Blogging Through the Gospels: Mark 6

Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox has literally taken my faith to a completely new level.  For the first time, I am receiving a Word from my Father Every Single Day.  It is amazing.  I highly recommend you join us!!

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Reading:    Mark 6

So much to choose from in this chapter. 

Scripture:     Mark 6: 41 - 44

41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Observations:     

Thousands of people.  5,000 men -- and that number is ONLY counting the men.  It doesn't take into consideration any of the women and children that might have been there.  The number might be closer to 12,000 -- or even higher!

Five loaves and two fish.

Jesus performed miracles ALL. THE. TIME.

Just because we don't have the living, breathing Jesus walking around with us right now, doesn't mean that He isn't still capable of performing miracles!

Application: 

My Jesus?   He can feeds THOUSANDS from five loaves and two fishes.

My Jesus?  He may not have a hem that I can touch right now, but he has a throne of grace that I can come to, to be saved and healed.

My Jesus?  Is never too tired to speak to my heart, to show me the truth, and to give me LIFE.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I am overwhelmed again by your compassion, your love and your mercy.

Help me to live like a loved, provided for, cherished daughter of the King.

Help me to live like I have been redeemed.

Help me to remember all that you have done for me.

I am in awe of your mercy, and dependent on your grace.

I love you -- but I want to love you more.

Thank you for everything.

Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Mark 5

Blogging through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.

Reading:  Mark 5


Scripture:  Mark 5: 36


36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”


Observation: 


Jairus' daughter is sick. Very sick.  He knows that as a temple leader, his actions may be questioned, but he believes that this Jesus can heal his daughter.

With eyes so full of compassion, Jesus agrees, and accompanies Jairus to his home.  On the way, he heals a woman who had only touched his robe!  How much more so, Jairus thinks, could he heal my precious daughter, whom he will touch?

Soon, member's from Jairus' household approach with the news that the girl is dead.  And more than that-- with a cavalier attitude, they claim that Jairus is wasting time bringing Jesus to her.


36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Application:


There is much in my life that is in upheaval right now.

One particular situation that has had me FILLED with fear, and self-doubt, and worry, and anger.
This situation will be dealt with, for better or for worse this evening.

I am feeling at peace (mostly), and now I have a specific for today reminder from my Savior not to be afraid.  Just believe.

Lord, I do believe.
And I believe that you are not just interested in the part of my life that is dealing with the call to plant the church.  You are interested in it all.  You are in it all.

Prayer:


Father God,
I needed to be reminded of your compassionate love today.
I needed to be reminded that you are bigger than my situation.
I needed to remember that you have gone before me, and that you are always with me.

Thank you.
I am so overwhelmed.

Amen.

Blogging through the Gospels: Mark 4

Blogging through the Gospels with Amy at Mom's Toolbox.


Reading:  Mark 4

Scripture: Mark 4: 11-12


11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables  12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ”

Observation:


This verse is sticking out to me, but I think it is because it is something that I have never really understood.

I know that the ways of God are "foolishness" to the world.  I get that.

But here, it seems like the Lord is deliberately hiding the Truth from those who might hear it and become saved.  I know that if they opened their mind and truly thought about the parables, and took it a step further to make the connections to their own lives, they would understand.  So why the parables?  Even the disciples didn't understand them.


It is passages like these that would make a good argument for a Calvinist.  Clearly the Holy Spirit is needed in the act of bringing people to the Lord.  If they are just parables that people are just hearing and dismissing, with no further thought, the Holy Spirit is needed to draw them in to the Truth.


Application:


I still don't really understand the why of it all.  I may never. I certainly don't need to understand it to keep growing in my own faith.  But, it does make me incredibly grateful that He did call me.  He did draw me to Himself.

Our Great God has a very big plan.  It all unfolded according to HIS specifications, and we are STILL part of it today.

Prayer:


Thank you, Lord, for cutting through the scientific junk in my brain, and for calling me so persistently.
Thank you, Lord, for answering unresolved questions that had lingered in my head and heart for years in the blink of an eye.

