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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Unity of the Law, Prophets, and Gospel

# 524 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

How would you like to have been privy to this conversation? Well, you can, just turn to Luke's account of this event. In Luke 9:31 we read that they, “spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

First of all, note that all three of the disciples are hearing talk of the decease of Jesus AGAIN. Jesus had just mentioned it before their trip up the mountain and now they hear it AGAIN. God wants them to get this! He wants the world to get this! It was necessary for Jesus to die for our sins! It is the only way that a perfectly just and perfectly loving God could allow for sinful man to re-obtain Paradise. The wages of sin is death, and as the classic hymn says, “Jesus paid it all!”

But why Moses? Why Elijah? Because they represent the Law and the Prophets. They represent the Old Testament Word of God, and this incident shows us that this Word is in agreement with the mission of Jesus. A careful reading of the Old Testament will always point to the sacrificial death of Jesus and His glorious resurrection.

In essence, the Old Testament points to Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Law, the Prophets, and the Gospel....all tied together in unity on top of the mountain of transfiguration so we won't miss this message sent to us by the Father.

Father, thank You for letting us eavesdrop on this heavenly conversation. May it serve as a reminder to me of the cost that Jesus paid for my sins.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Implications Are Breathtaking!

# 523 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

What did Elijah and Moses look like? What were they talking about with Jesus? Sometimes, it is helpful to look at other gospel accounts of these events to help fill in more detail. Luke tells us that both Moses and Elijah appeared in “glory” (glorified bodies) and they “spoke” about the impending Passion of Christ.

Let us first of all pause and consider the fact that the disciples recognized Elijah and Moses in their glorified bodies. What kind of conclusion can you draw from that as it relates to heaven? The disciples were familiar with the writings and the history of these men, yet they had never laid their eyes on them before, and yet they recognized them.

This tells me that somehow in glory we will recognize all our brothers and sisters in Christ. We will possess a God-given quality of perfect recognition. Now we see dimly, but in glory, we will see and recognize fully, 1Co 13:10, 12 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

Think of the implications of this, especially in light of those who never knew their parents or for those who have lost a child through miscarriage! Perfect recognition! The Bible doesn't tell us a lot about heaven, but one thing we can garner from this passage, it will be an amazing time of reunion.

Father to know You fully in all Your goodness and to know others in a similar way is too much for me to take in. I will see Jesus and my unborn son as they were meant to be seen and known. Help me Lord to finish the race so I can be in this place called heaven forever.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Jesus In A Soda Cracker?

# 522 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:4a And Elijah appeared to them with Moses,”

My first question here, is, “How did Peter, James, and John, know that this was Elijah and Moses?” Did they have wallet size photos of them tucked away in their pockets? Were there some paintings hanging in the National Museum of Art in Jerusalem depicting them? Had they seen Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments?

I'm always amazed at how quick we are to spot Jesus today in a soda cracker, or a cloud formation, or a stain on the wall. Does anyone really know what Jesus looks like? At best we may say we have seen an artists conception of Jesus in a soda cracker.

Friend, don't go flocking after “images.” Ex 20:5a says this about images. “you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” It's not images that we should be seeking.

When Peter wrote about this spectacular event on the mountain he downplayed his experience and emphasized God's Word. In 2Pe 1:19a , we read, “ And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,”

God's sure prophetic Word trumps even the spectacular experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. When our “experiences” lead us away from God's truth, we put ourselves in jeopardy.

Father, thank You for Your sure prophetic Word. It truly is a lamp unto our feet. Give us a passion to seek Your face in the Bible and not in fleeting artists conceptions.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Whitest of White

# 521 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.


It's funny how advertising slogans can stick with you years after they stop airing. I still remember the Ajax jingle that used to air in the early days of television. It went like this: “New Ajax, laundry detergent....stronger than dirt.” Well, even Ajax couldn't have gotten Jesus' clothing any whiter than it appeared to Peter, James, and John.

You and I must be similarly clothed if we will stand in glory one day with Jesus. We must be clothed in the pure white, blood washed clothing of Christ! Hear the words of Jesus found in Mt 22:11-13, "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. "So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."

We put on Christ in our baptism. (Ga 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.) It is a necessary element of our salvation. Mr 16:16 says, "He who believes AND is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

And so, we bring our infant children to God in baptism, believing His Word and clothing them in Christ, but we are also fully aware of the second part of Mr 16:16, knowing that the faith given to us in baptism must be maintained.

