And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the paralytic— "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
(Mark 2:1-12 ESV)
This is such a beautiful story of the faith of these men to do whatever it takes to bring this man to Jesus for healing. Their faith and urgency is such a great example in contrast to our complacent often small faith and prayers.
Yet they are in for a surprise I think. For Jesus first and primarily addresses the spiritual healing needed. Jesus forgives the paralytics sins bringing him into relationship with God the father and salvation! Jesus seems to heal him almost as an afterthought or as the text says Jesus heals him so that the people would know he has authority to forgive sins.
I know that I often place my circumstances and things of this world before God thinking they are the most important issues. I get so wrapped up in things that are not lasting or eternal. This year some things have been: my personality type, time management, relationships, balancing and maintaining friendships, fundraising, lack of motivation, discouragement and identity. At times I have let these things overwhelm me. Yet like this paralyzed man Jesus acts in a way that says those things are such insignificant importance compared to the forgiveness and salvation in Christ. Often I focus my energy on things that do not last instead of my eternal fate. I focus on my weaknesses or problems instead of on God and his promises. These things are natural but I want hem to be things I take to God. I want to pursue you in prayer and in your Word and in action more than these other things. I want to repent and be transformed by your grace constantly!
The man and the faithful who went to extremes to get him to Jesus experienced a miracle of physical healing which seems more obvious and maybe more significant. But not to Jesus and I hope not in my life. That man was changed from the inside out, even if he never walked again the forgiveness and salvation is of such heater and lasting significance:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18 ESV)
Suffering looks different for us all, but we all have it and this life is not easy. Jesus promised us suffering. We should not be surprised and we should hold even closer to God dependent on him because there is nothing in this life that can make us happy or safe or fulfilled outside of Christ. Let us focus our hearts on heaven and prepare our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits to prepare us for and have our hope in the glory that we will experience with God! God help me to keep this perspective through Christ as he set the ultimate example of this!
Amen
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Mark 1 Jesus' prayer life
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
(Mark 1:35-39 ESV)
It just seems interesting and powerful the way Jesus in the trinity is in communication with God. I love that Jesus even gives us a model of prayer. Jesus is the one in most intimate relationship with God the father and yet Jesus gets up early to pray to his Father right before big transition happens and Jesus begins to really move his ministry from town to town.
Lord I am just really feeling the need to be in prayer and be more dependent on God. These past weeks have been hard as I have really had to wrestle with some idols in my life and my expectations of God and the way he interacts with us. Tonight I found out my church back home and that congregation may not be able to support my ministry financially which is a major blow to my financial support team. But I want to respond in faith and prayer trusting God will provide for what he has planned and that it is ok I am not in control and that things are going to be hard.
All of this has been hard but good to really push me to depend on God alone not relationships, success, a particular church, not my plans or expectations. God help me to trust in you and persevere through prayer and a continued faithfulness to you God in all I do.
Amen
(Mark 1:35-39 ESV)
It just seems interesting and powerful the way Jesus in the trinity is in communication with God. I love that Jesus even gives us a model of prayer. Jesus is the one in most intimate relationship with God the father and yet Jesus gets up early to pray to his Father right before big transition happens and Jesus begins to really move his ministry from town to town.
Lord I am just really feeling the need to be in prayer and be more dependent on God. These past weeks have been hard as I have really had to wrestle with some idols in my life and my expectations of God and the way he interacts with us. Tonight I found out my church back home and that congregation may not be able to support my ministry financially which is a major blow to my financial support team. But I want to respond in faith and prayer trusting God will provide for what he has planned and that it is ok I am not in control and that things are going to be hard.
All of this has been hard but good to really push me to depend on God alone not relationships, success, a particular church, not my plans or expectations. God help me to trust in you and persevere through prayer and a continued faithfulness to you God in all I do.
Amen
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Do I trust God's plans for me?
