But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luke 8

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. v15

This morning I started my day somewhat weighed down by a concern that I am failing to be who God intends for me.  Yet I am uplifted and encouraged by The Parable of the Sower and Jesus' use of the word "persevere".  While I consistently practice spiritual disciplines of study and prayer, there are other disciplines which I fail to study consistently and I often feel like I am not growing and maturing into the disciple God desires for me.

I am reminded of a John Piper post I read recently:
Trust the Process: God's at Work in Your Lowest Times 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who helps carry my concerns and burdens for me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of all the blessings You pour out for me.  I gossip, and I am harsh with my words and actions - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

Luke 7

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” v16

Life is filled with challenges.  For believers, God promises us that we will "have trouble"; as part of His message He tells us also that we can "take heart" because [He] has "overcome the world" (John 16:33).  Our troubles began at The Fall (Genesis 3), when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden and promised difficult lives.  By not obeying God's instruction not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, Adam and Eve sought to be like God and to grow independent from Him.  We all have that urge within us - arrogance - but this leads to destruction because we all need a Savior and Jesus is that Savior.

God does and HAS helped us - He is the Promised Messiah.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has come to save me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of Your efforts but You are so full of grace - thank You!  Please forgive me because I am harsh with my words and actions.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.

Luke 7

Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. v6-7

This passage about the faith of the centurion is well known, yet the focus is often on confident faith.  What is striking here is that the centurion is also a man a great humility - how can this be?  Confidence and humility - together?  Yes - check out the short but good blog post by JD Greear, a local pastor here in Raleigh.

See also posts from DesiringGod.com and I am Iron on this topic. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who willingly laid down His life to rescue me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a sacrifice - I daily miss the mark - I am often harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.

Luke 6

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. v46-48

Two takeaways this morning:
1. Build your faith during the good times such that when the difficult times arrive, you have a strong enough faith that you can persevere through the difficult times.  Of course, the difficult times will further sanctify and mold you into more of who Jesus intends you to be. 
2. That our time spent with Jesus in study and prayer is meant to be "spring board" for action, not just words on paper.

During the good times, we can draw upon our growing knowledge of the Bible, the increasing power of prayer in our life, and a deepening well of gratitude of what God has done for us and continues to do for us.

John Piper and DesiringGod.com on building faith during the good times and how trusting the sanctification process can help us: 
How can I have faith in times of crisis?
Trust the Process: God's at Work in Your Lowest Times

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has done much in my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth all of the rich blessings You pour out for me - I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. v38

Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount (see also Matthew 5-7) includes verses instructing us to avoid judging others and instead focus on our own sin.  At the same time, as we look inward, we are to examine how we are good stewards on the gifts (time, treasure, and talents) God has provided us.

Jesus words on this subject are also recorded later in Luke in chapter 12: 
 
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48

I know God has blessed me beyond what I deserve in terms of time, treasure, and talents, and I am hopeful and prayerful that I am a good steward of these blessings.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve. I am grateful for Your grace and Your sacrifice - the greatest gift of all time. Thank You Jesus - but again, I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. v36

This is often difficult for me as I can be arrogant, judgemental, and harsh. Yet I am thankful that over time, God has helped me be more patient and merciful with, and forgiving of others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You not only came to rescue me but You are ALWAYS with me and You hear and respond to my cries - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for molding me into someone more like You.  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving because I know that daily I miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

Luke 6

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, and insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. v22

I don't think I am hated, excluded, insulted or rejected because of my faith, but I also don't try to hide my faith and love of Jesus.  God wants us to be a light and for me this in my house, my neighborhood, in my community, my workplace, wherever I am.   

I am reminded of Paul's words to the church in Colossae:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I love You - You came to save me, knowing everything about me, including my sin and You continue to be with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love - I am easily distracted by earthly and worldly matters.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin by turning to You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’

Luke 5

No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ v38-39 

John Piper's post on spiritual renewal speaks to me this morning.  Another of his posts here talks to spiritual renewal and a belief in spiritual miracles in the sense that out of spiritual humility you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Piper also reminds us that spiritual growth is not optional.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and You have worked many miracles in my life and I know You love me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. v11

Everyone has a story - including Peter, who's mother-in-law was healed by Jesus (Luke 4, Mark 1).  Peter also saw Jesus produce a haul of fish that Peter and his fellow fisherman could not produce or experience, even on the best of days fishing.  On top of that Peter was likely there for all (or nearly all) of Jesus' miracles that included the Transfiguration, the Resurrection, and Pentecost.  During the period after the Resurrection when Jesus appears to many, Peter arguably experienced the most powerful example of Jesus' grace and forgiveness.

For more on Peter's story - see this.

