Scripture:
He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Mark 14:37-38
Observation:
It seems that on the night of Jesus' betrayal, he felt his humanness more than ever. As he considers the task he faces, he prays asking God, His Father, to take it away. He is in anguish and despair yet remains the Holy One, Messiah, choosing God's way over his own desires. In the midst of this struggle, he turns to his disciples, these men he has poured his life into. He turns to them for support and encouragement, to be lifted up, to be affirmed; but he finds them sleeping.
Application:
His words to Peter ring true in my life too. There are two sides of me--one eager to follow after what God has planned, one as lazy as an old dog by the fire! I want to live my life as the eager Christ-follower, ready to face whatever comes as I live in obedience. I want to so embrace that side that the other, the lazy and selfish one atrophies and melts away.
Prayer:
Jesus, I say today that I want to follow after you--to live my life committed to submissive obedience, to practice grace in my daily activities, to be characterized by your presence in me. Will you begin today to replace that dog-like, self-centered part of me with your goodness? Will you in your faithfulness and daily mercy fill me up with passion for you and your word so that it eclipses my selfish desires? Thank you for all you have done in my life--for blessings and gifts too many to name or even count. Your greatness and grace are more than I can understand. Amen.
Thursday March 6, 2008 by Keith
Title: Only One!
Scripture: “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39
Observation: This statement seems like a no-brainer. God’s chosen people would have to know that the Lord is God and that there is no other!
Sometimes the most obvious things are missed. The Israelites who had innumerable examples of God, being God, still chose to sin and put other things in front of Him. They would worship man-made images/idols, lust after things, and ultimately loose heart that God is but one God.
Earlier in this chapter the Israelites are encouraged to remember all that God had done for their forefathers and for them. They are encouraged not to forget what happened to those that stopped worshiping God. And ultimately they were encouraged to observe God’s law, his commands that he gave because he loves them.
Application: How many times do I miss the obvious? This day, today, the Lord has made. How am I going to respond? Will I remember all that the Lord has done for me, will I remember what he’s done throughout history, and will I remember his law, his commands, His perfect Word?
Some days are better than others. Some days I act like there is a God and no other. However, I too have fallen into the trap of placing things before God. I might place my time, my family, my wants, my selfishness, and so on.
I like how this verse starts, “Acknowledge and take to heart…” First you need to acknowledge. Once you do that you take to heart. You can’t take it to heart until you full acknowledge the fact… then you are encouraged… then… It’s like you get it, that “this day that the LORD is God.”
Prayer: LORD God, I acknowledge you today! You alone are God. Help me to live for You. May I share with the world around me that You are God in heaven and on earth. Thanks for being such an awesome God!
Scripture: “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39
Observation: This statement seems like a no-brainer. God’s chosen people would have to know that the Lord is God and that there is no other!
Sometimes the most obvious things are missed. The Israelites who had innumerable examples of God, being God, still chose to sin and put other things in front of Him. They would worship man-made images/idols, lust after things, and ultimately loose heart that God is but one God.
Earlier in this chapter the Israelites are encouraged to remember all that God had done for their forefathers and for them. They are encouraged not to forget what happened to those that stopped worshiping God. And ultimately they were encouraged to observe God’s law, his commands that he gave because he loves them.
Application: How many times do I miss the obvious? This day, today, the Lord has made. How am I going to respond? Will I remember all that the Lord has done for me, will I remember what he’s done throughout history, and will I remember his law, his commands, His perfect Word?
Some days are better than others. Some days I act like there is a God and no other. However, I too have fallen into the trap of placing things before God. I might place my time, my family, my wants, my selfishness, and so on.
I like how this verse starts, “Acknowledge and take to heart…” First you need to acknowledge. Once you do that you take to heart. You can’t take it to heart until you full acknowledge the fact… then you are encouraged… then… It’s like you get it, that “this day that the LORD is God.”
Prayer: LORD God, I acknowledge you today! You alone are God. Help me to live for You. May I share with the world around me that You are God in heaven and on earth. Thanks for being such an awesome God!
Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 by Bob
Title: Righteous Anger
Scripture: Mark 11:17
And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
Observation:
In this passage, Jesus enters the temple area and immediately becomes enraged over the money changers and merchants. He starts to turn over their tables and benches and chases them out of the temple courts. Can you visualize the commotion he caused on the temple steps? Then in anger Jesus proclaims that these merchants have turned God’s house of prayer into ‘a den of robbers.’ Very few times during his ministry was Jesus so infuriated that to the bystanders he must have seemed to have ‘gone out of control.’ Why was Jesus so mad? And was the degree of his anger justified?
A clue to the first question is hidden in his declaration that the merchants had made the temple into ‘a den of robbers.’ In the Jewish tradition, there were thieves, who stole petty items and committed misdemeanor level offenses, and then there were ‘robbers’ who committed felony offenses. Robbers were intentional about their theft, which always led to serious injury. The Hebrew word translated here was defined as violent, destroyer, or ravenous. Jesus realized that these merchants were doing more than stealing from the poor; they were taking part in the corruptive sacrificial system which God detested. Jesus was righteously angered because his Heavenly Father was angered. You see, Jesus loved what the Father loved and hated what the Father hated.
