Scripture
But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred Mark 4 8
Observation
This is the parable of the sower and the seed. The story sounds simply enough, but in it lies an incredible important spiritual truth that every disciple must learn if they are not to become discouraged.
As much as we would all want to believe…not everyone who hears the gospel will receive it. And equally disheartening, not everyone who receives the gospel will continue until the end. Jesus always tells it like it is.
Application
Anyone who knows me knows I believe in public evangelism. This can sometimes create some debate among my colleagues who might feel public evangelism doesn’t work anymore.
I believe the answer to this debate is found in the parable of Jesus. Does evangelism work all the time for all the people? No. I would even be willing to concede that evangelism doesn’t work most of the time for most of the people. But I strongly believe that evangelism works some of the time for some of the people. And therein lays the reason we should do it.
We should not get discouraged when some of the seed falls by the wayside or on the thorny ground. Jesus told us we should expect it. But then Jesus also told us we could expect some seed…yes, even just a little seed, to fall into good soil and it will produce 30, 60 and even 100 fold results.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for demonstrating to us that you are truly the Lord of the harvest.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Feb 24 2009 Num 14-16, Mark 3
Scripture
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Mark 3 13-15
Observation
Jesus must have known from the beginning that He alone would never be able to do all that would be necessary to preach the Good News to every person upon the earth. So here we find God’s plan beginning to unfold. Jesus calls people from all different walks of life to become disciples in order that they might carry on the mission of Christ after He has returned to heaven.
Application
I have often struggled with what it really means to be a disciple. I not just talking about the twelve he called two thousand years ago. What about today…what does it mean to be a disciple today?
Jesus always makes things simple:
--He calls
--He invites them to send time with Him
--He sends them out to preach
Somewhere along the line, we have made the simple…difficult.
Prayer
Lord, I know I often have the tendency to make things more difficult than they really are. Thank you for reminding me that at the heart of being a disciple is simply spending time with you.
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Mark 3 13-15
Observation
Jesus must have known from the beginning that He alone would never be able to do all that would be necessary to preach the Good News to every person upon the earth. So here we find God’s plan beginning to unfold. Jesus calls people from all different walks of life to become disciples in order that they might carry on the mission of Christ after He has returned to heaven.
Application
I have often struggled with what it really means to be a disciple. I not just talking about the twelve he called two thousand years ago. What about today…what does it mean to be a disciple today?
Jesus always makes things simple:
--He calls
--He invites them to send time with Him
--He sends them out to preach
Somewhere along the line, we have made the simple…difficult.
Prayer
Lord, I know I often have the tendency to make things more difficult than they really are. Thank you for reminding me that at the heart of being a disciple is simply spending time with you.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Feb 23 2009 Num 12-13, Ps 90, Mark 2
Scripture
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2 5
Observation
It didn’t take very long for word to get out…there was a new preacher in town. No, this preacher wasn’t like all the others; there was something different about him. Not only could he preach, he could cast out demons and he could heal people. With a resume like that, He didn’t have trouble getting a crowd.
I can imagine as soon as these four friends heard about Jesus, they immediately thought of their other friend; the one who was paralyzed. If we could just get him to Jesus, they knew he would be healed. But it wasn’t that easy…it never is.
When they arrived, the place was packed. There was no handicapped parking that day and when they saw the crowd, they knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Since the crowd wasn’t going to make a way, they decided to make their own…through the roof…right down in front of Jesus.
Application
Have you ever wondered about faith? What is it? How would you describe it? I often have trouble with things that I can’t see. But then I read this text and I realize, faith isn’t something that is invisible; it can be seen.
What was it Jesus saw when He looked up at those guys tearing a hole in the roof? I wonder…what did faith look like that day? When Jesus saw their faith, was it their belief, their hope or their strong desire to have their friend healed or was it something more.
All of those things are a part of it, but faith that day looked like a hole in a roof.
Prayer
Lord, let me live my life today so that you and others might see my faith..
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2 5
Observation
It didn’t take very long for word to get out…there was a new preacher in town. No, this preacher wasn’t like all the others; there was something different about him. Not only could he preach, he could cast out demons and he could heal people. With a resume like that, He didn’t have trouble getting a crowd.
I can imagine as soon as these four friends heard about Jesus, they immediately thought of their other friend; the one who was paralyzed. If we could just get him to Jesus, they knew he would be healed. But it wasn’t that easy…it never is.
When they arrived, the place was packed. There was no handicapped parking that day and when they saw the crowd, they knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Since the crowd wasn’t going to make a way, they decided to make their own…through the roof…right down in front of Jesus.
Application
Have you ever wondered about faith? What is it? How would you describe it? I often have trouble with things that I can’t see. But then I read this text and I realize, faith isn’t something that is invisible; it can be seen.
What was it Jesus saw when He looked up at those guys tearing a hole in the roof? I wonder…what did faith look like that day? When Jesus saw their faith, was it their belief, their hope or their strong desire to have their friend healed or was it something more.
All of those things are a part of it, but faith that day looked like a hole in a roof.
Prayer
Lord, let me live my life today so that you and others might see my faith..
