Mark 6 - 12.17.24

SCRIPTURE: Mark 6:1 – 6

“Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.”

OBSERVATION

Jesus is in his hometown and the people there just couldn’t get past their human knowledge of Jesus – as the carpenter – and see his spiritual position, power, and purpose.

APPLICATION

That old saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” comes to mind.  Although what Jesus experienced is in reverse of what we primarily know that saying has been used, I still think it can apply in this scripture. Normally that saying applies to someone who is positionally lower than their true position.  For Jesus, in his hometown, he’s showing his higher position by healing, showing great wisdom of the scriptures, but they can’t believe he qualifies for the status of his position. The people who knew him growing-up couldn’t understand how Jesus could be doing all the healings, have the amazing wisdom, or perform other miracles because he’s just the local carpenter. Their hearts and head were stuck in the past instead of believing what they were hearing or seeing. They had an amazing opportunity to embrace Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Unfortunately, as verse 6 says, “He was amazed at their lack of faith.”  They just couldn’t comprehend the Jesus they knew is the Jesus they are witnessing all because they lacked faith.

Have you ever known someone that doesn’t look like they could be Christian just because of how they look or maybe what you’ve known of them in the past?  Sometimes our human nature goes to  judging others by their cover and not how Jesus sees them.  Everyone we encounter is precious in the sight of God. Everyone needs Jesus and is worthy of his forgiveness.  When we practice God’s love and faith, we can take our faith and believe that God can do great things in their life.

Faith is something that’s hard to describe because it doesn’t have anything to do with seeing things but it’s about the unseen. In John 20:29 “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Hebrews 11 talks about faith as hope and the assurance of what’s not seen: “ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Sometimes faith can go down the wrong path too. It’s important to always test what you see and experience. In John 4:1 - 3 we’re instructed in this way:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times my faith is shortsighted in others. Help me to always see people as you see them. You came into this world to save everyone if only they would turn to you. During this time of season, we are celebrating your birth here on earth. You lowered yourself to become a man, yet your own family and friends didn’t recognize your position. When I encounter others, help me to always point them to your position as Savior, and the Son of God. In Jesus mighty name!  Amen

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 135 - 12.16.24

Scripture 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭135‬:‭5‬, ‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods….The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

Observation

Here is a breakdown of all of the praise in this chapter, according to David Guzik commentary on  enduringword.com:

A. The Good God, Creator and Redeemer

1. (Verses 1-2) A Call to praise Yahweh.

2. (3-4) Reasons to Praise the Lord.

3. (5-7) Praising God who creates all things.

4. (8-12) Praising God who redeems his people.

B. Exalting God in all His greatness

1. (13-14) The Greatness of God’s fame.

2. (15-18) The Greatness of God in contrast to the empty folly of idols.

3. (19-21) The people of God called to bless and praise Yahweh.

Praise the Lord! We serve a risen Savior who is eternally alive! 

If we can sum up this Psalm in one sentence, it is to praise God above all as Creator and Redeemer!

Application

Take some time to pause and praise Him today!

There is always a reason to praise the Lord, no matter what season in life we are in.  We just need to look around us at the majesty of His creation. Look at the trees, the animals, the sun, moon, stars, oceans, mountains, and even how our bodies work! 

Also, we always have a reason to praise God as redeemer of our sins. We are not bound by our sins, which is deserving of hell and death, because of Him! We are alive and free because of Jesus! 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

What an encouraging Psalm, especially in this busy holiday season! I pray that I would take time to pause and lift up Your name in praise every single day and very often.  May I fill my mind with worship. Thank You that You are not like other gods or idols that don’t speak or hear, but because You are alive, I am seen, heard and continue to have hope for today and my eternal future with You. No idol can compete with the greatness of Who You are Lord. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Samuel 15 - 12.13.24

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17-23

“Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.””

Observation:

Samuel gave Saul instructions from the Lord, but he did not follow them completely. When confronted by Samuel his excuse was he kept the best to sacrifice to the Lord.  Samuel pointed out that to obey is better than sacrifice.  Saul said he was swayed by the men. 

Application:

It is easy to get sidetracked with what we think is honoring to God and others opinions.  God wants us to obey Him, not do things we think will honor Him. This causes me to stop and think. God’s hand was mightily upon Saul. He had chosen him. He still had free will and got side tracked.  I can easily get off course too. 

I need to do whatever it takes to follow what God speaks to me:

• First seek His will. 

• Write it down so I don’t forget. 

• Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting throughout my day. 

• Stop and think before I act on my own intuition. 

• Share with others and be accountable. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for me. Please reveal to me what you have for me today.  Reveal to me where I have gotten off course and how to correct it.  Please show me who to interact with today and the words you would like me to share with them.  As I seek you, please give me the bigger picture and a goal to help me stay on course.  If there is a time when I need to walk by faith and not by sight, please give me the strength to do so. 

When a Samuel comes into my life to speak, may I listen intently without pride. May I connect with those who will hold me accountable, but not listen to those who could lead me astray as Saul did.  Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit as my guide and your Word to light my path. May I fulfill all you have in store for me.  Amen

- Cindy Howard