Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Matthew 6:19-24
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
This has been a very difficult month for me.
I have been in Africa for nearly a year, separated from my wife, and was only weeks away from being relieved and returning for a fantastic reunion when the news came.
My relief had a medical condition that was not going to allow him to come here and take my place. And to make matters worse…there was no alternate.
I remember receiving the news and feeling like I had been punched in the stomach. Oh how I missed my wife so much…my best friend…my soul mate…my blessing from God…my Amazing Grace. Oh how I longed to be back with her again…but now I didn’t know when that would be.
So I entered the wilderness of uncertainty. Maybe you’ve been there.
It happens when circumstances turn you upside down and shake the very foundations of your life like an earthquake, leaving you in a place where you are unsettled…damaged…trying to put the pieces back together. I consider myself to be a pretty solid man of faith but even now, I found myself hurting…yearning for home so badly…seemingly numb to what was going on around me.
I’m almost ashamed to confess this but I went on feeling this way for almost two weeks. Word from the States on identifying a new relief and getting me home was not forthcoming. Everything was in process…a process that was nowhere near fast enough for me. My patience reduced with every passing day without some word of resolution…and with it, my faith.
Indeed, Satan can reach down and try and have his way with even the most faithful. He sure was proving it in me.
But then something incredible happened.
In the midst of my hardship, the Lord brought revelation.
For at the end of yet another long work day as I was walking to my room and again feeling so heart-broken as I thought about calling my wife as I do every night…wishing that I could just be there with her and be able to speak face-to-face, the Lord had seen enough. In the midst of yet another pity party, He spoke to my heart and soul and asked me, “Do you desire Me as much as you desire Grace? Does your heart ache for me as much as it does for her?”
I immediately felt convicted. How could I have my priorities so messed up? I have always preached that I never hold my wife higher than I hold my Lord…and yet, I was doing just that. The solution to my problem had been there all along…in the midst of my confusion…in the midst of my anguish…in the midst of my impatience…in the midst of my loss of faith. Through it all and more, the Lord was with me.
You see, I forgot that He promised me He would never leave me nor forsake me. I forgot that He promised me He wouldn’t give me a burden I couldn’t bear. I forgot that I could do all things through His strength.
Yes, I forgot all His assurances because fundamentally, I lost bearing on what my true treasure was in life. Instead of Jesus, it was Grace…and that was where I went astray.
In today’s passage, Jesus continues to teach His followers and hits on the matter of treasures. And as we have seen in His prior teachings, He speaks to what how the world defines something and then reveals His heavenly interpretation…an interpretation that always draws us close to Him, His will and His way.
So what did Jesus say about treasures?
First, he exhorted His listeners to “not store up…treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”
This would be the treasure that many people would vision when you say the word. It conjures up possessions like money or jewels or expensive clothes and cars or other valuables…material items that can perish, deteriorate or be taken away. Even a loved one could be possessed like they belong to us…when the truth is that they really belong to the One we should treasure.
So what kind of treasures are we to store up?
Jesus tells us to “store up…treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
In other words, Jesus is telling us to cherish the unperishable…the treasure we find in heaven.
He is telling us to treasure Him.
To seal this truth, hear the closing words for this message as Jesus says, “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Friends, if we’re truly going to profess ourselves as Christian, then we need remember that Jesus is the only treasure…period. He is the One we are to value above everything else in life. For when we truly do this, then…and only then…will we be assured that He and He alone is in our heart. And when that happens, then everything we are will be of Him…and there will be no room for Satan to have any inroads to your life because He can’t coexist in the same place as Jesus.
Simply, when Jesus is in your heart, Satan can’t be.
Where I erred earlier in this month is that I tried to leave room for Grace and Jesus in my heart. And when I only gave Jesus a part of me, Satan moved in and did his evil. Indeed, we cannot serve two masters…our heart cannot be divided between Jesus and anything else.
And so I ask you today, “What is your treasure?”
Seek your heart and if it’s anything than Jesus, turn to Him today and ask for a change. He waiting to fully enter in and transform you forever, just as he did with me…bringing certainty in the midst of uncertainty…faith in the midst of doubt…love in the midst of pain.
Only Jesus can do that.
There’s no other treasure like Him…anywhere.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IN PRIVATE
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-18
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Is it just me or does it seem that some of the darkest acts a person can commit are done in secret?
A married man or woman makes arrangements to have romance with another behind the back of their spouse.
Perhaps a married man or woman steals away to a place in their own home to use the internet to access pornography and lust after something other than they have.
Maybe a person waits until just the right moment, when no one else is watching, to take something from another.
Or maybe still, a person fails to tell the truth when they should feeling that no one would ever know the difference if they just remain quiet.
I could go on but you get the point. Things seldom happen that are good when done in secret.
Or at least when we look at doing things in secret from a world view.
In our scripture today, Jesus opens our eyes up to the goodness of doing acts in secret with the focus on acts that are righteous, not sinful.
What should we do in secret? Let’s see what our Savior says.
First, Jesus instructs us to, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them” for such actions will result in “no reward from your Father in heaven.” This is because you sought the favor of man above the favor of the Lord…plain and simple.
As an example, Jesus used something that we all should be familiar with…giving to those in need.
How many times do we do something for someone and then think we have to tell someone about it?
It’s like we have to always have the spotlight shining on us as we proclaim how great we are…and in doing so, we steal the glory away from the One who deserves it most.
So what does Jesus tell us to do?
When we give to the needy, we are to not “announce it…to be honored by men” but rather ensure that our “giving may be in secret”…so that the “Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward” us. It’s all about whose favor you are seeking. The world’s rewards are temporary. The Lord’s rewards are eternal.
Jesus goes from giving to talk about praying again exhorting His disciples, and us as well, to not pray “standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men” but to rather “go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”
Essentially, Jesus asks us why we would ever want to raise our prayers before those who can’t answer them. Rather, prayers need only be raised secretly in the presence of the Lord…the only One who can be our very present help in times of need…the only One who “knows what (we) need before (we) ask him.”
And we need not even wonder what we should pray. For Jesus helps us there by giving us what we commonly know as His prayer…the Lord’s Prayer:
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Indeed, this should be our daily plea as we come before the Lord, praying in secret:
“Dear Lord, Your will be done in my life on earth as it is in heaven. Give me my daily bread…forgive me my debts and lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.”
The last item Jesus covers that we should do in private is a spiritual discipline we all should probably participate more in…fasting.
So what does Jesus say about it?
When fasting, He tells us to “not look somber” or “disfigure (our) faces to show men (we) are fasting”. No, instead we are to “put oil on (our) head and wash (our) face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen”. Again, your sacrifice is being made to show your dependence on the Lord to provide for you…not man…so why would you want to publicize your fast to anyone but Him? We should ever be seeking His favor…His reward…His will and way for our lives.
So what should we do in private?
