Not an Entertainer
Father, thank You for a good Sabbath day. Thinking of this morning’s services, I would ask that You would call us all to prayer. We so desperately need to be in a closer, more intimate relationship with You. Woo us, may we be drawn to Your side each and every moment. Amen.
Mark 1:35-39 (<<click to read the passage)
Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him, and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!” vs. 36-37AMP
We all like a good show. What if your favorite performer turned up at your door and put on a fabulous performance. People from miles around had shown up and the crowd all knew that your guest was staying in your home that night.
Everybody got tucked in for the night but first thing the next morning, you go to get them for breakfast and they are gone! What in the world? Where are they? And soon thereafter a ton of your “friends” show up wanting an encore performance but they are nowhere to be found! The search would be on!
Wouldn’t you search high and low? Wouldn’t your anxiety mount with every passing moment? And when you finally did find them wouldn’t you be just a little exasperated when you exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for You!”
Now I realize the Jesus is far greater than any “here-today-gone-tomorrow” performer and that He came to earth with a heavenly mission guiding His every thought and move and most definitely not to entertain! …but you get the picture.
His “companions” didn’t understand. They had no clue as to what was going on. They didn’t know where He had gone! They needed to find Him…and fast! People were waiting for Him to do His “thing” again!
Jesus’ response when they finally found Him?
“Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father].” v.38
Jesus hadn’t come just to keep us entertained – He came to be about His Father’s business.
Do we sometimes get caught up in the “show” and forget what it’s all about? Even devout followers can get so caught up in details and stats and outcomes that we forget that there is absolutely nothing more important than Jesus himself. He is the focal point and nothing else matters one bit. Without Him, we are just entertaining ourselves.
Lord Jesus, may we keep our focus on You. As You fill our hearts may we be about the heart of Your ministry in our world of influence. Fill us. Use us. Amen.
Jan 27th, 2019, Sun, 8:04 pm
Intentional
The beauty of Your creation from my office window is a wonder to behold! The stark redness of the cardinals against the snowy background, the diligence of the downy and hairy woodpeckers as they cling to the suet cake feeder, the red-breasted woodpecker and the blue jay as they swoop in, scattering the smaller birds in their wake – they all reflect Your glory! Praise You, Almighty Creator of All!
Mark 1:35 (<<click to read the passage)
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. NLT
Here is the Jesus, the Son of God, deliberately taking the opportunity to spend time with His Father.
How often do we in the busyness of our lives, jump right in without a second thought, into the hustle and bustle of our schedules? We may, if we think of it, spout off a few words before we eat. We very well may rattle off the obligatory rending of Your prayer as a part of a once a week time of worship. But in actuality, how many of us deliberately take the opportunity to spend time with the Father?
I like doing so but often I forget, as well. My mind is in so much a better place, if I take time to interact, giving my day over to You, Lord. If I intentionally acknowledge Your presence and Your eagerness to involve Yourself in the daily workings of my life, what contentment and peace it brings.
Lord, if You felt the necessity to spend time alone with Your Father, knowing how close You are to each other, how can I do any less?
Jan 24th, 2019, Thurs, 12:51 am
Timetables
I am grateful for Your consistency, Father. As Hebrews 13:8 AMP proclaims, You are “[eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.” Each day in my own life can go any number of directions but You remain, stalwart and rock solid! Praise Your holy Name!
Mark 1:32-34(<<click to read the passage)
Time – we are chained to and cannot escape it. Author C.S. Lewis stated, “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”
These few verses have a lot to say about time.
First of all, as soon as “the sun had set” people were bringing to Jesus everyone who was sick or under the power of demons. Eventually “the whole city had gathered together at the door.”
Why did they wait until then? Why didn’t they begin as soon as Jesus arrived? He arrived on the Sabbath and Jewish Law – expanded by Jewish religious tradition – would not allow them to come any sooner than sunset. They were chained to the timetable of religious tradition.
