SCRIPTURE
Galations 1:6-7 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
OBSERVATION
Paul the apostle wrote a letter to the Christians in Galatia. The letter was a warning to not follow any other gospel accept for the one that Jesus Christ preached. Paul was concerend that some of the new Christians were following different teachings rather than the true gospel. Today we have the same situation going on in our world. Motivational speakers, authors and so called spirtual leaders are wanting you to buy their new book. People want to teach their own principles, doctrines, and spiritual teachings. These men are wanting you to buy their "Secret" to success. They promise you everything from happiness, riches and better health. 1 Timothy 4:1 says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. We need to be careful to not fall prey to people who are wanting you to listen to their insights rather than the Holy Bible. Some authors bring certain scriptures out of the bible and publish them in their New Age books. The book, "The Secret" promises you success if you apply the "Law of Attraction" to your life. This teaching is not from the Gospel and will lead you away from Christ. The "Law of Attraction" is a demonic teaching that originated from a seance, and was given to Ester Hicks through a spirit-being(demon) called Abraham. Do not be mislead or confused!
APPLICATION
We all want to have happiness in life and to feel successful! So many times we get our eyes off of Christ and want to read some new teaching that will help us to be a better person or more positive. Jesus promises in his word that he has come to give us life and more abundantly. (John 10:10) If we will read his word daily and apply his spiritual teachings we will find true joy and happiness! I want to share the true gospel of Christ with people and not some teaching that will make people feel good. The good news is that Jesus has come to give us life!
PRAYER
Lord teach me to spend more time in your word and to not follow the teachings of men. Jesus send me your Holy Spirit that teaches all things. (Luke 12:12). Lord teach me what to say and how to say it. I pray that you will open our spiritual eyes to see that you are all we need! Protect your church from false teachings and help us to preach the true gospel.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Envy and Pride
SCRIPTURE
Mark 15:9-11: "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
OBSERVATION
So, it was obvious to many that this was all a fabrication - the trumped up charges against Jesus. Pilate knew it was "out of envy" that the chief priests had brought Jesus to him. In Chapter 14, Jesus appears before the Sanhedrin, and it is mentioned several times that their stories did not agree. Out of envy! Were these priests really Godly men who gave in to fleshly temptation to keep their reputations and positions? Or were they merely 'acting out' Godliness for the sake of a prestigious job? Although this was all the fulfillment of God's divine plan, it's so easy to see the sin at work from which Jesus was sent to redeem us. What irony.
APPLICATION
What do I do out of pride or envy? Use my words inappropriately? Put on appearances? Be less than genuine? Am I overly critical of others? Do I use my position at work or in my home to pull rank? Ouch! Do I have to keep thinking about this?
PRAYER
Father, let me humble myself on a daily basis so that You don't have to do it for me. Teach me to be real and to choose my words carefully. Amen.
Mark 15:9-11: "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.
OBSERVATION
So, it was obvious to many that this was all a fabrication - the trumped up charges against Jesus. Pilate knew it was "out of envy" that the chief priests had brought Jesus to him. In Chapter 14, Jesus appears before the Sanhedrin, and it is mentioned several times that their stories did not agree. Out of envy! Were these priests really Godly men who gave in to fleshly temptation to keep their reputations and positions? Or were they merely 'acting out' Godliness for the sake of a prestigious job? Although this was all the fulfillment of God's divine plan, it's so easy to see the sin at work from which Jesus was sent to redeem us. What irony.
APPLICATION
What do I do out of pride or envy? Use my words inappropriately? Put on appearances? Be less than genuine? Am I overly critical of others? Do I use my position at work or in my home to pull rank? Ouch! Do I have to keep thinking about this?
PRAYER
Father, let me humble myself on a daily basis so that You don't have to do it for me. Teach me to be real and to choose my words carefully. Amen.
Friday, March 7, 2008
The Flesh is Weak
SCRIPTURE
Mark 14:38: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
OBSERVATION
How true, how true. How many times have I succumbed to doing what I want instead of what I should? As I mature, spiritually and emotionally, it happens less and less, but it still happens. But, when we place our spirit under God's control, it strives against human weakness. That's why Jesus said, 'watch and pray'. If I'm seeking God frequently throughout my day, my spirit comes under His control and not under the weak control of the flesh.