The garment of Christ must be kept on by persevering in the faith, through ongoing repentance and confession. Re 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Father, thank You for giving us the simple means of grace called baptism. Help us to persevere in our faith that we may one day be clothed in the “exceedingly white” never to be muddied again by sin, garment of Christ.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Unbelievably Beautiful

# 520 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:2 “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

Jesus brings His inner circle of disciples to the mountaintop. This was great benefit for them considering the trials that lay ahead for them, but it is also great benefit for us because it is a solid affirmation of the reality of a bodily resurrection.

The three witnesses, Peter, James, and John, establish what takes place here as truth because as the Bible says, two or three witnesses are needed to establish fact. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” ( 2 Cor 13:1b) Peter, James, and John witness the transfiguration, it happened before their very eyes.

But what is a transfiguration? The Greek word is metamorphoo, from which we get our English word, metamorphosis. The most common example of metamorphosis is that of the caterpillar changing into a butterfly.

How in the world can you describe that happening to human flesh? Who could believe such a thing possible? No wonder Jesus brought along His three trusted witnesses.

Right now, you and I are in the caterpillar stage, but one day believers will be likewise transformed into something unbelievably beautiful. The Apostle Paul assures us in 1 Co 15:51b-52, “ we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Persevere brothers and sisters! Your day of breathtaking transfiguration is coming.

Father, thank You for the apostolic witness. This is too much for us to comprehend in our finite minds. Help us to just say with Peter, “It is good for us to be here.”

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Light At the End of the Tunnel

# 519 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.”

Six days after Jesus began to tell His disciples about the necessity of His rejection by men and His crucifixion, He takes them to the top of a mountain. Six days after they have been reminded that they too must walk the road of self-denial if they will follow Him to glory, He takes them to the mountaintop to see His glory.

I don't want to become overly speculative about the use of numbers in Scripture. This number six may just be background material, however the inclusion of this number here gets me to thinking about the six days of creation.

It's the number of man and it gets me to thinking about man's existence on earth and the troubles that will beset us because of the fall of man. And as Jesus spoke of the troubles that awaited Him and those who would follow Him, it's like He takes His disciples and us to the mountaintop to show us that there is light and rest (a seventh day Sabbath) at the end of the journey.

It is a great encouragement for you and I to stay the course and to remember to keep an eternal perspective as we “deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him Persevere brother and sister....transformed glory awaits!

Father thanks for still another glimpse of the glory that awaits Your children, let us ever keep it before us as we travel through this vale of tears.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Second Death

# 518 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 9:1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."

At first take, it seems like Jesus is saying that His second coming will take place while some in His audience are still alive. Well, we know that didn't happen, so He must have meant something else.

Some commentators say that He is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., but I think that we need to stay in the context of the spiritual death that He has been talking about.

Sadly, I believe that Jesus was pointing out, that there were some in His audience who would not be willing to die to self. (taste death) These people would not experience the “first death” necessary for salvation.

Jesus said in Joh 3:3, that you must be “born again” in order to “see” the kingdom of God. Being born again follows the spiritual death of the old man which is accomplished in baptism.

Those who reject this “second birth” and do not receive Jesus will not officially “taste (spiritual) death” (hell) until His second coming. In the meantime, they are placed in Hell's holding tank (Hades) which is a place of terrible torment, until Judgment Day. This is called the “second death.” Re 20:14 says, “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

This is what I believe Jesus is talking about here. Oh beloved surrender your life to Jesus today. Taste of the first death, die to self, and be born again, while you still have breath in your body, that you may avoid the second death that awaits unbelievers on the Last Day.

Father, thank You for Your means of grace that bring us to the first death that we may be born again into Your kingdom. Help us to live for the new man in us and to reckon the old man as dead.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Adulterous Generation

# 517 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

In the context of the preceding verses, the one who is ashamed of Jesus is the one who refuses the self denial (crucifixion) of baptism, who refuses to pick up his cross, and refuses to follow Jesus. In short, it is unbelief, evidenced by preferring to live according to the old man, rather than the new.

