Tuesday, March 24, 2020

March 25- A Know it All

1 Corinthians 8:2-3

The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (NIV)

I have to admit, these two verses have me stumped. Everything I read about them only confuses and muddies the water. The best I have been able to discern is that knowledge without love is meaningless. Much like everything, if love isn't at the center, what good is it. Knowledge that is used to make one look important, or worse yet, to point to another's insignificance, is useless at best.

Just because a person presumes to have some bit of knowledge, that person doesn’t necessarily have the right kind of knowledge. But if someone loves God, it is certain that God has already known that one. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (Voice)

Some of us view our education as a mark of excellence, a tool which makes us worth more than someone with lesser formal instruction. Schooling is often looked upon as a thing that makes us worth more than another. Truth is, success or failure does not rest on how much we have learned in classrooms,.but how much we have learned in relationship with Jesus and have treasured in our hearts. It is a long way from the mind to the heart. (See Romans 11:33-36)

We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know to answer these kinds of questions—but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all. 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (MSG)

For the longest time I used to equate success and happiness with how much money I could earn. It was important to excel in the area of business. Then, when business failed, my life seemed empty if not meaningless. At some point Jesus entered the picture and my self-worth was redefined. Love is the proof of knowing God; the one knowledge that counts in life.

Talk about how your education impacts your worldview and your impressions of others with much less formal training.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

March 23 - Power Struggle

John 5:16-30

So many of the stories we read in scripture lately, tell us how the Pharisees and religious leaders are always just around the corner, watching. They could be the stars of a murder mystery. In fact that is just what they are. Their plotting and devious presence is for the purpose of stopping this man, Jesus, at any cost.

They are threatened by Him. Jesus has become popular and His eloquent teaching and magnetism scares them. They have seen the miracles he has performed, and they have heard Him proclaim His relationship to God the Father. So, they charge Him with blasphemy and do all they can to rile up the crowds. They are attempting to stir up the people so that Jesus isn't an issue anymore.

Little do they know; Jesus will always be an issue. He is touching the hearts of fishermen, and farmers. He is capturing the attention of those who are poor, weak, sick and dying. He is curing them, gathering with them, and loving them. Tax collectors are His friends. But He doesn't play favorites. He was there for everyone then, just as He is here for everyone now.

The religious leaders of Jesus' day were allowing Satan to use them to stop the spread of Jesus' Words. Did they recognized His holiness, and did they fear the competition? I think so. They were well versed in scripture and knew of the coming Messiah. I dare say, some probably recognized Jesus as the One. So, a power struggle ensued; except, it was not struggle for Jesus. He was and is the One who has all the power.

Discuss these verses and tell how they have impacted you, your life, and your faith. What do you think of the character of the Pharisees? Do you think any of them eventually repented and claimed Jesus?



Friday, March 20, 2020

March 21 - Content with Mud Pies


Read:  Mark 4:30-33

My grandson just turned 5.  I love getting to watch him grow and learn. It is so fascinating to me to watch a child discover something for the very first time. 

I have noticed as a mom and a grandma that very young children are especially curious about small objects.  What would happen if a young child found a tiny mustard seed laying on the ground?  Picture in your mind what they would do with it. Can you see them holding it in their hand, squeezing it between their fingers, and turning it this way and that way, hold it up to the light?  Can you see their curious minds studying this tiny little seed with blazing intensity?

What do you think they are thinking?   

Yet they have never seen a seed grow before.  They have had no experience yet with putting a tiny seed into the ground.  They could never in their wildest imagination know that out of this tiny little insignificant object, something HUGE can grow.  Something bigger than them!!

Aren’t we like that child?  We in our humanness cannot ever hope to fully grasp the grand, magnificent ways of God.  Our minds are too limited, to small.  We get glimpses, yet God’s ways and His Kingdom is far beyond what we can ever think or imagine.

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis.   


“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.  We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. 

Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. 

We are far too easily pleased.”  C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory.


Lord, thank You for how far above our imagination You are!  Thank You that Your Kingdom and Your reign is far more expansive that I could ever comprehend.  Help me to trust that even the tiny, seemingly insignificant things that You have called me to do today are a part of Your grand plan for Your Kingdom.    

