Saturday, February 29, 2020

“You Are Seeing Things Merely From A Human Point Of View, Not From God's.”


“You Are Seeing
Things Merely From A Human Point Of View,
Not From God's.”
Scripture
Mark 8
31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. 

32 As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.

33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 
35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 
36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
37 Is anything worth more than your soul? 
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Observation
Looking back over my life, when I was younger, in my 20's, 30's 40's, and even 50's experiencing the death of a loved one and attending someone's funeral seemed like a very rare thing, but now that I am just about to leave my sixties in a year, oh my goodness, it seems like a weekly event. I don't know about you, but I am glad that this place is not my forever home! I am just passing through.
When Jesus was talking about His death and His resurrection Simon Peter scolded Him, just like some of our loved ones do if we begin to talk about dying.
What Jesus said to Peter in response is exactly what I am thinking about as I write this simple blog. Jesus told Peter, “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
I want to see what is happening around me, yes and especially death, from God's point of view, from His perspective, not from a human's point of view. I want to see and grasp the big picture! Don't you?
John 11:25
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
Romans 8:38-39
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 

39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Application
This broken world is not my home. I am just passing through!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for Your Word. Without it I would have no hope. You have a plan for me and it is a forever plan. Jeremiah 29:11 is your plan for me and for all who put their faith and trust in You.
“ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 28,29; Mark 8



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Friday, February 28, 2020

Love Is Patient And Kind.


Love
Is
Patient And Kind.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 13
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 
6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Observation
Married or in a relationship with someone who is not patient? Who is not kind? Oh, wouldn't it be nice if they would just change! If that describes you and your situation then 1 Corinthians 13:7 is for you, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
It breaks my heart when I hear that a couple is not getting along with each other.
After being married for 50 years to my highschool sweetheart I can tell you from personal experience what messes up my relationship with Kathy from time to time and what can mess up any relationship that you may be involved in.
Are you ready? It is “Me … Myself … and I”!
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged
Application

I will put Kathy's needs and the needs of others above my own.

How about you?
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I am by nature a selfish person. But I also realize that I have Christ living in me and I know that I always have the choice to either be selfish or selfless. Help me to choose to be a servant rather than the one who wants to be served.
I pray for those who are having a rough time in their relationship. Help them to put 1 Corinthians 13 into practice regardless of the behavior of their partner. Show them how to weather the storm. Help them model Christlikeness even under difficult circumstances.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 24,25,26,27; 1 Corinthians 13



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Thursday, February 27, 2020

For They Still Didn't Understand The Significance Of The Miracle Of The Loaves. Their Hearts Were Too Hard To Take It In.


For They Still Didn't Understand The Significance
Of The Miracle Of The Loaves.
Their Hearts Were Too Hard To Take It In.
Scripture
Mark 6
45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 

46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 
48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 
49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 
50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 
51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 
52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
Observation

Let's not be too hard on the disciples of Jesus, you and I have just as serious of a heart problem as they did!
Just a few verses after this story Jesus lets us know this about our hearts in Mark 7:20-23:
“And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
Hard stony hearts, a heart filled with wickedness, this is a description of my heart, not my neighbor's heart, no, no, no, … it is a description of my heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 says this about my heart, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
Application
I know how rotten, how evil and how hard my heart can be that is why I need to be in God's Word every day. I need to keep my sins confessed up and I need to allow Jesus to be Lord of my life. I need to allow Him to be on the throne of my heart.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
Psalm 119:9,11
9 How can a young person stay pure?
    By obeying your word.
1 I have hidden your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to have a heart that seeks after You. Don't let me fill my heart with things that will cause me to sin. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7



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Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Go Home To Your Own People And Tell Them How Much The Lord Has Done For You.


Go Home
To Your Own People And Tell Them
How Much The Lord Has Done For You.
Scripture
Mark 5
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 
15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Observation
Maybe Jesus hasn't cast out a thousand demons from your body like He did for this man, but if Jesus is your Lord and Savior then you have a unique story to tell! I hope you realize how important it is to give God the praise and glory for what He has done in your life.
Last night at the hospital I met a guy name Charlie, and Charlie in spite of being very sick, kept telling me what a great God he served and how good God had been to him. He and his wife filled that room with praise for the God they served.
When you are around someone like Charlie you leave their presence amazed at their faith … just like in this story where this man's own people were amazed when they saw and heard what had happened to him.
Let's give God glory in both the good times and in the bad times so people can be amazed at what God is doing in our lives!
Application
I will tell people all that the Lord has done for me. I will brag on Him and give Him all the credit and the glory!
How about you? Whine and complain – or – Give God praise and glory! It is a choice!
Prayer

