Tag: thought

Following Jesus Into Scary Places (Mark 10:32-34 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 “and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

– Mark 10:32-34 (NKJV)

When I was in my early 20’s I had the joy and privilege of speaking with an older pastor who was facing death. This man was well known and respected in the area and a few of my ministry friends and I had the opportunity to ask him questions. I didn’t know any really good questions to ask so I went with a simple one. I asked him that if he could share just one nugget of wisdom from all of his life, experience, etc. with a group of younger ministry students, what would it be? His answer still carries weight today in my life. He said that he would tell them, “God has often brought me to what I felt like was the edge of a cliff, but it was never to push me off, but always to show me a greater view of himself.”

I remembered that quote often. I thought of it during the week leading up to my open heart surgery. I’ve thought of it when faced with challenges of ministry, especially on days where by all my accounting, the future doesn’t seem so bright. It is often through the most challenging moments of faith in my own life that I can look back and see God working the clearest.

The disciples were following Jesus up to Jerusalem. By now that almost certainly meant persecution and Jesus was clear with them that he would be crucified. To their credit, the disciples followed Jesus all the way! They were afraid, but they followed.

We know the rest of the story beyond these verses. We know that some of the hardest days are ahead of the disciples. We know Jesus will be crucified just like he said AND he will rise three days later just like he said. It seems like Jesus lead them into a fearful situation, but it wasn’t for their destruction, it was for their good. It was for their own salvation. They would one day look back at this scary situation and be reminded again of God’s faithfulness and Christ’s love for them.

As I write this, I can’t help but have a few precious saints on my heart. I’ve got a few folks in my congregation who are facing their own mortality. They are dying. They and their families know they don’t have much time left. As I pray for them, I have often quoted the 23rd Psalm and am reminded that Jesus our Good Shepherd has gone before us through the valley of the Shadow of death. Sometimes we follow the Lord into places which cause us to be fearful, but we rest confidently knowing that he is faithful.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are so grateful that you went to the cross to die for our sins and were raised again three days later. We can’t imagine how fearful this whole time must have been for the disciples. We are grateful for your patience and the care that you took to lead them. We are grateful that when you lead us through challenging and fearful places that you always do so with a purpose. We are grateful that it is your job to lead and ours to follow. Give us grace to follow well, especially through the challenging moments of life. Please give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Marriage (Mark 10:1-12 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. 2 The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce [his] wife?” testing Him. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted [a man] to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss [her].” 5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 “But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 ‘and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same [matter]. 11 So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 “And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

– Mark 10:1-12 (NKJV)

One of the first institutions we read about in the bible is the institution of marriage and family. You don’t get far in the scripture before you hear about God’s design for life. When asked about divorce, Jesus goes back to Genesis to talk about marriage.

Some people mistakenly say this passage is about divorce. That is only partly true. The question that came from the Pharisees was about divorce, but the answer that Jesus gave was about marriage. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that in order to talk about divorce you must talk about the institution of marriage. Since marriage was God’s design, he has the final say in how we should treat it.

Jesus doesn’t set us up to examine the legitimacy for getting a divorce in this passage as much as he points us to the legitimacy of a biblical marriage. Notice a few of the things that Jesus states about marriage in this passage:

  • God intentionally created only two sexes, male and female
  • Marriage is between one Man (Male) and one Woman (Female)
  • A Marriage constitutes a brand new family unit
  • Marriage is a lifelong commitment
  • Marriage is an institution designed by God and blessed by God
  • It is a serious to break up a marriage

Jesus talks about marriage in such a clear and concise way that it not only answers the questions of the Pharisees but addresses issues our culture has in trying to redefine marriage today. Jesus doesn’t push some radical new agenda here. He argues for holding the biblical institution of marriage in high regard because it was created and ordained by God.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the wonderful institution of marriage. Thank you that you created us male and female and you created the intimacy of marriage. I pray that we honor you in our thoughts and actions regarding our marriages. Where there is sin, we ask for your forgiveness and grace. Where we have been sinned against we ask for the grace and ability to forgive. Where there is hurt we ask for healing. Where there is sorrow, we ask for hope. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Respond! (Mark 8:34-38 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