APPLICATION
So, what do I do about it? Keep myself under God's control, praying and reading the Bible as much as it takes to relinquish my control to His perfect will for me.
PRAYER
Lord, Lord, I want Your will for my life daily. I ask that I would humbly submit to Your control - not my own weak attempt at running this life. Remind me to stay close. Amen.
Mark 14:38: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
OBSERVATION
How true, how true. How many times have I succumbed to doing what I want instead of what I should? As I mature, spiritually and emotionally, it happens less and less, but it still happens. But, when we place our spirit under God's control, it strives against human weakness. That's why Jesus said, 'watch and pray'. If I'm seeking God frequently throughout my day, my spirit comes under His control and not under the weak control of the flesh.
APPLICATION
So, what do I do about it? Keep myself under God's control, praying and reading the Bible as much as it takes to relinquish my control to His perfect will for me.
PRAYER
Lord, Lord, I want Your will for my life daily. I ask that I would humbly submit to Your control - not my own weak attempt at running this life. Remind me to stay close. Amen.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Keep Watch!
SCRIPTURE
Mark 13:35: Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back.
OBSERVATION
This entire chapter is devoted to Jesus explaining to His disciples to watch for the end of days - when Jesus will return in glory and God will judge. Am I ready? There won't be time to tell one more person about Jesus. It needs to be done now - whenever an opportunity presents itself!
APPLICATION
To whom should I be witnessing? Family? Friends? If God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9: . . . He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.), am I doing all I'm supposed to?
PRAYER
Lord, let me not miss a single opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, to invite someone to church, or to show your selfless love through my life. I don't want to walk away from someone and say, "I should have said . . . ". I don't want to come to the end of days and know someone who was left behind because I missed an opportunity. Keep me sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in these matters. Amen.
Mark 13:35: Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back.
OBSERVATION
This entire chapter is devoted to Jesus explaining to His disciples to watch for the end of days - when Jesus will return in glory and God will judge. Am I ready? There won't be time to tell one more person about Jesus. It needs to be done now - whenever an opportunity presents itself!
APPLICATION
To whom should I be witnessing? Family? Friends? If God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9: . . . He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.), am I doing all I'm supposed to?
PRAYER
Lord, let me not miss a single opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, to invite someone to church, or to show your selfless love through my life. I don't want to walk away from someone and say, "I should have said . . . ". I don't want to come to the end of days and know someone who was left behind because I missed an opportunity. Keep me sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in these matters. Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Listening with Delight
SCRIPTURE
Mark 12:37: ". . . The large crowd listened to Him with delight."
OBSERVATION
What must it have been like to live in Jesus' day - to actually hear Him teach? As he travelled, speaking to large groups, the people must have perceived that they were hearing a truth like no other. Did they have any idea that they were witnessing the greatest thing of history mankind has ever known? Probably not. Jesus was poor, humble, and not the type of person they would normally regard as important. But, yet the crowds gathered and followed and delighted at His words.
APPLICATION
Okay, so I don't have God, in the flesh, to listen to and delight in. What do I have? I have His Word, to dwell upon and follow. I have His Spirit to guide me and protect me. And I have the privilege to talk with Him, anytime, through prayer. I know that He is always there, ready to listen, watching over and waiting for our time to be together. Even better!
PRAYER
God, I delight in You. Let me fully appreciate how You are with me today - every day. Let me be fully aware of Your Presence at all times. Teach me to yearn for Your Words to guide and speak to my heart.
Mark 12:37: ". . . The large crowd listened to Him with delight."
OBSERVATION
What must it have been like to live in Jesus' day - to actually hear Him teach? As he travelled, speaking to large groups, the people must have perceived that they were hearing a truth like no other. Did they have any idea that they were witnessing the greatest thing of history mankind has ever known? Probably not. Jesus was poor, humble, and not the type of person they would normally regard as important. But, yet the crowds gathered and followed and delighted at His words.