Thursday, March 19, 2020

March 19 - What's Yours is God's

Luke 19:11-27

When I was a little kid, I used to have a cassette tape of Bible stories for children. They were performed by one man who did all the voices. He was funny, entertaining, and I learned a lot. This story, the parable of the ten minas, was one of the stories on the tape. I have always remembered it so clearly--I can still hear the actor's voice in my head playing the parts of the king and each of his servants. When I was young, I couldn't believe the servant who had done nothing with his money. It just seemed so ridiculous! These other two guys clearly made a profit and worked hard; why couldn't he do the same? He always seemed selfish and paranoid to me.

Rereading this story as an adult, with student loans and a car payment and hope to buy a house soon, there's a part of me that understands the third servant's actions. If someone gave me $100 right now and told me to put it to good use for the kingdom, I know I would be tempted to use it for my own purposes. Worrying about money is stressful, especially when you feel like you don't have enough. It's the same with all of our resources--time, energy, talent. We can so easily get swept up in the material of this world and lose sight of our true purpose here on earth.

I think the key to this story is the fact that the king is the one who gave the servants that money, and told them to "put this money to work." The money was never really theirs in the first place. Just like everything we have, our money, our time, our energy, talent, relationships, possessions--none of it is really ours. They're all gifts from God. And what God asks of us is the same thing the king asked of his servants: to put our gifts to work for the good of the kingdom.

Reflect:
1. How are you using whatever God has given you for the kingdom?
2. How do you live daily life with open hands--open to what God asks, and open to what your neighbor might need?
3. What's one material thing in your life that you know you hold onto too tightly? We all have those things. Pray and ask God to help you release it in the knowledge that it's not really yours.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

March 18 - Persistence Pays

Luke 18:1-8

I remember as a kid, when I wanted something really bad, I would keep hounding my mother until she gave in. It was a lot of work, pleading and promising to do things for her, but in the long run I got what I wanted. Now, often the thing I was begging for wasn't that important (except to me), but in the moment it was all I could see. Mom knew there was no reasoning with me and so she relented. If it was something big and she told me to ask my father, that usually ended the conversation. I did not want anything bad enough to go that route.

In our reading today, there is a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him, seeking justice. (Luke 18:2-3) This judge kept refusing, but finally she wore him down. He got tired of dealing with her and so he made sure she got justice.

 My mother loved me, and eventually she granted my wishes. This just didn't care for the widow, but he tired of her whining and pleading so he too granted the widow's wishes. This scripture is teaching us that God, who love us so much more than anyone else, wants us to come to Him. He wants us to bother Him and persistently ask Him for what we want.

God will honor patient, persistent, persevering prayer. God will see that we get what we need and often what we want. "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

Is there something you are praying for now, something you desperately need answers to? Keep praying and don't give up. God is listening and will hear and respond.

Monday, March 16, 2020

March 17 - Have Mercy on Me a Sinner

Luke 18:9-14

Several weeks ago we celebrated Ash Wednesday as the beginning of the Lenten season.  Using ashes is a sign of repentance mentioned several times in the bible (Job 42:5 and Matthew 11:21 are examples).  I found the following information on Ash Wednesday in a post by the ELCA entitled “Why and how do we use ashes on Ash Wednesday?”.

Ashes symbolize several aspects of our human existence:

·         Ashes remind us of God's condemnation of sin, as God said to Adam, "Dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).   

·          Ashes suggest cleansing and renewal. They were used anciently in the absence of soap. Even on Ash Wednesday, this most penitential day, we receive ashes in the form of the cross, the same symbol placed on our bodies with water in our baptism. Even in this ashen mark of death, we anticipate the new life of Easter.   

·         Ashes remind us of the shortness of human life, for it is said as we are buried into the ground or as ashes are placed in a columbarium (see “What are columbaria and memorial gardens?”). "We commit this body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 284).  

·         Ashes are a symbol of our need to repent, confess our sins, and return to God.

So why the reference to Ash Wednesday over half way through Lent?  Because today’s reading reminds us of the need for true repentance and humility.  Jesus uses the contrast between the Pharisee and the tax collector to illustrate this truth.  While Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season are not mandates from scripture, they serve us well in reminding us to examine ourselves on our journey towards Easter. 