When He had called the people to [Himself], with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

– Mark 8:34-38 (NKJV)

It’s time for a decision! Somewhere along the way, I’ve learned that the good news of the gospel can be summed up in four movements. First there is GOD who created the world and everything in it, especially Adam and Eve, and it was very good. Second, Adam and Eve SINNED and now we are all separated from God because of our sin. Third, that JESUS came and lived a sinless life and died on the cross and rose again from the dead so that whoever would put their faith and trust in him could be restored to a right relationship with God. Finally, We have to RESPOND to the good news by committing our lives to follow Jesus.

Jesus has been throughout Galilee preaching the word of God, healing folks, and casting out demons. He is calling for a response. As He calls for people to put their trust in Him. He makes it clear that those who follow Him will need to surrender their will to His and be prepared for it to lead to an early death. The cross was a particularly cruel instrument of death. To follow Jesus is to trust Him enough to put His will ahead of our own and follow Him even to places and circumstances that we would otherwise avoid.

We respond to the word of God by trusting Jesus as our LORD and savior. We profess our sins separate us from God, but then we also submit to Jesus authority over our lives. You can’t truly belong to him any other way. Faith means to trust God and simply take Him at His word. It means that we believe Jesus and act on what He says. Faith requires action.

There are some places around the world today where a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ will cost you your life. Yet, it amazes me how deeply intentional that new Christians in those cultures are about getting baptized and professing their faith in the midst of the local church. Yet, often in places that are offered more freedoms it can be challenging to get someone who says they have made a “commitment” to Christ to go public with it, much less be baptized.

When it comes to where you stand with Jesus, Jesus doesn’t indicate that just a whisper will do. No he calls for unashamed commitment. It’s uncomfortable. It’s unsettling. But it’s so freeing! What we gain by putting our trust in Christ far outweighs the cost of anything we have lost in following Him.

So where do you stand today? Have you gone all in on Jesus?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Help us to live lives of boldness, courage, and conviction. Let our confidence be in your word. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Learning to Put God’s Will First in My Life(Mark 8:30-33 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. 31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

– Mark 8:30-33 (NKJV)

Peter just a few verses before has professed that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus then tells Peter and the gang to keep it under wraps. Jesus goes on to explain how he will be killed and raise from the dead in three days! Peter is upset. This doesn’t fit into his plan. Maybe Jesus was sorrowful as he shared the news trying to prepare the disciples. So Peter offers what must have been a rebuke with the best of intentions, “It’s ok Jesus! We’ll get through this! There will be brighter days!” Anyone of us might pull a friend aside and try to encourage them with such a rebuke… but then Peter get’s rebuked. Why? He is putting the things of God to the side and filling in his own man-centered wishes, wants, and desires.

If we aren’t careful we’ll do the same. I took a youth group on a mission trip. In the room next to me I could hear through the thin walls two of my chaperone’s discussing the difficulties of the trip. One of them said, “If God is in it, it should all be easy!” The other one interjected and said, “no, often when God is in something it is seemingly hard and often very difficult, but either way we need to seek what God wants and not complain.”

The truth is, it can be really hard to submit our will to God’s will. It takes recognizing that you don’t see the whole picture and God does. It takes humility to bow a knee to Christ and say, “your will be done!” and mean it. We often want to avoid pain, loss, sickness, and the harder things of life that shape us but sometimes God allows those things to shape our character and work in other peoples lives as well.