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)
Do I trust this promise from God in two ways: that God knows what is good for me more than I do and that he can and will work all things for my good? Do I trust these things even when I often don't get what I want and in my free will I choose things that are often sinful and bring harm to me. Do I believe that my sin and free will has the final day or God?
I think it is important to keep this verse in context:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:26-30 ESV)
In this I find from verse 29 the important fact that of primary importance to God and to us in our eternity is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. There are lots of things I think are good which may not move me towards Christ and his likeness in which case they may not really be good for me. Yet I often demand them and expect them from God.
An area I am really thinking about in this is relationships. I feel I made a mistake or missed out on something that was really good. So how do I wrestle with that. I believe God gives us free will to choose. Yet I feel I made a mistake that cost something good. How can God work this for my good if I missed out? First I think I have to remember Gods first priority is my salvation and conformity to Christ. In many ways who I marry as long as she is a Christian is not of primary importance. And since God lets us choose maybe what I chose isn't really a mistake and I didn't miss out on something better I just choose and acted on what I knew and thought and felt. Maybe I wish things were different but I didn't sin in this in particular. And I may wish something different happened but I am still in relationship with Christ and I can trust he still has good for me even if it is not what I want looking back and wishing things were different.
The reality as I look around is that most people who want to get married do so. That isn't really a realistic worry. A much more realistic reality is that many people walk away from The Lord and pursue sin, many people divorce, those things are of far more lasting and destructive result. If I gain the world or even just a wife now but lose my soul than I have gained nothing.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36 ESV)
So Lord I pray not for you to change the past or to fix the future on what I think I want. You know better than I do what is good. Lord I do want relationship and those things. But instead I first want to pray you protect me from the evil one and from my own corrupt heart that draws me from you. Lord I pray in all things even in confusion over relationships I grow more in dependence and a clear of understanding of you. Lord I want to place my hope in your truth and not in you giving me what I want. For that is not who you are and points only to idols. Lord I want to trust and follow you alone.
Amen
Do I trust this promise from God in two ways: that God knows what is good for me more than I do and that he can and will work all things for my good? Do I trust these things even when I often don't get what I want and in my free will I choose things that are often sinful and bring harm to me. Do I believe that my sin and free will has the final day or God?
I think it is important to keep this verse in context:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:26-30 ESV)
In this I find from verse 29 the important fact that of primary importance to God and to us in our eternity is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. There are lots of things I think are good which may not move me towards Christ and his likeness in which case they may not really be good for me. Yet I often demand them and expect them from God.
An area I am really thinking about in this is relationships. I feel I made a mistake or missed out on something that was really good. So how do I wrestle with that. I believe God gives us free will to choose. Yet I feel I made a mistake that cost something good. How can God work this for my good if I missed out? First I think I have to remember Gods first priority is my salvation and conformity to Christ. In many ways who I marry as long as she is a Christian is not of primary importance. And since God lets us choose maybe what I chose isn't really a mistake and I didn't miss out on something better I just choose and acted on what I knew and thought and felt. Maybe I wish things were different but I didn't sin in this in particular. And I may wish something different happened but I am still in relationship with Christ and I can trust he still has good for me even if it is not what I want looking back and wishing things were different.
The reality as I look around is that most people who want to get married do so. That isn't really a realistic worry. A much more realistic reality is that many people walk away from The Lord and pursue sin, many people divorce, those things are of far more lasting and destructive result. If I gain the world or even just a wife now but lose my soul than I have gained nothing.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36 ESV)
So Lord I pray not for you to change the past or to fix the future on what I think I want. You know better than I do what is good. Lord I do want relationship and those things. But instead I first want to pray you protect me from the evil one and from my own corrupt heart that draws me from you. Lord I pray in all things even in confusion over relationships I grow more in dependence and a clear of understanding of you. Lord I want to place my hope in your truth and not in you giving me what I want. For that is not who you are and points only to idols. Lord I want to trust and follow you alone.