I like our use of 1 John 1:8-10 during our confession on Sunday mornings:  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”  These words from John seem to provide a summary of what Jesus was teaching in today’s reading.

Lord, please help us to think about our need for true repentance and the humility of the tax collector.  Help us to use this Lenten season to create this habit so that we can carry it forward in our daily walk with you.  Amen


Sunday, March 15, 2020

March 16 - Let God Take Care of It


Who feels good about the current political climate? There seems to be more divisive tactics taking place these days. The goal of each party isn't to tell what they believe. Instead, it has been to do nothing more than slander the other and admit to no wrongdoing. There is fake news and what is based in fact is never objectively reported. How can we honestly believe that God’s authority is granted to all rulers?

It’s impossible to not mix church and state because all power is from God. That means that all rulers are servants of God. They are given power to protect and punish and we are to respond by showing respect and by doing good. Somehow, if we honor authority, God’s sovereignty reigns and His will is done.

What a comfort for those who are worried about the future! Many of us are frightened about where the world is headed given the current state of affairs. However, with confidence in God’s power, we can rest in knowing that His plan will reign regardless of who is in office.

All we need do is trust God and always speak well of those in authority. We’re to respect them and show them appreciation. Because the Kingdom of God will come, His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Let’s align ourselves with this promise and God will take care of the rest!

Saturday, March 14, 2020

March 15 - Vineyard Justice

Mark 12:1-17

These 17 verses are packed with important truths.  For today's Bible Blast, we're going to focus on the first 12 verses, known as the parable of the tenants.  When Jesus spoke in parables, often the crowds did not understand his message.  But this parable was quite clear to a certain segment of his audience:  the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders - the religious elite of Jesus' day.  Read their reaction in verse 12:

"Then [after Jesus told the parable] they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them.  But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

Yes, they were convicted.  They knew that they were the servants of the vineyard owner, who killed all the messengers the owner sent to them to collect his earnings - including his own son.  They thought that by killing the messenger, they would reap the profits for themselves.  But the owner vows to kill them and give the vineyard to others.  Their evil plan will fail.

Why didn't they see the error of their ways and repent?  It's so obvious to us as we read the parable that they were in the wrong.  And yet, don't we do the same thing in our own lives?  I am reminded of Paul's words in Romans 7:

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The only way to defeat sin is through the blood of Jesus! He longs to offer you grace and forgiveness - he wants to bless you. So don't be like the vineyard tenants, looking for a way to cheat and lie and gain what is not yours. Come to the cross, and receive grace and mercy. It's the only way to live!

Friday, March 13, 2020

March 14 - Generosity = Compounding Joy

Philippians 4:14-20

If you haven’t ever read the entire book of Philippians, you are missing out!  It is one of my favorite books of the Bible, often called the book of Joy.

It is interesting that the author, Paul, spends so much time in this book talking about joy given the circumstances.  He is writing this letter to his friends, those he has mentored and brought up on the faith in the area of Philippi.  But Paul was writing to them while he was in prison for boldly preaching his faith.

In today’s reading from Philippians, Paul is expressing gratitude for the generous gifts he has received from the Philippians, which involves not only their financial support, but also their deep personal concern for his well being as well.

Paul says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”   Or in other words, “I seek the profit that ACCRUES to your account.”  As grateful as Paul is for all the love and support these friends have bestowed upon him, he humbly reminds them of this great truth! 

When you invest in the lives of other people for the purpose of the Kingdom of God, the compound effect in your life will be EXPONENTIAL.  Giving in an attitude of heartfelt generosity does not lead to the depletion of assets, it leads to COMPOUNDING joy!

When we are afraid to give of our resources, we clutch tightly to the things we think will give us satisfaction, comfort, and joy.  We see the gifts of our time, money, our hearts and our very lives as limited, something we must grasp hold of tightly lest it slip out of our hands and be lost forever. We live in the fear of scarcity. 

Paul reminds us, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

Have you ever considered how rich God is?  What does His storehouse of riches look like?  The one who created all things, who rules overall, is all powerful, and all knowing.  He lives high about the Milky Way, and as close as in our hearts. 

We can NEVER deplete His abundant riches.  And His lavish love, the love that spared NO EXPENSE, but gave up His Only Son’s life for us, can be trusted. 