Jesus tells us to give…pray…and fast. And we do it to glorify the Father first and foremost so that he and only He receives the glory He so very much deserves.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:1-18
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Is it just me or does it seem that some of the darkest acts a person can commit are done in secret?
A married man or woman makes arrangements to have romance with another behind the back of their spouse.
Perhaps a married man or woman steals away to a place in their own home to use the internet to access pornography and lust after something other than they have.
Maybe a person waits until just the right moment, when no one else is watching, to take something from another.
Or maybe still, a person fails to tell the truth when they should feeling that no one would ever know the difference if they just remain quiet.
I could go on but you get the point. Things seldom happen that are good when done in secret.
Or at least when we look at doing things in secret from a world view.
In our scripture today, Jesus opens our eyes up to the goodness of doing acts in secret with the focus on acts that are righteous, not sinful.
What should we do in secret? Let’s see what our Savior says.
First, Jesus instructs us to, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them” for such actions will result in “no reward from your Father in heaven.” This is because you sought the favor of man above the favor of the Lord…plain and simple.
As an example, Jesus used something that we all should be familiar with…giving to those in need.
How many times do we do something for someone and then think we have to tell someone about it?
It’s like we have to always have the spotlight shining on us as we proclaim how great we are…and in doing so, we steal the glory away from the One who deserves it most.
So what does Jesus tell us to do?
When we give to the needy, we are to not “announce it…to be honored by men” but rather ensure that our “giving may be in secret”…so that the “Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward” us. It’s all about whose favor you are seeking. The world’s rewards are temporary. The Lord’s rewards are eternal.
Jesus goes from giving to talk about praying again exhorting His disciples, and us as well, to not pray “standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men” but to rather “go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”
Essentially, Jesus asks us why we would ever want to raise our prayers before those who can’t answer them. Rather, prayers need only be raised secretly in the presence of the Lord…the only One who can be our very present help in times of need…the only One who “knows what (we) need before (we) ask him.”
And we need not even wonder what we should pray. For Jesus helps us there by giving us what we commonly know as His prayer…the Lord’s Prayer:
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Indeed, this should be our daily plea as we come before the Lord, praying in secret:
“Dear Lord, Your will be done in my life on earth as it is in heaven. Give me my daily bread…forgive me my debts and lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.”
The last item Jesus covers that we should do in private is a spiritual discipline we all should probably participate more in…fasting.
So what does Jesus say about it?
When fasting, He tells us to “not look somber” or “disfigure (our) faces to show men (we) are fasting”. No, instead we are to “put oil on (our) head and wash (our) face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen”. Again, your sacrifice is being made to show your dependence on the Lord to provide for you…not man…so why would you want to publicize your fast to anyone but Him? We should ever be seeking His favor…His reward…His will and way for our lives.
So what should we do in private?
Jesus tells us to give…pray…and fast. And we do it to glorify the Father first and foremost so that he and only He receives the glory He so very much deserves.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:17-48
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Have you ever asked the following question, “Why are we doing it that way?” only to receive the answer, “Because that’s the way we have always done it.”
I don’t know about you but I’ve never been a big fan of that approach, mostly because it almost always means that the status quo has been accepted and any chance of change rejected.
Thank goodness that Jesus wasn’t willing to accept the status quo…a status quo that had been established by the religious authorities of the day…the Pharisees and the Sadducees. This status quo had held a hard legalistic line in accordance with Old Testament law although the leaders who proclaimed and enforced the laws were not willing to conform to them in their own lives. This hypocrisy is what bristled Jesus and caused Him to speak out against the religious double standards.
It is in this context that we start looking at our scripture passage today. We find Jesus continuing to teach His followers during His Sermon on the Mount and setting that ease that He wasn’t coming to change the laws of the Old Testament or the Prophets who spoke so many words of truth from God. No, Jesus tells the people that He had not “come to abolish the Law or the Prophets” but rather to fulfill them and I would add this…He came to enhance them and take them to a new level.
You see Jesus respected the Law because the words of the Law were the very words of His Father. And so it is little surprise when he says that the Law will never disappear “until everything is accomplished”. He further upholds the tenets of the Law by condemning anyone who would break “one of the least of these commandments” and teach “others to do the same”, saying that they would be called “least in the kingdom of heaven”. Conversely, anyone who would practice and teach the commands of the Law would be called “great in the kingdom of heaven”. Ultimately, Jesus exhorted the people to make sure their righteousness surpassed the “Pharisees and the teachers of the law” so they might “enter the kingdom of heaven.”
So what was Jesus getting at? How could the people He was speaking to have a righteousness that surpassed the Pharisees and teachers of the law?
It’s simple.
They had to take their righteous living to the next level…and Jesus was ready to show and teach them how?
As we look to the scriptures, we find Jesus using seven distinct examples from the Law and expanding on them to help the Israelites find their way to that higher plane of holy living.
He starts with the subject of murder. The people of Israel knew the commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) and were aware of the judgment that came with a violation of God’s command. But look at what Jesus does. He tells His listeners that “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” and “anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Whoa…wait a minute Jesus. Are you saying that I can’t even get angry with someone or resort to name calling without being subject to judgment…even the “fire of hell”.
Jesus would say, “Mark…that’s EXACTLY what I mean.”
You see, Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, knew that it wasn’t enough to just attack to act of murder because you can prevent the result if you address its causes first.
Ask yourself this. How many people commit murder every year because they were in a fit of rage against another? Or how many people tease and name call until the victim of their verbal attacks decides to end the harassment for good? Friends, it happens every day.
Jesus knew that it wasn’t just enough to say do not murder. He had to address the causes as well and place the same judgment on those causes to keep people from even starting to go down a road that might lead to murder. Instead, Jesus urged people to reconcile their differences with others…before one would bring an offering…before one would even get into court with an adversary.
You see reconciliation is the polar opposite of murder…and where Jesus expects us to go in all our dealings with others.
After murder, Jesus addresses the matter of adultery. Again, God’s command was well known…”You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) but look what Jesus says:
“…anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus, are you serious? So if a married man or woman looks at a woman and thinks romantic thoughts about them than it’s the same as actually having an affair with them?
Jesus would say that this is right on the mark. Because just as He did with murder, Jesus was getting to the roots of adultery. One must first lust after another with their heart before they will ever physically engage in an adulterous act. Fix the cause and you can prevent the sin from occurring and the commandment from being broken.
After adultery, Jesus looked at the matter of divorce. Sometimes, I think He wrote these words far more for today than he did for the New Testament days He spoke in. For Jesus looked at the base law of divorce and took it to a higher level of accountability. You get the feel that divorce was easy. Just decide you no longer wanted to be married and all you had to do was issue your wife a certificate of divorce. It seems to be just as easy if not easier today.