Heavenly Father, don't let me complain. Don't let me whine. You have been so good to me. I am blessed. Thank You for taking care of me. I want You to get glory from my life. Help me to shine for You.
I pray for those who are sick and are experiencing pain. Help them to be like Charlie and give You praise in spite of their circumstances. Don't let them have a pity party. Show them that You are right there with them as they go through this time of suffering. Give them strength. Help them to be strong.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 19,20; Psalms 28; Mark 5



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Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Teacher, Don't You Care …


Teacher,
Don't
You Care …
Scripture
Mark 4
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Observation
Don't be too rough on the disciples of Jesus – I bet that you and I have thought the same thing before when something bad happened to us or when something bad happened to one of our loved ones. God, don't You care?
Sickness, death, dying, financial reversal, divorce, and a million other things could happen that could cause us to call into question the goodness of our Heavenly Father.
Living in this world is brutal – and no, life is definitely not fair.
You and I will face storms. Our boats will take on water and we will feel like we are getting ready to sink.
Here is the advantage that we have over Jesus' twelve disciples … we know that He cares. We have the entire Word of God. We have thousands and thousands of His promises that we can read and hold on to each day!
We know how much God loves us and cares about us. Jesus paid a very high price, His own blood to make sure that I live forever with Him. He loves us that much!

Application
Nothing touches my life that is not first filtered through the hands of our Heavenly Father. He has allowed it to touch my life. I need to walk by faith, trusting Him, as I go through each and every challenge and trial.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that each and every challenge that comes my way is an opportunity for me to exercise my faith and my trust in You. How could I ever learn to trust You if I never experienced problems and trouble. Don't let me blame You when bad things happen to me or to those I love. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. I know that You have in store for me things that are so good that I can't even imagine how good that it is going to be. I know that one day I will live in a perfect pain free body in a restored world where everything is perfect and no hint of evil. I look forward to that day! Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 17,18; Psalms 29; Mark 4



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Monday, February 24, 2020

But Those Who Hope In The Lord Will Renew Their Strength They Will Soar On Wings Like Eagles They Will Run And Not Grow Weary, They Will Walk And Not Be Faint.


But Those Who Hope In The Lord Will Renew Their Strength
They Will Soar On Wings Like Eagles They Will Run
And Not Grow Weary, They Will Walk And Not Be Faint.
Scripture
Isaiah 40
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Observation
Where are we placing our hope? In our savings account? In our government? In ourself? In our spouse? Isaiah 40 tells us the only safe and secure place to find hope! I love Isaiah 40:31 – it is a great verse to meditate on as we start out the week!
So are we tired and weary? Has life dragged us down? Not soaring like an eagle these days?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40 is the passage for our Bible study this Sunday morning at Christ Fellowship. Come join us at 9 am in building D-101 and then stay for worship at 10 am and sit with us. Kathy and I would love to have you join us!
Application
I will put my hope in the Lord this week so I can soar like an Eagle!
How about you? Soar like an Eagle or stay on the ground with a bunch of turkeys?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, don't let me act like a turkey when I can soar like an Eagle! My hope is in You and only You. You will never let me down. You always keep Your promises. What You have said in Your Word, You will do. I can count on You.
I pray for any person struggling today. Help them, Lord. Show them that they can place their trust and their hope in You. Don't let them give up. Bring people into their life to encourage them. Speak to them through Your Word. Help them to soar like an Eagle!
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 14,15,16; Mark 3; I added: Isaiah 40



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Sunday, February 23, 2020

Since They Could Not Get Him To Jesus Because Of The Crowd, They Made An Opening In The Roof Above Jesus By Digging Through It.


Since They Could Not Get Him To Jesus Because Of The Crowd,
They Made An Opening In The Roof
Above Jesus By Digging Through It.
Scripture
Mark 2
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 
2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 
3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 
4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Observation
They were desperate! These four friends wanted their friend to meet Jesus because they knew that Jesus would heal their friend. Bringing people to Jesus because we love them and because we care about them – That is the way I came to know Jesus.
Someone cared enough about me to visit me and he continued to visit me and he did not give up on me until I started coming to a Bible study at church.
Now I have to admit that I didn't like his persistence because at the time I wasn't wanting to go to church, but he didn't give up. He was like one of the four friends carrying their friend to Jesus.
It was a few months later after I started attending his Bible study that I surrendered my life to Jesus.
I am forever grateful to this man who did not give up on me.
Who do we need to bring to Jesus? Who, because of our faith, needs to hear about our Savior?
WHO IS YOUR ONE? WHO IS MY ONE?
Application
I will be looking for my ONE who needs Jesus and I will be willing to be persistent to help him come to Christ.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be willing to sacrifice my time and money to see someone come to faith in Jesus. Those four men had to fix that roof after they tore it up to get their friend to Jesus. Help me to be willing to make sacrificies so that someone has the chance to know Jesus as his Savior and his Lord. Show me who I need to invest my time and my energy in, helping them to have a personal relationship with You.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 12,13; Psalms 90; Mark 2