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:23

We can NEVER out give the GREATEST GIVER of all.  

Thank You Lord God for Your indescribable gift!  Teach me to live my life with an open hand, trusting in Your abundant supply for me.  May I joyfully and generously spend my life in loving and serving those whom You love and died for, just like You did for me.   

Thursday, March 12, 2020

March 13 - Generosity Creates Community

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

The dictionary defines generosity as: readiness or liberality in giving, freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character, a generous act, largeness or fullness; amplitude, goodness, hospitality, kindness, unselfishness, open-handedness.

The last in the list above, open-handedness, stands out. The Portrait of a Disciple, one of the teaching tools we use when learning to become a disciple of Jesus, uses open hands to illustrate a characteristic we take on as disciples. This open hand suggests reaching out to neighbors, strangers, and friends in need.

Generosity invokes a picture of giving money, sharing our tithes and offerings at church. These are true pictures of generosity, but incomplete. As the definition reveals above, kindness, unselfishness, and goodness are also traits of a generous person.

The connection between generosity and community becomes in Matthew 6:21, "Your heart will be where your treasure is." The first Christians were famous for their open-handed practices. Acts 2:42 tells us, "the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul...all things were common property to themActs 4:42 further tells that the believers were one in heart and mind. This is true community.

"But since you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you--see that you also excel in this grace of giving." (verse 7)

Portrait of a Disciple

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

March 12 - And the Oscar Goes to...

Matthew 6:1-4

Do you know what your love language is? How you give love or receive love? I know that I am definitely a Words of Affirmation person. I am all about giving words and receiving words. That is how I most feel loved, when someone shares words of love and appreciation with me. Do you know who is not a Words of Affirmation person? My husband. Yes, if you were wondering, it's been a growing experience for both of us! So when I do the dishes, or clean the bathroom, or make dinner, I want to be showered with praise and thanks and appreciation. He will, of course, say thank you for making dinner, and he often responds to my dish-doing by taking out the trash or doing some other act of service. To him, actions speak louder than words.

But I want words, so I sit and I stew. Doesn't he care that I did all this work to clean the kitchen?! Why didn't he thank me after I scrubbed the bathtub for him?! Doesn't he care that I put new salt in the salt shakers?? He uses those salt shakers!! He should be bowing at my feet right now! I stew and get frustrated because I haven't received praise and adoration for small household tasks that I feel I deserve an Oscar for completing.

And that makes me stop and think. Why do I feel I deserve an award for these tasks? My husband also does dishes, and laundry, and he does all of our budgeting and finance tracking. It's not like he doesn't do anything to help out our little family. I realize that I am only doing these tasks in order to get praise. Why do I feel entitled to recognition for things that I should be doing anyway?

This is the question underneath today's passage. And Jesus' answer? You shouldn't. The passage talks about giving to the needy. It can be so easy to want to flaunt our good deeds, to share our "accomplishments for the Kingdom." And sometimes there are some amazing stories to tell after we've spent a day or a week serving. But those are stories about God, not us. Jesus says to give in secret, to let your service be just between you and him. We should all give our time, money, energy to our neighbors in need. And for that, we are not entitled to recognition, except from the Lord.

This humbles me - as a wife, and as a servant of the Lord and the church. Maybe for you it's not your spouse that you want recognition from, but your parents, or your boss, or maybe even your children.  But what Jesus says is that when we start looking for recognition from others, our works and service becomes for others - and not for him. I pray to become one who works, serves, and gives joyfully and humbly, not out of the need for recognition, but out of a desire to love and serve God and those around me with open hands and a whole spirit.

Reflect:
1. Are there areas in your life where you give or serve or work in order to be recognized rather than to follow God's commands?
2. Maybe you don't do the above, but where in your life do you find it easy to fall into the trap of taking praise or criticism/lack of praise too much to heart?
3. How are you giving to those around you in need? Pray and ask God to show you where he wants you to serve with open hands.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

March 11 - Give to the Poor


The world is full of people with fears.

Some of us fear pain. So we collect means of safety and security.

Some of us fear insignificance. So we collect opportunities for meaningful contributions to the world.

Some of us fear worthlessness. So we collect achievements and accolades.

Any threat to our collections is, in essence, a threat to our existence.