But Jesus said that divorcing just because a person wants to is not an appropriate reason. No, He offers only marital unfaithfulness as a viable reason to divorce. Outside of that, marriages were to be kept sacred and in the spirit of love that God intended for them. And as we later will read in God’s word, husbands and wives were supposed to build their relationships on the foundation of love (1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 5:21-33).
Jesus goes on to cover oaths. The Old Testament allowed for people to swear oaths as long as they didn’t defile God’s name in doing so. But again…Jesus wasn’t looking to keep the status quo. No…He questioned why one would have to swear an oath at all. Instead, He proposed that one should just “'Yes' be 'Yes,' and…'No,' 'No'”. It was just too easy. Jesus urged His listeners and us as well to tell the truth…straight up…all the time.
So what about the matter of vengeance? Jesus had something to say about that as well.
Again, as He had in prior examples, Jesus referred to what the people knew already. When it came to revenge, the common response was an “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” (Deuteronomy 19:21) In other words, do unto others as they do unto you. Not quite the golden rule.
But Jesus taught something radically different…that a person was not to return the same wrong done to them. If you get struck on one cheek, turn the other to your assailant. If someone wants your tunic and threatens you for it, give him your cloak as well. If a person forces you to walk a mile (as the Roman soldiers often did to the Israelites, then Jesus said to walk two miles instead. And He urged us to give to those who ask to borrow.
So how hard is this teaching to hold to? Not easy. We feel the need to defend ourselves when we are done wrong. And we resist giving to others unless we feel we will be repaid. But Jesus exhorts us to live differently and we can do it…we should do it without question…because Jesus would never lead us astray. He only speaks truth.
Finally, Jesus speaks to us about dealing with those who would be our enemies. The cultural norm was to “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” (Leviticus 19:18) but again, Jesus wasn’t about keeping the norm. He was looking for an even better way.
So in going back to His foundation of loving behavior, it’s little surprise that Jesus tells His listeners to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” He would go on to teach that it’s easy to love those who love you and greet those you consider to be your brothers. No…Jesus preached indiscriminate love…a love that is blind and able to look beyond the fault in others.
After all, that’s exactly what the Lord does when He looks at us. He loves us despite our sins. And if he can do that with us, then we need to do that to others.
Or in other words, we are all called to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.
Friends, Jesus came to change the world He entered into…and today He still transforms those who read and cling to His words. Those who fail to embrace Him and His way stay mired in the cultural norms. Or in other words, they never rise above the world. But those who make the choice to shed the ways of the world for the new ways of Jesus find themselves where He hopes for them to be…elevated above the world’s ways to the very ways of heaven where their Father lives…perfect and true.
Question: Are you ready to take your life to a new level today?
You need only to buy into the ways of Jesus right here and now to get there.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.”
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:17-48
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Have you ever asked the following question, “Why are we doing it that way?” only to receive the answer, “Because that’s the way we have always done it.”
I don’t know about you but I’ve never been a big fan of that approach, mostly because it almost always means that the status quo has been accepted and any chance of change rejected.
Thank goodness that Jesus wasn’t willing to accept the status quo…a status quo that had been established by the religious authorities of the day…the Pharisees and the Sadducees. This status quo had held a hard legalistic line in accordance with Old Testament law although the leaders who proclaimed and enforced the laws were not willing to conform to them in their own lives. This hypocrisy is what bristled Jesus and caused Him to speak out against the religious double standards.
It is in this context that we start looking at our scripture passage today. We find Jesus continuing to teach His followers during His Sermon on the Mount and setting that ease that He wasn’t coming to change the laws of the Old Testament or the Prophets who spoke so many words of truth from God. No, Jesus tells the people that He had not “come to abolish the Law or the Prophets” but rather to fulfill them and I would add this…He came to enhance them and take them to a new level.
You see Jesus respected the Law because the words of the Law were the very words of His Father. And so it is little surprise when he says that the Law will never disappear “until everything is accomplished”. He further upholds the tenets of the Law by condemning anyone who would break “one of the least of these commandments” and teach “others to do the same”, saying that they would be called “least in the kingdom of heaven”. Conversely, anyone who would practice and teach the commands of the Law would be called “great in the kingdom of heaven”. Ultimately, Jesus exhorted the people to make sure their righteousness surpassed the “Pharisees and the teachers of the law” so they might “enter the kingdom of heaven.”
So what was Jesus getting at? How could the people He was speaking to have a righteousness that surpassed the Pharisees and teachers of the law?
It’s simple.
They had to take their righteous living to the next level…and Jesus was ready to show and teach them how?
As we look to the scriptures, we find Jesus using seven distinct examples from the Law and expanding on them to help the Israelites find their way to that higher plane of holy living.
He starts with the subject of murder. The people of Israel knew the commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) and were aware of the judgment that came with a violation of God’s command. But look at what Jesus does. He tells His listeners that “anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” and “anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Whoa…wait a minute Jesus. Are you saying that I can’t even get angry with someone or resort to name calling without being subject to judgment…even the “fire of hell”.
Jesus would say, “Mark…that’s EXACTLY what I mean.”
You see, Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, knew that it wasn’t enough to just attack to act of murder because you can prevent the result if you address its causes first.
Ask yourself this. How many people commit murder every year because they were in a fit of rage against another? Or how many people tease and name call until the victim of their verbal attacks decides to end the harassment for good? Friends, it happens every day.
Jesus knew that it wasn’t just enough to say do not murder. He had to address the causes as well and place the same judgment on those causes to keep people from even starting to go down a road that might lead to murder. Instead, Jesus urged people to reconcile their differences with others…before one would bring an offering…before one would even get into court with an adversary.
You see reconciliation is the polar opposite of murder…and where Jesus expects us to go in all our dealings with others.
After murder, Jesus addresses the matter of adultery. Again, God’s command was well known…”You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14) but look what Jesus says:
“…anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus, are you serious? So if a married man or woman looks at a woman and thinks romantic thoughts about them than it’s the same as actually having an affair with them?
Jesus would say that this is right on the mark. Because just as He did with murder, Jesus was getting to the roots of adultery. One must first lust after another with their heart before they will ever physically engage in an adulterous act. Fix the cause and you can prevent the sin from occurring and the commandment from being broken.
After adultery, Jesus looked at the matter of divorce. Sometimes, I think He wrote these words far more for today than he did for the New Testament days He spoke in. For Jesus looked at the base law of divorce and took it to a higher level of accountability. You get the feel that divorce was easy. Just decide you no longer wanted to be married and all you had to do was issue your wife a certificate of divorce. It seems to be just as easy if not easier today.
But Jesus said that divorcing just because a person wants to is not an appropriate reason. No, He offers only marital unfaithfulness as a viable reason to divorce. Outside of that, marriages were to be kept sacred and in the spirit of love that God intended for them. And as we later will read in God’s word, husbands and wives were supposed to build their relationships on the foundation of love (1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 5:21-33).
