Tag: Jesus

Daily Word

Mark 1

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Reflections on Mark 1 – Good News! 

Mark gets right to the ministry of Jesus in this account.  He confirms Jesus in the second verse by the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, saying it began just as Isaiah wrote.  John the Baptist announced His coming, and Jesus is the one John spoke of; Jesus is Messiah.  John baptised Jesus; Jesus saw the heavens open and heard God’s voice as he came up out of the water, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy,” (:11).   John prepared the way, and was arrested as Jesus took the lead. 

Jesus invites Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their fishing nets to follow Him (:16-18).  Soon thereafter Jesus calls James and John (sons of Zebedee).  They went to Carpernaum and Jesus amazed people by teaching with authority, casting out evil spirits, healing many including the mother-in-law of Simon (Peter). 

Jesus preached and healed people, restricting the demons from speaking – they were well aware of who Jesus was and what He was setting out to accomplish. 

Beloved, take hold of verse :35 “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”  Jesus is LORD, and He takes time to get quiet with God and pray.  How is your prayer life?  Do you have a habit of seeking a quiet place to pray?  Let Jesus be your example.  

Now read and meditate on Mark 2.

Daily Word

Mark

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Read Mark 1

Beloved, I was praying about where to go next in God’s Word, and the book of Mark impressed upon my heart.  I find myself longing for Jesus… Yes, yes, it is true, He can be found on every page of the Bible, prophetically, symbolically and the like, but I am longing for Him in the plain and simple way.  Perhaps you are too?

You will find the book of Mark in the New Testament, right after Matthew.  Mark wrote this second Gospel account and was deeply involved in the early church, although he was not one of Jesus’s twelve disciples/apostles.  Mark, whose full name was John Mark, was the son of Mary – a woman whose home was used for prayer by the early church (the New Testament records 6 different women with the name of Mary… that’s a whole different study, but suffice to mention that this Mary was not Jesus’s mother.  This Mary is found in Acts 12:12).  He was also the nephew of Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10), who is known as “son of encouragement”; both  men accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey.

It has been said of the four gospel accounts that Matthew presents Jesus as Messiah; Luke presents Him as Son of Man; John presents Him as Son of God; and Mark presents Jesus as Servant.  Mark focuses on what Jesus did, His actions on earth.  And what perfect refreshment for us all to walk alongside our Savior and Lord, through Mark’s account.

I woke up this morning to a glorious rainbow in the sky.  It seemed to be resting upon my city!  What a wonderful way to start this new beginning.  May today be a day of prayerful gratitude for us all.  

Read Mark 1 and let it speak to your heart.  Moving forward in our reading together, we will stay this course – today read, tomorrow reflect and read the next chapter.  In this way, you will be developing your ability to hear what the Holy Spirit has for you personally.  Jesus loves us all so completely and uniquely.  

Daily Word

Genesis 38

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Read Genesis 38 – The bible is real and true. People are messy yet the LORD accomplishes His purpose through us.

Meet Tamar, she is one of only 4 women mentioned in the lineage of Jesus, in the New Testament (Matthew 1:3).  She is given in marriage to Judah’s son,  Er, but he was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the LORD killed him.  :6-7.  Wicked Er was not going to corrupt the lineage of Jesus.  

It was tradition, if a man died before providing a son to his wife, that the brother would then fill his shoes.   The son would not be his though;  the baby would be considered the son of the dead brother. Judah sends in his second son, Onan.  He was also wicked in the eyes of the LORD,  and the LORD killed him.  :10. 

Judah has one son left, Shelah.  He is a bit young to be marrying and fathering his dead brother’s children, plus Tamar’s track record is of some concern. So Judah sends Tamar home to her fathers house.   He says he will send Shelah when he is old enough, but doesn’t. 

Tamar does something that seems crazy, taking off her widows garb, dressing like a shrine prostitute and getting Judah to be with her. She secures the act with his personal items.

… Hang in there,  my feminist friends, this is the anchient world. As things play out, I think you’ll see Tamar is quite the brave and bold fighter within the realm of her time and options.

Enjoy the read.  Beloved, be blessed by this chapter.   The Lord worked through Judah and Tamar despite some overwhelming obstacles and poor choices. He will come alongside you too, working all things for your good and His glory. 💖

Daily Word

Genesis 25

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Read Genesis 25 – What really matters? 

Abraham remarried Keturah after Sarah, and had 6 more sons.  We are given their names, but they are never mentioned again. 