These things we collect are not evil in and of themselves. And yet, everything on earth fades, rusts, and decays. There is nothing on earth we can collect that will give everlasting security, meaning, or worth to us, and when we count on them to do so, we will do anything possible to hold on to them—often at the expense of other souls dearly loved by God.

How beautiful these words from Jesus as he reassures us not to be afraid, “for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom”! Where God rules and reigns, there is meaning, there is peace, there is justice, there is flourishing, and there is wholeness.

In God’s kingdom we are safe, we are ascribed worth & meaning, and we are loved. This means that we are free to give away our little collections without giving way to our fears, because every fear is stilled in God’s presence, and our greater inheritance of a kingdom of goodness, justice, peace, and wholeness was secured by the blood of the cross.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Monday, March 9, 2020

March 10 - Heaven's Currency

Matthew 7:19-24 

Nancy Drew mysteries caught my interest at age 10. The field across the street from my house was a great place to bury a treasure. Shadowing my heroine, I waited until dusk so no one could see me digging a place to bury a small box of old jewelry. I returned a couple of days later to ensure my treasure box was safe. Oh no - it was gone! The trouble with storing up treasures on earth is that they are temporary. Jewelry, houses, land can be easily destroyed by theft, fire, flood, and economic downturn - quickly gone!

Jesus warned of accumulating material wealth that subtly takes over our thoughts and affections, becoming our god. He said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) The wealth of earth doesn’t convert to the currency of heaven; the value is determined by the heavenly exchange rate.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21: 1-4)

Jesus put the key to heaven’s treasure chest into our hands. It’s free to all who believe, all who will inherit eternal life. “All that the Father has is mine.” (John 16:15)

“I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be his than have riches untold, I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land, I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hands.” (George Beverly Shea)

by Diane Ward


March 9 - The Power of Forgiveness

Acts 2:42-47

The power that flows from a community of forgiven people is a palpable power that leaps off the pages of this passage in Scripture. It’s a unique power and authority that we strain our eyes to see, at least with consistency and authenticity, in our church communities today. This passage paints a picture of Christian freedom lived out in community. This is a freedom that transcends any kind of political or socio-economic system. They felt the Spirit of God at work among them.


There is a unity and commonality that binds a group of sinners together who know that they are a forgiven people. There is an equality felt nowhere else in this world, than at the foot of the cross where humans look up at Christ and know, first, that’s God. And secondly, we killed God. And Christ, in His rich mercy looks down at me and you and makes us a promise with His very life, “You are forgiven.”

Christ’s words of forgiveness produce a freedom otherwise not known in this world. You are freed not from this world but set right back into the world to see your neighbor’s needs and meet them in joy, knowing that your abundance can meet other’s scarcity. And your scarcity is not a problem that cannot be met by God’s provision for you through the freedom of your neighbor. 

 So, if you are longing for a community of faith where the Spirit brings this kind of freedom, head back to the cross and hear once again the accusation that you are a sinner. But take heart sinner, the promise of forgiveness from our God and Savior is available again today for you and for me.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

March 8 - Buying Our Way In


Mark 10:17-31

This passage is often titled "The Rich Young Man" or "The Rich Young Ruler."  And I'm sure you have read it many times.  The man earnestly wants to know what he should do to inherit eternal life.  And Jesus tells him he has to sell everything, give it to the poor, and then come follow Him (v. 21).  This was something he was not willing to do, and he walked away, downcast.

The rich young man wanted to earn his way into salvation.  He told Jesus that he followed all the commandments - in fact, he had followed them since he was a boy!  But when Jesus ever so gently pressed him on whether he would give up his great riches, he wasn't willing to do that.  He wanted to find a way to salvation that didn't involve true sacrifice.

[As a sideline, I relate to Peter's comment in this passage.  After the man left, Jesus commented on how hard it is for rich people to enter heaven.  Peter proudly comments to the group:  "We have left everything to follow you!" - v. 28.  Peter had been a lowly fisherman before Jesus called him to follow him.  Now I'm not saying that it is easier for poor people to give up their possessions, but I am saying that Peter needed to be careful of being proud of his sacrifice.  How often do I do the same thing - I fail to notice my own sin, and I proudly boast to God how hard I am working for him.]

