesus died for our sins.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God—except Jesus.  Jesus was the only One who could save us.  Jesus did what God said.  The mission completed, finished, the debt paid in full. 

Jesus went to hell and back again for you and for me and the rest of the world. 

Lord,

My desire is to stay in touch with You throughout the day and into the night.  I lean into you, tapping into Your Power and Strength, Wisdom, and Direction, asking for Your will to be done.  I want to live expectantly to see you at work in and through me. 

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen

How does Satan know exactly how to “push our buttons” of pride, envy, lust, greed, and everything else that is opposite to God?  He knows God.  Satan knows Jesus and the plan of saving the world through God’s Son.  He knows everything about God, the Father, Jesus the Son and God’s Holy Spirit.  Satan knows because He lived in heaven with God as one of his angels until he wanted to be God, so God removed him and those who followed him. 

Satan gathered his demons and now inflicts evil on all that God has created, especially those “in his own image.”  He tempts all of us, especially those who believe in God, with  putting thoughts all around us that lead to perverse thinking only of ourselves and tempts us with all our sin nature desires.  Remember, the evil one has limited power.  Jesus, God’s Son, has unlimited power and all authority from God.  So, spoiler alert, Jesus wins.  Every single time, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit wins when all is said and done.

“… let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” Galatians 5:16-17, NLT   

Jesus battles Satan at every turn in his ministry to seek and to save the lost.  Jesus wins this battle consistently.  With Jesus, we are victorious, too!  Don’t forget that!                                           

Mark 1, The Message

Confident Teaching

^21-22 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

^23-24 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

^25-26 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.

^27-28 Everyone there was spellbound, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and tells them to get lost!” News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.

^29-31 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew’s house, accompanied by James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.

^32-34 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn’t let them say a word.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESOND?

Know God. 

Know the enemy who is against God. To know the Enemy and his methods of operation keeps us less likely to fall for his clever disguises and deceit.

Know Jesus. Trust Jesus. 

Know the Helper, the Gift Jesus gave us.  Follow His Holy Spirit’s leading.   

Know yourself. Believe in the message God puts on our hearts of his love.  Trust Jesus.  Trust where the Holy Spirit leads.  Don’t trust your feelings for they change with the wind.  We belong to Christ. Follow, focus on His character traits, and be like Him.

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”  Galatians 5:19-25, NLT

Lord,

Thank you for the beautiful ways in which you bring people to yourself when we call on your name!  Thank you for healing and restoring us from all that happens to us in this world. Thank you for giving us power to overcome the temptations the evil one throws at us consistently.  We know “that greater are you that is in us than he that is in this world.”  Thank you for the same power available to us to rebuke evil at every turn.  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole.  Help us to point the way to you always!

In Jesus Name, Amen