Had Peter been able to actually stop Jesus from carrying out the divine plan, we would all still be dead in our trespasses and sins! Seeking our own will and not seeking after God’s will can be toxic. There is no shortage of sad stories to tell of men and women who wanted things their way instead of God’s way. Peter found out that it was possible to have a good grasp of who Jesus is and forget to submit to him.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful that you use ordinary people like us to share your gospel with others. Help us all to fully submit our lives to you and see after your will, not just our own. Help us to be able to quickly discern what is truly your will and what is our own will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

It All Comes Down To Jesus (Mark 8:27-29 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some [say], Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

– Mark 8:27-29 (NKJV)

I used to wonder what made Christianity different than different religions. The more I’ve studied, the more I’ve come to see that it all comes down to Jesus. The difference between Christianity and religion is who Jesus is! Religion teaches that you can enter into some sort of bliss by what you have done. Christianity teaches that we can only go to heaven through what Jesus has done. Religion offers you a recipe of good works, attitudes, or characteristics that YOU can do to bring everything into balance. Christianity teaches that it is only through Jesus that we can be forgiven of our sins and come into a right relationship with God. Christianity is personal, Christian doctrine is squarely based on the actions that Jesus took. Who Jesus is and what He has done, in particular his death, burial, and resurrection make all the difference in the world.

Here, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people think I am?” There were a lot of opinions flying around. Most were willing to give him prophet status indicating that he spoke for the Lord. But for us to be saved, Jesus has to be more than a mere prophet with some pretty wise or bold saying… Religion is filled with prophets and teachers. The beliefs that we as Christians hold most dear are based on who Jesus is. The signs that he had been showing weren’t there to convince people to accept his teaching alone, they were given so that they might receive Jesus into their hearts (John 1:12).

He is the Messiah, that means the anointed one of God, expected to come and deliver his people his people. In his little knowledge Peter blurts out that Jesus is more than a mere prophet, he is the Messiah! Who Jesus is, really matters!

Who do you say Jesus is? There is a reason we Christians often refer to Christianity as a relationship, not a religion.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the grace to have a personal relationship with you. I am grateful that you welcome us to repent of our sins and trust in you. May we live in the light of your work in our lives. Please guide us in your will and direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Get Out of Town (Mark 8:22-26 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put [His] hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

– Mark 8:22-26 (NKJV)

We get a glimpse of Jesus healing a blind man. Yet, he does something peculiar, he takes the man out of the town and then does the miracle. The reason may be to give him a broader view when he does restore his sight, or this may be a hint that Jesus is a little fed up with this community. In fact he tells this man not to go back into town or tell anyone in the town… It seems like Jesus is a little fed up with this place called Bethsaida.

We see in Matthew’s gospel that Jesus actually pronounces a woe on Bethsaida:

“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:20-21, NKJV).

It was like Jesus was indicating that what works could have been done in Bethsaida will not be done in Bethsaida. Because of the lack of response to the witness that this community had been given, it would be given even less. In essence, Jesus wasn’t going to waste his time on folks who had ample opportunity to respond and failed to do so. Jesus won’t wait forever.

In the same breath, despite the rest of the town, there were those who did act in faith to bring their friend to Jesus. He honored their faith, though he brought the man out of town and healed him. I think there is plenty of room to note that when we are faithful to seek the Lord, even when others are not responding to Him, He will allow Himself to be found.

Finally, I think it is very interesting how this man is healed in stages. He sees some things, but not clearly, then Jesus touches him again and it brings complete clarity of vision. It reminds me of how we being our walk with the Lord. When we trust Him, we see things in a way that we have never seen before, but often he comes back and helps clarify the vision. Sometimes he does that through a trusted mentor or pastor who helps us see, understand, and apply the Word of God more clearly.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your love for us. We pray that we would always have a faithful and real response to your word and your work. We want more of you. Thank you for the grace to bring our friends to you. Give us wisdom as we seek to reach those around us. Please guide us in your will and direction foe our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He Came Back and The People Received Him!(Mark 7:31-37 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed [it]. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

– Mark 7:31-37 (NKJV)

This is not the first mention of this place, Decapolis (which literally means 10 cities Deca / polis). In Mark 5:20 Jesus sends the man who was delivered by demons back to his people to proclaim what Jesus had done. It says that he went around this area, Decapolis, “telling how much Jesus had done for him and the people marveled.” It is in this countryside down by the lake that the people first told Jesus to go away. They were afraid for what he had done to the pigs!