Genesis is the story of Jesus Christ.  People will be mentioned then just fade away because they are not a part of the Jesus story.  Our lesson in this is that here and now, many will touch the story of Jesus.  They will know who he is and that he offers salvation to all, but they do not take the gift.  They too will fade out of the story.  It is immensely tragic. 

In verse :5 we read: “Abraham gave everything he owned to his son Isaac.”  Isaac is the son of the promise.  After Abraham dies, his sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him with Sarah. 

In verses :12-18 we are given the descendants of Ishmael, but like the children born to Keturah, they are mentioned here then no more. 

Now, Rebekah was barren like her mother-in-law, Sarah.  Isaac pleaded with the LORD for her, and the LORD answered his prayer with twins.  The twins were at war even in the womb.  Rebekah asked God why and He responded with quite a pronouncement!  Her sons are two rival nations…. Meet Esau and Jacob. 

Esau was a manly man, a hunter and outdoorsman, and Isaac preferred him.  Jacob had a quiet temperament and was favored by Rebekah.  Before our chapter ends, the boys will have a childish encounter over some stew that will change everything! 

Beloved, what is the LORD telling you in these verses?  Where is Jesus in YOUR story?

Daily Word

Genesis 7

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Read Genesis 7 – Noah, Noah, Noah.  My son is named Noah.  I didn’t know much about the bible back then, but I did know that Noah of the bible is known for doing what he was told. 

You may think you know Noah too, the ark, the flood, and the animals – two by two.  Read chapter 7 with fresh eyes for any details you may have missed in Sunday school. 

Verse :1, God tells Noah to get on the boat with his family, as the LORD knows that Noah is righteous.  The population had gotten so lost in their sin, and ONLY Noah was righteous. 

God says to take seven pairs, male and female, of animals He has approved for sacrifice, :2.  So, even though they were going on this extraordinary voyage, provisions were made to continue the sacrifice. 

In verse :4, God says the rain will start in 7 days, lasting 40 days and 40 nights.  As you continue, do the math on how long Noah and his family were on the Ark. 

Verse :11, tells us this flood was more than rain.  Remember, the earth was watered from the underground springs (Gen 2:5-6), well now those springs were erupting everywhere!  Rain from above, erupting springs from below, it was catastrophic. 

Verse :16 has a fascinating detail – it says:   THEN THE LORD CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND THEM.  That is how personal God is.  He closed the door, sealing them in the ark and everyone else out; Salvation for Noah and his family – condemnation for everyone else.  Beloved, Jesus offers Salvation.  Right now the door is open, but one day it will be closed.  Revelation 3:7b reminds us:  WHAT HE OPENS, NO ONE CAN CLOSE; AND WHAT HE CLOSES, NO ONE CAN OPEN. 

Chapter 7 closes with the fact that the flood waters covered the earth for 150 days… that’s a lot more than 40 days and 40 nights on the boat… and no one is off the boat yet, tune in tomorrow!  (or read ahead now – it’s fascinating, right???)🌧🌧🌧🙏🌧🌧🌧

Daily Word

Genesis 3

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Read Genesis 3 – Consider temptation – Consider it for what it is and the one behind it, the devil himself.  Subtlety is his gift.  He did not approach Eve with his horns sticking out, threatening her life to sin… he simply asked, “Did God really say…,” :1. 

Beloved, let’s all start to take that whisper seriously.  We all know good from evil.  We know what temptation is.  We need to stop chatting with it!  Picture those horns and threats when you hear the whisper.  If you fall for it and succumb to the temptation, the same enemy who whispered will shout accusations and condemnation at you.  Recognize the battle, no matter how innocently it is introduced. 

Notice where Eve went wrong next. She exaggerated by adding, “or even touch it,” :3, to God’s instruction, and Adam was standing with her this whole time!  Silent!  (:6)  Why didn’t he confront the serpent?  Why didn’t he protect Eve?  Men, we need you.  Not only did Eve need Adam, but as a result of the fall, God has given him rule over her (and this applies to all of us forevermore too).  “YOU WILL DESIRE TO CONTROL YOUR HUSBAND, BUT HE WILL RULE OVER YOU,”  :16. 

In verse :20 God shifts from talking to the serpent, Adam, and Eve – to atonement.  Verse :21 gives us the first blood sacrifice for sin.  Verse :22 shows us the triune relationship once more, as God discusses a plan to guard us from eternal damnation. 

Beloved, we were made for eternity, but if we step into eternal life as sinners without atonement there is no hope.  Jesus is the final blood sacrifice for sin.  FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.  John 3:16. 