Amen
Mark 1:29-31 be Healed and immediately serve
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)
I just think we as church goers have an unhealthy mindset that church is a place for us to be served and fed and talent care of by others and by God. I know I have that attitude a lot of the time I just go in and out and it is all about me. Even just little things like do I sit with a friend or a guest of the church and welcome them.
Yet I love how this woman is healed and immediately begins to serve. In a similar way I want to grow up about my faith and be an adult who feeds himself and doesn't always go in to church being ready to be fed. I want to be asking: how can I serve? Because that is what Jesus did too. When he finds out about John the Baptists death and goes alone to a quiet place a crowd follows him. And even then in that time of sadness he loves and serves the people in word and leads his disciples who are also grieving because many of them were Johns disciples to serve. Yet he said they got the rest they need in going away. I think it is because the rest we need is to do the will of God.
But lord I am lazy and selfish and I ask for your help as I try to change live it of a new heart to serve.
Amen.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)
I just think we as church goers have an unhealthy mindset that church is a place for us to be served and fed and talent care of by others and by God. I know I have that attitude a lot of the time I just go in and out and it is all about me. Even just little things like do I sit with a friend or a guest of the church and welcome them.
Yet I love how this woman is healed and immediately begins to serve. In a similar way I want to grow up about my faith and be an adult who feeds himself and doesn't always go in to church being ready to be fed. I want to be asking: how can I serve? Because that is what Jesus did too. When he finds out about John the Baptists death and goes alone to a quiet place a crowd follows him. And even then in that time of sadness he loves and serves the people in word and leads his disciples who are also grieving because many of them were Johns disciples to serve. Yet he said they got the rest they need in going away. I think it is because the rest we need is to do the will of God.
But lord I am lazy and selfish and I ask for your help as I try to change live it of a new heart to serve.
Amen.
Mark 1 Jesus' authority over demons
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mark 1:21-28 ESV)
At first I was having trouble relating to this passage because as Americans we usually blind ourselves and deny the spiritual reality of demons in our world and in us. But then I thought of all the lies that I have been hearing recently about my self worth and identity. I have been letting the devil speak lies that are harmful and destructive and completely untrue:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
(John 8:44 ESV)
Yet Jesus is the one who speaks truth and if I hold to the gospel then God speaks all the healing truth to counter these lies I have been stuck in:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:9, 12, 14 ESV)
By faith in Jesus I have become a son of God part of the family and a fellow heir with Christ. I am worthy and loved and forgiven again and again because I am part of Gods family.
This passage from Mark is a good reminder that Jesus has complete authority over the demons and the devil and their lies. The demons literally cry out in fear in Jesus presence. And through the Spirit Jesus gives us the same authority to cast out the lies from the devil in our lives.
So I cast out these lies about my identity and worth being wrapped in relationship and success and ministry. I cast out the lies that I am unworthy and unloved and alone in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Instead I speak to myself the truth of the gospel that I am worthy through Christs righteousness, loved by my creator, and a son a beloved member of gods family not alone at all. God I pray you continue to speak truth and protection over me. Thank you for the ways you have already been answering that prayer.
Amen
(Mark 1:21-28 ESV)
At first I was having trouble relating to this passage because as Americans we usually blind ourselves and deny the spiritual reality of demons in our world and in us. But then I thought of all the lies that I have been hearing recently about my self worth and identity. I have been letting the devil speak lies that are harmful and destructive and completely untrue:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
(John 8:44 ESV)
Yet Jesus is the one who speaks truth and if I hold to the gospel then God speaks all the healing truth to counter these lies I have been stuck in:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:9, 12, 14 ESV)
By faith in Jesus I have become a son of God part of the family and a fellow heir with Christ. I am worthy and loved and forgiven again and again because I am part of Gods family.
This passage from Mark is a good reminder that Jesus has complete authority over the demons and the devil and their lies. The demons literally cry out in fear in Jesus presence. And through the Spirit Jesus gives us the same authority to cast out the lies from the devil in our lives.
