Please read Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-21, Luke 9:37-43, Mark 9:30-32, Matthew 17:22-23, Luke 9:43-45, Matthew 17:24-27, Mark 9:33-37, Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 9:46-48, Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50, Mark 9:42-50, and Matthew 18:7-35.  So much is happening today, not possible to hit it all in a short post…. Though much will be familiar, take your time and take it in!  What did you underline today?  What do you want to remember and apply to life today?

Mark 9:22-23, “if you have compassion” and “if you can believe” – we have to partner with Jesus in the reality of all things being possible. We have a part to play.

In Matthew 17:21, Jesus reminds the disciples that some things only come out by prayer and fasting.  Fasting is such an important discipline, not be overlooked.

Matthew 9:49-50 – salt without taste is worthless, amen.  Simple and straightforward.

I like Matthew 18:7: “offenses must come, but woe to the man by whom the offense comes”. Don’t be the reason someone else is offended, and don’t take up offense yourself. It reminds me of Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (sorry – I memorized that one so long ago, it was King James!). Jesus always agrees with the Word of God.

Today, we’ll read Mark 8:22-30, Matthew 16:13-20, Luke 9:18-20, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 9:1, Matthew 16:21-28, Luke 9:21-27, Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, and Luke 9:28-36.  It’s a hard day for me – it seems as if we only got Jesus just now, spent so much time in the Old Testament, and now He is teaching and performing miracles and telling His disciples what will happen next….. What stands out to you today?

“He then began explaining things to them: ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.’ He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.” Mark 8:31-32 MSG

In the midst of performing miracles, Jesus is helping His disciples understand that the crucifixion and resurrection are coming.  They won’t understand it, of course – how could they?  They protest now, but they’ll remember His words later.  Like a child – they don’t always understand instruction given, but they remember their parents’ words when instruction and experience meet.

I like how Jesus asks Peter, in the hearing of others, “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:21, Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29).  Say it again, say it out loud, tuck it in a pocket close to your heart and remember it when darker days come:

“You are the Christ, the Messiah.” Mark 8:29

“You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

“The Messiah of God.” Luke 9:21

And confirmed by the Father Himself:

“Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: ‘This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to Him.’ The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.” Mark 9:7-8

Seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.  Let’s tuck this in our pockets today, so we remember in these dark times, rubbing our eyes and looking around at the upside-down-ness of the world. Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is our great Intercessor.  Jesus never leaves us.

Nothing but Jesus, only Jesus. ❤

Today we are reading Mark 7:24-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 8:1-10, Matthew 15:32-39, Matthew 16:1-4, Mark 8:11-21, and Matthew 16:5-12. What stands out to you today?  Let’s read and come back together:

“He does all things well” Mark 7:37

Amen. All things well, what a beautiful and comforting description of Jesus’ heart and intentions and actions and decisions…. and He is ever on our side!  What a gift to us!

“Jesus asked, ‘How much bread do you have?’ ‘Seven loaves,’ they said, ‘plus a few fish.’ At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted.” Matthew 15:34-36 MSG

What I love about this miracle is that “everyone ate” and “had all they wanted”. We’ve visited before about our faith being an important determining factor, about the Lord acting at times “according to our faith”, but here is another important perspective to consider: everyone ate.  Everyone had all they wanted.  Notice: it does not say that everyone had the same, nor does it say that all was equal.

All may not have been the same, but all were satisfied fully. Sometimes we can get distracted by looking at the lives of others or get caught in the trap of comparison. Look to God to supply your needs, not to make things look “fair” or “equal” in your limited judgement.  God is good, all the time, to all of us!

The reading is a little shorter today 🙂 Here we go!  Please read John  6:22-71, Mark 7:1-23, and Matthew 15:1-20.  What stands out to you?  Let’s allow iron to sharpen iron and learn something together!

“For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.’ He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition’ ” (Mark 6:7-9)

Jesus warns us not to “pick and choose” which laws to keep.  Don’t make God’s Word void through elevating your own traditions.  It must all be true, or it must all be untrue.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God – we must act accordingly.

“He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs. And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ ” (Matthew 15:26-27)

A funny answer for the Lord to give a woman who was seeking healing – calling her a dog?  I hope we learned enough from the Old Testament to seek out the motive behind the action.  Jesus was not being unkind to this dear one, He loved her. Jesus didn’t answer her at first, but this was a delay, not a denial. He was revealing her heart – and aren’t we all richer for the knowledge of it?

“I am the bread of life” John 6:35

Jesus is our daily bread, always given to us in perfect accord with what we need.  Daily dependence is meant to teach us to be relational.  What a gift!

I love today.  Let’s read Luke 9:7-9, Mark 6:14-29, Matthew 14:1-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:1017, John 6:1-15, Mark 6:45-52, Matthew 14:22-33, John 6:16-21, Mark 6:53-56, and Matthew 14:34-36.  What are you thinking about?  Ask the Lord to reveal a new truth to you. 

“when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” Matthew 14:14

Jesus is always moved with compassion when He sees us in distress.  Let me re-state, without the qualifier: Jesus is always moved with compassion when He sees us.  And Jesus always sees us.

Did you know that the feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded ball 4 Gospels?  Must be a great significance, must have made great impact on the disciples.  We sometimes skim over, overlook what is so familiar.  Somehow, we allow what is precious to become common.  How about we read it again, take it in anew this morning? So many people hurting, so many people healed.  That can never be common.

Hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus went straight to serving (Mark 6:14-29).  That makes the timing of this particular miracle even more remarkable.  He was in mourning, and He turned His emotion into energy to serve.  Could we do this?

“it is I, don’t be afraid” John 6:20

We never need to fear with Jesus.  Our best interests are always in His heart.

Please read Matthew 9:27-34, Mark 6;1-6, Matthew 13:53-58, Matthew 9:35-38, Mark 6:7-13, Matthew 10 and Luke 9:1-6.  Lots of little treasures in all of these chapters.  Let’s pick out a few together, tuck them into our pockets to carry around today. 

“According to your faith, let it be to you” Matthew 9:29

The Lord will sometimes act according to our faith rather than according to the full scope of His power. This is a challenge to increase our faith! It’s up to us, like working a muscle. 

“Sheep among wolves” Matthew 10:16-20

That’s us, sheep among wolves (or it should be). A sheep is easily distinguished from a wolf – in the same way, am I easily distinguished as a Christ-Follower among the worldliness around me?

“nothing covered” Matthew 10:25 

Live as if there are no secrets. Easier said than done, huh?

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” Matthew 10:34

Sometimes peace comes by the sword – that means separation. Do not be afraid of being separate.  With Christ, you are never alone.

“He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief” Mt 13:58, Mark 6:5

There it is again, the faith of man determining the power displayed by the Lord.  According to their faith, He was not able to do many mighty works.  Don’t leave anything “on the table”, my friend – increase your faith.  The Lord is able.

280.  I can’t believe how fast we are closing in on the end of our journey this year. Let’s read together: Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 8:28-34, Luke 8:26-39, Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, and Luke 8:40-56.  Is the Lord revealing anything new to you today? 

I ruined the surprise yesterday, but it was so hard to leave us hanging mid-sentence like that!  Here we are:

“they came to the other side” Mark 5:1

They made it, they all made it, just as Jesus said!

As soon as they reached the shore, though, they came immediately to a problem: a demon possessed man. Remember, a victory is not a stopping point – it’s a jumping off point.

I notice that the demon begged to STAY (5:10) and the delivered man begged to GO (5:18). The devil wants to keep you where you are – but when you are delivered, Jesus wants to take you to new places.

“And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.  However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.” Mark 5:18-20

In the obedience of the delivered man, people marveled. Are you in such obedience to the Lord that people marvel at the Lord? Our purpose is to point others to Jesus. 

Today we are reading Matthew 13:10-23, Luke 8:9-18, Mark 4:21-29, Matthew 13:24-30, Mark 4:30-34, Matthew 13:31-52, Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27, and Luke 8:22-25. I love the Gospels.  How much sweeter Jesus is, in the light of the Old Testament.  All the love, all the kindness, all the desire for restoration and peace that has always been in the Lord: now with skin on, able to communicate the desire of the Lord in terms we can more easily understand, in our limited human understanding.

Luke 8:22-25 – wind and waves obey Jesus, what a comfort!

“and there was a calm” Luke 8:24

A calm, amen. What a comfort.  Do you ever need a calm?  I do – and to be told exactly where I can find a calm is a tremendous blessing.  

I like Mark 4:35 when Jesus says, “Let US cross over to the other side”. Jesus meant for ALL of them to make it. He means for all of us to make it even today!

Can you allow for this: maybe the storm was part of the plan. Without the storm, Jesus wouldn’t have been revealed as the deliverer and controller of the storm.

(Spoiler alert: they all did make it!)

Please read Luke 8:1-3, Mark 3:20-20, Matthew 12:22-45, Mark 3:31-35, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21, Mark 4:1-9, Matthew 13:1-9, Luke 8:4-8, and Mark 10-20.  What’s your highlight today?  Come on back and share your thoughts!

It was a lot of reading today.  The past few days, I’ve been a little long-winded myself 🙂 I’ll make it short today – though it was very difficult!  Did you want to soak everything in, highlight every word like I did? Here’s a short one:

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?” Matthew 13:9 MSG

The NKJV translates Jesus saying it this way: “He who has ears, let him hear”. If you can listen, listen! Beyond listening, obey! 

Don’t make this complicated – it may not be easy, but it is pretty simple! 

Today we see Jesus at work. Whether He was teaching or preaching or serving, His example was perfect.  Exactly what was needed at exactly the right time – he is still the same today, same yesterday, today and forever (but that’s Hebrews 13:8 – I’m getting ahead of myself). Let’s read Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-17, Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-35, Matthew 11:20-30, and Luke 7:36-50.  What do you see today? 

“I will come and heal” Matthew 8:7

Jesus will heal – and doesn’t He always? Not always in the way we expect, but even that’s to be expected 😉 His ways are not our ways. 

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities” Matthew 11:1

Jesus trained the disciples and then went out. We are not exempt from the work – we must draw outsiders in.

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet” Matthew 11:7-9

This is Jesus’ description of a prophet.  Serving the Lord may or may not equal comfort, but He always provides what is needed. As you go out in Jesus’ Name, prepare for the possibility of tough times.

“And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep” Luke 7:31-32

It’s remarkable to me how relevant and current the Bible is.  Doesn’t this exactly describe our generation?  Self-absorbed, selfish, calling out to each other instead of calling each other higher, not lifting their eyes to the Lord. Jesus calls them children.  He is spot on. It’s children who expect to be the center of attention.

Let’s make Jesus the center of our attention ❤