Jesus goes on to cover oaths. The Old Testament allowed for people to swear oaths as long as they didn’t defile God’s name in doing so. But again…Jesus wasn’t looking to keep the status quo. No…He questioned why one would have to swear an oath at all. Instead, He proposed that one should just “'Yes' be 'Yes,' and…'No,' 'No'”. It was just too easy. Jesus urged His listeners and us as well to tell the truth…straight up…all the time.
So what about the matter of vengeance? Jesus had something to say about that as well.
Again, as He had in prior examples, Jesus referred to what the people knew already. When it came to revenge, the common response was an “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” (Deuteronomy 19:21) In other words, do unto others as they do unto you. Not quite the golden rule.
But Jesus taught something radically different…that a person was not to return the same wrong done to them. If you get struck on one cheek, turn the other to your assailant. If someone wants your tunic and threatens you for it, give him your cloak as well. If a person forces you to walk a mile (as the Roman soldiers often did to the Israelites, then Jesus said to walk two miles instead. And He urged us to give to those who ask to borrow.
So how hard is this teaching to hold to? Not easy. We feel the need to defend ourselves when we are done wrong. And we resist giving to others unless we feel we will be repaid. But Jesus exhorts us to live differently and we can do it…we should do it without question…because Jesus would never lead us astray. He only speaks truth.
Finally, Jesus speaks to us about dealing with those who would be our enemies. The cultural norm was to “love your neighbor and hate your enemy” (Leviticus 19:18) but again, Jesus wasn’t about keeping the norm. He was looking for an even better way.
So in going back to His foundation of loving behavior, it’s little surprise that Jesus tells His listeners to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” He would go on to teach that it’s easy to love those who love you and greet those you consider to be your brothers. No…Jesus preached indiscriminate love…a love that is blind and able to look beyond the fault in others.
After all, that’s exactly what the Lord does when He looks at us. He loves us despite our sins. And if he can do that with us, then we need to do that to others.
Or in other words, we are all called to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.
Friends, Jesus came to change the world He entered into…and today He still transforms those who read and cling to His words. Those who fail to embrace Him and His way stay mired in the cultural norms. Or in other words, they never rise above the world. But those who make the choice to shed the ways of the world for the new ways of Jesus find themselves where He hopes for them to be…elevated above the world’s ways to the very ways of heaven where their Father lives…perfect and true.
Question: Are you ready to take your life to a new level today?
You need only to buy into the ways of Jesus right here and now to get there.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
WELL SEASONED AND WELL LIT
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
How effective am I in my work for Christ Jesus?
A simple question but one that every Christian should always be asking themselves. After all, if we’re truly going to profess ourselves to be Christian (or in other words, striving to be Christ-like), then we had better check regularly to see just how well we’re succeeding in that very endeavor.
So how would you grade yourself in accomplishing the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples and teach them to obey all He commanded? And what would be your measure of effectiveness?
Well, Jesus took some time to talk about this very subject in our passage as we continue to examine His teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
As we read His words, we see that He uses two distinct analogies to describe what we should be if we are to properly represent Him while going forth to carry out His will and way.
First, He tells us that we are the “salt of the earth”.
Huh?
What does salt have to do with effective evangelism and soul winning?
To find the answer, you have to look at the nature of salt and what it was used for in the New Testament days.
You see, salt was used as a primary preservation element for meat and fish. As long as salt maintained its nature and was salt, then it was useful to keep meat from spoiling and being ruined. If salt lost its saltiness, it was of no use and could preserve nothing. Or as Jesus said, “…if the salt loses its saltiness, …It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
A salty Christian is one who is filled with the Holy Spirit and thus walking in the ways of Jesus, fully attuned to His word and way. Well seasoned in Jesus, one can be effectively used by Him to preserve others…to prevent them from falling prey to Satan and his desire to spoil and ruin.
Turn from Jesus and align yourself with the world’s will and way…and you will lose your saltiness. Void of the Spirit, you won’t be able to save anyone from ruin and waste. In other words, you will not be good for anything that Christ might want to use you for.
Jesus also uses the analogy of light to show us how He expects us to witness to others about Him, telling us that we are the “light of the world”…and it’s just not natural for light to not shine and illuminate everything around it. In its purest sense, light is unavoidable to those who are in its presence.
So just how well does your light shine?
Is your lamp out, yielding way to darkness? Is it lit and under a bowl, concealed from sight?
Or is your light shining brightly on everyone you come in contact with so that they can’t help but see Jesus…the One who proclaimed, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
In other words…as Christians we are only the light of the world because we have the true Light, Jesus, living and abiding within us.
Again I ask, “How well is your light working today?”
You can know the answer by how you’re living.
If you’re living fully for Jesus, then your light is shining on everyone you encounter…”that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
If you’re not living for Jesus, then you are dark and pretty useless for anyone who is trying to find their way to their Savior.
In the end, Christians need to be salt and light…well seasoned and well lit…preserving and guiding others out of the dark and toward their only hope and salvation…Jesus.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
How effective am I in my work for Christ Jesus?
A simple question but one that every Christian should always be asking themselves. After all, if we’re truly going to profess ourselves to be Christian (or in other words, striving to be Christ-like), then we had better check regularly to see just how well we’re succeeding in that very endeavor.
So how would you grade yourself in accomplishing the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples and teach them to obey all He commanded? And what would be your measure of effectiveness?
Well, Jesus took some time to talk about this very subject in our passage as we continue to examine His teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
As we read His words, we see that He uses two distinct analogies to describe what we should be if we are to properly represent Him while going forth to carry out His will and way.
First, He tells us that we are the “salt of the earth”.
Huh?
What does salt have to do with effective evangelism and soul winning?
To find the answer, you have to look at the nature of salt and what it was used for in the New Testament days.
You see, salt was used as a primary preservation element for meat and fish. As long as salt maintained its nature and was salt, then it was useful to keep meat from spoiling and being ruined. If salt lost its saltiness, it was of no use and could preserve nothing. Or as Jesus said, “…if the salt loses its saltiness, …It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
A salty Christian is one who is filled with the Holy Spirit and thus walking in the ways of Jesus, fully attuned to His word and way. Well seasoned in Jesus, one can be effectively used by Him to preserve others…to prevent them from falling prey to Satan and his desire to spoil and ruin.
Turn from Jesus and align yourself with the world’s will and way…and you will lose your saltiness. Void of the Spirit, you won’t be able to save anyone from ruin and waste. In other words, you will not be good for anything that Christ might want to use you for.
Jesus also uses the analogy of light to show us how He expects us to witness to others about Him, telling us that we are the “light of the world”…and it’s just not natural for light to not shine and illuminate everything around it. In its purest sense, light is unavoidable to those who are in its presence.
So just how well does your light shine?
Is your lamp out, yielding way to darkness? Is it lit and under a bowl, concealed from sight?