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Saturday, February 22, 2020

My Heart Has Heard You Say, “Come And Talk With Me.” And My Heart Responds, “Lord, I Am Coming.”


My Heart Has Heard You Say,
“Come And Talk With Me.”
And My Heart Responds, “Lord, I Am Coming.”
Scripture
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
    when my enemies and foes attack me,
    they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident.
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
    Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
    And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Observation
At our house, when Kathy and I first get up, she goes to her quiet place and I go to mine and we take time to pray and spend time with God in His Word. Nothing is more important … nothing!
There are times when I have to be somewhere early that I will read and have my quiet time the night before or I will get up an hour earlier, but this is the exception for me and not the rule.
I love spending time with the Lord in the morning and yes, I know that you might be a person who stays up late and loves to spend time with the Lord at night.
The main thing for you and the main thing for me is that we spend time with the Lord every day.
Let's not let social media rob us of this … in fact, let's not let social media rob us of spending time with our family and friends!
Let's not be glued to our phones or tablet or our computers unless we are using them to read our Bibles.
Let's quiet ourselves so we can hear the Lord saying, “Come and talk with me.” And so we can respond, “Lord, I am coming.”
Application
I will be in this sacred spot in my bedroom spending time with the Lord every day.
How about you? Do you have a quiet place where you meet the Lord every day?
Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for meeting me this morning in our very special place. Don't let me miss a day. I always want to be excited about spending time with You. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You call me Your friend even though I don't deserve Your friendship.

I pray for those who are tired and weary today. Give them strength. Help them open up Your Word and spend time with You so they can be strong!

Isaiah 40:31
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 10,11; Psalms 27; Mark 1



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Friday, February 21, 2020

For Our Present Troubles Are Small And Won't Last Very Long.


For Our Present Troubles
Are Small
And Won't Last Very Long.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 4
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 
12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”
14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Observation
As I read 2 Corinthians 4 this morning I was thinking about my very good friend Garry Davis, who went to be with the Lord yesterday. Garry was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2012, a year after I had my heart attack. What an amazing guy! He loved the Lord and he loved his family so much!
This passage is a great reminder to me that we are very fragile, we are like jars of clay. And if you haven't realized it yet that body of yours (and mine) is wearing out!
I was also reminded as I read this chapter that just as God raised Jesus from the dead that He is also going to raise me from the dead!
One day, in a blink of an eye (in God's timing), we who are in Christ, will all be together again!
Application
I will fix my gaze on the things that cannot be seen! (verse 18)
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are the God of all comfort and all compassion. I pray that You comfort Joy Davis and her family. I know that my friend Garry is not suffering today. He is celebrating! Help his family as they grieve this loss. Draw them to a closer relationship with You. Thank You for all the promises in Your Word. Guide them to Your Word for strength.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 8,9; Acts 28; I added: Proverbs 21; 2 Corinthians 4



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Thursday, February 20, 2020

The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Have All That I Need.


The Lord
Is My Shepherd;
I Have All That I Need.
Scripture
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.
Observation
Until the Lord is enough in my life and until the Lord is enough in your life nothing will ever be enough!
Unhappy? Feeling deprived? Do you ever feel like you are being short changed? Or maybe feel that you are receiving the short end of the stick?
King David knew the secret to living a life of contentment – “Because the Lord was his shepherd he had everything that he needed!”
The Apostle Paul expressed the same sentiment when he penned the following verses while he was in prison:
1 Timothy 6:6-7
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Application

If and when I start feeling discontented, deprived, and short changed … it will be a warning sign that my relationship with the Lord needs to be repaired.
How about you?
Revelation 2:4
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
Revelation 3:15-17
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 
16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 
17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, don't ever let my love for You grow cold. I always want to be able to say, “Because the Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need!” Don't let me ever forget that the secret of being content is keeping my relationship right with You.
Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27



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