Unbelief...

 Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 7 / NT - Mark 6:1-29

"And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief." -- Mark 6:5-6 

G. Campbell Morgan grew up in a Christian home and never questioned that the Bible was the Word of God. But in college, his faith was severely challenged by the philosophies of the day, and he began to entertain doubts. After a steady exposure to skepticism and unbelief, he wrote, "There came a moment when I was sure of nothing.”

The surrounding region was abuzz with reports of miraculous works performed by Jesus. The evidence was in and the numbers of lives touched and changed were numerous. People traveled great distances to hear the Lord and receive healing. Should there not have been a "mighty work" done where ever He traveled? Such would be true were it not for "unbelief".

Unbelief cripples the soul and hinders the mighty work of God. The Lord responds to belief and unbelief. Where there is doubt there is darkness. Where there is faith there is freedom. What is your "Faith Quotient" today my friend? Jesus said in Mark 9:23, "All things are possible for one who believes". Is your life marked by the "possibilities" of faith or the "impossibilities" of unbelief?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psalm 27 /  NT - Mark 6:30-56

Personal...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 24 / NT - Mark 5:21-43

"After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat." - Mark 5:40-43 

We read about an amazing new medication that will rock the world of health. We read all the testimonies about unbelievable results from many people who have been helped. We're convinced that this treatment will bring hope and healing to a loved one but... it's not available to the public. We need the powerful to become personal.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Yesterday we celebrated his resurrection with joy and singing. We studied the Biblical account of the Lord's miraculous victory over death. We were reminded that the resurrection of Christ is the very foundation of our faith. But hearing and singing about it doesn't bring a change until it comes home. When the risen Savior brings new life to a loved one or friend... the powerful becomes personal.

While resurrection day is yet future, it begins when the Lord brings us from death to life, from darkness to the light, from bondage to freedom. We need the Lord to come home in our hearts before we can be at home in heaven. As Job said in Job 42:5... "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you."  The wonderful truth about the risen Christ is... the powerful became personal.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psalm 7 /  NT - Mark 6:1-29

The Permanent Vacation...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 23 / NT - Mark 5:1-20

"And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid." - Mark 5:15

In the comedy "What About Bob", a psychiatrist writes his patient a prescription to "take a vacation from his problems". As a result the patient (Bob) finds an uncommon relief and emotional freedom. For many people such a prescription would be just right, but only if the vacation from their problems was permanent.

In this passage Jesus confronts a demoniac and the legion of demons that possessed the man. With divine authority the Lord sends the demons into a herd of pigs and relieves the man of a horrifying condition. As the crowd arrived they found that this man was now "in his right mind",  "taking a vacation from his problems". And since his deliverance was from Jesus, this vacation was permanent.

Does the idea of taking a vacation from your problems sound good my friend? Maybe you have tried a variety of resources and each one has fallen to pieces. Well, if you really want the kind of relief that will restore your "right mind", then turn to the Lord. Only Jesus can provide you with a "vacation from your problems" permanently.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 24 /  NT - Mark 5:21-43

Got enough Faith?

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 22 / NT - Mark 4:21-41

"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  - Mark 4:39-40

Some years ago we had a gentle and loving Australian Shepherd. She would greet everyone in the family with a wagging tale and "happy to see you" howl when we came home. But, she had one weakness; she was nervous around fire engines and loud trucks. No matter how often I told her that there's no reason to be afraid, she just couldn't seem to settle down and be at peace. Apparently, she had little faith in what I said.

Is it not amazing that the wind and sea responded so quickly at the words of our Lord? Jesus spoke and "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm". Yet, the disciples were completely unable to experience the same peaceful calm in their hearts. This is far too often the case; the words of Jesus were just not enough to calm their nerves. Apparently they had little faith in what He said.

Is this your story as well my friend? Can you recall numerous verses that tell of God's great power and faithful care of His children? And yet, in the face of stormy situations do you find that you are still often afraid? Is it true that no matter how much you know, you just can't settle down and be at peace? Well, maybe you need a little more faith in the One who "makes the clouds his chariot"... and "rides the wings of the wind" (Psalm 104:3). You need to give your fear to the One who says "Peace! Be still" and find your own "great calm".

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 23 /  NT - Mark 5:1-20

He brings Beauty...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 21 / NT - Mark 4:1-20

"But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” -- Mark 4:20

Spring will be upon us in no time at all. With this season many will be busy planting new flowers and nurturing their gardens. As we walk through our neighborhood we will see some large, some not so large and some rather simple gardens. Yet, each one will have their own beauty.

In the same way the gospel seeds will be planted throughout the world today. As usual, many will reject the message as nothing more than foolishness. Yet, there will be a select few that will receive the truth with great joy. Their lives will be changed and in the years ahead they will produce a wonderful spiritual harvest. Large, medium or small, each one will have their own beauty.

What kind of soil are you today my friend? Has the gospel story fallen upon your heart and produced a great crop of thirty, sixty or even a hundred fold? Or has this message passed from your memory like the morning dew? May the good news about Jesus change your life and deliver you from the fruitless pursuit of worldly gain and unending worries! Rejoice and yield your heart to the work of the Lord as He brings about His beauty in your life.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 22 /  NT - Mark 4:21-41

The Family of God...

 Today's Readings: OT - Psalm 11, 59 / NT - Mark 3:13-35

"For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." - Mark 3:35

What really is "family"? We are told by some that it's all about our blood line and ancestors. As a result there can often be a dramatic and tenacious loyalty to the "family" over all other relationships. Some people will refuse to embrace Christ as Savior because they are afraid of offending the "family". The will of God becomes secondary to the will of the family.

Our Lord was raised in a godly family. As a young boy we are told in Luke 2:51 that "he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart." But in time submission to God the Father became priority. This was so significant that He spoke of being a member of a new "family".  His brothers and sisters were not just those who adhered to family loyalty, but were those who did the will of God.

You too have a "family" my friend. And your family is one that can be traced through a very significant "blood-line". Your eternal brothers and sisters are those that are washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus. While your earthly "family" is of great value, remember that the most important family members are those who do the will of God above all else.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 21 /  NT - Mark 4:1-20

Open Hearts...

 Today's Readings: OT - 1 Samuel 20:19-42 / NT - Mark 2:18-3:12

"He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." - Mark 3:5 

“The millennium is at hand. Man has invented everything that can be invented. He has done all he can do.” These words were spoken by a bishop at a church gathering in 1870. Someone commented, “I think man will learn to fly.” The bishop replied that this was blasphemy. “Don’t you know that flight is reserved for angels?” The bishop was Rev. Milton Wright, father of Orville and Wilbur. Only open hearts can fly.

Jesus found the very same attitude among the religious elite of his day. God had broken into their lives and they were closed to the possibilities. They had reached the point where they worshiped their traditions more than God. If the miraculous couldn't fit into the traditional setting, it was rejected. The stubborn heart distressed Jesus because he knew that only open hearts could fly.

Are you ready for God to do the miraculous in your life today? Will you allow him to break into your life in ways that may challenge your traditions? When you pray for the Lord's intervention are you prepared for the change he might bring? Remember, only open hearts can fly.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Psalm 11, 59 /  NT - Mark 3:13-35