Thank you for all of the amazing, incredible blessings of my life.
You are worthy of ALL my praise.
Amen and Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Mark 1

A tough day.   Blogging through the Gospels with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.

Reading:  Mark 1

Scripture: Mark 1 :40-42

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
41 Moved with compassion,  Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.     NLT

Observation:


Jesus was willing.  He was moved with compassion.  The instant that Jesus touched the man, his skin cleared up completely, leaving perfectly new skin behind.

The man with leprosy, shunned by all since obtaining the disease, did not let that stop him from approaching Jesus.

Application:


Lord, I need that boldness.  I need to push through the crowds (distractions) to get to you.
I know that you can heal me.  I know that you can sustain me.

I need to believe that you are willing.

Today, of all days, Lord, I need to feel your presence.  I need your love to sustain me.  In the midst of this trial,  I need to believe that you will help me sort through the mess in front of me.

Prayer:


I am so hurt by the things that happened yesterday.
Please, help me to put the emotions aside, to rest in how YOU see me, and give me the strength to continue with what needs to be done for my students.

Please,  I am begging, Lord.  Be willing to heal my broken heart.

Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 28

Well, we have made it through Matthew.  I was telling my husband about what I had learned from my Blogging Through the Gospel reading and application yesterday, and was overwhelmed (and so grateful) that I am getting exactly what the Lord wants me to hear, and I am not using a book study, or anything else.  I used to need the structure of having verses to look up and questions to answer.  But with just the SOAP guidelines, and the reading plan, the Lord is opening up His Word to me in a way that I always wanted it to be but never knew how to get there.    So, please... if you are in the middle of devotional books, or just wanting a fresh start to your quiet time-- PLEASE try it for yourself.


Reading:  Matthew 28


Scripture: Matthew 28: 8 - 10

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”   -- New Living Translation




8-10The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."
-- The Message


Observation:
I read this chapter five times, in four different translation.  This is the section that always stood out to me, but  *insert a huge moment of revelation (to be explained later)*  I didn't really know why. So I switched from NIV to NLT.  Same thing.  Then to NKJV.  But it wasn't until I read it in The Message, and I read the rendition, "You're holding on to me for dear life!" that it all clicked.

Of course the women were scared.  Of course they were filled with Joy. It was an incredibly intense time.  Their leader, whom they fully believed was God, had just been crucified. No matter how many times He tried to explain to them what would happen, the message was not fully received.  How many times do we let our perception of situations, and our expectation of certain outcomes hinder the way we see reality?


An Angel.  A Big POWERFUL (not your harp playing, arrow shooting little cherub), face like lightning, ANGEL told them that Jesus was no longer there.  He had been raised from the dead, like they had been told.  Go. Tell the disciples. He will meet you in Galilee.

Sometimes life is SO BIG that even when we are confronted with something amazing, we are terrified! Sometimes the reality of God is SO ASTOUNDING that we don't know what to do with ourselves.  Sometimes the physical presence of God and His call on your life is SO POWERFUL that all the emotions that you have ever felt all roll together into one, and you CLING to your Savior for dear life.

Application:


Okay. Big revelation explained:

As I was typing that sentence, the Lord showed me a picture of the blessing we believe that He is providing us in the house that we looked at yesterday.  When we walked up to the house, it just felt right.  When we walked inside, I instantly had goosebumps on my arms.  I could see us living there.  I could see Bible Studies happening there.  I could see my boys growing up there.  I could see people coming to the Lord there.

Here is the fear part. In truth, I have been clinging to God for dear life ever since we saw the place because:

1) We love it.
2) We are afraid that WE love it more than we are listening/hearing whether it is the right place.
3) The rent is a little bit higher than the maximum price that we had set based on our budget.

So, along with the picture of the house (in slideshow mode) in my head, I heard in my heart:
"You are clinging to me for dear life.  Don't be afraid like that.  I am with you."