Or is your light shining brightly on everyone you come in contact with so that they can’t help but see Jesus…the One who proclaimed, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)
In other words…as Christians we are only the light of the world because we have the true Light, Jesus, living and abiding within us.
Again I ask, “How well is your light working today?”
You can know the answer by how you’re living.
If you’re living fully for Jesus, then your light is shining on everyone you encounter…”that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
If you’re not living for Jesus, then you are dark and pretty useless for anyone who is trying to find their way to their Savior.
In the end, Christians need to be salt and light…well seasoned and well lit…preserving and guiding others out of the dark and toward their only hope and salvation…Jesus.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Sunday, February 21, 2010
THE DEFINITION OF BEING BLESSED
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
"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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-12
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Imagine you are a reporter wanting to get answers to a the following question for a human interest story you wish to write:
Who is blessed in life?
So you head out to the local mall and spend some time stopping people and asking them the question, writing down their responses so you could use them later to write your article.
What do you think the common answers would be?
Well after you finished and went home, you sat down to assess the answers and found three primary themes.
Most people attributed blessedness to financial status. A person who had achieved wealth and riches living in a large, extravagant home and driving an expensive, exotic car had been obviously been greatly favored.
Another large segment of those who were questioned believed success in life indicated the level of blessing a person enjoyed. A person who was able to go to college, earn a degree and then go onto attain a high paying position with a company could claim special providence over others. The same could be said for movie stars or musicians/singers who found their way to great fame.
And yet another significant number of people said that their health was the biggest indicator of being blessed. A person who had found their way through life without serious injury or chronic life threatening disease can see themselves as being on the receiving end of distinctive protection.
Wealth…success…fame…health. The world would almost always list them as indicators of being blessed in life.
Question: How do you define being blessed?
Only you can answer that question because everyone’s idea may be different. But whatever your answer is…hold onto it for a minute. Because as we set out to define who is blessed, we should be careful to not rely so much on what we think and defer instead to what God’s word says to provide us the answer. And as we look at His word, we will quickly find that the Lord’s definition of who is blessed is very different from ours.
So what does the Lord say?
For the answers, we turn to the passage for today as Jesus begins His first significant teaching…in what is commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount”.
The opening of that sermon is a familiar one to those who read and study scripture regularly. It has been widely called “The Beatitudes”…the word beatitude meaning a state of utmost bliss.
So as Jesus mentions what brings the ultimate joy in life, note that these may not be in yours or any one else’s top 10. Here’s who He counts as blessed:
1. The poor in spirit.
2. Those who mourn.
3. The meek.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
5. The merciful.
6. The pure in heart.
7. The peacemakers.
8. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
Each of these is considered blessed with Jesus stating the following blessings they receive:
1. The poor in spirit…theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Those who mourn…will be comforted.
3. The meek…will inherit the earth.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…will be filled.
5. The merciful…will be shown mercy.
6. The pure in heart…will see God.
7. The peacemakers…will be called sons of God.
8. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness…theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When the world looks at this, they would see it as being crazy and all backwards. How could those who have less actually be the ones who get more…the needy richer than those who have everything? It just doesn’t make sense.
And from a world view, it doesn’t. But from a Christian view…from one who looks at life through the lens of Jesus, it makes perfect sense.
For we gain our peace, hope and joy through our faith and trust in a Savior who is all we need in life to gain the best reward available…salvation. We see and understand through Jesus that the utmost bliss in life isn’t something materialistic that can be attained and accumulated. No…we live today in the spirit of Jesus, carrying out His will and Great Commission, knowing our reward…the kingdom of heaven…is waiting when this worldly life is over. And there, we will see our Savior face-to-face.
In the meantime, He is alive in Spirit and wishes to dwell in our hearts and minds, leading us in truth, righteousness and love.
Friends, indeed we are blessed beyond belief in life. But only when Jesus is the treasure we measure our blessedness by.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
"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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-12
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Imagine you are a reporter wanting to get answers to a the following question for a human interest story you wish to write:
Who is blessed in life?
So you head out to the local mall and spend some time stopping people and asking them the question, writing down their responses so you could use them later to write your article.
What do you think the common answers would be?
Well after you finished and went home, you sat down to assess the answers and found three primary themes.
Most people attributed blessedness to financial status. A person who had achieved wealth and riches living in a large, extravagant home and driving an expensive, exotic car had been obviously been greatly favored.
Another large segment of those who were questioned believed success in life indicated the level of blessing a person enjoyed. A person who was able to go to college, earn a degree and then go onto attain a high paying position with a company could claim special providence over others. The same could be said for movie stars or musicians/singers who found their way to great fame.
And yet another significant number of people said that their health was the biggest indicator of being blessed. A person who had found their way through life without serious injury or chronic life threatening disease can see themselves as being on the receiving end of distinctive protection.
Wealth…success…fame…health. The world would almost always list them as indicators of being blessed in life.
Question: How do you define being blessed?
Only you can answer that question because everyone’s idea may be different. But whatever your answer is…hold onto it for a minute. Because as we set out to define who is blessed, we should be careful to not rely so much on what we think and defer instead to what God’s word says to provide us the answer. And as we look at His word, we will quickly find that the Lord’s definition of who is blessed is very different from ours.
So what does the Lord say?
For the answers, we turn to the passage for today as Jesus begins His first significant teaching…in what is commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount”.
The opening of that sermon is a familiar one to those who read and study scripture regularly. It has been widely called “The Beatitudes”…the word beatitude meaning a state of utmost bliss.
So as Jesus mentions what brings the ultimate joy in life, note that these may not be in yours or any one else’s top 10. Here’s who He counts as blessed:
1. The poor in spirit.
2. Those who mourn.
3. The meek.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
5. The merciful.
6. The pure in heart.
7. The peacemakers.
8. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
Each of these is considered blessed with Jesus stating the following blessings they receive:
1. The poor in spirit…theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Those who mourn…will be comforted.
3. The meek…will inherit the earth.
4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…will be filled.
5. The merciful…will be shown mercy.
6. The pure in heart…will see God.
7. The peacemakers…will be called sons of God.
8. Those who are persecuted because of righteousness…theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When the world looks at this, they would see it as being crazy and all backwards. How could those who have less actually be the ones who get more…the needy richer than those who have everything? It just doesn’t make sense.
And from a world view, it doesn’t. But from a Christian view…from one who looks at life through the lens of Jesus, it makes perfect sense.
For we gain our peace, hope and joy through our faith and trust in a Savior who is all we need in life to gain the best reward available…salvation. We see and understand through Jesus that the utmost bliss in life isn’t something materialistic that can be attained and accumulated. No…we live today in the spirit of Jesus, carrying out His will and Great Commission, knowing our reward…the kingdom of heaven…is waiting when this worldly life is over. And there, we will see our Savior face-to-face.
In the meantime, He is alive in Spirit and wishes to dwell in our hearts and minds, leading us in truth, righteousness and love.
