You have all heard it. The world is going to end December 21st 2012. But maybe you don't know that it was supposed to end October 3rd 1533 as well; and October 22nd 1844, 1914, 1969, the 1980's, september 11-13 1988, 1993, March 1997, January 1st 2000, and May 2008.
I do not believe that the world will end on this day in 2012. In Mark 13:32 Jesus says no one knows the hour or the time, not even the angels in heaven.
In verses 5-8 Jesus said: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains."
We do not know the exact time. I don't believe we ever will until it comes. We will see signs of it coming, but not know exactly. All we know is that we are supposed to be ready and watch and not be decieved.
Showing posts with label mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mark. Show all posts
July 28, 2010
July 24, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 17
Mark 12:41-44
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
How many of us can say this? How many people can say they gave their all for Christ? They gave everything they had for His kingdom. Not many people can. Not many people have that faith; that faith that everything will be ok. That faith that depends not on yourself but on Christ alone. That faith that is on the edge. That faith that is radical.
This poor widow gave her all! She gave EVERYTHING she had to live on. Now she is living on faith. How incredible is that? I want a faith like that. I wish I knew her name. She would be a person I would name my future daughter after.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
How many of us can say this? How many people can say they gave their all for Christ? They gave everything they had for His kingdom. Not many people can. Not many people have that faith; that faith that everything will be ok. That faith that depends not on yourself but on Christ alone. That faith that is on the edge. That faith that is radical.
This poor widow gave her all! She gave EVERYTHING she had to live on. Now she is living on faith. How incredible is that? I want a faith like that. I wish I knew her name. She would be a person I would name my future daughter after.
July 23, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 16
After I finish reading scripture, and I begin to type up my blog post for the day, I sometimes feel as if I have nothing else to say. After reading God's word and being amazed and thrilled by it, I don't think I could ever say anything that is more inspiring or awesome. How could anything I write be of any significance after reading such words? I feel like I should just hand all of my readers a Bible and smile and walk away.
Mark 12:18-27
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?" Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? I sure have. I have always tried to imagine it and wondered what it would look like, what I would do, who I would see ect. One thing Jesus makes clear in this passage is that when we are in heaven we will not have spouses. We will not be intimate with anyone. When I first heard this I thought it would be rather awkward for people. You were married on earth, but now you are in heaven and your husband or wife is there and now...you aren't married? But Jesus explains that our intimacy will be with God! We will be like angels. We are past all of this marraige business. That was a thing of the past...a pre course in what heaven would look like. You know how it is said that the Church is the Bride of Christ? Well here we are. We (the church) will be in heaven with our Groom. Finally together completely and totally without any separation. How awesome is that? How amazing is that thought? But it's even better than you can every imagine. Just wait and see.
Mark 12:18-27
Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?" Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? I sure have. I have always tried to imagine it and wondered what it would look like, what I would do, who I would see ect. One thing Jesus makes clear in this passage is that when we are in heaven we will not have spouses. We will not be intimate with anyone. When I first heard this I thought it would be rather awkward for people. You were married on earth, but now you are in heaven and your husband or wife is there and now...you aren't married? But Jesus explains that our intimacy will be with God! We will be like angels. We are past all of this marraige business. That was a thing of the past...a pre course in what heaven would look like. You know how it is said that the Church is the Bride of Christ? Well here we are. We (the church) will be in heaven with our Groom. Finally together completely and totally without any separation. How awesome is that? How amazing is that thought? But it's even better than you can every imagine. Just wait and see.
July 22, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 15
Mark 11:22-26 NIV
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
THE MESSAGE
Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
The message version really made me understand Jesus's point. I love the term "God-life". It makes me think of a life really lived for God; a life of faith. I want a faith like that.
Jesus says to pray about EVERYTHING. Do you do that? Do you pray about the little things? Do you give praises? Are you thankful? Or do you just pray about the big stuff and think God wouldn't care about the rest? Or do you just pray when bad things happen?
I also love the phrase: "assuming the posture of prayer". My mom always tells me to have good posture, but I never thought of prayer this way. This means making prayer a habit! Making it a daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, moment by moment thing! Live in prayer. Be talking to God constantly. I can speak from experience that this is such a wonderful thing...to have God right next to you every second of your day, just telling him everything on your heart and mind. It makes you more aware of what you are saying and doing and how you are acting around others.
Prayer isn't just asking for things. It is thanksgiving. It is repenting. It is worship.
"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
THE MESSAGE
Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."
The message version really made me understand Jesus's point. I love the term "God-life". It makes me think of a life really lived for God; a life of faith. I want a faith like that.
Jesus says to pray about EVERYTHING. Do you do that? Do you pray about the little things? Do you give praises? Are you thankful? Or do you just pray about the big stuff and think God wouldn't care about the rest? Or do you just pray when bad things happen?