It's time for a little honesty.
I do not have any trouble believing that God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do. I believe that in Christ, I can do all things.

What I have trouble with is truly believing that the All-Powerful God that created the HEAVEN AND EARTH is actively involved and taking care of ALL of the details.  It is just..... something I am learning over and over again.  I know that He will.  But my default mode is sometimes .... panic.

"You are clinging to me for dear life.  Don't be afraid like that.  I am with you."

Prayer:


Wow, God.
I am so sorry for the years of knowing you that I have MISSED OUT on hearing from you like this.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I have no words today, other than thank you.
Accept my tears as my offering,

With deep humility,
Your daughter.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 27, part 2

Well, I really didn't know where the Lord was going with this, but once again, He held me in His arms, and gave me exactly what I needed.  I am so blessed to be "blogging through the gospels" with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.  Please join us.  It will change you!!


Reading: Matthew 27: 27 - 66


Scripture:

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.


Observations:


I don't think that I had ever noticed verse 52 before.
It is just amazing to me!
How could the people still doubt after that??  "Oh yeah, I just saw Abraham on the street."
What??
How deep the deception must have been for the Pharisees and Saducees to still maintain that Jesus was nothing more than a crazy person, trying to stir up trouble.  Or-- they were so trapped in their own pride. Their fear of being wrong -- the implications of being THE ONES TO CRUCIFY THE MESSIAH must have been too great to accept.

Application:


I think that the application of this verse to my life right now is that God can do ANYTHING.

We are looking at a place to rent this morning.  It is a little bit more than the top end of our budget.  I am just so worried that we are going to step out of His will because we won't wait for Him to lead us.  But at the same time I am worried that our (read: MY) caution and trying to be sure is going make us miss the place that God DOES have for us.

Reading that many who were dead came back to life, and appeared to people in the city, is much more astonishing and powerful than finding a place to live.

The same God that raised them from the dead is caring for us, and providing for our needs.  And more than that-- HE is the one who is SENDING us back.  I can have complete and utter confidence in my Savior, My God.


Prayer:


Oh, my Gracious God...
Can there be any better way to start the day?
Thank you for the reminder of your POWER, your Purpose, your PLAN.
Help me to rest in the knowledge that You are WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE, and that I.....  a frail, prideful, stubborn (at times) woman,  am yours.


Amen.

Blogging through the Gospels: Matthew 27

Another powerful day of hearing the Lord speak to me as I "blog through the Gospels" with Amy, from Mom's Toolbox.  If you haven't been doing this along with us, I highly recommend jumping in and joining us.  God NEVER fails to give me exactly what He wants me to hear.  I am changing.  (I hope.)


Reading:  Matthew 27 : 1 - 26


Scripture: Matthew 27: 23


23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”


Observation:


Pilate calls them for their unjust behavior because he knew that no crime had been committed.  And like all of us, when we are caught in actions or behavior that we know is wrong, they dug their heels in and cried all the louder,  "CRUCIFY HIM!"

Application:


Help me to heed the rebukes when they are needed, whether they come from you or from the people you put in my path.  Help me to lay down my pride so that when a comment that targets something you want to work on, whether intended by the giver as such, or intended by YOU to pierce my heart, let those comments make their mark and do the work that is needed.

Yesterday was such an example.  Our first Sunday leading children's worship.  As the only music TEACHER in the group, I of course felt that my experience and knowledge should be heeded (revered, even.).   The Lord really worked in my heart, using the words and actions of the other members of the team to remind me exactly what my place is on the TEAM.   It is definitely a work in progress, and I am so far from being like my Savior.

Prayer:


Oh Lord.
I am so far from being like you....
I need humility.  I had a wake up experience yesterday, and the truth of my own heart BROKE my heart.
Help me...  I get very annoyed with certain things, and I have little patience.  Please, Lord....
With all my heart I want to resemble you.  Please forgive me.  Please don't give up on me.
Please help me stay focused on you, even amidst all the distractions of this life.  Please, please help me Lord.

Amen.