The Good Life

READ: Philippians 3:17-21

What do you picture when I speak of the good life? Let’s weigh some common responses against the example of Paul and the words of Christ. 

Beautiful beach sunset? Paul writes from prison. Happy to be there because his captivity is advancing the gospel. (Phil 1:12-18)

Attractive spouse? Paul is single and content to be so. A married person divides attention, seeking to please both God and spouse. The unmarried person is completely focused on how he can please the Lord. (1 Cor 7:7, 32-35)

Great wealth? Christ says, “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions,” (Luke 12:15) and, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

Perfect health? Paul prayed for it. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)

Great accomplishments? “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3:8)

Your many labors behind you? “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.” (Phil 1:22)

The love and praise of everyone you know? Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matt 5:11-12)

Our reward in heaven: Isn’t that really the good life? For what eye has seen, what ear has heard, what mind has conceived of the good things God has prepared for those who love him? (1 Cor 2:9)

Mark 13:26-37

Keep Watch - Always

As chaos builds around me, I stay the course.

When untruths are spoken about me and my loved ones, I do not retaliate.

The corrupt attempt to pull me in, but I turn to the Lord.

The world claims to have all I need, I am tempted, but hear my God’s whisper.

As Jesus advised us in Mark 13 about being watchful for the end times, he referenced a fig tree; “As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.” In the same way certain things will occur as judgment day draws near.

Jesus uses the fig tree as an illustration of watching for signs of the end times, but it could not sprout if it took in water and nutrients from the soil on that day only.

Will we be healthy and sprouting when that day and hour comes? In order to be strong in the Lord we must be well nourished with the Holy Word on a regular basis. Going days without that fuel will affect our spiritual health, just as going without food and water impact our physical and emotional well-being.

Turning the other cheek, not being judgmental, being kind to those who don’t deserve it, and loving our enemies are true challenges. We are called to do these things, but we cannot go it alone. If we are to be one of his elect on the day of reckoning, our responsibility is to live each new day in humility seeking ways to make life more pleasing to God.

Do you know someone who does this? Take notice. It is not that it comes easy for them, but that they work at it daily, and strive to remain in the Lord…..always.

God graciously offers to take our burdens, thus lightening our load. I suggest you take him up on that!

 Read/Listen to Mark 13:26-3           You Tube video For King and                                                                         Country  "Shoulders"

Through the Desert or Across the Room

            Mark 6:6-13, 30-34

In Mark chapter 6, Jesus spoke to the twelve apostles. They were sent out in twos to spread the Word. They were given authority over evil spirits. These were Jesus’ instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic.  Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”

That is not a challenge for the weak of heart, or for one who trusts in himself alone. Only those who truly believe God is in control could take on that challenge. No food, money, extra clothes or anything. It is likely the twelve had reservations about the mission, but none questioned him. Jesus’ instructions were clear. They went. Yes, it may have helped that they were told they had authority to deal with evil spirits, but there was no guarantee.

Though today the Lord does not gather a specific group of us together and lay out exactly what to bring and not bring, or instruct each of us exactly where to go, his commands are clear. In addition, we have also been given the power of the Holy Spirit.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 1:13

The Bible is overflowing with guidance and instruction on how to live. If we abide by these three alone, will the Lord commend us as his "Good and Faithful Servant?" 

                                                                                                                                       

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:31

Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me. 

Matthew 25:40

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Colossians 3:12-13

 Book by: Bill Hybels

No need to walk through the desert. Look around the neighborhood. It is not essential to travel abroad, be patient with your children. Don’t seek out strangers until you have forgiven your relatives. Compassionate hearts, humility, kindness, etc. are qualities practiced and honed throughout the journey of life. As our character evolves we influence all those whose lives we touch in some way.

Read/Listen to Mark 6:6-13 

                         Mark 6:30-34

John 9:42-48

Why does God send people to hell?

He doesn't!

The Lord counsels us, guides us, directs us and reminds us over and over again.   He warns us, models for us, commands us, and offers us a grand reward.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mark 9:42-43 And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell.

These words of Jesus are not threats, they are warnings. He is not condemning, he is cautioning. God does not want to see any of his children enter into hell.

I doubt the picture we have in our mind of someone cutting off their hand is literally what Jesus meant, but it is that serious. It’s an illustration of our God’s great forgiveness if we are sincere in our repentance.

His love is extreme, just as our dedication to him should be. When we do wrong, we must not only sincerely confess and repent, but do something about it that causes us to change and not repeat the offense. Sometimes that means making an extreme transformation in our life that may be very difficult at the time.

We may wonder what God is waiting for. Why doesn't he come and fulfill his promise right now? This world is a mess. It may be wise to take advantage of God’s delay. 

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace with him.

Read/Listen to John 9:42-48

Mark 12:28-34

…..and with all your STRENGTH.

This is a spiritual strength that can only come from our Lord. It is in times of trial we must rely on Him for the strength we require to love Him, as well as others.

We all experience seasons in our lives when we feel strong. Generally this strength has nothing to do with our physical being, but instead where we are emotionally; the overall status of our own world.

For some it may be (but not always) more connected with relationships, home, children, and possibly work. For others however, it may be (but not always) have a more job status, financial stability, and property or accomplishment focus. Regardless, we each experience life from our own paradigm and view the world from a unique perspective based on our individual past experiences, and genetics.