I also love the phrase: "assuming the posture of prayer". My mom always tells me to have good posture, but I never thought of prayer this way. This means making prayer a habit! Making it a daily, hour by hour, minute by minute, moment by moment thing! Live in prayer. Be talking to God constantly. I can speak from experience that this is such a wonderful thing...to have God right next to you every second of your day, just telling him everything on your heart and mind. It makes you more aware of what you are saying and doing and how you are acting around others.
Prayer isn't just asking for things. It is thanksgiving. It is repenting. It is worship.
July 19, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 12
"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45
I am called to be like Jesus. Jesus was a servant. He is Lord of all, yet he came down to earth to be with and serve sinners. He didn't come to be served. He came to serve. He gave His life for me; for everyone.
He is the greatest of everyone ever. Yet he chooses to serve. It is incredible. I am called to be like that. I am called to be that humble and to serve others.
I am called to be like Jesus. Jesus was a servant. He is Lord of all, yet he came down to earth to be with and serve sinners. He didn't come to be served. He came to serve. He gave His life for me; for everyone.
He is the greatest of everyone ever. Yet he chooses to serve. It is incredible. I am called to be like that. I am called to be that humble and to serve others.
July 18, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 11
Mark 10:17-31
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Has God every asked you to give something up for Him? It's hard. I know. It can be so difficult to lay down worldly things and follow Jesus. The message version says that the man "...was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go." What is holding you back from following Christ? What do you need to let go of?
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
Has God every asked you to give something up for Him? It's hard. I know. It can be so difficult to lay down worldly things and follow Jesus. The message version says that the man "...was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go." What is holding you back from following Christ? What do you need to let go of?
July 17, 2010
30 days in the Word day 10
God never stops reminding me...
Today I read Mark 9:33-37. That's all I had to read.
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
I love attention. I crave it. It may not seem apparent at times because of my natural shyness, or maybe it seems quite obvious...
I also love to win. I am very competitive.
Hearing the command to be the "servant of all" is a hard thing to hear. Servant of ALL? As in everyone? Jesus says if I want to be first, I must be last. If I want to win, I must put others first.
The Lord has really been telling me this in my heart lately. He keeps reiterating it in His Word and in my every day life.
It's okay if I do not recieve the cream of the crop. It's not about me. It is about Him. And by putting others before myself, Jesus says I am putting Him first as well. If I help the least of these, I am helping Him.
Lord I know you are working in my heart. I want to change for you. Help me.
Today I read Mark 9:33-37. That's all I had to read.
"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."
I love attention. I crave it. It may not seem apparent at times because of my natural shyness, or maybe it seems quite obvious...
I also love to win. I am very competitive.
Hearing the command to be the "servant of all" is a hard thing to hear. Servant of ALL? As in everyone? Jesus says if I want to be first, I must be last. If I want to win, I must put others first.
The Lord has really been telling me this in my heart lately. He keeps reiterating it in His Word and in my every day life.
It's okay if I do not recieve the cream of the crop. It's not about me. It is about Him. And by putting others before myself, Jesus says I am putting Him first as well. If I help the least of these, I am helping Him.
Lord I know you are working in my heart. I want to change for you. Help me.
July 16, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 9
Most children are afraid of monsters under their beds or in their closets. When I was little, I was afraid of demons and Satan in the dark abysses of my bedroom.
As a kid, I had a wild imagination; sometimes scaring myself out of my wits. I remember trying to get to sleep at night but being afraid and seeing things. Maybe it was just my imagination, maybe not. I would pull the covers close to me and sing the song based off of 2 Timothy 1:7 that my mom taught me. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given unto us, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind."
I was very aware that Jesus, Heaven, and angels existed, but I was also aware that Satan, Hell, and Demons existed. This is something that isn't talked about very much in the church nowadays, that I can tell. I haven't heard much about it.
Jesus drove out several demons from people in the Gospels. People were possessed by them. It was real. It was scary. One event in mark chapter 9 verses 17-30 was this:
"A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
This man had been taking care of his son for a long time. The boy had almost died several times because of the demon. I can't imagine living with someone like that...someone i love dearly, watching them helplessly. And then to have the disciples of this great man fail in healing him...it would have been despairing. It would have taken great faith to still believe. And He needed help. He said "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" He still had faith. He was still so desperate for his son to be healed. He yelled this, clinging to what faith he had left. And his son was healed.
We all have to yell that at some point in our lives. We all need a little help in our faith. Satan can make us doubt. But God can help us overcome this unbelief.