I like IAmSecond.com as a place where folks, including many public personalities, share their stories.  I've shared my story through Celebrate Recovery where I have gained victory (still fighting) over anger and others sins.

Peter dropped his livelihood to follow Jesus and boldly proclaimed the Gospel - in the face of grave danger.

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Ultimately, Peter became integral to the early church's existence and Peter brought the Gospel to the Gentiles.

We must all get to a place where we acknowledge the need for Jesus and just drop everything to follow Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me victory over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

Luke 4

“You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow  them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. v41

Satan is real - he's been with us since the beginning, he tried to tempt Jesus into sin (Luke 4:1), and he continues to exist for all believers until the end of times when Jesus will defeat Satan and sin for the final time.  Satan knows Jesus, knows believers and is constantly looking for ways to get into our lives so that our faith weakens.

John Piper provides some great resources to assist us.
Satan's Ten Strategies Against You
Recommend Resources from John Piper on Satan 

One of the biggest lies Satan seeds is that "[t]he devil wants you to believe God’s commands are torturously burdensome and the death of your happiness. The devil wants you to believe that God is withholding joy from you in the limitations he places on you."  Wrong!  See more here.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. 1 John 5:3-4 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from Satan - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such protection.  I am too often arrogant or lazy and I turn from You to sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

Luke 4

“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. v24

Although Jesus was from Nazareth, He was not accepted as the Messiah in his hometown.  DesiringGod.com uses this story in Luke (looking at Matthew's version) to point out how pride got in the way of those in Nazareth.  Pride is not looked on well by God and we should be on guard for such sin.  Those prideful in Nazareth failed to come to faith and this is costly indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You have helped me see how great You are and You have humbled me and helped me become less arrogant and more dependent on You.  Thank You Jesus for Your efforts to sanctify and refine me.  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of this and all the ways You love and bless me.  I worry...among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Luke 4

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3 - full quote of Luke 4:4

Once Jesus is baptized (Luke 3), He at once goes into the wilderness and is tested in chapter 4. In verse 2, we learned that Jesus was hungry.  Yet Jesus places His "hunger and thirst for righteousness" above His physical need for food.  Satan would have provided Him food but Satan would have also claimed Jesus soul.  We are faced with such tests daily and we must recognize that our need for Jesus is just as important as our physical needs.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, and You feed me daily with not just food to eat and water to drink, but also with Your daily bread and living water.  Thank You Jesus for sustaining me. I am grateful...but also undeserving.  I worry, among my many sin where I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2

But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. v51-52

As a parent, the most important thing I wish for my sons is to believe in Jesus.  Zach is old enough now where he makes decisions for himself that I must live with.  Just as Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, Zach and Dustin are growing less dependent on Lisa and myself - and we pray that "grace of God is on them just as it was with Jesus (v40).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who loves Zach and Dustin...and they are a blessing to our family!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry..Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior....to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Luke 1

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior....to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. v46-55, 67-79

As I start this study of Luke - see overview here - I am struck by the worship songs of both Mary and Zechariah.  Worship should be an important of our relationship with Jesus.  There will be times when we struggle to see God's love for us - even though we know God has done great things for us - including dying on the cross!  Therefore, it is important that we daily take the time to draw on the great things God has done for us so that during those times of struggle we can "hang on" to the good that we have sown as a daily practice. 

John Piper provides a great definition of worship for us.  Piper makes a distinction of "inner" worship versus "acts" worship.  Inner worship reflects a heart condition where we "valu[e] or a treasur[e]...God above all things" (vs "vain" worship with just our lips).  Acts of worship include what we say or sing about God or what we do for others, serving them as the hands and feet of Jesus.


Piper encourages us: "[d]on’t neglect to do good. Share what you have. Such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Both of those are acts of worship".

Paul does so as well:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You are worthy of my praise both in words and deeds.  My cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus for the rich blessings You poured out for me and that You continue to pour out for me.  I am unworthy of such love.  I worry...among my many sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Mark 15

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. v42-43

Jesus is brought before Pilate, beaten, mocked, and crucified.  He is then buried.  The Saturday before Easter is a critical day - and the folks at desiringGod.com give me new insight into the faith of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.  This same day is chronicled in Matthew 27, Luke 23, and John 19.  It's important to reference all versions to capture critical details.

While all versions indicate Joseph provided the tomb where Jesus was buried and assisted in the burial, it is only in John where we learn that Nicodemus "brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds" as burial spices.  This is the same Nicodemus - a Pharisee - who visited Jesus in the night to learn from Him.

