Perspective
It is icy, snowy and bitter cold, but not inside. Here it is warm and we’ve had an uneventful but relatively laid back day. Father, as we come together may I have open ears and an open heart. Amen.
Mark 1: 29-31 (<<click to read the passage)
perspective / pər-ˈspek-tiv / noun
the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed
Recently in my readings, keywords have been jumping out at me. And today as I read through my study Bible’s notes* perspective is my word of the day,
Each Gospel writer had a slightly different perspective as he wrote; thus, the comparable stories in the Gospels often highlight different details. In Matthew, Jesus touched the woman’s hand. In Mark, he helped her up. In Luke, he spoke to the fever, and it left her. The accounts do not conflict. Just as four people might witness the same even and all recount different details, so the Gospel writer simply emphasized different details of this story.
In life, especially in recent cultural mindsets, we are allowed to have different perspectives on things. Differences don’t necessarily mean division.
The old proverbial blind men encountering an elephant story communicates this concept exceptionally well.
A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: “We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable”. So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. In the case of the first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said: “This being is like a thick snake”. For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said, “elephant is a wall”. Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear.
Lord Jesus, grant us patience that we may truly strive to bear with one another. We all have different backgrounds and they color everything we see and experience. There is definitely black and white by which we must abide but there are areas in our lives that are grey. Guide and direct us. Fill us with Your love and understanding when we interact with one another. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Jan 20th, 2019, Sun, 5:33 pm
Opposition
Well, Father, it’s one of those days where I get to the end of it and realize that I’ve not sat down with You for our time together! We had a nice conversation this morning early and throughout most of the morning then. But to actually sit down? It’s time. Open Your word to me and may I glean what You have set before me. Amen.
Mark 1: 23-28 (<<click to read the passage)
I don’t do it all the time but a couple times in the early morning hours of my bus route, I will sing songs– out loud but to myself. This morning an old children’s song came to mind,
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me, my Lord.
All night, all day,
Angels watching over me.
It’s pretty simple but it brought comfort to me.
Many people believe in angels – even non-believers. Some may acknowledge the reality of their counterparts – demons – but I think many just sort of write them off as fairy tales and mythology. That may make us feel better but they are not just some figment of our imagination…they are real – very real.
On multiple occasions, Jesus encountered them and very clearly demonstrated his authority over them. For a point of clarity, God created the beings that they starting out being. They were angels at one point but because of their rebellion in following Lucifer’s lead, they became what they are.
Now I don’t believe they are behind every illness or trouble or problem or temptation we encounter – many things are what they are because of sin and our involvement in it. We can’t pass the buck and credit them for our disobedience. But they are active amongst us and I’m sure, take great pleasure in our claim that they do not exist.
What we need to take away from this passage is the fact that there is active evil in the world and the devil and his minions are out to take us down with them. They are already condemned with eternal separation from their Creator and want to entice us into joining them.
But the major point here is that they are defeated. They battle on but the war is lost. Christ is the victor! They submit to Him and are held in check by their creator.
We then must stand strong in our Savior. We must not yield to their enticements. If we are in Christ, they hold absolutely no power over us but must yield to Him.
Lord, strengthen us. Give us the fortitude to within the onslaught. Time is short for the opposition. We are overcomers when we remain in You!
Jan 17th, 2019, Thurs, 9:02 pm
Authority
It’s been a while since I have written this early! A two-hour school delay because of ice is the reason. Father, may I hear You clearly, as we sit together by the wood stove this morning. Guide my thoughts and everything I do throughout this day. I am dependent upon You.
Mark 1: 21-22 (<<click to read the passage)
authority / ə-ˈthär-ə-tē/ noun
power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior
Most of us operate in a world governed by authorities. From the time we are born, we have people in our lives who, for the most part, have our best interests in mind – parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, etc. And we are right in abiding by their direction. It is what helps us to become the individuals that we are.
That is all well and good, but we learn from the fallible. We ourselves are not any more perfect. Mistakes are made. Sometimes the authority figures have their best interests in mind. We can be directed down the wrong path. We pick up habits that are detrimental. We are wounded, sometimes debilitatingly so. Even with a lifetime of effort, we may not be able to overcome our problems.
So in the best of conditions and the worst, is there anyone we can turn to who is infallible? You bet your sweet bippy! Jesus is the one who teaches with “real authority”!
He is our Creator! He knows us through and through, inside and out. No misunderstandings or misconstrued information!
He is our Savior! He came to this dusty globe just so he could save us! He has our best interests in mind. He wants us to be victors
He is our Immanuel! He is God with us! He is always by our side. He will never leave us or forsake us! (Deuteronomy 31:6 <<click to read the passage)
Lord, thank You for loving us – for caring for us – for guiding us! May we follow close to Your side so as not to miss one directive! Amen!
Jan 16th, 2019, Wed, 5:38 am
Smack Dab in the Middle
(Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash)
I got sidetracked this morning but it’s time to toss those things aside and get to what’s really important. Time with You, Father, should be a top priority. May I clear my mind and hear You clearly. Amen.
Mark 1:21a (<<click to read the passage)
“Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum.”
This is just the first half of the first verse of this passage. And at first glance, you might look at it and think, “Yeah…so what?’
In those few words, Jesus shows who He came to impact. By Biblical accounts, Capernaum wasn’t too awfully far away from Nazareth, where Jesus grew up but He purposely relocated here as a home base for His ministry. Here’s what my study Bible* has to say,
“Capernaum was a thriving town with great wealth as well as great sin and decadence. Because it was a headquarters for many Roman troops, pagan influences from all over the Roman Empire were pervasive. This was an ideal place for Jesus to challenge both Jews and non-Jews with the Good News of God’s Kingdom.”
Jesus purposely placed Himself smack-dab in the middle of it all. He didn’t insulate Himself. He didn’t throw up walls – literal or figurative. He was Immanuel – God with us – and He lived it out to its fullest.
Lord, where do we allow ourselves to be placed? Life can be messy and dirty. It can be painful. So do we avoid it if at all possible? Do we separate ourselves from contact with anything that might bring us discomfort? Or challenge us? You didn’t… So if You didn’t, we shouldn’t.
Lord Jesus, help us all to be open to being used wherever You place us. Help us not to see adversity but opportunity. May we be productive for Your kingdom smack dab in the middle of it all!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Jan 15th, 2019, Tues, 10:51 am
Follow
What a beautiful ride this morning, Father! It was quite cold but even in the darkness, the frost on the weeds by the side of road glittered as they reflected the light from my bus – it was breathtaking! At any given moment Your blessings can shine through!
Mark 1:16-20 (<<click to read the passage)
Once again the Amplified Bible gives me food for thought. Following Jesus is most certainly a journey and the longer we walk with Him, the closer we should walk with Him.
Even today there may be some that follow Him in that they like some of what He as to say and may walk in “His presence regardless of personal belief or commitment”. It may be a comfortable place to be and it is “safe,” if you will.
Then there are many who accept and identify with the salvation which He offers – churches are full of people in this category. It’s pretty “safe” here, too.
But if we are to truly follow Jesus, His call in Mark 8:34 AMP speaks loud and clear.
Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. (emphasis mine)
Not necessarily “safe” for the here and now but oh the security for eternity and satisfaction and, yes, the security for here and now.
Lord Jesus, this is truly how I want to live my life… I accept Your salvation but I want to flesh out Your call to deny myself and take up Your cross and follow You, amplification and all. Draw me close to You side, that I may be all I can be in You. Amen.
Jan 14th, 2019, Mon, 10:15 am