One night?

May 10, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus sails to Capernaum; Matthew 9:1; Mark 5:21: Luke 8:40

Matthew 9:1 BBE 

 1 And he got into a boat and went across and came to his town.

Kind of a weird verse to pick I think I can hear you saying.  He gets in a boat and goes back to his home.  Except what has been happening just before this.  He talks to the people in parables, then He tells the disciples to cross the sea while he sleeps.  They wake Him up scarred, they go across and meet a demonic man, heal Him and get back in the boat.  

Wait, they rowed all night in a storm to get to the other side to heal a man of his demon.  YES!

God may send you some place and park you there to tell His story.  Or he may send you on a one night mission.  You do not make the decision, you just need to do what He asks you to do when He asks you to do it. 

Read for tomorrow: Jairus asks Jesus to heal his daughter; Matthew 9:18-19; Mark 5:22-23; Luke 8:41-42

Go where you senf me.. how will you send me

May 9, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Legion cast out of violent man; Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39

Luke 8:38-39 ESV
38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

Why did Jesus not let the man return with him? I mean that would be a good thing? So why?

The man asked Jesus to let Him go. Jesus could use him as an example of His healing power. Jesus however sent him back to his own people. They knew what he was like before. If anyone could appreciate the change and be brought into the kingdom, this was the way to do it, not as a tag along to the people that were with Jesus.

Sometimes we want to tell God where he will send us to work for Him. Maybe, sometimes we need to listen to where He tells us to go!



Read for tomorrow: Jesus sails to Capernaum; Matthew 9:1; Mark 5:21: Luke 8:40

Faith

May 8, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus calms a stormy sea; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:23-25

Luke 8:25 ESV
25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

A good question to ask I think? When Jesus said they would go across, did they have faith? Why now, is that faith gone.

It was the darkest time of the night and they were in a storm. When things come against you, they will often come in the darkest time. The storms will buffet you. And Jesus will come to you if you listen and He will say where is your faith. I told you that marriage was good, now stick it out. I told you that if you train up your child they will not depart the way, now stay with it.

We often are like the disciples, out of faith. Jesus can help us to have faith.

Read for tomorrow: Legion cast out of violent man; Matthew8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39

Just do it

May 7, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Orders to cross the Sea of Galilee; Matthew 8:18; Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22

Matthew 8:18 LO
 18 Jesus seeing himself crowded on all sides, gave orders to pass to the opposite shore.

Some key words here considering what is to happen next to them.  As they journey across the lake, a storm arises and the the disciples loose faith. But did Jesus say, 'let's try to go to the other side'?  No, He gave a command.

When God gives a command to you, He gives you the ability to do the job.  You may not feel adequate for the job.  You may feel like you need more money, skill, training, or whatever.  The fact of the matter is that God says do it.

So to quote the Nike ads... 'Just do it'. 

Read for tomorrow: Jesus calms a stormy sea; Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:36-41; Luke 8:23-25

What is your price?

May 6, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parables explained and told in private Matthew 13:36-53

Matthew 13:44 ESV 

 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 

What is more important to you, time at work or time in the Word.  I am not saying that you give up your job, but the pursuit of the things of the world are going to get you nowhere fast. In the end your relationship with God is what is important.  That is what God is saying here.  Are you willing to give up what appears to be important to get what is important.  I have a decision to make.  Reduce my income but be home nights, or keep the income and be gone 7 nights a week.  It is time for a change in my life.  What are you willing to give up. 

Read for tomorrow: Orders to cross the Sea of Galilee; Matthew 8:18; Mark 4:35; Luke 8:22

Giving and getting?

May 5, 2009

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Parables by the Sea; Matthew 13:1-35; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18

Mark 4:24-25 ESV 

24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.

25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” 

At a part time job I have my boss walked up on a group of us that were working.  While the rest of the group was standing around doing nothing, I was sweeping.  I saw a job that needed to be done and did it.  While he went over and told them to get to work in general terms, he asked me to do a specific task when I was done.  Why me specific and them generic, I do not know.  What I do know is the words of Jesus. to the one who has, more will be given. Now a lot of preachers like to make that in to a financial blessing scripture but I do not see it that way. 

There is a worldly proverb that meshes in with this verse nicely. If you want someone to do a job, find someone that is busy and ask them to do it. If you want to be a minister of the Gospel, you need to start out with the small things.  Some people would flinch at working with kids but it is a start and they need to hear Jesus taught as well.  God can then take the work that you do and give you more and greater things. 

Get involved in your church. 

Read for tomorrow: Parables explained and told in private 13:36-53

The Family

May 4, 2009

Sorry for the unplanned absence but I hope to get back to a regular schedule starting now. 

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Family seeks Jesus; Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21

Luke 8:19-21 ESV 

 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.

20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”

21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” 

Did Jesus really deny His family on earth?

The simple answer is no.  They were His family, just like your flesh and blood family is.  That however is the flesh and blood.  We are also part of a spiritual family.  And the people who were there listening to Him as He spoke were trying to grow their spiritual bodies. His family was out to pull Him aside and get him to cut back on the stuff He was doing. 

So Jesus tells them, these (spiritual) people are my family. 

Do you have a spiritual family?  How extended is it?  Do they give you help when you need it? Do you give help when they need it?

Read for tomorrow: Parables by the Sea; Matthew 13:1-35; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:4-18