This commentary from desiringGod.com illuminates for us the bold obedience of Joseph and Nicodemus as courageous, cheerless, and costly, and we are to see such obedience as "not wasted".  I suspect both were focused on eternal rewards not so much on earthly gain.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has carried me through many periods of darkness and discouragement...I seek to be obedient to You but I need You desperately to strengthen my faith.  Apart from You I cannot have faith and can do and have no good things.  Thank You Jesus for the rich blessings You pour out for me.  I am not worthy.  I worry...far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome such sin and turn from it towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14

And he broke down and wept. v72

In v53-72, Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin (the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law) and they bring forth testimony and charges - all false - against Jesus.  Jesus is then beat by the temple guards.  See also Luke 22:47-65.

We then have the story of how Peter denies his association with Jesus - three times - just as Jesus said he would.  Peter then breaks down as he begins to come to grips with the depth of his sin and Jesus' love for Him despite this sin.  

I think we must all come to the place where we recognize the need for a savior and Jesus is that savior.

We must DAILY remind ourselves of the sin we commit - either by commission (willingly) and omission (unwillingly) - check this out and let me know if you still don't need a savior...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - despite ALL of my sin!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  Again, I continue to sin daily!  Multiple times a day!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?

Mark 14

Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? v48

On the heels of my post yesterday, Jesus provides greater clarity about the methods believers are to employ for the battle we face.  This is not a battle to be fought on earthly terms.  Our most powerful weapon is love. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well....“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:38-40, 43-45 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing.1 Corinthians 13:1-3

To love God and love others are the two most important commandments as "[a]ll the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:34-40).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who knows everything about me - including my sins and unfaithfulness - yet You love me and came to die for me, rescuing me from the grip of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love...I worry and I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!

Mark 14

 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer! v42

Jesus wants us to be ready for what we face.  As He goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, that night of His arrest, He tells Peter, James, and John to "[s]tay here and keep watch” (v34).   He also tells them to also "pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (v38).  

Unfortunately, they fall asleep - three times (v37, 39, 41)!

John Piper writes that the reason for this story in the Bible is "so that we can watch all of that and be ready for the battle of Gethsemane. That is, be ready to move with Jesus into his saving work. To join him in making the greatest difference in the world".  Piper wants us to join Jesus in His work and mission - today's verse Jesus' battle call for us to fight for and with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who came to earth knowing everything about me and my sin, and everything about what You would endure on the cross - and You willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an effort and sacrifice.  I worry and I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Mark 14

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. v31

God encourages us to interact with him, perhaps even to metaphorically "wrestle with God", yet at no time should believe that any word from God is not true.  Peter and the others challenge Jesus - allowing their arrogance to blind them from what God is saying and doing in their lives.  Jesus wants Peter to know that He KNOWS Peter will disown Him but that He is still going to die for His and everyone else's sin.

We should understand that the Bible IS God and everyone word and teaching contained within the Bible is true.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Scripture is perfect.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God and Your Word has brought me closer to You, giving me a better understanding of who You are and I have grown closer to You through Your Word - thank You Jesus for giving me Your Word and so much more!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Mark 14

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” v22-25

This morning I met with a new group of men in a study and peer group.  It is important to be in

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. v10-11

In this passage when a sinful woman (Mary) anoints Jesus with very expensive perfume, Judas objects, claiming the money "wasted" could be given to the poor.  Judas had already betrayed Jesus in his heart much earlier and now he was just being a poser - faking his faith and finding contentment not in Jesus but in money.  See also reference to same story in Matthew, Luke, and John.

Paul writes to his protege Timothy warning him how the love of money and the world corrupts us: 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

John Piper and his team at DesiringGod.com also warn us.  Watch these: Video1, Video2, Video3. Read this - from this post is this gem by C.S. Lewis:

Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be — or so it feels — welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. . . . Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?

If we focus on a wordly definition of contentment then we fail to cultivate good soil and our relationship with Jesus Christ will be obstructed and we cannot expect Him to bear fruit in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have come to save me and provide life - and life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Mark 13

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. v31

One of the disciples remarks to Jesus about the magnificence of the temple (v1) but Jesus warns the disciples of the destruction of the temple and end times.  In response to their questions, Jesus provides them signs that the end of times is near.  He provides many signs (v6-9, 13-29) and encourages us to be on guard (v9), preach to all nations (v10), allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us (v11), among many other signs. 

Striking among them is v12-13:  

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. v12-13

This to me emphasizes the importance of putting Jesus first - even before blood relatives.   

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me and transformed my heart and life - I am daily blessed beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for Your rich grace and mercies.  I am undeserving.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Mark 11

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” v33 

The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the Jewish elders challenged Jesus and could not with confidence claim that Jesus was not the Messiah, the Promised One.  The world and all of its evil influences challenge our belief in Jesus daily. We can stand on the Bible but I believe we should also stand on what Jesus has done for us personally - we all have a story.

