The Details of Life...

Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 28 / NT - Mark 8:1-13

“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” - Mark 8:2-3

Just after returning from college, my mother suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for quite some time. The church family was greatly concerned for our family and prayed for us faithfully. There were some dear folks though that were very practical in their concern and invited my father and me over for supper more than once. Their compassion was in the details of life.

Jesus spent three days with four thousand people and at the end of the "conference" He was quite aware of their needs. The Lord had concern for the crowd as He so often did, but more than this He considered the practical outcome of their long trip home. Jesus' compassion was in the details of life.

Do you find yourself wondering if the Lord ever considers all the little things that weigh upon you my friend? Yes, you know that He is aware of your big needs, such as a new job, restored health, reconciled family or financial provision. But, is He concerned about a sandwich for today's lunch? I believe that He is just as focused on the practical needs of every day as the bigger picture. His compassion is also in the details of life.

     Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 29 / NT - Mark 8:14-38

His things... Not ours!

Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 54, 63 / NT - Matt. 16:13-28

"But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'" - Matthew 16:23

I flew out to Lackland Air Force base in June of 1969 for military basic training. The experience was quite an education. I discovered that one major goal of the training was to break each enlistee from thinking as individuals. It was necessary for us to think as a team in ready response to our leadership. We needed to set our minds on the things of the Air Force and not on our own things.

It seems odd that Peter would be rebuked so strongly by Jesus. But Peter, like all of us, was drawn by his human nature to see things in a very different way than the Lord. The Biblical record of Isaiah 55:8 spoke of this difference in the following way; "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Jesus rightly corrected Peter and clearly pointed to the source of such divergent thinking in the words, "Get behind me, Satan!"

Is it true that you have a better idea than the Lord my friend? Do you believe that your experience and wisdom puts you on equal ground with Jesus? Stop and consider the first few words of rebuke that the Lord spoke in Job 38:4, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." God alone reigns and knows best, therefore we would be wise to set our minds on His things, not ours.

     Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 28 / NT - Mark 8:1-13

What Are You Seeking?

Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 35 / NT - Matt. 16:1-12

"An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”" -- Matthew 16:4

The world is full of skeptics who will never really believe. I remember hearing Apologist Josh McDowell tell of an encounter with a college student after one of his lectures. After a lengthy defense of the faith, the student still had questions. McDowell finally asked, "If I were to answer every one your questions about the claims of Christ, would you be willing to believe?" The young man said without hesitancy, "No, it would demand to great a change in my lifestyle". "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign".

The Pharisees and Sadducees were always looking for a sign from heaven. Hundreds of years have passed and people are still looking for such signs. While the greatest sign known to man has been shown in the resurrection of Jesus, they still look and doubt. Abraham said in Luke 16:31, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign".

The truth is; people just don't want to believe. Are you someone who has a legion of questions that keep you from Christ? If all your questions are answered are you willing to believe? Don't look for any other sign than the sign of Jonah. The evidence is clear, "...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Stop seeking for some other sign. Seek the Lord and you will be surprised with joy, for he said in Jeremiah 29:13-14, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you”

Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - Psalm 54, 63 / NT - Matt. 16:13-28

Bedside Manner...

Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 17 / NT - Mark 7

"After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”).” - Mark 7:33-34 (NIV)

Bedside manner! How often have we had doctors who were quite skilled professionally but not very gifted in the area of compassion? The best doctor we ever had was a Christian who was truly moved by our distress over the pain of our child. He was touched by our feelings.

Jesus healed the sick and infirmed. He did so, on a daily basis, but he never became compassion-challenged. In this case, Jesus was moved with a deep sigh over the hardship of the man he healed. As the Great Physician, Jesus had true bedside manner and he did everything well. Jesus was touched by their feelings.

In the words of John W. Peterson, "No one understands like Jesus; ev’ry woe He sees and feels; tenderly He whispers comfort, and the broken heart He heals." And in the thought of Hebrews 4:15, Jesus is a high priest who is able to "sympathize with our weaknesses". Never hesitate to bring your needs to Jesus... He is touched with your feelings.

Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - Psalm 35 / NT - Matt. 16:1-12

Attention please...

Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 26-27 / NT - Matt. 15:21-39

"Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."" -- Matthew 15:32

How short our attention span is these days. If a movie is too long it gets bad reviews from the critics. If a classic book is too long it will come out in an abridged edition. If the Baccalaureate speaker is too long-winded he gets booed off the platform. We have become a people who just can't stay focused for very long. Attention takes effort.

Think about the scene before us in this passage. Great crowds came to the Lord for healing and they spent three days with him. His works and words were taken in like water by the parched tongue. One must believe that these people had homes, families and responsibilities, but they found someone who was worth spending unlimited time. They lingered and listened, weary and hungry. Their attention took effort, but was rewarded.

How much time do you spend with the Lord my friend? Do you run in and out of his presence each day with so much on your mind that you can't really concentrate? Are you in a hurry to "wrap it up" on Sunday mornings during the worship service? When was the last time you spent three days with the Lord? Maybe you could start by spending a good quality hour with him. If you make the effort to give him your attention the reward will be great.

Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - Psalm 17 / NT - Mark 7

Rules!

Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 25:20-44 / NT - Matt. 15:1-20

“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” ~ Matthew 15:8-9

Rules! Ah yes, families, businesses, missions and ministries have all started with heartfelt dreams and great passion. The early days were so simple and quite exciting. But as the years passed rules came into the picture. There were rules to prevent errors, rules to promote success, rules to preserve safety and rules to produce harmony. Over the years the passion was lost and the list of rules became the major goal. The heart was replaced with rules.

The Lord reminded the Pharisees of what they lost and what they had become. They lost their heartfelt desire for God and turned their attention to man-made rules. They spent so much time splitting hairs over the legalism of their teachings, that they lost sight of their love for God and his love for them. The passion was lost and their list of rules was all that was left. The heart was replaced with rules.

While the Bible certainly has rules to live by, man-made rules are a very different story. God's rules are intended to protect us from all that would draw us away from him. They are given to help us grow more in love with him and have a stronger spiritual walk. God's rules are heart strengthening, while men's rules are heartbreaking. May we always remember our first love for the Lord and never allow the rules of men to replace our hearts.

Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 26-27 / NT - Matt. 15:21-39

Lost?

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Sam. 25:1-19 / NT - John 6:60-71

"Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," - John 6:68

It has been said that real men never ask directions. As a real man I can attest to the truth of that statement. There seems to be a deep sense of determination within every man's heart that drives him forward, lost or not. To seek directions from a credible source would bring his very manhood into question. Therefore, the world is full of real men who are lost.

After a vast number of followers have turned back from walking with Jesus, the Lord asks the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" To this question, Peter responds as no other real man would, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Peter was tired of being a real man who was lost. He believed that it was time to be a smart man and seek directions as he moved toward eternity.

Are you lost my friend? I mean really lost? Are you determined to find your own way without assistance from anyone else? Man or woman, are you so self assured that you don't need help on the journey toward eternity? Rather than being lost, be smart and turn to the only one who has the words of eternal life!

    Tomorrow's Rdings: OT - 1 Sam. 25:20-44 / NT - Matt. 15:1-20