The Old Testament Jews were in covenant with God through circumcision. New Testament believers are in covenant with God through baptism. Col 2:11, 12 says, “ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

In baptism you became the betrothed of Christ, and in willfully leaving Him for the old man, you are committing adultery. And so Jesus uses the phrase, “adulterous and sinful generation.” The generation He refers to is not just those living in His day, rather it includes all who reject Him. All who are unfaithful to Him are part of this generation. A generation marked by unbelief, that He will be ashamed of on the Last Day,

Father help me to remain in the marriage to Your Son, help me to be submissive to Him and faithful to Him all of the days that You grant me on this earth.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Are You Ashamed of Jesus and His Words?

# 516 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Haunting words from Jesus. How many times have you been ashamed of Jesus and His words? Like Peter, in his time of denial, you were too afraid of what people might think or say about you when you had the opportunity to bring Jesus or His truth into a situation with unbelievers.

Well, before you beat yourself to death over your lack of courage, or worse yet, imagine that there is no hope for you, remember that Peter was forgiven for his lack of courage and restored.

The shame that Jesus is speaking of here is that permanent rejection of Him as your Lord and Savior. Jesus isn't talking about those Peter-like moments of weakness in our lives. He is talking about out and out rejection of Him and His words. As He said in Joh 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

The fact that you are even bothered by those moments of being ashamed speaks mounds about your desire to be with Jesus. Confess your moments of weakness as sin, receive His forgiveness and press on!

Father, I can't count the number of times that I have publicly denied Jesus, and I am overwhelmed by the thought that You know them all, yet, You aren't counting. Thank You for Your undeserved loving kindness and faithfulness.

Monday, August 22, 2011

People Reject Christ Because They Reject The Possibility of Hell

# 515 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:36,37 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

If we were to look at this statement as if it were some kind of a business proposition. We could break it down into two columns.....profit and loss. Jesus holds nothing of the material world back. He says “the whole world.” Go ahead, try and write every possible benefit the world has to offer, everything you could possibly enjoy and possess with no thought of a personal, saving, relationship with Christ.

That would be quite a list and even then it would not be complete. You couldn't even possibly think of all the world has to offer! No one has it all, but dream that you could.

Now, in the loss column, write in “my soul.” In the end, what will you have? Nothing but a Christ-less eternity. An eternity of torment and a total absence of anything good! How does that play out on the balance sheet now?

When you look at it this way, the only possible reason for men to reject Christ, is they do not believe in the existence of hell. Maybe we need a little more hellfire in the pulpits of the land! A little more healthy fear of the Lord! Jesus said in Luke 12:5, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes I tell you, fear Him!

Father, we don't like to talk about hell, but You are a just God, and without hell, there is no justice. Without hell Jesus dies for nothing. Thank You for Your assurance that You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and let the realities of hell impel us to bring the gospel to the lost. In Jesus name amen.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

I Don't Want To Gain the Whole World and Lose My Soul

# 514 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:36,37 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? "Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Jesus lays out the proposition so clearly, that only a fool would say no to His offer. “For what will it profit?” What is the use of gaining the things of this world, if it costs you your eternal soul?

This is not the only place in Scripture that Jesus deals with the subject. Lu 12:15-21 reads, “ And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. "And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

As a baptized believer, you have two natures, one that craves the material blessings of this world, and the other which craves the spiritual things of God. Seek to be rich toward the God nature, and stingy toward your sinful nature and you will do well. The stakes are too high for anything less.

Father, help us to be more willing to let go of those things that will not last and seek You and Your everlasting kingdom.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

What WILL You Do?

# 512 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:35 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

The King James says, “whosoever WILL save his life,” and in using that terminology Jesus is presenting a choice to us. WILL you (1) choose to deny yourself, (crucify the old man in the waters of baptism) WILL you (2) choose to pick up your cross, (deal with the afflictions that come from being connected to Him) and WILL you (3) choose to follow Him, (endure to the end?) All three are linked to eternal life in heaven as you receive Christ in your soul and persevere with Him to the end.

Or WILL you choose to save your old life, the old man in you by refusing to drown him in the waters of baptism, or WILL you be baptized but refuse to remain in the faith because of the tribulations brought about because of your connection to Jesus?

Those who WILL to preserve the old man, may escape the trials and tribulations associated with following Christ, but if they bolt from the faith, the life that they are so desperately trying to save with all its temporary perks will be lost on that Last Day because they chose (WILLED) to feed and nurture the old man in them rather than the new. What WILL you do with the old man in you? Do away with him and live, or....................