At one point in my life, I believed I had it all and I could do anything, yet God challenged my arrogance and got me to see how He was the source of everything and that I had belonged to Him and came from Him.  God got me to see how everyone needs a Savior and Christ is that Savior.  It has taken many years for me to surrender more of my life to Him and I am still a work in progress - yet I stand today confident that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.  He is real and what He has done in my life is real.  I am less arrogant, more at peace, more patient, etc.  

I may be challenged by the world - but with God's help I will remain steadfast and I will not relent in my faith.

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  1 Peter 3:15 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and You are my personal Lord and Savior.  You came to save me and indeed You did more than save me, You gave me life...and blessed me far more than I could ever imagine.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am week and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. v24

All of us have cares and concerns - no exceptions.  We'd also like to feel as if we are able on our own to handle these cares and concerns.  My view is that this is not possible - at some point You must recognize that God is in control and He is good.

He not only hears our cries but He responds to all of our prayers.  

What we must recognize, however, is that what we seek in our prayers may not be exactly what God provides in response.  

It starts by praying in God's name and His will.  Check out this commentary by John Piper.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are a good, good Father and You are my personal Lord and Savior.  You came to save me, knowing everything about me, including my sin....thank You Jesus!  I am not worth saving - my sins are great and I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

Mark 11

May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. v14

Jesus spots a fig tree with healthy leaves yet fails to see any fruit.  According to this commentary, this is a warning for believers to avoid the appearance of bearing spiritual fruit while like the fig tree, failing in fact to bear any fruit at all.  

"Busyness" is one way to appear to be bearing fruit - yet this commentary posits that busyness is moral failure and that we have just "just enough time" to do what God wants us to do.  The commentary points us to Hebrews 12:1 and encourages us to avoid the entanglements of busyness:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:2 goes on to "fix our eyes on Jesus", implying we need to focus on what matters.  Jesus helps us of course: 

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:34-40

How we do this of course matters, but first things first - we must love Jesus and love others.  If we love Jesus, we must be willing to spend time with Him daily, pray, worship, and serve others, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who as blessed me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus!  Yet I often fail to produce fruit and fall prey to "busyness".  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” v47

Bartimaeus was both desperate and impolite - see would not stop until he got Jesus' attention.  He even got rebuked by those around him (v48). DesiringGod.com encourages us to be both desperate and impolite in prayer.  We are encouraged to "cry out louder, to cry night and day, to nag him incessantly in faith until he answers us. He loves that kind of faith".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life...and blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace and mercy and for the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am undeserving.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. v43-45

In this passage, James and John seek to gain favor with Jesus relative to the other disciples and they are challenged by Jesus and rebuked by the other disciples.  All of us seek recognition and status in this world - we desire to feel significant - this is outlined by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as "esteem needs".  Yet we must understand at the same time that significance is provided by our CREATOR - God!  He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us on the cross - so that we may have life (John 3:16).  

It is of course tempting to seek recognition, status and significance in this world - but we should not, and instead place our faith in Jesus and take comfort in being second in the same sense that Jesus wants us to place Him first.  We must become a slave to Christ.

For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.  1 Corinthians 7:22-23

My Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are a good, good Father, and a great God - my God, my personal Lord and Savior.  I am nothing without You and apart from You I can do and have no good things.  Thank You for how You bless me and for saving me.  I need You desperately because I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” v29-31

This passage is repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  

In a message to seminary graduates, John Piper delivered this sermon.  As these graduates prepared to enter the work world and a life of independence (likely from their parents), Piper was imploring them to treasure Jesus vs the world and to live a "wartime lifestyle" (as does many others such as David Platt).

He warns also to avoid the fate of the rich young man who have a love of money vs Jesus.  Piper gives us two examples of those whose fate followed different paths.

Gehazi and the love of money
Mephibosheth and the love of God

Jesus, please help me live a "wartime lifestyle" and to treasure You above all else.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are as You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - yet there have been times in my life and there will continue to be times in my life when I put something or someone else, including money, above You - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. v15-16

Jesus loves children and their curiosity and dependence on their parents for all things - this is humility...that we don't have wisdom apart from God and we don't have anything good apart from God.

Great references:
Childlike, Not Childish
Blessed Are the ‘Man-Boys’

We should all be child-like in our faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided me with all things - apart from You I have no good thing.  Thank You for how You so richly bless me.  I am undeserving of such love and blessings. I am selfish and I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell....

Mark 9

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell....v43-47

The world is full of evil influences designed to distract us from our focus on Jesus and the eternal.

We must grow our desire of Him through daily study of His Word.  We should also have fellowship with other believers.  

Both of these spiritual disciplines serve to help us be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2) as God changes our heart to keep our earthly desires in check.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and mind, and helped keep my earthly desires in check - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings - I worry and I daily miss the mark.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.