How are you 'earning' your salvation?  You may not have given up all you own to the poor.  But you may be proud of your service.  Be careful!  Jesus reminds us that salvation doesn't come from our works, but from giving our hearts - our lives - to him.  He tells us that 'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for e and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields- and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.' (v. 30).

Yes, eternal life will be ours.  (Note that he also promises persecution).

Ask the Lord for a heart of service.  And, daily, remind yourself that the first will be last.  And thank him for the gift of eternal life.

Friday, March 6, 2020

March 7 - Grounded and Open Hearted


I have become a bit of a fitness nut over the past few years.  I just love learning new types of programs to keep me challenged and engaged.  I especially enjoy mixed martial arts, yoga and barre. 

All three of these styles of physical activity incorporate some of the same basic principles. 

Always firmly ground yourself. 

The more firmly you are grounded, the more fluid, strong and graceful your movements.

Build on a strong core, and you can expand your upper body, breathe deeply, lift your gaze upward, soften your shoulders and open your heart. 

Today’s reading reminded me of these principles.  Jesus was just beginning His ministry and was gaining a following.  It says, “many believed in His name when they saw the signs He was doing.”  The next sentence says, “but He did not entrust Himself to them” because “He knew what was in a man.”

Jesus grounded Himself.  Not on how popular He became, or what other people thought of Him.  Jesus grounded Himself on the core foundation of His Father’s love and who He said He was.


As a result, Jesus, knowing that people would disappoint Him, betray Him, and eventually kill Him, He could still open His heart and love them.  He would not entrust Himself to them but drew on the strength of His identity and the unfailing love of His Almighty, everlasting Father.

“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.”  1 Peter 2:23

Here is my prayer for all of you today, my friends:

“That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21


Thursday, March 5, 2020

March 5 - Mountains in Motion

Mark 11:20-25

We're back to that cursed fig tree. Several weeks ago, we read the passage about how Jesus cursed the fig tree, and I questioned why he did such a seemingly random and pointless act. But upon further thought, I reflected that Jesus was demonstrating to us not only that faith could move mountains, like he said, but also that there are things in our lives that seem good and life-giving, but actually bear no fruit. And I challenged you to think about the fig trees in your life, and also the mountains that could be moved through faith.

Now we're back at the fig tree, just like the apostles. And they are amazed at Jesus' power. And Jesus tells them not to doubt their faith. He says it twice here:

1. "If anyone says to this mountain, "Go throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." (23)

2. "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (24)

This is the kind of passage that can become dangerous. Yes, we know that God is not a vending machine who just gives us whatever material thing we ask for. But here's where the line of God's will gets fuzzy for me. How do I know if what I'm asking for is in God's will? Will he give it to me if it's not? Should I even want it if it's not?

There are so many things about God that are a mystery, and his will is one of them. But I think this passage is clear on one thing: have faith that God answers prayers. When you pray, don't pray expecting God not to answer you. Pray with your mind open to what God has for you. And have faith that he can move whatever mountain might be in your path. Because he can. And he just very well might.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Topsy Turvey Love



The palm branches which were strewn on the path when He entered the city, remain as a reminder of the wondrous event that just took place. They lay broken and trampled, only a memory. The donkey His disciples appropriated, had been returned to its home. Following Jesus' entrance to Jerusalem, it was business as usual for most.


Then, Jesus, unlike earthly kings, went directly to the temple. The temple, the place where one would expect to encounter God. But, before He entered, He had to clear the temple for a second time. The first was at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:13-22), and this time nearing the end. Then...The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 

Sweeping thru the temple, cleaning out the money changers, turning over tables and pushing the deceit and dishonesty out of the temple, He restored the temple to a house of prayer, as the Father intended. Then, drama over, Jesus goes back to his real business, He heals the sick and broken. Little children are circling Jesus. Starving for love they reach out, and reach up, to Jesus. And He embraces them.

The children were young, but they knew goodness when they encountered it. Jesus wanted all people--the sick and injured and the little ones, to praise Him. And all the while, the Pharisees are watching and waiting for a moment to pounce. They made it their business to stop Jesus from loving His people. All the people who they feel unworthy of their time and attention, Jesus enfolds in His loving arms.  