Now, as we have already witnessed in verses 25 and 30-31, it may have been the Sabbath but Jesus had set free the demon-possessed man and rid Simon’s mother-in-law of a high fever. Jesus was not restricted by the time constraints of religious traditions timetable.
And though Jesus, as God, exists outside the restraints of time, as “God with us” he has his own timetable. As we can see at the end of verse 34 He “would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].”
Jesus, in the course of God’s will, held everything to His timetable. It was not yet time for Him to reveal Himself as the Messiah – the time would come…but had not yet arrived.
Lord, help me to set each and every day – for the entirety of my time here on earth – to Your perfect timetable. May I yield to Your directive, so that I may reap the benefit of Your wisdom. Amen.
Jan 23rd, 2019, Wed, 7:59 pm
Like Wisps of Smoke
Father, one of my favorite things to do is to lie in bed on a cold and clear winter’s night with a bright and shining moon and look out the window above my head. Our bed sits on the easternmost wall of the house and as I lay there I can see the wisps of smoke from our wood burner which sits on the same wall in the living room.
It is quiet. It is simple. It is peaceful. No matter what has transpired throughout my day, I find great solace in those moments.
In all the complexities of life, Lord, You are there. You bring solace to my life when so many things are clamoring for attention.
Your word speaks to me.
And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. Philippians 4:7 AMP
We often get so stressed out in regards to all that life throws at us and I feel like I should write more but why fill my mind with words upon words? Lord Jesus, stand guard over my heart and mind and give me Your peace which reassures my heart. Life is full of turmoil but may I bask in Your peace as I lie by Your side and see that turmoil blow away like wisps of smoke on a cold winter’s night. Amen.
Jan 22nd, 2019, Tues, 8:53 pm
I Am Determined
Today marks the completion of 56 years since my birth! A lot of life has transpired in that time and I earnestly pray that the time I have left will be used wisely!
As I was pondering on this earlier this morning a song I had sung as a solo several years ago came to mind. Here are the lyrics:
I Am Determined – by Tim Sheppard
Darkness around me, sorrow surrounds me;
Though there be trials, still I can sing.
For I have this treasure – my God reigns within me,
And I am determined to live for the King.
CHORUS:
I am determined to be invincible
‘Til He has finished His purpose in me.
And nothing shall shake me
For He’ll never forsake me
And I am determined to live for the King.
Hell’s gates are trembling from our prayers ascending
Darkness is crumbling from praises we sing.
Our Sovereign, victorious is marching before us,
And we are determined to live for the King.
CHORUS
When I am weary – I’ll look to His face;
And when I am tempted,
I’ll trust in His grace
Yes, I’ll trust in His grace
CHORUS:
I am determined to be invincible
‘Til He has finished His purpose in me.
And nothing shall shake me
For He’ll never forsake me
And I am determined
I am determined
I am determined to live for My King.
I looked to make sure I had not posted this song before and when I did I found this post from my birthday 3 years ago – it still rings true today!
No matter what, Lord, I want to please You. Help me to stay strong in my faith. Enable me to continue to passionately pursue You. These times that we have together have totally changed my life. I have followed You for decades. But I have struggled; I have been defeated again and again. I am still, by no means, perfect but ever since [the spring of 2015], things are different. And all the credit goes to You! You love me so much – You never gave up on me. You pursued me – You wooed me… and here I am. I still struggle. I still lose battles but I am no longer defeated. In Your sustaining grace, I cast my failings behind me and continue to move ever forward. My strength is in You.
But Paul assures us that “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) In expounding upon these thoughts, my study Bible *states “Don’t give up, Continue to live as You should. God is the only one you need to please. “
Lord, may my faith remain firmly with You. May I grow in Your wisdom and discernment. Live through me. Touch others through me. I am Yours, Lord, use me as You will.
Jan 21st, 2019, Mon, 10:06 am