Friends, indeed we are blessed beyond belief in life. But only when Jesus is the treasure we measure our blessedness by.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to ourchristianwalk@aol.com
Saturday, February 20, 2010
THE GREAT HEALER
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 4:23-25
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
As Chapter 4 closes, we find Jesus, having called His first disciples, going “throughout Galilee” and teaching in the synagogues while “preaching the good news of the kingdom”. Yesterday, we saw how the Lord expects us to use our inherent gifts to carry out His will for us. One of Jesus’ many gifts was the gift of instruction and when we commit to following Him daily, He never fails to teach us something new.
But teaching wasn’t the only thing Jesus did in the synagogues.
Scripture tells us He also healed “every disease and sickness among the people”. Note He didn’t heal some of the diseases and sickness. No…He healed “every disease and sickness”.
Question: How many physicians do you know that can heal every disease and sickness?
I can think of none.
Except Jesus, the Great Physician and the Great Healer.
Well, the news of Jesus’ miraculous healing power began to get around. We read where it “spread all over Syria” and as the news spread, more and more people came to Him bringing “people…who were ill with various diseases…suffering severe pain”, possessed by demons, afflicted with seizures and paralyzed. And as they came to Jesus, He healed them and this resulted in “large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan” following Him.
Jesus, the Great Healer, had formed an impressive following because of the mighty power he displayed. And He continues to do so today.
Question: As we have progressed several days into Lent, are you wounded in some way? Possibly you have a physical ailment. Maybe you have a mental problem or struggle with some form of addiction or compulsive behavior. Or perhaps you’re spiritually sick…and frankly we all are because we can’t deny our sinfulness and live in truth.
So in some way or another, all of us are suffering from some disease or sickness. And with this fact, we need help. We need a Great Healer.
Friends, is it not good news that as we accept Jesus as Savior in our lives we not only receive salvation but also the miraculous healing power that He and only He possesses. Does this truth not set us free to live and love and learn, carrying out Jesus’ call to make disciples and teach what He commanded? Believe that it does.
So what ails you today? What are you suffering from?
All you need do is honestly answer the question…and then turn to the Great Healer. His name is Jesus.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Matthew 4:23-25
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
As Chapter 4 closes, we find Jesus, having called His first disciples, going “throughout Galilee” and teaching in the synagogues while “preaching the good news of the kingdom”. Yesterday, we saw how the Lord expects us to use our inherent gifts to carry out His will for us. One of Jesus’ many gifts was the gift of instruction and when we commit to following Him daily, He never fails to teach us something new.
But teaching wasn’t the only thing Jesus did in the synagogues.
Scripture tells us He also healed “every disease and sickness among the people”. Note He didn’t heal some of the diseases and sickness. No…He healed “every disease and sickness”.
Question: How many physicians do you know that can heal every disease and sickness?
I can think of none.
Except Jesus, the Great Physician and the Great Healer.
Well, the news of Jesus’ miraculous healing power began to get around. We read where it “spread all over Syria” and as the news spread, more and more people came to Him bringing “people…who were ill with various diseases…suffering severe pain”, possessed by demons, afflicted with seizures and paralyzed. And as they came to Jesus, He healed them and this resulted in “large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan” following Him.
Jesus, the Great Healer, had formed an impressive following because of the mighty power he displayed. And He continues to do so today.
Question: As we have progressed several days into Lent, are you wounded in some way? Possibly you have a physical ailment. Maybe you have a mental problem or struggle with some form of addiction or compulsive behavior. Or perhaps you’re spiritually sick…and frankly we all are because we can’t deny our sinfulness and live in truth.
So in some way or another, all of us are suffering from some disease or sickness. And with this fact, we need help. We need a Great Healer.
Friends, is it not good news that as we accept Jesus as Savior in our lives we not only receive salvation but also the miraculous healing power that He and only He possesses. Does this truth not set us free to live and love and learn, carrying out Jesus’ call to make disciples and teach what He commanded? Believe that it does.
So what ails you today? What are you suffering from?
All you need do is honestly answer the question…and then turn to the Great Healer. His name is Jesus.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
GO FISH
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
One of the most exciting parts of being a Christian is the opportunity to be used by the Lord in powerful ways to help bring others to Him to find their way to relationship and subsequent salvation. All of have special gifts that were instilled in us to be revealed and used in God’s perfect time to fulfill His will.
Some people are gifted speakers. Others are gifted writers. Still others may have the gift of discernment…or the gift of making music…or the gift of encouraging. I could go on and on but you get the point. The key for all of us is never discounting what the Lord has placed within you so that He might use you toward a wonderful, blessed purpose.
In our scriptures today, we find a perfect example of Jesus revealing His purpose and will to who would become His first disciples. We read that He was “walking beside the Sea of Galilee” when He “saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew”. Scripture tells us they were “casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen”. In other words, they made a living by putting to work their skills as fisherman to catch fish. Jesus had a further application for their talents.
For we read where Jesus asks Simon Peter and Andrew to “Come, follow me…and I will make you fishers of men." They were already proficient at dedicating themselves to catching fish but no amount of fish could rival the value of one saved person. One can’t help but think that the Holy Spirit overwhelmed Simon Peter and Andrew as they considered the call of Jesus. I say this because they didn’t stand around and think about whether they should go. There was no debate. Instead, we read where they “left their nets” at once and followed Jesus. There was work to do far beyond fishing.
Jesus followed this by moving on and finding two others…the brothers James and John. Ironically, they too were fishermen and “were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets”. In other words, the brothers were at work and not alone but with their father. But you see, the Father’s call was more powerful and carried more influence. We know this because Jesus “called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him”. Again, no amount of fish could exceed the value of what following Jesus and being used by Him to catch others represented.
Friends, as we continue this Lenten journey and seek to draw nearer to Jesus, let us leave everything behind and follow Him…just as the first four disciples did…using the gifts that the Lord has placed inside us. Maybe you’re doing this already. Maybe you need to get started. Either way, Jesus stands by ready to train us, teach us and show us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. We need only be fully obedient and ready to be used as an instrument of His will…open to giving everything for Him just as He gave everything for us.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
One of the most exciting parts of being a Christian is the opportunity to be used by the Lord in powerful ways to help bring others to Him to find their way to relationship and subsequent salvation. All of have special gifts that were instilled in us to be revealed and used in God’s perfect time to fulfill His will.
Some people are gifted speakers. Others are gifted writers. Still others may have the gift of discernment…or the gift of making music…or the gift of encouraging. I could go on and on but you get the point. The key for all of us is never discounting what the Lord has placed within you so that He might use you toward a wonderful, blessed purpose.
In our scriptures today, we find a perfect example of Jesus revealing His purpose and will to who would become His first disciples. We read that He was “walking beside the Sea of Galilee” when He “saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew”. Scripture tells us they were “casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen”. In other words, they made a living by putting to work their skills as fisherman to catch fish. Jesus had a further application for their talents.