But now things have changed. They have a man who has a severe need, He can’t hear or talk well and so they bring him to Jesus. Then Jesus does something incredible and touches this man, healing him in a way that he could see and know what is going on. Once again, Jesus enters into an impossible situation and brings hearing and clarity of communication back into this man’s life.

Now the people are ready to receive him and the more he tells everyone to be quiet, the more they tell everyone about what He has done! It seems like a region that was once closed off to Jesus is now receptive and people are bringing their sick ones to him to be healed.

Before their hearts were like the soil that fell on the hard path in Mark 4. Now their hearts are softer. What was the difference? Jesus came to the region at a different time, in a different way (land instead of sea), and the man had been through the region sharing his testimony of what Jesus had done for him.

My take away today is to remember that a “no” to the word of God today, doesn’t mean it will always be a no. God has a way of opening up people to his word. Sometimes it takes coming at a different time, in a different way, with or behind someone who shares their testimony.

I’m so grateful for the teenagers at our church who have been practicing and sharing their testimonies. You never know quite when or how God will use your testimony of what God has done in your life to effect others. There was a whole region that was formerly closed off to Jesus that now welcomed him in because Jesus had sent this man back to his people to tell of all the great things he had done for him.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. I am grateful that the people in this area got a chance to see Jesus do his work in their midst. Give us perseverance in telling others about the good work you have done in our life. Give us grace in sharing your word to others. Where we have friends who have previously closed off their hearts to you, we ask that you would make them receptive to your word. Please guide us in your will and direction. In Jesus Name, Amen.

From Twelve Years Ago Until Today (Mark 5:21-43 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So [Jesus] went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind [Him] in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 35 While He was still speaking, [some] came from the ruler of the synagogue’s [house] who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those [who were] with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years [of age]. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that [something] should be given her to eat.

– Mark 5:21-43 (NKJV)

Twelve years ago, a baby girl was born to a prominent family. They watched her giggle and grow and were blessed by her presence every day. Her smiles brought beauty into the world and her personality brightened their day. Her daddy, Jairus, loved her very much. She was a big part of his world. But today she is a very sick little girl. Her bright smile has been replaced by a painful grimace. She hurts. Her tears and fever wet the pillow her head has been lying on. Her father knows that she needs immediate help. The local doctors say there is nothing they can do for her and she will most likely die soon. He’s been up pacing the village praying and hoping for a solution and then he sees Jesus. He has heard about this man and so he comes and falls down at his feet asking for his help.

Twelve years ago, another family across town was affected in another way. A woman began to bleed and couldn’t stop it. She went to all the doctors. None of them had answers. She tried folk remedies and medicines, nothing worked. Her issue was disgusting and made even her household chores impossible to do. She was weak. People didn’t understand her sickness and it caused her to be an outcast. Then she sees Jesus passing by and has heard of the people he has healed and so she cautiously plots to get close enough, just to touch him as he passes by.

I find the contrast of these people interesting. One is a child, the other an adult. One has had her condition for a long time, the other seems very sudden. One comes from a prominent family, the other seems to be an outcast. One has an advocate, a father who comes on her behalf, the other just simply seeks to touch Jesus as he passes by… but what do they have in common? They have a need and they come in faith that Jesus can do something about it… and he does! He does! He does more than we can ever think or imagine. He does more than we had ever hoped. He stops to speak to the bashful outcast and assures her of her healing. He goes to the little girl and brings her back from the clutches of death! He answers both exactly where there needs arise and blesses them with healing… the touching moment that brought tears to my eyes reading this morning is that he calls the woman, “Daughter.” She was loved too!