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Feb 22 2009 Num 10-11, Ps 27, Mark 1
Scripture
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6
Observation
As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, God miraculously provided for them and gave them all that they had need of. Being in a wilderness, in a place of lack and scarcity was not a problem for God.
God gave them food that came down from heaven day after day. God gave them water miraculously from a rock. God gave them protection from their enemies. God gave them his presence in the cloud and pillar of fire.
Rather than concentrating on what they had, they looked at what they did not have. This is very dangerous but it is also very prevalent. Don’t we tend to do the same thing? Don’t we whine and gripe because certain things aren’t happening while totally overlooking all that God is doing?
Application
How on earth could God’s people complain about food falling from heaven? It seems to me they didn’t complain when they were hungry and had nothing to eat. They were quite pleased with it.
Now as they murmur and complain, I wonder what was in their tummy. Had they just eaten of the Lord’s manna? Had they just stuffed themselves and then started to complain.
It seems to me, this is what we all do. Rather than being thankful for what we have, we complain about what we don’t have. I need to spend more time praising and thanking God for what He has done and what He is doing. I believe if I would do that, I wouldn’t feel like complaining about what I don’t have.
Prayer
Lord, give me a grateful heart.
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6
Observation
As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness, God miraculously provided for them and gave them all that they had need of. Being in a wilderness, in a place of lack and scarcity was not a problem for God.
God gave them food that came down from heaven day after day. God gave them water miraculously from a rock. God gave them protection from their enemies. God gave them his presence in the cloud and pillar of fire.
Rather than concentrating on what they had, they looked at what they did not have. This is very dangerous but it is also very prevalent. Don’t we tend to do the same thing? Don’t we whine and gripe because certain things aren’t happening while totally overlooking all that God is doing?
Application
How on earth could God’s people complain about food falling from heaven? It seems to me they didn’t complain when they were hungry and had nothing to eat. They were quite pleased with it.
Now as they murmur and complain, I wonder what was in their tummy. Had they just eaten of the Lord’s manna? Had they just stuffed themselves and then started to complain.
It seems to me, this is what we all do. Rather than being thankful for what we have, we complain about what we don’t have. I need to spend more time praising and thanking God for what He has done and what He is doing. I believe if I would do that, I wouldn’t feel like complaining about what I don’t have.
Prayer
Lord, give me a grateful heart.
Feb 21 2009 Num 8-9, Acts 28
Scripture
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. Acts 28:1
Observation
The Apostle Paul was in the center of God’s perfect will.
He had been threatened with death in the city of Jerusalem …. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been arrested by the Romans…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been locked away in a dark damp cell and mistreated,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was bound and escorted under guard to a ship that would take him to his final destination, a place from which there would be no coming back,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was restricted from moving about freely, held prisoner among heathen sailors who cared little for God,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was on a ship bound for Rome…. a ship that would face one of the fiercest storms in the Biblical times… a ship that would be shipwrecked on a strange island called Malta, a ship that would be broken into many small pieces,… but he was still in God’s perfect will.
Paul’s present circumstances never stopped him from doing God’s will. This was just another inconvenience and another bump in the road. He knew his destination and he knew that the Holy Spirit was with him,... guiding him,... leading him ... and watching over him, every step of the way.
Application
What I see in this story and indeed Paul’s entire life is…. just because we are going through adversity, trials and other storms in life does not mean that we are not in God’s perfect will. In fact, many times, it’s exactly the opposite. All along this road of life that we all must travel there will be pitfalls, troubles, trials and tribulations that we cannot avoid. Paul had more than his fair share of storms, but he never let them blow him off course.
Prayer
Lord, please be my anchor in the storms of life. Let my life by guided and steered by the Holy Sprit and not the storm.
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. Acts 28:1
Observation
The Apostle Paul was in the center of God’s perfect will.
He had been threatened with death in the city of Jerusalem …. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been arrested by the Romans…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He had been locked away in a dark damp cell and mistreated,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was bound and escorted under guard to a ship that would take him to his final destination, a place from which there would be no coming back,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was restricted from moving about freely, held prisoner among heathen sailors who cared little for God,…. but he was in God’s perfect will. He was on a ship bound for Rome…. a ship that would face one of the fiercest storms in the Biblical times… a ship that would be shipwrecked on a strange island called Malta, a ship that would be broken into many small pieces,… but he was still in God’s perfect will.
Paul’s present circumstances never stopped him from doing God’s will. This was just another inconvenience and another bump in the road. He knew his destination and he knew that the Holy Spirit was with him,... guiding him,... leading him ... and watching over him, every step of the way.
Application
What I see in this story and indeed Paul’s entire life is…. just because we are going through adversity, trials and other storms in life does not mean that we are not in God’s perfect will. In fact, many times, it’s exactly the opposite. All along this road of life that we all must travel there will be pitfalls, troubles, trials and tribulations that we cannot avoid. Paul had more than his fair share of storms, but he never let them blow him off course.
