SCRIPTURE
Mark 12:43-44
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
OBSERVATION
The widow's gift was far more valuable to God then the riches of the wealthy because she gave a larger portion of what she had.
APPLICATION
God is more interested in the percentage than He is the amount. Some have lots of money or lots of time. Some have few. God is less interested in whether I have a lot or a little to give, but rather whether what I give is proportional to what I have. Far too often I have made the mistake of patting myself on the back for giving a gift to the church or paying my tithe, when in actuality I was simply giving out of my abundance. Yes, I gave out of obedience, but did I give till it hurt? Only those who give till it hurts — whether they give little or a lot — truly discover the joy of full trust in the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to give until it hurts! I don't want to simply give out of abundance, but out of lack as well!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Assessing the Spiritual before the Temporal
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 11:11) "And He (Jesus) entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking all around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late."
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just made the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The first place he proceeds to is the temple. Jesus goes inside, looks around, and then leaves. It was late in the day but Jesus makes a statement with His actions: The place of Worship, or the spiritual, takes presidence over every other aspect of life.
APPLICATION
Spending time reading God's Word and journaling insights is difficult and time consuming, but it is the place of priority for successful living. No matter how late, or what the agenda is for the day, worship and spiritual enhancement must take priority.
PRAYER
Lord, don't let the business of life and the demands of ministry keep me from my time with You.
(Mark 11:11) "And He (Jesus) entered Jerusalem and came into the temple; and after looking all around, He departed for Bethany with the twelve, since it was already late."
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just made the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The first place he proceeds to is the temple. Jesus goes inside, looks around, and then leaves. It was late in the day but Jesus makes a statement with His actions: The place of Worship, or the spiritual, takes presidence over every other aspect of life.
APPLICATION
Spending time reading God's Word and journaling insights is difficult and time consuming, but it is the place of priority for successful living. No matter how late, or what the agenda is for the day, worship and spiritual enhancement must take priority.
PRAYER
Lord, don't let the business of life and the demands of ministry keep me from my time with You.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Who Controls Your 401k?
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 10:21&22) "And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, 'one thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property."
OBSERVATION
How hard it is to recognize that all we have, all the earth, belongs to God. He is allowing us to use it and enjoy it. Placing security in monitary wealth will restrict your commitment and replace the God on the throne of your heart. Matthew 6:21 says that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Who controls your 401k?
APPLICATION
Saving money is not wrong. Saving money out of fear that I won't have enough for the future speaks volumes about where or what your faith is in. God is calling us to a walk of trust and commitment to Him. I think control is the key to this walk of faith. Does God have control of your life or are you in control and just allowing God bits of your attention?
PRAYER
God, show me how to be sold out for You. Reveal those areas that I am holding onto that You want control of.
(Mark 10:21&22) "And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, 'one thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasures in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property."
OBSERVATION
How hard it is to recognize that all we have, all the earth, belongs to God. He is allowing us to use it and enjoy it. Placing security in monitary wealth will restrict your commitment and replace the God on the throne of your heart. Matthew 6:21 says that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Who controls your 401k?
APPLICATION
Saving money is not wrong. Saving money out of fear that I won't have enough for the future speaks volumes about where or what your faith is in. God is calling us to a walk of trust and commitment to Him. I think control is the key to this walk of faith. Does God have control of your life or are you in control and just allowing God bits of your attention?
PRAYER
God, show me how to be sold out for You. Reveal those areas that I am holding onto that You want control of.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Choice, the pathway to Heaven or Hell.
SCRIPTURE
(Mark 9:47) "And if your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell."
OBSERVATION
Jesus is giving a discourse on hell and our choices that pave the pathway to this place of punishment and seperation from God. In verse 43 He says if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. In verse 45 it says to cut off an offending foot. Here in verse 47 it says to gouge out your eye. I don't think Jesus is telling us to literally cripple ourselves, I think the intent is to chose to stop the offense. If you're lusting chose to stop, if you're going places you shouldn't, stop. Choice is the pavement on the pathway of life.
APPLICATION
Most people are looking for an easy solution for their habits and obsessions. God has given each of us a free will and a choice to honor Him in our thoughts, emotions, and actions, or to dishonor him through selfish gratification. If you are doing something that is not pleasing to God, stop it. Cut it out or off according to Mark.
PRAYER
God, give me eyes to see and ears to hear and a spirit in tune with yours. I chose the pathway to Heaven.
(Mark 9:47) "And if your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes, to be cast into hell."
OBSERVATION
Jesus is giving a discourse on hell and our choices that pave the pathway to this place of punishment and seperation from God. In verse 43 He says if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. In verse 45 it says to cut off an offending foot. Here in verse 47 it says to gouge out your eye. I don't think Jesus is telling us to literally cripple ourselves, I think the intent is to chose to stop the offense. If you're lusting chose to stop, if you're going places you shouldn't, stop. Choice is the pavement on the pathway of life.