Father, this is a daily struggle for all of us. Help us to daily reckon the old man in us to be dead, and feed the new Man in us through the fountain of Your Word, that we might persevere in the faith and be saved.

Friday, August 19, 2011

What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?

# 511 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Jesus says there are three things that His disciples must allow for. They must (1) deny themselves, (2) take up their cross, and (3) follow Him. Commenting on this passage, the 19th century Swiss theologian Frederic Godet said that “three things are necessary in traveling: first to say farewell, (to self); secondly, to carry our baggage (the cross); thirdly to proceed with the journey (follow Me).

Today we will look at what it means to “follow Jesus.” It is not enough to deny self and to take up our cross, we must complete the journey. We must keep following Jesus. Through God-given faith, we are placed in the hands of Jesus for the journey, but He does not hold us with a clenched fist, we have the choice to cease following Him at anytime.

The journey is long and treacherous, but He promises that no one can pluck us out of His hand. Oh the devil and his demons may swarm around us, tempting us and engaging in intense spiritual warfare, but we are safe as long as we choose to stay in the hand of Jesus, and we demonstrate our willingness to stay as we daily confess our sins, and live in His forgiveness.

Father, help those today who may be tempted to give up. Thwart any and all efforts of the enemy to discourage them, give them Holy Spirit power to endure.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

What Does It Mean To Take Up Our Cross?

# 511 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Jesus says there are three things that His disciples must allow for. They must (1) deny themselves, (2) take up their cross, and (3) follow Him. So what does it mean to “take up our cross?”

The cross was a painful method of execution that became associated with the Romans. When a Roman criminal picked up his cross, he began a painful struggle on his way to death. When a Christian picks up his cross, he too embarks on a painful struggle that will only end, when His Lord calls him home.

Now, all humans have struggles, pain, and sorrow. Ps 32:10 says, “Many are the sorrows of the wicked,” but the painful struggles of the Christian are all brought upon him BECAUSE of his attachment to Christ. These painful struggles can be as extreme as a tortuous death at the hands of persecutors to wrestling with besetting sins, or even finding time for a daily devotional.

None of these struggles would be present in your life if you weren't attached to Christ. As Paul struggled with the painful thorn in his flesh on his way to the grave, (a cross he was given to take up) God promised him that His grace would be enough to deal with the painful struggle.

“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” ( 2Co 12:9)

Father, I pray for those struggling with their crosses today. Give them the grace and the power of Christ necessary to persevere.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Necessity of Baptism

# 510 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mr 8:34b) If we desire to be attached to Jesus, Jesus says there are three things that we must allow for. We must (1) deny ourselves, (2) take up our cross, and (3) follow Him. As we spoke of last time, self-denial is initiated at our baptism where the old man is “crucified with Christ,” (Rom 6:6)

This is vital to understand, because it places an urgency on out part to be baptized and to baptize others. Why do you think Jesus said in Mr 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Baptism is a vital part of the salvation equation because self-denial is a vital part of being attached to Christ. Wherever the gospel was preached in the New Testament, the doctrine of baptism was almost always close at hand. When Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch, as soon as he saw water, he asked to be baptized. Where did he get that idea, if Philip hadn't included it in his explanation of the Gospel?

Jesus said in Mt 28:19, “make disciples of all nations baptizing them,” and the force of the Greek language here is that disciples are made (attached to Jesus) by baptizing. It is baptism that effects the initial attachment to Christ.

We would do well to emulate Phillip and emphasize this truth again in our presentation of the Good News, and we would do well to include our infant children as recipients of this God-ordained method of attachment.

Father, thank You for this means of grace through which you desire to enroll all people as disciples of Jesus. Help us to remain in this grace until we finish the race.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What Does It Mean To Deny Oneself?

# 509 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” and Ro 6:4-6, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

In the Mark passage we see that if we desire to be attached to Jesus, Jesus says there are three things that we must allow for. We must (1) deny ourselves, (2) take up our cross, and (3) follow Him. Let's look at what it means to “deny” oneself. In the Greek, the word means to “decline or withdraw from fellowship with anyone.” The “anyone” here, of course is our flesh, or the old man in us that comes with original sin.

