Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God."
The angel Gabriel has just told Mary she will give birth to Jesus. He tells her that Elizabeth, in her old age is also pregnant, and then he states that "nothing is impossible with God." Nothing is possible on my own, but anything is possible with God. So why do I stress and worry and fret and strain and struggle to do things when I can ask God to step in and do the impossible. I still must do what I can and work hard but I should never stress or worry or doubt for a moment. If it is God's will, it will happen. Our God is powerful and nothing is impossible for him!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Golgotha
Mark 15: 22 "They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull)."
After being flogged and beaten, Jesus is brought to a place called Golgotha to be crucified. Golgotha or Calvary was known as "the place of the skulls" or "skull hill." The hill was located just outside of Jerusalem and some believe it was called skull hill because the hill itself resembled a skull. Others think this was a common place for executions resulting in many skulls on the ground-hence the nickname. Ultimately, it was the place Jesus died for my sins. It was here, the soldiers hammered nails through his hands and his feet. It was at Golgotha he hung on a cross while passersby mocked him. It was at Golgotha where Jesus breathed his last breath. It is the place my savior died for me. Today I am truly thankful for this.
After being flogged and beaten, Jesus is brought to a place called Golgotha to be crucified. Golgotha or Calvary was known as "the place of the skulls" or "skull hill." The hill was located just outside of Jerusalem and some believe it was called skull hill because the hill itself resembled a skull. Others think this was a common place for executions resulting in many skulls on the ground-hence the nickname. Ultimately, it was the place Jesus died for my sins. It was here, the soldiers hammered nails through his hands and his feet. It was at Golgotha he hung on a cross while passersby mocked him. It was at Golgotha where Jesus breathed his last breath. It is the place my savior died for me. Today I am truly thankful for this.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
No Better Than Peter
Mark 14:31 "But Peter insisted emphatically, 'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.' And all the others said the same."
The disciples were so sure of themselves. They thought they were strong and had faith. They were willing to follow Jesus to the end, even if it meant death. Yet a few hours later, they all had deserted him. If the disciples, who walked and talked with Jesus, deserted him, how sure am I that I wouldn't do the same? This is a sober reminder that I need to continually ask God for more and more faith. I am not as strong as I think I am. If Peter turned, why wouldn't I? I need faith today!
The disciples were so sure of themselves. They thought they were strong and had faith. They were willing to follow Jesus to the end, even if it meant death. Yet a few hours later, they all had deserted him. If the disciples, who walked and talked with Jesus, deserted him, how sure am I that I wouldn't do the same? This is a sober reminder that I need to continually ask God for more and more faith. I am not as strong as I think I am. If Peter turned, why wouldn't I? I need faith today!
Friday, May 16, 2014
He Knew What He Was Up To
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Jesus had a very clear vision. He knew exactly what he was up to and why he had come. Earlier in Mark 10, Jesus describes with detail what was going to happen to him. He had come to die. He had come to save us from our sins. He had come to be a "ransom for many." I am so glad that he did. In the same manner I have been put here to serve and use my life for others. I need to remind myself of that often and today I will look for people to talk with, love on and serve.
Jesus had a very clear vision. He knew exactly what he was up to and why he had come. Earlier in Mark 10, Jesus describes with detail what was going to happen to him. He had come to die. He had come to save us from our sins. He had come to be a "ransom for many." I am so glad that he did. In the same manner I have been put here to serve and use my life for others. I need to remind myself of that often and today I will look for people to talk with, love on and serve.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Persecution in Sudan
Mark 8:35 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."
Today a woman in Sudan was convicted of apostasy and was sentenced to flogging and execution. It's hard to believe in 2014 this kind of thing still happens. But it does. And we should not be surprised. Jesus warned us that that we will be persecuted if we follow him. And today that warning is all too real for Meriam Yahia Ibrahim. Given the consequences, she chose not to recant her faith in Jesus. She may die someday in Sudan, but she has truly found life! Is my faith this strong? Would I pass the same test? Today I pray for Meriam and her family.
Today a woman in Sudan was convicted of apostasy and was sentenced to flogging and execution. It's hard to believe in 2014 this kind of thing still happens. But it does. And we should not be surprised. Jesus warned us that that we will be persecuted if we follow him. And today that warning is all too real for Meriam Yahia Ibrahim. Given the consequences, she chose not to recant her faith in Jesus. She may die someday in Sudan, but she has truly found life! Is my faith this strong? Would I pass the same test? Today I pray for Meriam and her family.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Clean from Within
Mark 7: 20 "What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean."