Application:
As a Christian I too know what our Heavenly Father loves and hates, and as a Christian it is easy for me to relish and love the things our Father loves. But in this world and in this community I also see things that the Father despises, and yet sometimes my feelings and emotions are lukewarm. Sometimes I become apathetic about the things that sadden our Lord, because I’ve become used to them, or just because I get lazy.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive my apathy for the things in my life and around me that offend you. Create in me a love for your truth and a righteousness that angers at anything that rebels against you. Teach me to use this anger in constructive ways which will bring honor and glory to you.
Scripture: Mark 11:17
And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
Observation:
In this passage, Jesus enters the temple area and immediately becomes enraged over the money changers and merchants. He starts to turn over their tables and benches and chases them out of the temple courts. Can you visualize the commotion he caused on the temple steps? Then in anger Jesus proclaims that these merchants have turned God’s house of prayer into ‘a den of robbers.’ Very few times during his ministry was Jesus so infuriated that to the bystanders he must have seemed to have ‘gone out of control.’ Why was Jesus so mad? And was the degree of his anger justified?
A clue to the first question is hidden in his declaration that the merchants had made the temple into ‘a den of robbers.’ In the Jewish tradition, there were thieves, who stole petty items and committed misdemeanor level offenses, and then there were ‘robbers’ who committed felony offenses. Robbers were intentional about their theft, which always led to serious injury. The Hebrew word translated here was defined as violent, destroyer, or ravenous. Jesus realized that these merchants were doing more than stealing from the poor; they were taking part in the corruptive sacrificial system which God detested. Jesus was righteously angered because his Heavenly Father was angered. You see, Jesus loved what the Father loved and hated what the Father hated.
Application:
As a Christian I too know what our Heavenly Father loves and hates, and as a Christian it is easy for me to relish and love the things our Father loves. But in this world and in this community I also see things that the Father despises, and yet sometimes my feelings and emotions are lukewarm. Sometimes I become apathetic about the things that sadden our Lord, because I’ve become used to them, or just because I get lazy.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, forgive my apathy for the things in my life and around me that offend you. Create in me a love for your truth and a righteousness that angers at anything that rebels against you. Teach me to use this anger in constructive ways which will bring honor and glory to you.
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 by Randy
TITLE
One wish.
SCRIPTURE
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 (NIV)
OBSERVATION
Jesus was on his way “up” to Jerusalem (Mark 10:32). One of the stopping places along the journey was Jericho, which by the way, was a popular resort city rebuilt by Herod the Great:-). As they were leaving town, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus shouted to him, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus heard and asked “What do you want me to do for you?” Talk about the Genie being out of the bottle—here is Jesus asking this blind person for one wish, “What do you want me to do for you? For the record, blindness was considered a curse from God for sin (Jn 9:2). Bartimaeus didn’t ask for wealth or power --he simply wanted to see!
APPLICATION
I’m not sure how I would have responded if Jesus asked me “What do you want me to do for you?” For Blind Bartimaeus it was his physical sight. He was desperate to see. I often wonder how blind I am, spiritually speaking. Like this blind beggar, I’m a pauper, nothing to offer God. I know that I don’t see the kingdom the way I should. But, I want to see! I want to see God in all his fullness. I want to see things the way God see them. I want to see with spiritual eyes! How often do I miss the mark because of my blindness.
PRAYER
My prayer and plea, Lord Jesus, is that you would open my eyes that I might see. Help me to see you and know you more. Help me to see what you would have me to do and be. I want to fully follow you. AMEN.
One wish.
SCRIPTURE
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 (NIV)
OBSERVATION
Jesus was on his way “up” to Jerusalem (Mark 10:32). One of the stopping places along the journey was Jericho, which by the way, was a popular resort city rebuilt by Herod the Great:-). As they were leaving town, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus shouted to him, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus heard and asked “What do you want me to do for you?” Talk about the Genie being out of the bottle—here is Jesus asking this blind person for one wish, “What do you want me to do for you? For the record, blindness was considered a curse from God for sin (Jn 9:2). Bartimaeus didn’t ask for wealth or power --he simply wanted to see!
APPLICATION
I’m not sure how I would have responded if Jesus asked me “What do you want me to do for you?” For Blind Bartimaeus it was his physical sight. He was desperate to see. I often wonder how blind I am, spiritually speaking. Like this blind beggar, I’m a pauper, nothing to offer God. I know that I don’t see the kingdom the way I should. But, I want to see! I want to see God in all his fullness. I want to see things the way God see them. I want to see with spiritual eyes! How often do I miss the mark because of my blindness.
PRAYER
My prayer and plea, Lord Jesus, is that you would open my eyes that I might see. Help me to see you and know you more. Help me to see what you would have me to do and be. I want to fully follow you. AMEN.
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