Scripture: Mar 10:2-12 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same [matter]. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Observation: After Jesus gave this message, his disciples came to him afterwards and told him "this is a hard saying". Today, this is still a hard saying. We have cases of abuse, neglect, and various other crimes committed in marriage. With our divorce rate over 50%, marriage is in trouble!
Application: This scripture, combined with others on the subject gives us a fairly complete instruction on marriage, separation, and divorce. In this scripture, we see that divorce is clearly called out as being wrong. In all cases, divorce is sin. One partner or the other is always in sin. And in most cases, both are in sin. This is a hard teaching, but it is the truth. When we try to gloss over, or adapt the truth into something it is not because it is difficult, we get into all sorts of trouble. There are other scripture on this subject that allow, and even encourage, separation. Separation is a Godly alternative to Divorce, and it is Biblical. If someone is already divorced, this should be handled like any other sin; confessed, forgiven, and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. If we are divorced, or married, or single, we are admonished to be content in that state.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to have marriages that reflect well on you. Help us to take your love, and give it to each other. Help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Let us be content where we are. In Jesus Name.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The Greatest
Scripture: Mar 9:35-36 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Observation: Whoever wants to be the greatest, should be the least? How can this be. Jesus teachings often follow what I call "the backward principle". This scripture is perhaps the most explicit of the backward principle. Spiritual things are often backward of natural things. The spiritual and natural world fit together more like two pieces of a puzzle. Each piece of a puzzle is the mirror opposite of the other, two pieces that are the same would not fit together ... only opposite pieces fit together. And yet the two pieces to not provide a picture without each other. In the spiritual sense, a leader must be humble and must serve others. Real influence is only granted be those being lead, it cannot be taken or coerced.
Application: Do you want to be a leader at your work, at your home, in your social circle? If you are a Christian, you are called to lead. Our place is to rule and reign with Christ Jesus, and that place begins here an now. You must serve others to lead, and you must consider their needs before your own. You must give of yourself, expecting nothing in return. This is the way of Jesus, the path of the cross, laying down your life for others. That is leadership!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us lay down our lives for those whom you died for, daily. Let us give and expect nothing in return. I pray that I would have the strength of Jesus Christ in my daily ministry to others. Amen.
Observation: Whoever wants to be the greatest, should be the least? How can this be. Jesus teachings often follow what I call "the backward principle". This scripture is perhaps the most explicit of the backward principle. Spiritual things are often backward of natural things. The spiritual and natural world fit together more like two pieces of a puzzle. Each piece of a puzzle is the mirror opposite of the other, two pieces that are the same would not fit together ... only opposite pieces fit together. And yet the two pieces to not provide a picture without each other. In the spiritual sense, a leader must be humble and must serve others. Real influence is only granted be those being lead, it cannot be taken or coerced.
Application: Do you want to be a leader at your work, at your home, in your social circle? If you are a Christian, you are called to lead. Our place is to rule and reign with Christ Jesus, and that place begins here an now. You must serve others to lead, and you must consider their needs before your own. You must give of yourself, expecting nothing in return. This is the way of Jesus, the path of the cross, laying down your life for others. That is leadership!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us lay down our lives for those whom you died for, daily. Let us give and expect nothing in return. I pray that I would have the strength of Jesus Christ in my daily ministry to others. Amen.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Prayer and Fasting
Scripture: Mar 9:28-29 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Observation: Jesus told his disciples that they needed to pray and fast in order to see his power and purpose come to pass in their lives. We know that God told us that he came so that we would be free; and most certainly it was his will that the young man who was demon possessed would be free of that oppression. However, his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. The purpose of prayer and fasting is not to break the demonic oppression, that somehow a session of prolonged spiritual warfare would have set the young man free. We know this because when Jesus set the young man free, he simply commanded the Demon to come out. He did not have a 24 hour prayer and fasting session. Rather, what Jesus demonstrated was prolonged times of prayer and fasting daily. His discipline was to go to a quiet place and have fellowship with the Father in prayer and fasting. Evidently his disciples were not so disciplined. At the garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus crucification, recall that his disciples could not pray for even an hour. Jesus however, was very comfortable spending hours in prayer and fasting.
Application: We need to be people of prayer and fasting. How many of us could pray for even an hour? How many of us spend a significant amount of time every day in prayer, worship, fasting, bible reading? How can we expect to see God's power and purpose come to pass in our lives if we don't?
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to live our lives fully devoted to you. Help us turn our lives up side down and begin to make you first in our lives. Let us be your people, and let us declare that you are our God in word and deed. May our lives be a testimony to your love and grace. May we act like your children, and may we not act like children of this world. In Jesus name, Amen!