This “self” must be done away with, and in the passage from Romans we see that he is done away with in baptism. Romans 6:6, speaks of this one time act whereby the old man is done away with or crucified with Christ “in order that the body of sin (the old self) might be brought to nothing.”

In baptism, we are buried with Christ into death in order that “we too may walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4) Baptism is something that God does for us, in it, He invites us to live daily in fellowship with the new Tenant in our body, the Holy Spirit, rather than fellowshipping with the old man.

This is an ongoing struggle as the two natures battle for our friendship, Ga 5:17 says, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

But as we read in Rom 6:11 we must reckon ourselves dead to sin (the old nature) and alive to God (the new nature) in Christ Jesus,

“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Father, let every day be a day of reckoning as we recall what You accomplished for us through baptism.

Monday, August 15, 2011

The Terrible Delusion

# 508 - Today's du-votional comes from: Mr 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

The disciples were given the privileged information that Jesus is the Messiah and that the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, and die. But now Jesus invites the people who were nearby to hear what He has to say. This is meant for the ears of all for all time. “Whoever!” No exceptions!

“Whoever desires to come after Me,” the idea being, whoever desires to be attached to Jesus and remain attached to Jesus must do the following three things. Wait a minute “Du-man!” I thought John 3:16 says all I have to do is believe and be saved! This is true, but the bottom line is what does it mean to believe? (See my blog from September 24th, 2010, “What Does It Mean To Believe?”

Belief entails a whole lot more than a mere intellectual assent. As James said in Jas 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!”

Many people believe in the existence of God, but unfortunately are not willing to give up on their own way of existing, in other words, they are not willing to say goodby to their old ways. What a pity for as the next verse states, those who want to hang on to the old ways, will ultimately lose their soul.

Mr 8:35 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

What a terrible delusion, what a false sense of security it is to say “Lord, Lord, but not live “Lord, Lord!

Father, help us to let go of self, that we may exist in You and for You alone.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Mind: A Terrible Thing To Tarnish

# 507 - Today's. du-votional comes from: Mr 8:33 “But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Such strong words from our Lord! And what a great reminder for us of the sway that Satan holds with our flesh and the world. Here we have the three enemies of Christ named in one verse. The devil, (Satan) the world (men) and our flesh (personified in Peter) Satan uses the world and our flesh to draw our minds away from the things of God.

The Old Testament said that the Christ MUST suffer, MUST be rejected, and MUST be killed, and when Peter rebuked Jesus for relating this information, he was in fact rebuking the Word of God. What was the Lord's charge against Peter? It was that his mind was not full of the things of God, but rather the things of the world.

The Holy Spirit reminds us in Rom 12:2, what we all need to do to combat this tendency. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Years ago there was an ad campaign that said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” We might say today, “A mind is a terrible thing to tarnish.” We allow it to become tarnished when we neglect God's Word. Let us rather commit to daily renewal.

And our minds are renewed, our lives are transformed as we prayerfully spend time in God's Word, believing it, and trusting it, and submitting to it in faith.

Father, it's so easy to skip our daily time in Your Word, help us to overcome this laziness, help us to eagerly look forward to the renewing of our mind as we spend time in Your Word.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Don't Mess With the Word of God

# 506 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:31-33 “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

There's a lot of rebuking going on here. Peter rebukes Jesus, then Jesus rebukes Peter and the disciples. What does it mean to “rebuke” someone? The word means to “straightly charge” someone. So Peter straightly charges Jesus that none of this suffering, rejecting, and death stuff should be allowed to occur. It is not fitting for the Messiah!

Jesus immediately turns to face Peter and the disciples and “straightly charges” them with allowing their thoughts to be overly influenced by the devil himself. The key to understanding our Lord's harsh rebuke is found in the word “must” in v31.

These things “must” occur because God's prophetic word said they “must” occur. Peter's rebuke was nothing less than denying the truth and reliability of the Word of God. Stop and consider this. It is vital! It's why Jesus made sure all the disciples were listening when He rebuked Peter. DON”T MESS WITH THE WORD OF GOD! Don't add to it and don't take away from it. The Bible IS the Word of God. It is the MUST Book of our faith. We MUST never minimize it!

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Father, rebuke us whenever we would seek to minimize Your Word, especially when it comes to accommodating sin and ungodly doctrines. Call us back to the pure spiritual milk of Your Word.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Divorcing Jesus

# 505 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:31,32 “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.”

