Mark 12 - 2.26.23

Scripture

Mark 12:41-44

41 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. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Observation

Jesus highlights the poor widow’s offering to His disciples. Although the amount was not as much as the rich people were putting in, He honored her gift above the other offerings because in faith, she gave everything she had.

The poor widow gave in faith, while the rich gave what they were comfortable with or felt safe with. The poor widow who gave in faith is who Jesus pointed out, not the rich, who probably just gave what they could spare.

Application

Do not compare the gifts you are able to offer to the Lord with the gifts your neighbor is offering to the Lord. Instead, give what He has given you and called you to give, in faith.

It’s like the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. What I love about that story is that “talents” does not only relate to money, but to time, gifts, talents, and abilities as well. God wants us to invest our “talents” for the Kingdom and although each person in the parable were given different amounts of talents, they were judged based on what they did with them. The Master was pleased with the servants who invested the talents He gave them, but was displeased with the servant who hid his out of fear.

It is not about the amount we have to offer. It is about the heart behind what we are offering. What is He calling You to give?

God doesn’t judge the outward appearance, He judges the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Prayer

Dear Lord, Your Word says that without faith, it is impossible to please You. I pray that we would live our lives in faith and give of our time, money, ability and talents, investing it in the Kingdom and not bury it in the ground until You return. You have called us to be Your lights in this darkened world and not to hide. I pray against fear, complacency and idleness that cause us to want to live life in safety and for ourselves. May You replace that with faith in You and a faith that moves us to action to serve You and others. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Genesis 21 - 2.23.24

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-4, 6-7

”Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.””

Observation:

The Lord was gracious to Sarah and did what He promised.  This promise was a long time coming, far past what would be humanly possible.  However, it says at the “very time God had promised him.”  This time was given a year prior.  Sarah had given up long before because she gave Abraham her slave to have a child with.  This totally backfired as it caused a lot of grief.  Now her joy is so full she declares, “God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears will laugh with me.”  God had the perfect time mapped out all the long.  In His infinite wisdom, He does not give us a timeline until it is best. 

Application:

“Though the vision tarries, wait for it.” Habakkuk 2:3

Has God promised you something? Wait for it. Don’t try to make it happen yourself. However, if you stray our Gracious God still can bring it to pass. He keeps His promises at the perfect time. Not as soon as I would like, but it will be best.  

I want to choose to seek God and trust, even when what He promised now seems impossible. 

Prayer:

Father God, Thank you for your grace and your word that never fails.  Please keep my eyes on you and help me follow your path each day.  May I not rush ahead or try to create my own version of what you promised.  Please surround me with hope, so as the vision tarries I will wait for it.  May I honor you in all I do and when the promise comes, like Sarah share my joy so others may rejoice. 

Amen 

- Cindy Howard

Mark 10 - 02.22.24

SCRIPTURE -(Mark 10:17 NIV)

“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?””

OBSERVATION 

What must I do to inherit eternal life? 

Jesus is heading out of town when a Young Man pursues HIM to ask a question. In many ways this Young Man is SO Close to his answer-and Yet he is SO far.

1.     The Young Man has a deep sense of Urgency. He does NOT want to miss this opportunity—He is  running to Jesus.

2.     Next, this young man kneels down before Jesus.

3.     The Young Man addresses Jesus as “Good” Teacher. It’s not clear why he chose to address Jesus in this way. Rabbi’s were never referred to as “Good”. Only GOD is GOOD. Jesus points this out to the Young Man in HIS reply. Jesus “invites” the Young Man to reflect on his Words- “Why do you call me Good ?”

4.     AND-Now the question-here is where we hit a BIG “speed bump”. It seems the emphasis of the Young Man’s question is “What must “I Do”.

Bowing down in front of Jesus, this Young Man had NO idea how close he really was to eternal life. He was indeed looking into the very eyes of GOOD-

in its Truest and Purest Form-the ONE and ONLY Eternal GOD. 

APPLICATION 

The Invitation—“Follow Me”

The Young Man asked a question, “What must “I do” to obtain eternal life?”

Unfortunately, this Young Man believed “eternal life” was a matter of

“earning and deserving”. He genuinely believed he had obeyed ALL (the Law) the commandments. Jesus extended the same “Invitation” to this Young Man that HE had extended to Peter, John, and James. The difference is that they LEFT everything behind to Follow Jesus. This Young Man, who was also a Rich Ruler, did not want to leave his old life behind. He believed he was happy-though money alone never “buys” us True Fulfillment. This Young Man had another God—and he could not part with his “earthly treasures”.

Jesus had given the Answer to Eternal Life earlier when People were bringing their Children to HIM.

Jesus took the children [one by one] into HIS arms and lovingly blessed them with kind and encouraging words (10:16).

“Jesus said, ““I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”” (Mark 10:15 NLT)

Eternal Life is not a matter of “earning and deserving” as the Rich Young Ruler was thinking.

It is Simple Childlike Faith. 

“Believe in The LORD Jesus as the ONE True GOD and You will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

It is not about us. It is about YOU and Your Goodness. There is nothing we can ever do to earn Your Love or Our Salvation. It is a Free Gift. Thank YOU for receiving us as YOUR Children. Thank YOU for Loving us One by One and blessing us and speaking kind and encouraging words to us. There is NO doubt we need a Savior. My life was hopeless without YOU and now it is HOPE-FILLED! Thank YOU that Your Invitation is for Everyone! God SO Loved the “World”. Help me LORD to GO and share this everywhere YOU Send me. Believe in the LORD Jesus AND be SAVED! Amen!

Tina L Kudelka