For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Mark 8

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. v35-38

Certainly before I became a believer and for a significant period even after I became a believer it was important for me to be in control - for me to dictate as many of the circumstances and events of my life.  The more I could control the more I had life - particularly because I believed I knew what was right for me...and others.  Yet over time, I am blessed because of it, Jesus took over my heart and life and I began to give my life over to Him and for His service and glory.  Amazingly, the more I LOST control, the more at peace and content as because God gave me peace He promises.

Also of note in today's verses include Jesus' warning about being ashamed over Jesus.  I often feel worry about expressing my faith publicly and this is what Jesus is warning us about.  There must be NO QUESTION about whom we serve and why.

Jesus is Lord and He is freedom and life, etc.  There is no other way.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me life...and to the full - 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.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."

Matthew 10

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." v32-33

Jesus wants us to take His words that He proclaims "in the dark" and shout them from the rooftops (v27).  We must bear witness (as a living sacrifice - see Romans 12:1) both in our lives and our words...and not be afraid of the consequences...and Jesus points out many such possible consequences: arrest and/or physical harm (v17-18), family and community scorn (v21-22), and intense temptation and fear planted by Satan (v28).  

While Jesus does warn us (see also John 16:33), He also encourages us.  First and foremost, He will never leave or forsake us, He is with us until the end of the age, and He will give us the words to say (v19-20).

Jesus, please help me be bold.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am often afraid and weak - 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.

And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

2 Samuel 6

And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. v23

I have previously posted on this chapter here and focused on how we should not hide our faith.  Indeed, we should not hide our light:

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.  Luke 8:16

Today, God helps me see how this dynamic plays itself out in the lives of believers in how they choose their church.  Believers (including myself) often "church shop" and focus on whether they like sermons or music, etc.  Yet in the past few years, God has helped me understand that most importantly, our church home should best support a growing personal relationship with Jesus.  We should not be distracted by music or sermons - no church is perfect.  

Michal, unfortunately, focused on David's manner of worship instead of His love of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me because of my growing hunger and thirst for righteousness.  My cup overflows - thank You for growing my faith and for the many many blessings Your pour for me.  I am not deserving. I worry.  I gossip.  I am easily distracted.  I am selfish.  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 do.  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.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame

Genesis 2

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. v25

When created the universe and everything in it, man and woman were present - Adam and Eve as the first man and woman - and there was no sin.  Adam and Eve lived in perfect unity with God.  And there is no shame from being in unity with God.  Sin separates us from God and from this perfect unity, yet we should not have shame from the personal relationship Christ invites all of us to have for those who believe in Him.

Regardless of the circumstances, we should feel no shame.  Peter warns us of these scoffers.

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  2 Peter 3:3-4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, before all, creator of all, in all, and the One who holds all things together.  Apart from You I can do no good things.  I am weak and broken yet You bless me abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure 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.  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.

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

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. v15

We are called to be a light.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

We are also called to be unashamed of our faith.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:6-8

The Great Commission calls us to bring others to Him so we must be a light, attract and bring others to Him.

I don't know when I will encounter trouble or suffering but I am certain it will occur - I am hopeful that I can be the light that God calls me to be.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and I am deeply grateful that You have come to rescue me, forgive me from my sins and to always be with me until the end of the age. Thank You Jesus.  You are indeed a great God.  I love You.  Please forgive me for my lack of patience and harshness with others.  Help me turn from my sins towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.  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.