I want to spend a little time on the idea of Jesus being “rejected” by the religious leaders of His day. In the Strong's concordance, the word “rejected” means “repudiated.” Repudiated comes from a French word “repudium,” which means “the rejection of a prospective spouse.” Out of this we get the following definitions: (1) to divorce. (2) to refuse to have anything to do with. (3) to reject as unauthorized.

I think the last definition is what is going on with these religious leaders. They never regarded Jesus as the “authorized Son of God.” But I can't help but think of the original meaning of this word, “the rejection of a prospective spouse,” especially in light of the connection between Jesus as the Bridegroom who will one day return for His Bride.....the church.

These religious leaders of the people who had been betrothed to the coming Messiah through the promises of the Old Testament, chose to reject or “divorce” their prospective spouse. What will they say when the Bridegroom returns? What a chilling thought for all who would “reject” Him.

Oh God, thank You for Your relentless pursuit of the lost. Open eyes and hearts to Jesus today that they may be present on the Day of the Final Wedding feast.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

"C'mon Jesus, Quit Talkin' Like That"

# 504 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:31,32 “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.”

Up to now, it's been pretty much fun and games for the disciples. Jesus has been dispensing miracle after miracle, healings, deliverance, forgiveness. What a ride for the followers of Jesus! But suddenly there is a huge shift in the wind.

Jesus begins to openly tell them that it's not going to be all fun and games. He will suffer many things. He will be rejected by the religious leaders, and three days after He is killed at their hands, He will rise again from the dead! Wow! That's a lot of info to throw at this band of disciples who have seen nothing but power and glory in action up to this point!

No wonder Peter calls Jesus aside and attempts to rebuke Jesus! One can almost picture him putting his arm around Jesus and trying to give Him a little pep talk. “C'mon Jesus, quit talkin' like that.” It's always gonna be fun and games right Lord?” Friend, that line of thinking is from the devil. It's not going to be all fun and games. Never forget that in this world you will have tribulation! And never REALLY forget that Jesus has overcome the world. (Jn 16:33)

Thank You Jesus that as we walk in this vale of tears, we can take comfort from the knowledge that You have overcome the world!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Cut Off From the Land of the Living

# 503 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:30,31, “Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

The disciples were warned by Jesus not to speak about their God-given revelation that He was the Messiah. In the first place they were not yet prepared properly. Their preparation would be complete when the Holy Spirit would release His power in them on the Day of Pentecost.

In the second place, the disciples and the people still had some wrong ideas about the role of the Messiah and how His role would be fulfilled. They were all looking for a powerful ruler who would overthrow the yoke of Rome, and restore Israel to the glory days of David.

Jesus immediately starts to readjust their thinking. He tells them of the necessity of His suffering and death. This role of the Messiah was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 53. “He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people And they made His grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death.” (Is 53:8,9)

And He suffered these things that He might restore your fellowship with God through the forgiveness of your sins, and He did it all because He loves you.

Father thank You for always looking first to give us what we need rather than what we want.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Why the Gag Order?

# 502 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:30, “Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.”

Speaking for the rest of the disciples, Peter has just made his foundational confession that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God, and Jesus tells them to put a lid on it!

It's always a little puzzling when Jesus does some muzzling. I mean, these guys get it! They realize that Jesus in not just a mere man, but the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! Why the gag order?

The Lutheran commentator Lenski puts it this way: “In the first place, they were not ready to reveal this to others properly. The fulness of what “the Christ” meant was not yet revealed to them.” (Remember they were still believing that He would overthrow Rome and be their earthly Messiah)

Knowledge concerning the Messiah would come to them in part during the forty days after His resurrection, and the complete fulness would come when the Holy Spirit was poured out in their hearts on the day of Pentecost.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Just think for a moment how these simple men would've been chewed up by the religious authorities if they would not have the aid of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit who Jesus promised would “teach them all things,” ( Jn 14:26), guide them into all truth, (Jn 16:13) and would give them the words to speak when brought before magistrates. ( Mr 14:11).

The disciples needed to be muzzled at this time, but there is no more need to be muzzled, for this same Holy Spirit abides in all baptized believers today, and He wants us to shout it from the rooftops. Jesus is the Christ! The Son of the Living God!