Beloved, you do not need to hide from God.  Lay your sin at the foot of the cross and let Jesus be Lord and Savior over your life.  This is for believers, but if you are reading this and have not surrendered your life to Christ… what are you waiting for?🍎🐉💔📖💖🌎🐑

Daily Word

Psalm 146

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Read Psalm 146 – You will find the book of Psalm in the basic center of your Bible, really.  Just close your Bible, eyeball the center, open it and you’ll find it – after Job and before Proverbs.  

Okay, now read 146 before reading my thoughts on it.  Beloved, you always want to hear what The Holy Spirit has to say to you through Scripture first.  

Honesty day, Christmas is a difficult season for me.  I get lost between the Santa Claus fairytale I was raised with and the majesty of what really happened when Christ our Savior was born.  And the cherry on top is that no one even knows when that was – it’s not recorded – December 25th is the day we commemorate it – but only God knows.  Somewhere between all the “have-to’s” and “should’s” my joy takes a beating. 

But God saw this coming long ago and inspired King David to pen Psalm 146.  It starts and ends with praise.  It is filled with recall of the goodness of God. “He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them.  He keeps every promise forever.  He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.  The LORD frees the prisoners.  The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.  The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down.  The LORD loves the godly…. :6-8.”   These words take my eyes off of me and put them on my glorious LORD!

Beloved, you may run into a dry spell, you may grow weary, but rest assured, Jesus has not gone anywhere!  He is the same yesterday, today and forever – Let your troubles fade as you take in the certainty of the LORD.

Daily Word

Acts 27

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Read Acts 27 – Sailing through the impossible with God will keep your head above water. 

Paul sets sail for Rome and in verse :2 we find a tiny word “us” that suggests Luke was with him.  Remember, Luke is the author of Acts. 

Paul is a prisoner, but his concession to be allowed to go ashore and visit friends (:3) suggests he was revered and trusted.  If you recall from previous chapters, Paul is no stranger to the seas, having taken several missionary journeys.  When the winds get difficult Paul addresses the ship’s officers about it (:9-12).  They do not heed his warning and press on.  The results are perilous, the sun and stars were blotted out and all hope was gone (:20). 

Paul addressed the men again, an angel of the Lord assured Paul he would stand before Caesar, and that God, in his goodness, would also grant safety to everyone sailing with him.  Paul said, “So take courage!  For I believe God.  It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” :25-26.  The night was still quite dramatic, and Paul urged all to eat something.  Paul took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.  Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat. 

Beloved, sometimes things escalate and the very best thing is to get back to basics.  Thank God.  Eat. The Lord keeps things very simple for us. 

Our chapter ends with, “So everyone escaped safely to shore.”  They lost everything but their lives, the cargo, the ship, yet not one perished just as God told Paul.  What is the Lord telling you through this chapter? 🚢⚓🥖🙌🍞⚓🚢

Daily Word

Acts 26

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Read Acts 26 – Every reason to share your testimony is a good thing – King Agrippa invites Paul to speak, and he opens with a compliment.  Knowing your audience, knowing their starting point of knowledge is very useful. 

Paul reviewed his childhood foundation, his resolute belief in the Scriptures and the fact that he is on trial because of his hope in the fulfillment of God’s promises made to their ancestors (:6).  He spoke of his original persecution of anyone who believed in Jesus (:9-12)…. Beloved, don’t shy away from the worst thing in your past, the thing that brought you to repentance.  God can bring beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3); let the Holy Spirit use your story to open the eyes of the blind. 

Paul shared his incredible road to Damascus experience with Jesus and all the good fruit that resulted from it, circling back to the prophecy found in Scripture (:23).  Festus interrupts, calling Paul crazy from too much study.  King Agrippa interrupts, asking if Paul is trying to  persuade him to become a Christian.  Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”  :29  And with that, the men, Bernice and all the others stood and left. 

How close to salvation were they to have been almost persuaded.  What causes a person to get so close and turn away?  It is tragic.  They left knowing Paul hadn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment, yet because Paul had appealed to Caesar, to Caesar he would go.  

Daily Word

Acts 25

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Read Acts 25 – The Lord works in mysterious ways – Paul is able to share the Gospel because of the false accusations against him.  He has an audience in Festus, the new governor, King Aggripa and his sister, Bernice.  Notice all that is recorded in verse :23, “So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.”  This was a big show… yet what the accusers meant for evil, God used for good.  Paul has appealed to Caesar, as was his right as a Roman citizen, :11.  Festus agreed, but couldn’t even articulate what the charge against him was.  Our chapter ends with Festus declaring: “For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!” :27.  Beloved, when life seems unfair, look for the bigger picture.  Look for ways to show God’s goodness and mercy to those around you.  May you always have eyes for Jesus.😍