Prayer
Lord, please be my anchor in the storms of life. Let my life by guided and steered by the Holy Sprit and not the storm.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Feb 20 2009 Num 7, Ps 23, Acts 27
Scripture
…my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b
Observation
Jesus said that one of His purposes for coming to earth was that we might experience the fullness of life; He called it the more abundant life. David experienced this kind of life first-hand and writes about it here.
It is not just life, nor is it just a full life, but he is speaking about a life that is overflowing. Overflowing with what? God!
Application
Most people don’t really experience life, much less this overflowing life. It seems to me that Christ doesn’t want to just join us in our pitiful little existence; He wants to come into our life and bring all this abundance with Him.
Isn’t it ironic that we all have been led to believe to really experience all of life you have to follow the ways of the world? We have been taught and preached to that being a Christian is all about doing without. And I suppose to some extent that is true. But it isn’t until we are emptied of the world that God is able to fill us with the things of God.
Prayer
Lord, fill me up please…to the top…and then some.
…my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5b
Observation
Jesus said that one of His purposes for coming to earth was that we might experience the fullness of life; He called it the more abundant life. David experienced this kind of life first-hand and writes about it here.
It is not just life, nor is it just a full life, but he is speaking about a life that is overflowing. Overflowing with what? God!
Application
Most people don’t really experience life, much less this overflowing life. It seems to me that Christ doesn’t want to just join us in our pitiful little existence; He wants to come into our life and bring all this abundance with Him.
Isn’t it ironic that we all have been led to believe to really experience all of life you have to follow the ways of the world? We have been taught and preached to that being a Christian is all about doing without. And I suppose to some extent that is true. But it isn’t until we are emptied of the world that God is able to fill us with the things of God.
Prayer
Lord, fill me up please…to the top…and then some.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Feb 19 2009 Num 5-6, Acts 26
Scripture
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:28
Observation
The Apostle Paul had been kept prisoner for over two years in Caesarea by the Roman Governor Felix. However, Felix was replaced by another Governor named Festus, and straight away, before he can settle in, the Jews are in to see him, demanding Paul be delivered to them. Why did they Paul? Because Paul had been one of them! Now he was preaching the Gospel, which they hated! Although he had been out of the way for two years, as soon as this new governor was on the scene, they started stirring up trouble. They wanted Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem in order that they could lay in wait, ambush and kill him.
Not long after this incident, a special induction ceremony was held for the new Governor to celebrate his coming into office at Caesarea. The Jewish King Agrippa comes to visit with his sister Bernice. This was a sort of diplomatic visit, as it were. Now, it is while they were visiting that Festus brings up this matter of his prisoner Paul, who he had inherited from this predecessor and whom the Jews desired to kill. Agrippa is interested in this, and asked Festus if he could hear Paul for himself.
Application
The text I have selected is only eight words in length but they are some of the saddest to ever grace the pages of the Bible. Looking upon this story we can see that this is an example of God reaching out to the sin-blighted heart of a man to give that man a chance to be saved. And yet that man would not hear because of the love of the world and the circumstances of his life.
I wonder…what was it that held the king back that day? I can only guess that it was something he was unwilling to give up. What was it he couldn’t let go of in order that he might grasp the Savior?
More importantly…how many times have we been there?
ALMOST willing to commit my life fully to Christ.
ALMOST willing to serve God unreservedly
ALMOST willing to enter into ministry for Him
Prayer
Lord, please help me to keep You the absolute FIRST in my life. If that happens, there will be no ALMOST’s in my life..
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
Acts 26:28
Observation
The Apostle Paul had been kept prisoner for over two years in Caesarea by the Roman Governor Felix. However, Felix was replaced by another Governor named Festus, and straight away, before he can settle in, the Jews are in to see him, demanding Paul be delivered to them. Why did they Paul? Because Paul had been one of them! Now he was preaching the Gospel, which they hated! Although he had been out of the way for two years, as soon as this new governor was on the scene, they started stirring up trouble. They wanted Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem in order that they could lay in wait, ambush and kill him.
Not long after this incident, a special induction ceremony was held for the new Governor to celebrate his coming into office at Caesarea. The Jewish King Agrippa comes to visit with his sister Bernice. This was a sort of diplomatic visit, as it were. Now, it is while they were visiting that Festus brings up this matter of his prisoner Paul, who he had inherited from this predecessor and whom the Jews desired to kill. Agrippa is interested in this, and asked Festus if he could hear Paul for himself.
Application
The text I have selected is only eight words in length but they are some of the saddest to ever grace the pages of the Bible. Looking upon this story we can see that this is an example of God reaching out to the sin-blighted heart of a man to give that man a chance to be saved. And yet that man would not hear because of the love of the world and the circumstances of his life.
I wonder…what was it that held the king back that day? I can only guess that it was something he was unwilling to give up. What was it he couldn’t let go of in order that he might grasp the Savior?
More importantly…how many times have we been there?
ALMOST willing to commit my life fully to Christ.
ALMOST willing to serve God unreservedly
ALMOST willing to enter into ministry for Him
Prayer
Lord, please help me to keep You the absolute FIRST in my life. If that happens, there will be no ALMOST’s in my life..
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