For some, it may come easier than others to “be strong,” due to their circumstances. Consider however, those you know who seem to be able to handle just about anything with an air of confidence and grace. Often those are the ones who have one thing after another come at them. We may even pray on their behalf, for a reprieve from all of their trials.

It is likely those who accept their circumstances with what appears to be ease, is in reality the strength of the Lord. We are weak, but He is Strong.

When we look to our God in times of triumph as well as trial, and stay the course, always seeking his wisdom and grace, we will remain strong in Him, and be able to love Him with all of our strength. It is when we fall away that we become weak and are not able to handle what comes our way and reach out to our God to strengthen us.

Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  AMEN!

Mark 12:28-34

Love God with Your Soul

This Sunday we revisit a scripture reading. Revisiting suggests it must be extremely important. You decide.

When Jesus was asked the question in Mark 12 regarding the most important commandment, his response was this: 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” 

Let’s focus on the soul for a time.

Thinking deeply about what “the soul” feels is personal. Our soul is known to no one but our Lord. It’s like a concept rather than a thing. Something that is with us and guides us, yet we have no visual reference for it.

Our heart pumps to maintain our earthly life, and though we refer to having a broken heart when we experience emotional trials, is it not truly our soul that is affected. Then perhaps it is our soul that guides our heart to continue pumping or to give in, during our last moments.

Dictionary.com defines the soul as follows: noun: the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separate in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.

Might it be, that our true heart (not physical heart), and our soul are one in the same?

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

May we closely guard our heart/soul and praise God in all seasons.

“Bless the Lord O my soul, O, O, O my soul. Worship His Holy name. Sing like never before, O, my soul. Worship His Holy name.”

Listen to Matt Redman: 
10,000 Reasons

A Bruised Saint

Today’s story is from Acts 15:36-41. Paul wanted to return to some of the congregations he preached, to see how they were doing. Barnabas was to go with him, but he wanted to take his cousin, Mark. On the initial trip, Mark left Barnabas and Paul, for reasons unstated, before the work was completed.

This obviously angered Paul, who said that Mark was not to join them on the return journey.

We can only guess why Mark deserted Paul on the first trip. Perhaps he was homesick. Perhaps his faith level was not as high as required to sustain him on this very difficult journey. Perhaps Satan played mind games with him. The only thing we know for certain is that it was not God’s Will that Mark continue the journey to its conclusion.

A bruised Saint, Mark eventually regained his status as an evangelist. Late in his life, Paul and Mark were reconciled and Paul called for Mark to assist him in his ministry (2 Tim 4:11) Mark also did ministry with Peter (1 Peter 5:13). We also know that Mark authored the second book in the New Testament.

A bruised Saint was restored!

Like Mark, we all have been bruised. Maybe we went through a divorce. Maybe we did not get a promotion we deserved. Maybe we lost our job.

Sometimes we are simply victims of sin. At other times God might be trying to tell us something and there could be a lesson. However, we should also realize that Jesus died for us and that means that while we may be bruised, we are still alive in Him!

Some of us may also be like Paul. We delegated an assignment to somebody who, for whatever reason, was unable to complete it. The person might disappoint us and may even anger us. But we also need to realize that the person, through Jesus, is able to learn and grow and once again become a contributing member of the team.

Jesus reconciled us to God. He also reconciles us to each other!

The Story – Chapter 23 – Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Watch  "Who Am I" and this will make Amazing sense.

John Chapters 3 and 4

John chapters 3 and 4 hold many significant messages! The first section in Chapter 3 is titled “Jesus Teaches Nicodemus.” This Nicodemus fellow reminds me of me in ways. He went to Jesus at night when no one else was around. Nicodemus acknowledged Jesus as a teacher who had come from God. He inquired about how a grown man could be born again. His question seems surface and even quite silly. Nicodemus said, “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

When I began my true and sincere walk with the Lord and started spending time in the bible, I too had many questions that likely sounded immature and unaware, but that’s exactly what I was. We all began there, no matter what our age. Nicodemus was an important member of the religious ruling class yet understood very little. We all have much to learn, and if we pay attention we will find that the more we know, the more we know we don’t know. Perhaps that’s why we are called “children of God,” and the reason He says we must be like children in our beliefs. Mark 10:15 "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." The Lord knows we will never be able to fully understand because of our limited human mind within this earthly realm. Seeking His heavenly world in awe and wonder as a child however, is what God wants of us.

John 3 is the place in the bible where one of the most famous verses appears. The Journey (A Bible for Seeking God and Understanding Life) states: This one sentence contains the greatest message from the greatest source, describing the greatest love, demonstrated by the greatest sacrifice ever given. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son; that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3 concludes with John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus. Because he was there before Jesus, and baptizing, when Jesus arrived on the scene, many went to John asking about Jesus. John reminded them; “You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him………He must become greater, I must become less.” As John the Baptist, we are here to acknowledge the Lord, and as we help to spread His word, give all the honor and glory to Him as we become less. It is not about us, but about He who sent us. We are but a vapor in the wind. It has nothing to do with what we've done,  and everything to do with who He is. 

Listen and watch “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns

Read or Listen to John 3 and 4