Jesus is clear that what goes into a man-like food-does not make him unclean or unholy. It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. What has been coming from me lately? What kinds of things have I been saying? What kinds of things have I been doing? This is what I will be known for and judged by.
Jesus is clear that what goes into a man-like food-does not make him unclean or unholy. It is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. What has been coming from me lately? What kinds of things have I been saying? What kinds of things have I been doing? This is what I will be known for and judged by.
Friday, May 09, 2014
Piggyback Time
Mark 2:4 "Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on."
Jesus is teaching in a home and the place is packed. A paralyzed man wants to get in and see Jesus and be healed but there is no room. Four of his buddies take him up to the roof and drop him through so he can see Jesus! What an amazing moment-"Hey Bill, don't worry, we have an idea!" Do I care enough about others to carry them up to a roof and lower them down to see Jesus? Do I care enough to carry them to the house? Do I care enough to even ask them if they want to come meet him? Today I pray that I can slow down, see others, and truly meet their needs and bring them to see Jesus.
Jesus is teaching in a home and the place is packed. A paralyzed man wants to get in and see Jesus and be healed but there is no room. Four of his buddies take him up to the roof and drop him through so he can see Jesus! What an amazing moment-"Hey Bill, don't worry, we have an idea!" Do I care enough about others to carry them up to a roof and lower them down to see Jesus? Do I care enough to carry them to the house? Do I care enough to even ask them if they want to come meet him? Today I pray that I can slow down, see others, and truly meet their needs and bring them to see Jesus.
Thursday, May 08, 2014
Why the Desert?
Mark 1:6 "John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey."
John the Baptist came before Jesus and preached in the desert. We often marvel at his attire and diet, but it probably made perfect sense since he ministered in the desert. But here's my question, why the desert? Shouldn't John have gone to the city where there were more people? Wouldn't he have been more effective? I'll look into this a bit, but maybe the point for me now, is that God has a plan for us, right now, where we are, with what we have. John was in the desert and that's where God used him. I am in Cottage Grove and need to allow God to use me. Hopefully, I can skip the locusts.
John the Baptist came before Jesus and preached in the desert. We often marvel at his attire and diet, but it probably made perfect sense since he ministered in the desert. But here's my question, why the desert? Shouldn't John have gone to the city where there were more people? Wouldn't he have been more effective? I'll look into this a bit, but maybe the point for me now, is that God has a plan for us, right now, where we are, with what we have. John was in the desert and that's where God used him. I am in Cottage Grove and need to allow God to use me. Hopefully, I can skip the locusts.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
My Job
Matt. 28: 19, 20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus' final instructions to his followers were to make disciples of all nations. What have I been doing to "reach the nations?" How can I do more? How can I do this aside from my job? The truth is, this is my real no matter what my earthly job ever is.
Jesus' final instructions to his followers were to make disciples of all nations. What have I been doing to "reach the nations?" How can I do more? How can I do this aside from my job? The truth is, this is my real no matter what my earthly job ever is.
Friday, May 02, 2014
Get to Know 'Em
Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Jesus tells his followers the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. How am I actively doing that in my life? I don't think very well. I haven't even met my all my new neighbors yet! How sad. This weekend I need to make a point to get out and meet all my neighbors. I can't love them until I know them.
Jesus tells his followers the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. How am I actively doing that in my life? I don't think very well. I haven't even met my all my new neighbors yet! How sad. This weekend I need to make a point to get out and meet all my neighbors. I can't love them until I know them.
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Carry your Cross
Matthew 16:24 "...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Following Jesus can be easy and difficult at the same time. His yoke is light, but carrying our cross is heavy. He paid for our sin, but we still struggle with sin. He said "it is finished" but we still have work to do. The kingdom is here, but not yet. These are "tensions" we must live with and manage. I need to understand that the kingdom is available to all, but to become Christ-like and truly live a kingdom kind of life-well that takes faith and commitment. How well do I manage this? Am I carrying my cross daily?
Following Jesus can be easy and difficult at the same time. His yoke is light, but carrying our cross is heavy. He paid for our sin, but we still struggle with sin. He said "it is finished" but we still have work to do. The kingdom is here, but not yet. These are "tensions" we must live with and manage. I need to understand that the kingdom is available to all, but to become Christ-like and truly live a kingdom kind of life-well that takes faith and commitment. How well do I manage this? Am I carrying my cross daily?
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