For we read where Jesus asks Simon Peter and Andrew to “Come, follow me…and I will make you fishers of men." They were already proficient at dedicating themselves to catching fish but no amount of fish could rival the value of one saved person. One can’t help but think that the Holy Spirit overwhelmed Simon Peter and Andrew as they considered the call of Jesus. I say this because they didn’t stand around and think about whether they should go. There was no debate. Instead, we read where they “left their nets” at once and followed Jesus. There was work to do far beyond fishing.
Jesus followed this by moving on and finding two others…the brothers James and John. Ironically, they too were fishermen and “were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets”. In other words, the brothers were at work and not alone but with their father. But you see, the Father’s call was more powerful and carried more influence. We know this because Jesus “called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him”. Again, no amount of fish could exceed the value of what following Jesus and being used by Him to catch others represented.
Friends, as we continue this Lenten journey and seek to draw nearer to Jesus, let us leave everything behind and follow Him…just as the first four disciples did…using the gifts that the Lord has placed inside us. Maybe you’re doing this already. Maybe you need to get started. Either way, Jesus stands by ready to train us, teach us and show us where He wants us to go and what He wants us to do. We need only be fully obedient and ready to be used as an instrument of His will…open to giving everything for Him just as He gave everything for us.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Thursday, February 18, 2010
THE GREAT LIGHT
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 4:12-17
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Matthew writes that after Jesus had persevered through Satan’s attempts to tempt Him, he left his hometown of Nazareth and moved to Capernaum, located “by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali”. We read where this happened so to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah who had predicted:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Indeed, a light indeed had dawned…the Light of the World…Jesus Christ, not only bringing light to the people of Israel who were living in darkness but still bringing light to people today.
As we take our first step past Ash Wednesday where we were reminded of how far short we fall of the Lord’s favor, we emerge from the darkness into the presence of a great light…a Light that exposes our sins and calls us to change. Or in other words, Jesus, the Great Light of the World, preaches and demands that we "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Friends, if we’re truly going to get the best out of Lent, we have to first turn to the Light…our Savior, Jesus…and then turn from our sinfulness toward His way…the way of righteousness. When we trust Christ and truly believe in Him, making Him our greatest treasure in life (Matthew 6:21), then we will find ourselves embodying everything that is in Him through His Holy Spirit. Light begets light and we become light bearers, ever walking in the footsteps of Jesus and in doing so, letting His light shine through us to others.
Day 1 of this journey showed us the power of the Word of God and how we need it to fend off the attacks of Satan…and trust me when I say he will try and attack you…he will try to drag you back into darkness. But know and trust that he can only drag you into darkness if you choose to turn from the Light. Stay focused on Jesus…stay in His light…and there will be no room for the devil to cause you to revert to your sinful desires.
Question: Are you walking in the light or in the darkness?
My prayer for you and every person this day is that you will come to the Light and never turn away from it. Scripture reminds us that the path of righteousness is narrow and few will travel it. This is because the only way to travel the narrow path is if you can see where you are going. Or in other words…you need the Light.
Tomorrow, we will anticipate with great excitement how the Lord will again illuminate us and instruct us through His word, guiding us on our journey through Lent. I can’t wait to sit back down again and allow the Holy Spirit to give me the words to write. I pray the Lord is richly blessing you by them.
God bless all of you. I’ll see you tomorrow.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 4:12-17
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Matthew writes that after Jesus had persevered through Satan’s attempts to tempt Him, he left his hometown of Nazareth and moved to Capernaum, located “by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali”. We read where this happened so to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah who had predicted:
"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Indeed, a light indeed had dawned…the Light of the World…Jesus Christ, not only bringing light to the people of Israel who were living in darkness but still bringing light to people today.
As we take our first step past Ash Wednesday where we were reminded of how far short we fall of the Lord’s favor, we emerge from the darkness into the presence of a great light…a Light that exposes our sins and calls us to change. Or in other words, Jesus, the Great Light of the World, preaches and demands that we "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Friends, if we’re truly going to get the best out of Lent, we have to first turn to the Light…our Savior, Jesus…and then turn from our sinfulness toward His way…the way of righteousness. When we trust Christ and truly believe in Him, making Him our greatest treasure in life (Matthew 6:21), then we will find ourselves embodying everything that is in Him through His Holy Spirit. Light begets light and we become light bearers, ever walking in the footsteps of Jesus and in doing so, letting His light shine through us to others.
Day 1 of this journey showed us the power of the Word of God and how we need it to fend off the attacks of Satan…and trust me when I say he will try and attack you…he will try to drag you back into darkness. But know and trust that he can only drag you into darkness if you choose to turn from the Light. Stay focused on Jesus…stay in His light…and there will be no room for the devil to cause you to revert to your sinful desires.
Question: Are you walking in the light or in the darkness?
My prayer for you and every person this day is that you will come to the Light and never turn away from it. Scripture reminds us that the path of righteousness is narrow and few will travel it. This is because the only way to travel the narrow path is if you can see where you are going. Or in other words…you need the Light.
Tomorrow, we will anticipate with great excitement how the Lord will again illuminate us and instruct us through His word, guiding us on our journey through Lent. I can’t wait to sit back down again and allow the Holy Spirit to give me the words to write. I pray the Lord is richly blessing you by them.
God bless all of you. I’ll see you tomorrow.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
THE JOURNEY
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4:1-11
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Ash Wednesday…another one in another year.
Another Ash Wednesday in another year to reflect on how far short I have fallen of the Lord’s expectations for my life. And as I reflect, I’m not happy with myself…but then again, I shouldn’t be because this day is all about seeing the need to repent and to draw nearer to the only One who can help us become better.
And that’s just what I aim to do over the next 40 plus days as I set out to journey with Jesus through Lent.
I have chose to start this journey with Him after his baptism…as He entered the desert being led “by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil”.
Scripture tells us that Jesus fasted “forty days and forty nights” which left Him hungry. And who would enter in a time when He was at His weakest then “the Tempter”…better known as Satan or the devil.
Now…as I enter into this 40 day journey with Jesus, I know well in advance that it’s not going to be easy. It is going to be long…and I know it’s going to wear on me. I know as well that I am going to be hungry. But I also know that I’m going to make it. I couldn’t be more certain about anything else in my life.
Why?
Because Jesus made it and He will help me make it too. I only need to travel with Him through the journey…and be nourished by His life and the Word of the Father. After all, that’s our spiritual bread.
Doubt that?
You shouldn’t because Jesus affirmed it. For we read where when Jesus was in His state of weakness, Satan came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Satan knew full well what Jesus was capable of…of the power He possessed to do anything…even turn stones into bread.
But Satan had no right to demand any display of power from the Son of God. Jesus didn’t have to justify Himself to Satan…and he doesn’t need to prove Himself to us either. He is Jesus…the Lord of Lords…the King of Kings.