Observation: Jesus told his disciples that they needed to pray and fast in order to see his power and purpose come to pass in their lives. We know that God told us that he came so that we would be free; and most certainly it was his will that the young man who was demon possessed would be free of that oppression. However, his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. The purpose of prayer and fasting is not to break the demonic oppression, that somehow a session of prolonged spiritual warfare would have set the young man free. We know this because when Jesus set the young man free, he simply commanded the Demon to come out. He did not have a 24 hour prayer and fasting session. Rather, what Jesus demonstrated was prolonged times of prayer and fasting daily. His discipline was to go to a quiet place and have fellowship with the Father in prayer and fasting. Evidently his disciples were not so disciplined. At the garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus crucification, recall that his disciples could not pray for even an hour. Jesus however, was very comfortable spending hours in prayer and fasting.
Application: We need to be people of prayer and fasting. How many of us could pray for even an hour? How many of us spend a significant amount of time every day in prayer, worship, fasting, bible reading? How can we expect to see God's power and purpose come to pass in our lives if we don't?
Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to live our lives fully devoted to you. Help us turn our lives up side down and begin to make you first in our lives. Let us be your people, and let us declare that you are our God in word and deed. May our lives be a testimony to your love and grace. May we act like your children, and may we not act like children of this world. In Jesus name, Amen!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Can You?
Scripture: Mar 9:22-24 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Observation: In verse 22, we see the father of the demon possessed child ask Jesus if he "Can" do anything to help him. The Greek word for "Can" is a variation of the word "dunamai" of which we get our word dynamite. The term implies having power or authority to do something. "Can" is a good translation of this word, but the implications of what the father was asking are significant. If the father had known that Jesus was God, would he have really asked him if he had authority or power to do anything? We know that all authority and power was given to Jesus. This father evidently didn't know that. It was this unbelief that Jesus had to counter to help the man and his child. In verse 23 Jesus uses a play on words to show the father what he is missing. The father had asked Jesus if he "Can" and so Jesus tells the father that if HE "Can", then he "Can" believe then he "Can" do all things. The issue was not Jesus' power and authority, but rather the father's lack of belief was inhibiting the power and authority of Jesus being demonstrated in his life. The father saw his mistake, and his son was healed.
Application: We don't so much need to be concerned with God as we do with our lack of belief in God. If we "Can" trust in God fully, then we don't to worry about what God "Can" do in our lives. If we "Can" belief in him fully, then we "Can" do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We have the authority as believers, in his name, to do all things. However, to the degree that we trust and believe in him, we will see those things come to pass.
Prayer: Lord, We believe in you, God help us with our lack of trust. Amen
Observation: In verse 22, we see the father of the demon possessed child ask Jesus if he "Can" do anything to help him. The Greek word for "Can" is a variation of the word "dunamai" of which we get our word dynamite. The term implies having power or authority to do something. "Can" is a good translation of this word, but the implications of what the father was asking are significant. If the father had known that Jesus was God, would he have really asked him if he had authority or power to do anything? We know that all authority and power was given to Jesus. This father evidently didn't know that. It was this unbelief that Jesus had to counter to help the man and his child. In verse 23 Jesus uses a play on words to show the father what he is missing. The father had asked Jesus if he "Can" and so Jesus tells the father that if HE "Can", then he "Can" believe then he "Can" do all things. The issue was not Jesus' power and authority, but rather the father's lack of belief was inhibiting the power and authority of Jesus being demonstrated in his life. The father saw his mistake, and his son was healed.
Application: We don't so much need to be concerned with God as we do with our lack of belief in God. If we "Can" trust in God fully, then we don't to worry about what God "Can" do in our lives. If we "Can" belief in him fully, then we "Can" do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We have the authority as believers, in his name, to do all things. However, to the degree that we trust and believe in him, we will see those things come to pass.
Prayer: Lord, We believe in you, God help us with our lack of trust. Amen
Thursday, December 9, 2010
An atmosphere of unbelief
Scripture: Mar 9:17-19 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Observation: So who was it that did not have faith? One might assume it was his nine disciples who stood watching and were unable to cast out the spirit. One might assume it was the Scribes who Jesus questioned when he arrived on the scene. Or it could be the father of the boy who spoke with Jesus. The Textus Receptus Greek seems to imply Jesus was speaking to the father, answering his question. This follows a spiritual principle that the father would have had spiritual authority over the boy since the boy was not yet of age. Thus the unbelief of the father would prevent the deliverance of the son. But certainly everyone was listening and Jesus would have considered that in his response. All involved had contributed to an atmosphere of unbelief, and Jesus had walked right into the middle of it. It was this atmosphere of unbelief that made the work of God difficult for Jesus' disciples to accomplish.