As a kid, I had a wild imagination; sometimes scaring myself out of my wits. I remember trying to get to sleep at night but being afraid and seeing things. Maybe it was just my imagination, maybe not. I would pull the covers close to me and sing the song based off of 2 Timothy 1:7 that my mom taught me. "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given unto us, a spirit of power, a spirit of love, and a sound mind."
I was very aware that Jesus, Heaven, and angels existed, but I was also aware that Satan, Hell, and Demons existed. This is something that isn't talked about very much in the church nowadays, that I can tell. I haven't heard much about it.
Jesus drove out several demons from people in the Gospels. People were possessed by them. It was real. It was scary. One event in mark chapter 9 verses 17-30 was this:
"A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."
This man had been taking care of his son for a long time. The boy had almost died several times because of the demon. I can't imagine living with someone like that...someone i love dearly, watching them helplessly. And then to have the disciples of this great man fail in healing him...it would have been despairing. It would have taken great faith to still believe. And He needed help. He said "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" He still had faith. He was still so desperate for his son to be healed. He yelled this, clinging to what faith he had left. And his son was healed.
We all have to yell that at some point in our lives. We all need a little help in our faith. Satan can make us doubt. But God can help us overcome this unbelief.
July 15, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 8
I apologize for yesterday's blog being just verses and no input from myself. But I hope you meditated on it and thought about what was said. Those verses are incredibly challenging..
Denying myself is such a difficult challenge for me. But Jesus says this MUST be done if I want to follow Him. And do I want to follow Him? Oh Yeah. No question about it. But it is super hard. It is hard for me to let Jesus into the driver's seat. I want to know what's going on. I want to make the decisions. I want to be in control. ...But it's not about what I want. That's just another part of denying myself.
Jesus says not to run from suffering. He says to embrace it. Wow. What a radical statement. Embrace suffering? Talk about an uncomfortable bear hug... How can I learn to do that?? Jesus says follow Him and He will show me how. But I need to deny myself. I need to stop being selfish.
There is always that first step you need to take... It may be just letting someone else do all the talking and just listening for once. It may be opening a door for someone. It may be being patient. It may be taking the time out of your day to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Usually it is taking time out of your schedule..out of what you have planned..because God usually has something better planned.
People don't like taking the time for someone else...they call it wasting time. No..not being patient or building character..but wasting and frivilous and dragging. This is including myself. I am human. I do care about myself and it is human nature. But I am not of this world. I do not belong here. I belong to Jesus. I do not want to be great in the world's eyes...I want to be seen as great in the Lord's eyes. What good is it for me to gain the whole world...but lose my soul?
Denying myself is such a difficult challenge for me. But Jesus says this MUST be done if I want to follow Him. And do I want to follow Him? Oh Yeah. No question about it. But it is super hard. It is hard for me to let Jesus into the driver's seat. I want to know what's going on. I want to make the decisions. I want to be in control. ...But it's not about what I want. That's just another part of denying myself.
Jesus says not to run from suffering. He says to embrace it. Wow. What a radical statement. Embrace suffering? Talk about an uncomfortable bear hug... How can I learn to do that?? Jesus says follow Him and He will show me how. But I need to deny myself. I need to stop being selfish.
There is always that first step you need to take... It may be just letting someone else do all the talking and just listening for once. It may be opening a door for someone. It may be being patient. It may be taking the time out of your day to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Usually it is taking time out of your schedule..out of what you have planned..because God usually has something better planned.
People don't like taking the time for someone else...they call it wasting time. No..not being patient or building character..but wasting and frivilous and dragging. This is including myself. I am human. I do care about myself and it is human nature. But I am not of this world. I do not belong here. I belong to Jesus. I do not want to be great in the world's eyes...I want to be seen as great in the Lord's eyes. What good is it for me to gain the whole world...but lose my soul?
July 14, 2010
30 days in the word day 7
Mark 8:31-38 (NIV)
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
THE MESSAGE:
"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. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
THE MESSAGE:
"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. But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
July 12, 2010
30 Days in the Word Day 5
Have you ever asked God for a sign? Have you ever been so desperate that or even angry, that you shouted to the heaves, "Give me a sign! Send a miracle!" I know I have done this. I know many people who have done this and still do this.
That's God's job right?...To give us signs and miracles and help us along with our faith. No, I don't think that is His job.
Mark 8:11-12: "The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'"
Are we that selfish? That we demand signs whenever we please? Does God give us signs? Yes. I know this. I have seen them. But when we ask, are we asking humbly? Are we asking graciously? Or are we testing God?
That's God's job right?...To give us signs and miracles and help us along with our faith. No, I don't think that is His job.
Mark 8:11-12: "The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'"
Are we that selfish? That we demand signs whenever we please? Does God give us signs? Yes. I know this. I have seen them. But when we ask, are we asking humbly? Are we asking graciously? Or are we testing God?
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