Spirit or Body

January 5, 2011
The life of Jesus. Read Today: Triumphal entry into Jerusalem; Matthew 21:8-11; Mark 11:7-10; Luke 19:35-38; John 12:12-18
John 12:17-18 (English Standard Version)
17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.
18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.
So often people want a sign to follow Jesus.  I am no different.  I work real hard at multiple jobs, one of them retail, which is why this devotional took a short break during the recent buying season.  Working long hours like that can drain a person.  Now I try to do my jobs not expecting a reward, it is just not right.  I work to supply for my family because God calls me to, and if no one else appreciates me, I have to understand that God does.  But, I want some sign from people here on earth that God is still on the throne.  But I am not to follow the signs.  And a war rages on inside me. My spirit says to do it for God, my tired body says, appreciate me.
Today’s verse shows that seeking signs is wrong.  Like yesterdays verse it shows it because we know what happens next.  These same people yelling for Him will be yelling at Him.  They will want Him dead in less than a weeks time.  
When my body takes over and wants the recognition, I am looking for another sign, just like they were.  And if I do not get the sign, I will get disappointed. And then, maybe, I will start to run from God and do something stupid.  
Time to learn strongly that I must put the body in its place and feed the spirit no matter how hard it may seem.
Read for next time: Pharisees reaction; Luke 19:39-40; John 12:19   
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When do I praise God?

January 5, 2011

The life of Jesus. Read Today: Two disciples get a colt; Matthew 21:1-7; Mark 11:1-7; Luke 19:29-35

Mark 11:9 (Bible in Worldwide English)


9 People in front of him and people behind him shouted, ‘Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!



A week later, the same people that were praising Him would be turning against Him. From my view in the future I can look back and say if I was there I would not have done the same thing.  I would not have been so fickle, and I would not have followed the crowd.
 

And I would be telling a lie to you and to me also.  I am so often the type that will praise God when the going is OK and get so discouraged when it gets hard.  In the hard times I do not want to turn to Him.  That is the time that I really do need to turn to Him the most.  It is easy to praise God in the easy times. It is the hard times that can be so difficult to do so.  When Paul and Silas were in prison in the middle of the night, it was a hard time. But they prayed and praised their way threw it and had a big salvation party afterwards.  



I need to get me so of that in my life.



Read for next time: Triumphal entry into Jerusalem; Matthew 21:8-11; Mark 11:7-10; Luke 19:35-38; John 12:12-18
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