So in the midst of Satan’s ludicrous request, Jesus speaks words of power and wisdom…not just to Satan but to us as well. For Jesus answered, “It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Jesus countered Satan’s temptation with the Word of God, drawing from the Old Testament scriptures to remind us where our true sustenance comes from. We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And God answers that prayer through the abundance of wisdom we find in every word in the Bible.
But Satan wasn’t about to give up in trying to have his was with Jesus. No…he tried to tempt Him again.
This time, Satan “took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple” before challenging Him by saying, “If you are the Son of God…throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
See how sly Satan can be?
Jesus used the word of God to counter the first temptation so Satan tries to tempt Jesus the second time by drawing from a scripture verse to try and trick Jesus. But Jesus would have none of it as He replied, “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " Again, drawing from the Old Testament, Jesus used God’s word to stifle the devil.
Question: How many times do people twist the scriptures to try and accomplish their own agendas? Too many times, I’m afraid. But if we stay firmly embedded ourselves in the word of God, we’ll always possess the wisdom to see when someone is trying to manipulate us. God will always expose those who try and deceive, especially when they try and use His word to do it.
So twice Satan tempted. And twice Jesus denied him using God’s word.
Would Satan now give up?
No…he never does. His pursuit of destroying any good and perfect thing that God has made is relentless.
No…Satan again tried to persuade Jesus to do his will…this time taking Him to a “very high mountain” and showing Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor”. In what was his most ridiculous request of all, Satan said to Jesus, "All this I will give you,…if you will bow down and worship me."
OK…let me get this straight. Jesus…the Lord of all Lords…the King of all Kings…should bow down and worship Satan so Satan could give Him what He already had? How stupid is that?
And Jesus had to have felt the same way. I could almost sense Him thinking, “Are you kidding Me?” before He commanded Satan to get “Away from me…!” because “it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' " Another priceless scripture…at another perfect and priceless time…for a perfect and priceless purpose. For after using God’s word to defend Himself, we read where the devil left Jesus and left him to the angels who came and attended to Him.
Friends, I know well that if Satan went after Jesus..the Omnipotent Savior and Messiah…then he surely will come after me…and you…as well. And he’ll do it at will whenever he senses he can get his way…especially when you have been in the desert wastelands of life and find yourself weak and hungry.
But I also know that we, like Jesus, can withstand any attack…any plot…any scheme that the devil might decide to launch…but only if we learn from Jesus and use the word of God as our defense…the very word that is our daily bread…that which we live by.
I hope you’ll check in daily and even join me on this walk. I look forward to traveling with you if you so choose…and I know Jesus wouldn’t mind you tagging along either. Let’s get started.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' "
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4:1-11
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Ash Wednesday…another one in another year.
Another Ash Wednesday in another year to reflect on how far short I have fallen of the Lord’s expectations for my life. And as I reflect, I’m not happy with myself…but then again, I shouldn’t be because this day is all about seeing the need to repent and to draw nearer to the only One who can help us become better.
And that’s just what I aim to do over the next 40 plus days as I set out to journey with Jesus through Lent.
I have chose to start this journey with Him after his baptism…as He entered the desert being led “by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil”.
Scripture tells us that Jesus fasted “forty days and forty nights” which left Him hungry. And who would enter in a time when He was at His weakest then “the Tempter”…better known as Satan or the devil.
Now…as I enter into this 40 day journey with Jesus, I know well in advance that it’s not going to be easy. It is going to be long…and I know it’s going to wear on me. I know as well that I am going to be hungry. But I also know that I’m going to make it. I couldn’t be more certain about anything else in my life.
Why?
Because Jesus made it and He will help me make it too. I only need to travel with Him through the journey…and be nourished by His life and the Word of the Father. After all, that’s our spiritual bread.
Doubt that?
You shouldn’t because Jesus affirmed it. For we read where when Jesus was in His state of weakness, Satan came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Satan knew full well what Jesus was capable of…of the power He possessed to do anything…even turn stones into bread.
But Satan had no right to demand any display of power from the Son of God. Jesus didn’t have to justify Himself to Satan…and he doesn’t need to prove Himself to us either. He is Jesus…the Lord of Lords…the King of Kings.
So in the midst of Satan’s ludicrous request, Jesus speaks words of power and wisdom…not just to Satan but to us as well. For Jesus answered, “It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Jesus countered Satan’s temptation with the Word of God, drawing from the Old Testament scriptures to remind us where our true sustenance comes from. We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And God answers that prayer through the abundance of wisdom we find in every word in the Bible.
But Satan wasn’t about to give up in trying to have his was with Jesus. No…he tried to tempt Him again.
This time, Satan “took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple” before challenging Him by saying, “If you are the Son of God…throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "
See how sly Satan can be?
Jesus used the word of God to counter the first temptation so Satan tries to tempt Jesus the second time by drawing from a scripture verse to try and trick Jesus. But Jesus would have none of it as He replied, “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " Again, drawing from the Old Testament, Jesus used God’s word to stifle the devil.
Question: How many times do people twist the scriptures to try and accomplish their own agendas? Too many times, I’m afraid. But if we stay firmly embedded ourselves in the word of God, we’ll always possess the wisdom to see when someone is trying to manipulate us. God will always expose those who try and deceive, especially when they try and use His word to do it.
So twice Satan tempted. And twice Jesus denied him using God’s word.
Would Satan now give up?
No…he never does. His pursuit of destroying any good and perfect thing that God has made is relentless.
No…Satan again tried to persuade Jesus to do his will…this time taking Him to a “very high mountain” and showing Him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor”. In what was his most ridiculous request of all, Satan said to Jesus, "All this I will give you,…if you will bow down and worship me."
OK…let me get this straight. Jesus…the Lord of all Lords…the King of all Kings…should bow down and worship Satan so Satan could give Him what He already had? How stupid is that?
And Jesus had to have felt the same way. I could almost sense Him thinking, “Are you kidding Me?” before He commanded Satan to get “Away from me…!” because “it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' " Another priceless scripture…at another perfect and priceless time…for a perfect and priceless purpose. For after using God’s word to defend Himself, we read where the devil left Jesus and left him to the angels who came and attended to Him.
Friends, I know well that if Satan went after Jesus..the Omnipotent Savior and Messiah…then he surely will come after me…and you…as well. And he’ll do it at will whenever he senses he can get his way…especially when you have been in the desert wastelands of life and find yourself weak and hungry.
But I also know that we, like Jesus, can withstand any attack…any plot…any scheme that the devil might decide to launch…but only if we learn from Jesus and use the word of God as our defense…the very word that is our daily bread…that which we live by.
I hope you’ll check in daily and even join me on this walk. I look forward to traveling with you if you so choose…and I know Jesus wouldn’t mind you tagging along either. Let’s get started.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
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