APPLICATION
Most people are looking for an easy solution for their habits and obsessions. God has given each of us a free will and a choice to honor Him in our thoughts, emotions, and actions, or to dishonor him through selfish gratification. If you are doing something that is not pleasing to God, stop it. Cut it out or off according to Mark.
PRAYER
God, give me eyes to see and ears to hear and a spirit in tune with yours. I chose the pathway to Heaven.
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Power of an Oath
SCRIPTURE
26The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
OBSERVATION
In this passage the daughter of Herodias danced before the king and she pleased all who were present. Much like the Ballet Magnificat group that ministered to us this past Sunday. Everyone was touched who were present. This dance pleased Herod so much that he told her to ask for anything you want and I will give it to you. Because Herodias nursed a grudge against John the Baptist (vs. 19)she instructed her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. It is here that I made two observations: 1. There is great evil power that grows within you when you hind a hurt and stuff your feelings. You begin to develop resentment, bitterness, hatred, anger and all sorts of flesh. Watch out if you are nursing a grudge. It is only a matter of time before it acts out. Like a pan of water left on the back burner of a stove with the fire burning, it eventually boils over. 2. There is also tremendous power in an oath. When you give someone your word, it is significant. The power of a contract is contained in the words that you speak. Be careful what you say.
APPLICATION
I commit myself to uprooting any hurt that is in side. All anger must be released on a daily basis so that the enemy will not get a foothold in my life. If I give him a foothold, it will soon become a stronghold.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to take the garbage out on a regular basis and guard our tongues.
26The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.
OBSERVATION
In this passage the daughter of Herodias danced before the king and she pleased all who were present. Much like the Ballet Magnificat group that ministered to us this past Sunday. Everyone was touched who were present. This dance pleased Herod so much that he told her to ask for anything you want and I will give it to you. Because Herodias nursed a grudge against John the Baptist (vs. 19)she instructed her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. It is here that I made two observations: 1. There is great evil power that grows within you when you hind a hurt and stuff your feelings. You begin to develop resentment, bitterness, hatred, anger and all sorts of flesh. Watch out if you are nursing a grudge. It is only a matter of time before it acts out. Like a pan of water left on the back burner of a stove with the fire burning, it eventually boils over. 2. There is also tremendous power in an oath. When you give someone your word, it is significant. The power of a contract is contained in the words that you speak. Be careful what you say.
APPLICATION
I commit myself to uprooting any hurt that is in side. All anger must be released on a daily basis so that the enemy will not get a foothold in my life. If I give him a foothold, it will soon become a stronghold.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to take the garbage out on a regular basis and guard our tongues.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Keeping Secrets by Cullen Cooper
SCRIPTURE
Mark 4:21-25 (New International Version)
21 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a
bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is
concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure
you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he
has will be taken from him."
OBSERVATION
WOW! God expects a return on His investment. What good is it for Him to
bring “light” (gifts, grace, talents, revelation, prosperity and so
on) in our darkness if we hide it in a secret place and in keep it for
ourselves! What good is that? That’s like that fine china and silver
setting you may have set away that you never use and many times never
even seen. It seems funny that when it comes to hearing some good old
fashion gossip, we have no trouble letting it spew out of our mouths,
but we seem to have trouble as a witness for Christ. God seems to
be telling us to be “Spiritual or a Holy Gossiper’s “, you know
disciples…
God’s telling us in vs. 23 that it’s not enough just to hear, but
heed to His word. Listen to me and be careful not to listen to the
world. Listen real good, pay close attention. Scripture tell us that
God’s will not give us more than we can handle, that means if we
can’t handle a little, He won’t give us a lot for the good or
bad. Generosity breeds’ generosity and stinginess breeds’ poverty!
APPLICATION
It’s time for me to become a better communicator and a real ( Loud)
voice of the gospel. To know what I’m talking about and talk about
what I know. Giving God the freedom to give me freedom by choosing to
become the disciple (communicator) I have been called to be, by
fulfilling the horizontal relation part of the cross.
PRAYER
Lord… forgive me for my backwards way of living. Replace this spirit of
selfishness with your spirit of generosity in my heart. Release me with
your courage and grace to be the grace-filled disciple You have called
me to be, and give me more as I release more. Thank You for Your grace
and my hope is in You in all things.
Mark 4:21-25 (New International Version)
21 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a
bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is
concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure
you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he
has will be taken from him."
