Mark 7 - 12.18.24
Scripture
Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.
Observation
I need to focus more on washing my heart than washing my hands.
Application
Washing your hands before you eat sounds like good advice. But the Pharisees’ hand washing wasn’t for practical purposes, it was ceremonial. They were washing their hands to cleanse themselves from the “unclean” things (including people) they came in contact with. This was part of their focus on the outward - following rituals and elaborate rules instead of following after the heart of God.
Jesus challenged them. He explained that the rottenness or dirtiness didn’t come from outside, or what they came in contact with, but from inside. He was telling them that they should focus on washing their hearts.
Vs. 6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’”
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
We all have a heart of sin. And the only solution is to ask God to wash us.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for giving me a new heart. Thank you for your new mercies everyday. May I not grow complacent, following a prescribed schedule or list of boxes to check off instead of running hard after you. As I spend time in your presence and in your word, please continue to wash me clean.
- Debbie Dunn
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
(Verses 1-2) A Call to praise Yahweh.
(3-4) Reasons to Praise the Lord.
(5-7) Praising God who creates all things.
(8-12) Praising God who redeems his people.
B. Exalting God in all His greatness
(13-14) The Greatness of God’s fame.
(15-18) The Greatness of God in contrast to the empty folly of idols.
(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