What Jesus has done in just a few minutes in this small town is to give us all a glimpse of the jubilation, peace, and security that is found in the Kingdom of God. I hope this passage provokes your heart to worship today and longing for the presence of God where all these worries are put to rest.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for how you worked in the lives of these two daughters. We are grateful for the life you bring to hopeless situations. We are grateful for your kingdom and pray for it to come in it’s fullness and we seek for your will to be done. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

The Kind of Fear That Frees You (Mark 4:35-41 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How [is it] that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

– Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

It was a terrible thunder storm. We were stuck on a sandbar sheltering under our aluminum canoes in a creek surrounded by tall trees! I have never been in the middle of such a storm before or since. People were huddled around us on that small little sandbar trying to escape the storm. Some of them were literally crying in fear. The electricity was in the air around us… Yet, I remember a peace like no other. I went from canoe to canoe and talked with folks the best I could. I shared the hope I had in Christ and the hope they could have too. You might ask, what gave me peace in that moment and I would tell you, not what, but who. The who is Jesus. I knew where I stood with God and was ready to die. Sure I was scared of death, but I was confident in Jesus to see me through the storm.

You never know how you are going to react in a situation like that until you are in it. I am grateful that on that day, all my confidence was in the Lord. The truth is that sometimes we become familiar with God and we forget just how great He is. We forget that he has the power to calm the wind and the waves in his voice. We forget that even in a storm we are safer with him.

The disciples in this account are afraid of the wrong thing and they don’t know it. They are afraid of a storm. Don’t get me wrong, storms are scary. But you have to notice in the English we get an interesting juxtaposition in the language here and I think we should lean into it because it helps us see a principle… Mainly that we need to order our fears. We will be afraid of losing our life unless we properly know and respect God. Jesus reminds us to bring our fears in order in Luke chapter 12:

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:4-5 (NKJV)

We may go through some scary situations in life. We may find ourselves afraid, but let us not forget to look to Jesus. He is the one through whom we find the confidence to face the storm. He is the one whom we should really honor and respect. We may feel like the storm is set to do us in, but our real and righteous fear doesn’t belong to the storm, it belongs to the one who saved the disciples from this storm and the only one who can save us from our sins.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Help us to order our fears today. When we honor you in our lives, the other things fall into place. Though storms come and the winds blow and we go through scary situations in life, we trust in you to be our strength and our peace. Give us wisdom to always seek you in the storm. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Growth Vs. Fruit (Mark 4:1-9 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat [in it] on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 “And it happened, as he sowed, [that] some [seed] fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. 5 “Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6 “But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 “And some [seed] fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 “But other [seed] fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” 9 And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

– Mark 4:1-9 (NKJV)

When you plant a tomato plant, what are you looking for come time for harvest? Tomatoes! When you plant a pepper plant? Peppers! When you plant any sort of garden plant, the purpose is to produce a harvest! Gardeners don’t grow plants for growth sake, but they grow plants to yield a harvest. There are all sorts of things that can stop a plant from reaching maturity and producing fruit. In today’s passage we see some problems with a harvest begin with the type of soil where a seed is planted.

A problem in the soil is a problem for a plant being able to produce fruit. It is sufficient for today to remember that the goal of planting is not growing alone, but is for harvesting! A wise farmer prepares the soil for a good harvest.

Growth alone is not a good indication of a harvest. There are three types of soil in the parable where seeds sprout and grow in some sense, but only one soil produces the harvest! In our lives we can experience what we might call growth and that can be exciting, but we must be intent on seeing it cultivated into fruit. We might be able to grow in all sorts of ways, numerically (if we’re talking about a church), educationally (we might know more about the bible today than we did yesterday), passionately (if we’re talking about our enthusiasm for all things related to Jesus), but these things don’t always transform into real and lasting heart change exhibited in loving God and loving others.

If our lives are the soils mentioned in this parable (and we trust that they are as we read ahead in Mark) then we need to cultivate our life in such a way that when we receive the word of God, it produces fruit in our lives. We can’t be content with a measure of growth that produces anything but fruit.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for the power that your word has to transform our lives. We want to be fruitful Christians. We are excited by every step of growth that we see in our own lives, but help us not to be content with growth alone, but to see fruit. If there are things that need to change in our lives, please change them so that we can be more fruitful for you! Please guide us in your will. In Jesus Name, Amen.