Father, thank You for revealing this truth to us, now give us opportunity to speak it to others.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Don't Look Down Your Snoot

# 501 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:29 “He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

Peter acting as the spokesperson for the disciples here, gives the consensus of the entire group that Jesus can be no one but the Messiah. In Matthews account of this incident Jesus responds to Peter's confession by saying, “Blessed are you Simon Bar Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 16:17)

This is a vital truth in the matter of the gift of faith. We must all learn the total depravity and helplessness of our flesh to even recognize Jesus as our Savior. Our flesh wants nothing to do with the real Jesus! (We'd rather deal with the Jesus of our own making.)

Faith must come to us by the work of God and not our flesh. We read in Joh 1:12,13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Whose will? The will of God, not flesh or man.” And in 1Co 12:3b we read, “and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

And in Eph 2:8 we read: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

What is left then for believers to say? What have we to brag about? How can we possibly lord it over us or think less of them? The next time you see someone trapped in their sins, remember, it really is, “there by the grace of God go I.” and instead of looking down your snoot at them, pray for them, love them, and when the opportunity presents itself, tell them about this great gift given to you. Tell them about Jesus.

Thank You Father for granting me faith and revealing Jesus as the Christ!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Mere Men Or Followers of Jesus?

# 500 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:27-29, “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

Jesus continues to travel in remote areas with His disciples. This not only served to keep some distance from He and His enemies, but also provided for some private teaching opportunities for His followers. It is in this private setting that He asks His disciples (and us) two very important questions. Jesus already knew the answers but He wants His disciples (and us) to articulate them.

The first question is: “Who do men say that I am?” and the second question is. “But, who do you say I am?” There are two classes of people here. Mere men, and followers of Jesus. Mere men look at Jesus as a “mere man,” a great teacher or prophet, but that's all. But to the followers of Jesus. He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Which camp are you in? It's one or the other, there is no in between. Jesus said in Mt 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me,” Pray that God will grant you saving faith in Jesus, so that you no longer will be a “mere man,” but a child of God!

Father, it is easy to say, “I'm with Jesus,” let my life be proof! Amen

Mere Men Or Followers of Jesus?

# 500 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:27-29, “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?" So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

Jesus continues to travel in remote areas with His disciples. This not only served to keep some distance from He and His enemies, but also provided for some private teaching opportunities for His followers. It is in this private setting that He asks His disciples (and us) two very important questions. Jesus already knew the answers but He wants His disciples (and us) to articulate them.

The first question is: “Who do men say that I am?” and the second question is. “But, who do you say I am?” There are two classes of people here. Mere men, and followers of Jesus. Mere men look at Jesus as a “mere man,” a great teacher or prophet, but that's all. But to the followers of Jesus. He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Which camp are you in? It's one or the other, there is no in between. Jesus said in Mt 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me,” Pray that God will grant you saving faith in Jesus, so that you no longer will be a “mere man,” but a child of God!

Father, it is easy to say, “I'm with Jesus,” let my life be proof! Amen

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Healing of the Blind Man Was No Accident

# 499 - Today we read from: Mr 8:25,26, “Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."

Having identified the mans vision problem, Jesus now undertakes the healing. He puts His hands on the man's eyes so the man makes the connection between Jesus and the healing, and then makes him look upward so he will make the connection between Jesus and God. As soon as the man looked up, his vision was restored and he could see clearly.

Do you remember what preceded this incident in Mark? It was Jesus' warning to His disciples about the false teaching of the Pharisees. He had just been lamenting the spiritual blindness of His own disciples. “”Having eyes do you not see?,” He asked in v18. This healing of the blind man was no accident. The disciples were brought along for this teachable moment.

Discerning right from wrong doctrine is no easy task. Sometimes things can get a little cloudy, “men can look like trees walking.” The devil is very good at appearing as an angel of light. In this healing of the blind man, Jesus reminds His disciples and us that when our spiritual vision gets cloudy, we need to come to Him. Allow Him to touch us with the healing salve of His Word. It is His Word that brings light: His Word is indeed, a light for our path. (Ps 119:105)

Father, guard my heart from false teaching. Let me see words through the eyes of the Holy Spirit.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Jesus Never Fails

# 498 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:23,24, “So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when he had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees walking.”

You don't have to be blind to be blind. This is a key statement to understand when viewing this incident. Many people wrongly interpret this passage as if Jesus' first attempt at healing this man fell short. JESUS NEVER FALLS SHORT!