Application: How can we avoid developing an atmosphere of unbelief? Unfortunatly, we live in a society that is filled with unbelief. It is all around us, and it seems to be the default for whom we encouter. Most church services today begin with a time of worship, prayer, and Bible reading. These things help reduce and atmosphere of unbelief. Later in this chapter, Jesus instructed his disciples to fast and pray to overcome this type of unbelief. Many ministers who see miracles at their services will first teach on healing or deliverance before praying for those things to help disuade the atmosphere of unbelief and build up faith.
Prayer: Father help us to know your will. Let us discern spiritual things. Let us spend time each day in prayer and fasting. Let us work in your discipline and your authority to accomplish your will on earth, as it is in heaven... this day! Amen
Observation: So who was it that did not have faith? One might assume it was his nine disciples who stood watching and were unable to cast out the spirit. One might assume it was the Scribes who Jesus questioned when he arrived on the scene. Or it could be the father of the boy who spoke with Jesus. The Textus Receptus Greek seems to imply Jesus was speaking to the father, answering his question. This follows a spiritual principle that the father would have had spiritual authority over the boy since the boy was not yet of age. Thus the unbelief of the father would prevent the deliverance of the son. But certainly everyone was listening and Jesus would have considered that in his response. All involved had contributed to an atmosphere of unbelief, and Jesus had walked right into the middle of it. It was this atmosphere of unbelief that made the work of God difficult for Jesus' disciples to accomplish.
Application: How can we avoid developing an atmosphere of unbelief? Unfortunatly, we live in a society that is filled with unbelief. It is all around us, and it seems to be the default for whom we encouter. Most church services today begin with a time of worship, prayer, and Bible reading. These things help reduce and atmosphere of unbelief. Later in this chapter, Jesus instructed his disciples to fast and pray to overcome this type of unbelief. Many ministers who see miracles at their services will first teach on healing or deliverance before praying for those things to help disuade the atmosphere of unbelief and build up faith.
Prayer: Father help us to know your will. Let us discern spiritual things. Let us spend time each day in prayer and fasting. Let us work in your discipline and your authority to accomplish your will on earth, as it is in heaven... this day! Amen
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Power and Purpose
Scripture: Mark 9:14-16 And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
Observation: Jesus had just taken Peter, John and James up to the mountain where they witnessed the "transfiguration" of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of the father. When Jesus returned he saw a commotion, and it didn't take him long to figure out who was the cause of it. Jesus, being God, knew that the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees was at work. He had warned his disciples of this spirit, that it was like yeast, and would multiply and grow quickly. Jesus had left the weaker nine disciples, and left on their own, they did not do well. They were quickly trapped and accused by the scribes. An atmosphere of unbelief had manifested and the nine disciples were not able to perform the miracles they were accustomed to.
Application: Satan always preys on the weaker ones in the flock. We need to be watchful of his traps. As leaders we need to do as Jesus did, warn, teach, ready, and stay close to our team member who might be vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. If Jesus had not intervened, this situation could have been fatal for the nine disciples. Later in this chapter, Jesus identified that prayer and fasting were needed to overcome this type of situation. Through prayer and fasting our spirits become strong and we are able to instantly discern situations just the way that Jesus did. Prayer and Fasting are essential for spiritual leadership. We must always be in the anointing of God to be victorious and accomplish God's purpose on the earth.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to always stay close to you. Help us to build ourselves up in you through Prayer, Fasting, Worship, and your Word. Help us to always know that you are with us, and let us rely fully on your power and purpose in our lives. In Jesus Name.
Observation: Jesus had just taken Peter, John and James up to the mountain where they witnessed the "transfiguration" of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of the father. When Jesus returned he saw a commotion, and it didn't take him long to figure out who was the cause of it. Jesus, being God, knew that the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees was at work. He had warned his disciples of this spirit, that it was like yeast, and would multiply and grow quickly. Jesus had left the weaker nine disciples, and left on their own, they did not do well. They were quickly trapped and accused by the scribes. An atmosphere of unbelief had manifested and the nine disciples were not able to perform the miracles they were accustomed to.
Application: Satan always preys on the weaker ones in the flock. We need to be watchful of his traps. As leaders we need to do as Jesus did, warn, teach, ready, and stay close to our team member who might be vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. If Jesus had not intervened, this situation could have been fatal for the nine disciples. Later in this chapter, Jesus identified that prayer and fasting were needed to overcome this type of situation. Through prayer and fasting our spirits become strong and we are able to instantly discern situations just the way that Jesus did. Prayer and Fasting are essential for spiritual leadership. We must always be in the anointing of God to be victorious and accomplish God's purpose on the earth.
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to always stay close to you. Help us to build ourselves up in you through Prayer, Fasting, Worship, and your Word. Help us to always know that you are with us, and let us rely fully on your power and purpose in our lives. In Jesus Name.
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