Impossibilities or Possibilities?

Today's Readings: OT - Job 38:1-17 / 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 

The great Bible scholar 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 time had come for the very presence of the Lord of creation to be in their midst. The One who, in surrounding communities healed the sick, restored sight to the blind and raised the dead. Yet, neighbors and friends could only ask questions of doubt, failing to look beyond the surface to see the supernatural. The Lord could do no mighty works because the people were filled with the "impossibilities" of unbelief.

Unbelief cripples the soul and hinders the mighty work of God. The Lord responds to unbelief and belief. Where there is doubt there is bondage. 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 "impossibilities" of unbelief or the "possibilities" of faith?

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 38:18-41 / NT - Mark 6:30-56

Personal...

Today's Readings: OT - Job 37:1-24 / NT - Mark 5:35-43

"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 occasionally read about an amazing new medication that will rock the world of health. We read all the testimonies that report 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. Every Easter we celebrate his resurrection with joy and singing. We study the Biblical account of the Lord's miraculous victory over death. We are 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 - Job 38:1-17 / NT - Mark 6:1-29

The Right Solution...

Today's Readings: OT - Job 36:22-33 / NT - Mark 5:21-34

"And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well. And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease." - Mark 5:25-29

One summer, shortly after my wife and I were married, we were exposed to poison ivy. For almost two weeks we tried every homeopathic treatment recommended. Nothing worked! The condition only got worse. We finally went to the Doctor, received a shot and were much improved in just two days. Choosing the right solution makes all the difference. 

Today we have read about a dear woman that spent everything and suffered for years without relief. Much like my wife and I, she tried a vast number of recommended options with no success. Finally, when she was at the end of her rope she heard about Jesus. In simple faith, her plan was set and her effort was rewarded. Choosing the right solution made all the difference. 

Have you bounced from one self-help book to the next "guaranteed" recourse for what troubles you, to no avail? Have you finally come to the end of your rope? Why do we exhaust every other possibility before we just give up and in simple faith turn to Jesus? Choose the right solution and HE will make all the difference! 

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 37:1-24 / NT - Mark 5:35-43

Take a vacation...

Today's Readings: OT - Job 36:1-21 / 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 - Job 36:22-33 / NT - Mark 5:21-34

Why so afraid?

Today's Readings: OT - Job 35 / 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

Over the years we have owned four dogs. Each one has been unique in their own right. They have been funny in some ways, pushy in other ways and anxious toward certain sounds or events. As for their fears, it never mattered how many times we would assure them that everything was alright, they were still frightened. Apparently, they had little faith in what we 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 - Job 36:1-21 / NT - Mark 5:1-20

Hopeful Planters...

Today's Readings: OT - Job 34:16-37 / 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

Every spring new grass seed is planted around our town. The results are always the same. Some of the seed is eaten up by birds, some just sit on the soil and dry up and some grow for a while and brown out. But, grass seed is still planted every spring with expectation that some will take root and become green and beautiful. These are hopeful planters.

The gospel is carried throughout the world every day by believers. 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. This happens only because there are hopeful planters. 

What kind of planter are you? Do you carry the gospel to your family, friends, and neighbors? Are you always ready with the truth of the Word to be planted in the fresh soil of human souls? Or have you become discouraged because so many reject or fall away? Keep planting my friend, and believe that some will accept and bear fruit. Be a hopeful planter!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 35 / NT - Mark 4:21-41

Family...

Today's Readings: OT - Job 34:1-15 / 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.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 34:16-37 / NT - Mark 4:1-20