Clear the Road
Thank You for our chat this morning, Father, as I warmed up my bus. It is of great comfort to know with the utmost of certainty that You are with me always and forever.
Mark 1:1-3 (<<click to read the passage)
“Clear the road for him!” v3c
Several years ago we had a severe ice storm (We actually lost power for a week!) and we have family that lives back a lane through a heavily wooded area. When that storm came through it covered the many saplings along their drive with a thick layer of ice – so much so that they bent with the weight and made their drive impassible! Our family was called into action and we all headed down with our chainsaws to help. They cleared from their home out and we cleared from the road in! My father-in-law mentions that every time we go out to their place – it was quite the experience for us all!
In these opening verses of his Gospel, of course, Mark is quoting a passage from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Rightly so, he is applying the text to Jesus’ precursor, John the Baptist and his efforts at preparing “the way for the Lord’s coming”.
John the Baptist had an extremely important role to play but don’t you think we have a responsibility of being Jesus’ “road crew” today, as well? How much debris blocks people from understanding who Jesus is? My study Bible makes it pretty clear,
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. People who do not know Jesus need to be prepared to meet him. We can “prepare the way“ by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ’s teaching by our conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can “clear the road for him” by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from approaching Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. What can you do to prepare the way for this person?
Lord Jesus, may I diligently clear the road for You in all my words and actions! Amen.
January 7th, 2019, Mon, 11:22 am
Propagate!
Father, I am grateful for my family. We love having Massey home and this holiday season has been especially sweet with the job with which You have blessed me! Two full weeks of blessings! Father, I pray that he has been refreshed and is ready to tackle his last year of grad school. Strengthen him, sustain him. I lift him up to You and, as he has always been, he is in Your arms. Amen.
Matthew 28:16-20 (<<click to read the passage)
This whole passage speaks volumes but I’d like to highlight a couple of portions in particular.
Go therefore and make disciples… v19a
…I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” v20b
At the end of October, I wrote Grow Where You Are Planted (<<click to read) and touched on this but I feel impressed to expound upon this mindset.
How would we describe someone who would “make disciples”? Would they be a pastor? Or a Bible scholar? Or a theology professor? Or a Sunday School teacher? They would at least have to be a person with an outgoing personality – an extrovert, right? They would all foot the bill for that responsibility but, and some may struggle with this, we all have that responsibility! Every. Single. Follower of Christ.
When we think of plants, in order for them to continue to exist they must propagate! They must spread through their roots or broadcast seed of some sort (I’d Rather Be a Black-eyed Susan <<click to read). Followers of Christ must do the same! And it makes no difference who you are or where you are – you can propagate! Merriam-Webster’s Kids Definition of propagate is to have or cause to have offspring: MULTIPLY
In my almost two decades at Kohl’s I never once took a Bible to work with the goal of leading someone to Christ. I never got on the PA and preached a sermon to anyone. I simply lived my life for all to see. Did I do it perfectly – absolutely not! But I followed Christ with everything I had and I believe I impacted people, both fellow workers, and customers. I truly feel that people’s lives were changed by Christ through my faith in Him. And we all can do the same!
Lord, give us the faith we need to shine! May we be all we can be in You to reach and touch a world with You – we will make a difference! Amen.
Jan 4th, 2019, Fri, 7:22 am
Believing the Fabrication
Father, thank You for the life with which You have blessed me. I could sit here all morning and dwell on the many aspects of Your love and watchcare over me and my list would be long indeed! May every moment of my days reflect my gratitude and devotion!
Matthew 28:11-15 (<<click to read the passage)
fab·ri·cate /ˈfabrəˌkāt/ verb
invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.
“officers fabricated evidence”
synonyms: falsify, fake, counterfeit, cook; invent, make up
“he fabricated research data”
concoct, make up, dream up, invent, trump up;
informal cook up
“fabricating a pack of lies”
In this morning’s passage, the Amplified Bible uses the word fabricated.
“You say this, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ … So they took the money [they were paid for lying] and did as they were instructed; and this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day. v13,15
So that leaves us with a choice. We can believe the truth…or we can believe the fabrication. And the reality of it is that we can believe what we want to believe but there will inevitably come a time when the truth will be acknowledged, regardless of what we “believe”.
Our eternity lies in our decision. We alone can make it. That’s what free will is all about. And we must bear the consequences.
Lord Jesus, help me to shine brightly every day, guiding others to You so that they might grasp the truth and secure their rightful place at Your side. Amen.
Jan 3rd, 2019, Thurs, 9:27 am
Grace
There is something so satisfying about a fresh beginning. Father, when I pray at church it is not unusual for me to express that I am grateful. And honestly, I have a multitude of reasons to be so. Thank You for being with me – thank You for saving me and keeping me…
Matthew 28:8-10 (<<click to read the passage)
I really enjoy using a study Bible. My Life Application Study Bible brings many things to mind. For example today it points out that Jesus referred to the disciples as “brothers.”
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me [just as I promised].” v10 AMP
As I think to the last time they were together – there in the Garden of Gethsemane – they were anything but brothers! Matthew 26:56b tells me that upon His arrest, “…all the disciples deserted him and fled.”
Lord, you didn’t let the stew any more than they already had. They didn’t have to earn Your trust and Your love once again. There is no browbeating. There is no probationary period. Straight out of the tomb there is forgiveness…love…grace!
At the turn of the 20th century, Julia Harriette Johnston wrote the text of Grace Greater than Our Sin.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
No matter where we’ve been, what we’ve said, what we’ve thought, what we’ve done (or haven’t done, for that matter) …grace is there! Thank You, Lord, for grace greater than our sin!
Jan 2nd, 2019, Wed, 12:31 pm
Cusp of a New Year
Sitting here on the cusp of anew year, Father, I can see the past year as it trails behind me. There have been mountains and valleys in many aspects of my life. There have been times of laughter…there have been tears. There have been times when You have burst with pride…and times when You have shaken Your head at my folly. And through it all, You have loved me and encouraged me and I have been forgiven for my folly.
Father, in this new year may I be in the center of Your will. May time spent with You been be of greatest importance – not just the once a day sitting down but may I be aware of You presence every moment, giving You thanks, learning from You and steering my life according to Your wisdom, basking in Your love and then giving it away liberally!
A quote attributed to John Wesley comes to mind and it is memorialized in a small gift from a friend that sits on my dresser. My friend, now with his Savior, lived it, as well.
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
Lord Jesus, may it be so. Amen.
Jan 1st, 2019, Tues, 8:59 am