Life is busy and we are often faced with full days of busyness. Not to say that we aren’t accomplishing anything, but how do we endure the daily grind? On a personal level, I like to withdrawal to my home where it is often quiet. I need my daily time with my wife just to relax, talk to, and be with her in presence. Likewise, and more importantly, I need daily time alone with God, just to relax, talk and be with Him. This recharges my batteries in a big, big way! Lately it has been tough, I have been working long hours and she has too, taking care of our grandchildren. It’s been a grind. Jesus was often followed by crowds of people and the demands on His time and energy were great. How did He recharge? Read More | Comments
- Archives
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February3rd
Mark 3:7-8, Recharge
Posted in: Gospel of Mark, New Testament
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January31st
Mark 3:1-2, Undue Scrutiny
Posted in: Gospel of Mark, New Testament
As followers of Jesus, we must always recognize that we are under the watchful eyes of people around us. People around us are watching closely to see if we really believe what we say we do or if we simply believe in some religious system. I believe that there are fair and unfair levels of scrutiny. Something I see very often is people scrutinizing others unfairly on the basis of pet peeves or personal preferences rather than those things that are truly important….what is in their heart. This type of scrutiny is usually the basis for false rumors, gossip and faultfinding. Read More | Comments -
January17th
Mark 1:29-34, God’s Hand
Posted in: Gospel of Mark, New Testament
Have you ever been in a situation that you knew God had a hand in? Maybe a tough situation that you knew God took you there on purpose to help you through? How many times have you found yourself in a tough situation, maybe even a dangerous situation and God was there….seeing you through? What should our response be? Shouldn’t we express gratitude? Shouldn’t we be grateful? God, indeed Jesus, has promised us all the rewards of the kingdom…..yet how often do we simply brush aside His presence in our lives……… maybe as coincidence, maybe as simply “weird”…..or maybe…just maybe…….our pride is so strong that we refuse acknowledge the power that has helped or healed in our lives. Read More | Comments -
May29th
The Kingdom of Heaven-The Kingdom of God: Matthew 19:23 / Mark 10:23, 24, & 25 / Luke 18:24 & 29, “The Rich Young Man”
Posted in: Bible Difficulties, Kingdom of Heaven
As I studied this story in Scripture here in the Gospel of Matthew 19:16-26 as well as the Gospels of Mark 10:17-27 and Luke 18:18-27, I realized that there was a meaning that I had never seen. I realized that this Scripture is often taken out of context and that also, because it was taken out of context, I always thought that it was ignored. I had always believed, because that was what was taught me in church, that the story of the rich young ruler meant that it was impossible to achieve eternal life if a person were rich. I always wondered why we did not give all our possessions away as Christians and live communally. Actually, this is a story of God’s grace and sovereignty. Read More | Comments -
November20th
Many people think that:Entering into the kingdom of heaven/kingdom of God is not simply moving into a new status, like becoming a member of a club. No, more—you move into a new practice, like a doctor entering into the practice of medicine. You are now launching out on a new way of life, a new vocation, centered on the practice of Jesus’ message. Jesus put it like this: as a disciple , we learn to practice everything he has taught. Read More | Comments
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October18th
It’s not easy to hear God speak to us in a world that is fast paced with so many images and sounds blaring from every corner of our existence. Sometimes I really have to listen, I am constantly reminded of Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. I look for opportunities to “be still”, to hear God’s gentle whisper in my heart. How do we know when God is speaking to us? Listen for the gentle and loving voice. Close your eyes and “be still”. Read More | Comments -
September24th
My Friend, Wayne, and I are studying together and he discovered something remarkable. Wayne shared with me, “ It struck me that what identifies Christians today is ‘Gods Mark of Love.’ This mark is not a physical mark such as in “circumcision” (Genesis 17:10-11), but in some ways is similar, the circumcision is a hidden mark cut into the flesh, but it is hidden from the world. The “Mark of Love” is visable to the world, but the (true) mark of LOVE is hidden or invisible to the believer, only! Why?” Read More | Comments -
April25th
A friend emailed me the following question. Maybe you have the same struggle. Let’s look closer at what God wants for us:“I’ve always struggled with this verse: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” For a time, I thought I truly understood it but then I get tripped up when I read articles on it or hear different pastors preach on it. Does this verse mean that watching secular tv is wrong? Does it mean that watching movies or listening to music with potentially questionable content are a sin? Aren’t these “of the world” and consequently things that shouldn’t be a part of a Christian’s life? I’m confused! As you know, I’m a huge fan of t.v, music and film and various other cultural things (like visual art and plays) and often wonder if I am not supposed to partake in them.” Read More | Comments
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April10th
Forgiveness: Cleaning Our Wounds
Posted in: Topical
I wanna tell you about two men……Old Jack and Old John. They were both elder’s in the same church, but were always at odds with each other. They were constantly at each others’ throat especially in elder meetings. When one of them said “yes,” you could be assured that the other would say “no.” Read More | Comments -
November18th
Luke 17:3-4 (TNIV)
3 So watch yourselves.“If a brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and IF they repent, forgive them. 4 Even IF they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.
In this Scripture, in context, Jesus is speaking about how we deal directly with others around us. The focus is on the relationship we share, not just the condition of our heart. In other words, Jesus is speaking here to the apostles about what they should do…not just how they should be.QUESTION: Is forgiving somone primarily for you or for them?
In that context, a few things struck me as “tough” concerning this Scripture: When I first read this Scripture – these words of Jesus – I wondered why the “if”? Because to bring reconciliation, forgiveness must be received as well as extended. If another person is unwilling to acknowledge his fault, they will not receive our forgiveness. Read More | Comments
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