APPLICATION
Okay, so I don't have God, in the flesh, to listen to and delight in. What do I have? I have His Word, to dwell upon and follow. I have His Spirit to guide me and protect me. And I have the privilege to talk with Him, anytime, through prayer. I know that He is always there, ready to listen, watching over and waiting for our time to be together. Even better!
PRAYER
God, I delight in You. Let me fully appreciate how You are with me today - every day. Let me be fully aware of Your Presence at all times. Teach me to yearn for Your Words to guide and speak to my heart.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Threat Rejected
SCRIPTURE
Mark 11:18: "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching."
OBSERVATION
Can you believe it? That's right, chief priests and teachers of the law began looking for a way to kill Jesus! Why? They were threatened by Him and His teachings. They were afraid! The crowd was listening to Jesus, not them. The people were amazed at Jesus' teachings, not theirs. They must have felt that they and their teachings of the law were going to be exposed as false. Religious men, supposed followers of God, plotting murder! Wow!
APPLICATION
Are there things of God or in His Word that I reject because they threaten my way of life or my comfort? Do I become uncomfortable when certain topics are discussed ot studied? I am to attempt to lead a life pleasing to God, not just the easy stuff. As we read yesterday, we should continually search our hearts and ask God to expose what is not pleasing to Him.
PRAYER
God, I pray that I would not be selective in my obedience - rejecting what is uncomfortable or threatening to me. Please reveal to me what is not pleasing You.
Mark 11:18: "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching."
OBSERVATION
Can you believe it? That's right, chief priests and teachers of the law began looking for a way to kill Jesus! Why? They were threatened by Him and His teachings. They were afraid! The crowd was listening to Jesus, not them. The people were amazed at Jesus' teachings, not theirs. They must have felt that they and their teachings of the law were going to be exposed as false. Religious men, supposed followers of God, plotting murder! Wow!
APPLICATION
Are there things of God or in His Word that I reject because they threaten my way of life or my comfort? Do I become uncomfortable when certain topics are discussed ot studied? I am to attempt to lead a life pleasing to God, not just the easy stuff. As we read yesterday, we should continually search our hearts and ask God to expose what is not pleasing to Him.
PRAYER
God, I pray that I would not be selective in my obedience - rejecting what is uncomfortable or threatening to me. Please reveal to me what is not pleasing You.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Inside, Out
SCRIPTURE
Mark 10:21-22: Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack", He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.". At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
OBSERVATION
This rich young man was trying to live right, at least on the outside. His actions of obeying the laws and of falling on his knees before Jesus to ask about eternal life demonstrate this. But, Jesus saw what was going on inside. I love that Jesus looked at him and loved him. I love that Jesus did not scold him or criticize him. He saw inside and knew that this young man's one stumbling block was his wealth. And, of course, He was right. The young man could not give it up and went away sad.
APPLICATION
We may be doing all the right things outwardly but what does God see inside of us? Psalms 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart . . .". To ask God to do this is to invite His scrutiny of our deepest desires and motives. We should want to be held accountable and kept true no matter how painful or shameful it may be.
PRAYER
"Father, let me be constantly focused inward, scrutinizing myself as You would. Show me areas that are hindering me from following and serving You as I should. Amen."
Mark 10:21-22: Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack", He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.". At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
OBSERVATION
This rich young man was trying to live right, at least on the outside. His actions of obeying the laws and of falling on his knees before Jesus to ask about eternal life demonstrate this. But, Jesus saw what was going on inside. I love that Jesus looked at him and loved him. I love that Jesus did not scold him or criticize him. He saw inside and knew that this young man's one stumbling block was his wealth. And, of course, He was right. The young man could not give it up and went away sad.
APPLICATION
We may be doing all the right things outwardly but what does God see inside of us? Psalms 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart . . .". To ask God to do this is to invite His scrutiny of our deepest desires and motives. We should want to be held accountable and kept true no matter how painful or shameful it may be.
PRAYER
"Father, let me be constantly focused inward, scrutinizing myself as You would. Show me areas that are hindering me from following and serving You as I should. Amen."
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