So I cast out these lies about my identity and worth being wrapped in relationship and success and ministry. I cast out the lies that I am unworthy and unloved and alone in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Instead I speak to myself the truth of the gospel that I am worthy through Christs righteousness, loved by my creator, and a son a beloved member of gods family not alone at all. God I pray you continue to speak truth and protection over me. Thank you for the ways you have already been answering that prayer.
Amen
Friday, April 26, 2013
Mark 1:13 Our savior can sympathize
And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. (Mark 1:13 ESV)
Jesus suffered far worse than us in temptation by satan and on the cross. Yet it is easy to trick ourselves and say our situation is unique. We say it isn't clear what God wants here. God can't relate to how hard this is. But yes Jesus can relate and yet he did not sin.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15, 16 ESV)
Praise be to God for this was all in your plan.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your obedience to suffer and experience temptation so that you could make the sacrifice for us and yet feel the temptation and weakness we feel.
This is so beautiful that our God has made the sacrifice for us and yet he is not far off from us or our sin. God you know me and my weakness. You experienced this human life and yet you were without sin. Through your work Jesus and by my faith in you I am so amazed that I can approach the throne of grace with confidence! For I am in need of mercy and grace to complete my repentance and live anew to you! Thank you! All praise and glory to you!
Amen
Jesus suffered far worse than us in temptation by satan and on the cross. Yet it is easy to trick ourselves and say our situation is unique. We say it isn't clear what God wants here. God can't relate to how hard this is. But yes Jesus can relate and yet he did not sin.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15, 16 ESV)
Praise be to God for this was all in your plan.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your obedience to suffer and experience temptation so that you could make the sacrifice for us and yet feel the temptation and weakness we feel.
This is so beautiful that our God has made the sacrifice for us and yet he is not far off from us or our sin. God you know me and my weakness. You experienced this human life and yet you were without sin. Through your work Jesus and by my faith in you I am so amazed that I can approach the throne of grace with confidence! For I am in need of mercy and grace to complete my repentance and live anew to you! Thank you! All praise and glory to you!
Amen
Mark 1 Leaving everything to follow Jesus
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
(Mark 1:16-20 ESV)
Like the disciples I have given up my career and plans to follow The Lord. But I was thinking what are the things I have been reluctant to let go of and give to God? Relationships, comfort, approval, and success are the biggest things I have been trying to give up but I feel myself holding on to them like things in a net that I am afraid to trust to The Lord. I appreciate the way that the disciples so quickly saw how following Jesus was worth letting go of careers, family, expectations. I think in some ways it would be easier to have a clean cut like they had.
Sometimes I think I have let go of these things but later find I have still been holding on covering it up with other acts of obedience. But in some part of me I am holding on to things like the hope of relationship as what my hope is in. I make my faith about being good enough to get what I want instead of about being faithful and experiencing the good God has for me.
Lord show me what it means to let go of my nets and my plans and hopes so that I can be with you! I am sorry I hold on so tightly and trick myself into thinking I have let go when I haven't.
Amen
(Mark 1:16-20 ESV)
Like the disciples I have given up my career and plans to follow The Lord. But I was thinking what are the things I have been reluctant to let go of and give to God? Relationships, comfort, approval, and success are the biggest things I have been trying to give up but I feel myself holding on to them like things in a net that I am afraid to trust to The Lord. I appreciate the way that the disciples so quickly saw how following Jesus was worth letting go of careers, family, expectations. I think in some ways it would be easier to have a clean cut like they had.
Sometimes I think I have let go of these things but later find I have still been holding on covering it up with other acts of obedience. But in some part of me I am holding on to things like the hope of relationship as what my hope is in. I make my faith about being good enough to get what I want instead of about being faithful and experiencing the good God has for me.
Lord show me what it means to let go of my nets and my plans and hopes so that I can be with you! I am sorry I hold on so tightly and trick myself into thinking I have let go when I haven't.
Amen
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