When the Pharisees objected to the company He kept, He silenced them with, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?’” (Psalm 8:2)

Jesus is setting an example here, of how we should behave, of how we should love at all times. Thinking of your own situation, who could you love more? How can you show someone how very much Jesus loves them and wants to have relationship with them? 





Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Power and Authority

Matthew 20:17-28

Today we read about the mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) asking Jesus to grant that they sit at his right hand and left hand in his kingdom.

References to the right hand in the bible were often associated with power and authority. In Exodus 15:6 we read “Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.” I did not find much information on the left hand, but it seems to be a safe assumption that the left hand was second in power and authority to the right.

The desire for power and authority has been with us for a long time. We see it in governments, the workplace, families, and our own lives. Certainly there is a need for the order and leadership that comes from properly exercised power and authority, but far too often power and authority are sought for selfish purposes and are abused.

It is interesting to note that Matthew places the story about the mother of Zebedee’s sons immediately after Jesus predicts his suffering, death and resurrection and refers to himself as the “Son of Man”. Two weeks ago I learned about the term “son of man” as I was writing my blog. If you recall, this term goes back to Daniel 7:13-14: 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

After establishing who he was Jesus uses the request from the mother of Zebedee’s sons to make a radical point about power and authority. He says that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Then he backs this up by citing his own life (and death) as an example. These are certainly not the words that we would expect to hear from the “son of man”, and yet that is the character of Jesus.

As we think about this reading from Matthew, are we really much different than the mother of Zebedee’s sons? Are we different than the disciples who were “indignant” when they heard about her request? Do we have servant hearts and do we live our lives like Jesus desires?

Lord, help us to better understand what it is to be “great”. Help us to know what it takes to be “first”. You demonstrated servant leadership as the “son of man”. Help us to demonstrate servant leadership as your disciples. Amen

Monday, March 2, 2020

Jesus again predicts his death

Luke 19:31-34

Who among us likes to think about death and dying? How many of us neglect writing a will or planning our funeral? Many people take responsibility for what happens when they die in order to protect those they love from being burdened after they are gone.

Jesus knew well that after His death, the people He loved would no longer be burdened. No longer would there be a need for blood sacrifices and the consequence of sin would be removed. He was aware that His death on the cross was God’s will and whenever he was tested, He prayed to God.

As the time of His death approached, Jesus prepared all that was needed. Because Jesus is omnipotent, He had the power to make the donkey’s owners permit the disciples to take the animal. He was even capable of prodding the donkey to obey! Because Jesus is omniscient, He knew everything that was going to happen. He anticipated the conversation and told those who were sent to say, “The Lord needs it.” Jesus was the kind of king who chose a donkey colt to show that he came in peace, to serve and to die.

Jesus is omnipresent. He remains with us because of His death and resurrection. He sits on the right hand of God. He intercedes on our behalf because He loves us. Jesus thought of His death often, taking care of those He temporarily left behind, knowing that He will return again. Amen.


by Nancy Gleeson

Sunday, March 1, 2020

I Want to See Jesus

Mark 10:32-52

This passage has two parts. Verses 32-45 focus on Jesus talking to his disciples about his death - how it will take place, and how he will rise again. The disciples completely miss the point, and they jockey for position as one of Jesus' favorites. He reminds them, for the second time in this chapter, that the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Mark 10:45 is a verse worth committing to memory:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Today's Bible Blast is going to focus on verses 46 -52.

What did Blind Bartimaeus want from Jesus

"Rabbi, I want to see." (v. 51)

And Jesus healed him. Immediately.

Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus.

Isn't that what we really want? To see? I am reminded of the 1970's Godspell song, Day by Day. These words are simple, yet they get at the core of our faith as followers of Jesus:

Day by day

Day by day

Oh Dear Lord

Three things I pray

To see thee more clearly

Love thee more dearly

Follow thee more nearly

Day by day



Bartimaeus was blind, so seeing clearly completely changed his life. Seeing Jesus should have the same effect on us! What a joy it is to wake up every day, knowing that we are children of God, and he longs to bless us.


Here is the chorus from another hymn, this one written in 1922. Take a moment to read these words, and remind yourself every day that setting your eyes on Jesus is the only way to live.


Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
  In the light of His glory and grace.




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