OBSERVATION
WOW! God expects a return on His investment. What good is it for Him to
bring “light” (gifts, grace, talents, revelation, prosperity and so
on) in our darkness if we hide it in a secret place and in keep it for
ourselves! What good is that? That’s like that fine china and silver
setting you may have set away that you never use and many times never
even seen. It seems funny that when it comes to hearing some good old
fashion gossip, we have no trouble letting it spew out of our mouths,
but we seem to have trouble as a witness for Christ. God seems to
be telling us to be “Spiritual or a Holy Gossiper’s “, you know
disciples…
God’s telling us in vs. 23 that it’s not enough just to hear, but
heed to His word. Listen to me and be careful not to listen to the
world. Listen real good, pay close attention. Scripture tell us that
God’s will not give us more than we can handle, that means if we
can’t handle a little, He won’t give us a lot for the good or
bad. Generosity breeds’ generosity and stinginess breeds’ poverty!
APPLICATION
It’s time for me to become a better communicator and a real ( Loud)
voice of the gospel. To know what I’m talking about and talk about
what I know. Giving God the freedom to give me freedom by choosing to
become the disciple (communicator) I have been called to be, by
fulfilling the horizontal relation part of the cross.
PRAYER
Lord… forgive me for my backwards way of living. Replace this spirit of
selfishness with your spirit of generosity in my heart. Release me with
your courage and grace to be the grace-filled disciple You have called
me to be, and give me more as I release more. Thank You for Your grace
and my hope is in You in all things.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Dealing with Pressure
SCRIPTURE
Mark 3:1 ¶ He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.
Mark 3:2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
Mark 3:3 He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”
Mark 3:4 And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
Mark 3:5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
OBSERVATION
It’s fair to say that Jesus was under the magnifying glass of the religious leader’s of the day. They were ‘watching’ Him! The N.T. Greek word indicates more than observing something or merely looking at someone. It reveals the inspection or investigation of someone with the motive of doing something insidious or unscrupulous. How would you like that pressure? How would you feel if people were looking at you and the purpose was to belittle or pick you apart? What about a boss who is looking for a reason to fire you? The religious people found plenty of things in Jesus that didn’t live up to their idea of godliness and proper leadership. I have discovered that what you look for will usually be found and the motive will reveal the purity of your pursuit. This was surely true of these people.
Jesus, however, did not allow their twisted view of leadership and life to thwart His decision to follow the Fathers lead. He healed on the Sabbath day, knowing this would be like wood the religious leaders could use to fuel a fire. They should have repented for their misguided understanding of the Sabbath day principle but they used this as an opportunity to accuse Him. Verse 5 tells us that Jesus, with anger and deep distress about their stubborn hearts, told the man to stretch out your hand. When he obeyed, the hand was restored and made whole like the other one. Our anger is often self serving but this was a righteous anger. JESUS is my hero!
APPLICATION
I refuse to allow any opinion that emanates within man to override the opinion of God.
I will continue to do what God has shown me to do rather than yield to the pressures of public opinion. I am reminded of Romans 12 when Paul reminds us that we will face pressures from the world and these pressures will seek to shape us into the worlds image. He says this: Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV. We must ever forget that we are created in God’s image and must resist any plan, people or pressure that seeks to alter God’s original intent.
PRAYER
O Lord, give me the courage to stand in the midst of opposition and fulfill the assignment given to me by you.
Mark 3:1 ¶ He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.
Mark 3:2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
Mark 3:3 He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”
Mark 3:4 And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
Mark 3:5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
OBSERVATION
It’s fair to say that Jesus was under the magnifying glass of the religious leader’s of the day. They were ‘watching’ Him! The N.T. Greek word indicates more than observing something or merely looking at someone. It reveals the inspection or investigation of someone with the motive of doing something insidious or unscrupulous. How would you like that pressure? How would you feel if people were looking at you and the purpose was to belittle or pick you apart? What about a boss who is looking for a reason to fire you? The religious people found plenty of things in Jesus that didn’t live up to their idea of godliness and proper leadership. I have discovered that what you look for will usually be found and the motive will reveal the purity of your pursuit. This was surely true of these people.
Jesus, however, did not allow their twisted view of leadership and life to thwart His decision to follow the Fathers lead. He healed on the Sabbath day, knowing this would be like wood the religious leaders could use to fuel a fire. They should have repented for their misguided understanding of the Sabbath day principle but they used this as an opportunity to accuse Him. Verse 5 tells us that Jesus, with anger and deep distress about their stubborn hearts, told the man to stretch out your hand. When he obeyed, the hand was restored and made whole like the other one. Our anger is often self serving but this was a righteous anger. JESUS is my hero!
APPLICATION
I refuse to allow any opinion that emanates within man to override the opinion of God.
I will continue to do what God has shown me to do rather than yield to the pressures of public opinion. I am reminded of Romans 12 when Paul reminds us that we will face pressures from the world and these pressures will seek to shape us into the worlds image. He says this: Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV. We must ever forget that we are created in God’s image and must resist any plan, people or pressure that seeks to alter God’s original intent.
PRAYER
O Lord, give me the courage to stand in the midst of opposition and fulfill the assignment given to me by you.
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