The word “blind” here means “opaque,.” or “cloudy.” This man's vision was likely very cloudy. So Jesus takes the man with the cloudy vision by the hand and walks him out of town for a private healing. Only the disciples are with Him and they appear to this man as “trees walking.”

The purpose of the spittle is to draw attention to the man's eyes, just as He used spittle to direct the deaf man's attention to his speech impediment. ( (Mr 7:31,32) 25,26, He now uses it to call attention to the man's vision problem. Jesus wants the man to understand that He is about to do something miraculous with the man's eyes.

Then, He gets the assessment of the man's condition. “What do you see? It's like an eye doctor asking you to read a line on the wall chart. And the man describes his vision problem. Men look like trees walking, in other words he sees, but his vision is extremely clouded.

Don't view this passage as if Jesus failed on His first attempt. He is merely assessing His patient. JESUS NEVER FAILS. And you can put that in the bank!

Father, one thing I need to know. Jesus never fails. Thank You for reminding me again today.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Bring the Blind To Jesus

# 497 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:22 “Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.”

This Bethsaida is not the same as the one near Capernaum. It is on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Nonetheless, the notoriety of Jesus had preceded Him to this place and the people brought this blind man to Jesus for healing. Here was a man who once was able to see. We know that because in v 24, he was able to describe men as “trees walking”. This man had seen trees before which means that something had happened to cause him to lose his sight.

Do you know anyone like that? Oh I don't mean someone who once had physical sight and then became blind, I mean someone who has become spiritually blind. Someone who had come to faith, only to walk away from it later on in life. You can call it backsliding, or the one who has become a prodigal if you like. It doesn't matter what you call it, but that person needs to have their spiritual sight restored.

Take heart, for in this miracle, it was not the blind man who came to Jesus. It was his friends who besought him and it was his friends who begged, who pleaded with Jesus to restore his sight, and He did. Be a friend. Keep praying for those sheep who have wandered away, bring them to Jesus and be persistent in praying for their salvation.

Father just now a number of friends, family, neighbors, and adult children of friends come to mind. They once had that child-like faith but have slipped into spiritual blindness. I bring them to you now in prayer Lord and ask that You restore their spiritual sight. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Bread Chain: Jesus, the Church, the World

# 496 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:18-21 "Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? "When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven." So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"

I may be making more out of this than I should. I mean the simple lesson here is stop worrying about your physical needs, Jesus is able to meet them. But I can't help but hear His repetition of the numbers. He makes the disciples repeat two of the numbers. Seven and twelve.

Why does He want that to sink in? Those first twelve baskets of leftovers were given to the disciples....the church. Twelve is the number of the church. The seven baskets are symbolic of God dealing with the world. I think He wants His disciples and us to understand that He supplies the true bread first to His church, who in turn distribute it to the world. In both cases the bread came from Jesus.

Beware of the bread that comes from any other source, beware of false teaching. Jesus will provide the Bread (the Word of God) for His church. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4) God's Word (Bread) is sufficient. Don't add to it or take away from it. Re 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Father, thank You for the miraculous conveyance and preservation of Your Word. It truly is all we need to know and live by. In Jesus name, Amen

Monday, August 1, 2011

Too Worried About Lunch

# 495 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:15-17, “Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread." But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?”

Jesus and the disciples had hopped into the boat again and headed to the less populous east side of the Sea of Galilee. There would be no place to buy bread and they forgot to bring enough with them. They were anxious about what they would eat.

Jesus' statement about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Herodians was designed to get them thinking about a much worse problem.... the problem of false teaching. But they missed it completely because they were worried about lunch. Somehow they misconstrued His words into something like this. “ if you guys would be as smart as the Pharisees, you'd have remembered to bring bread.”

It's amazing the effect a growling tummy (or other worries about material things) can have on our concerns about what really matters. The disciples fixation on earthly things brought out the charge from Jesus that their hearts were still hardened, and here's the thing about a hardened heart: It cannot fully receive the things of God. I pray we can all make that connection and let go of our earthly concerns to more fully set our minds on things above.

Father, we are so weak in this area, so quick to panic when are temporal props are taken away, forgive us and help us to remember that if we seek You first and Your Kingdom of righteousness, these other things will be added to us. In Jesus name, Amen.