The journey to read through the bible in one year. One thought and one verse from every book and chapter of the bible…
After spending some time only in the Old Testament ..spent this morning looking at the book of Mark in the New Testament...have been struck again and again through this process how vital God's Word truly is. It seems that the chapters and verses that I am reading are always perfect for the mood and life circumstance that I am facing. What an awesome and faithful God that we serve...
Mark 3
Mark 3:6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Three chapters into the book of Mark, and we find the religious leaders of the day already making a plot to kill Jesus. It struck me as I read this, how opposed at times that Jesus really was. I sometimes only think of the end of His life as being hard and faced with tough trials and tribulations....but Jesus faced some pretty stiff opposition and resistance for most of the time that He was in ministry. It made me thankful this morning as I read this that He was willing to go through what He did for you and for me...Think about the strain of day in and day out being challenged and taught AGAINST by the religious leaders and right of the day. No wonder He was such a man of prayer. I need to take that lesson from Jesus and His life...
Mark 4
Mark 4:20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”
In this passage we find the age old familiar story of the parable of the sower. I have heard, preached, and read this story a thousand plus times...but this verse really stood out to me. We so often think of ourselves as the good soil. Depending on God...allowing Him to lead our lives...and dedicating to serving Him...but I couldnt help bu wonder, what is the CROP that we are producing? Are our lives producing anything? I think that we need to be careful to spend some time thinking about what we are helping to cultivate and produce. If our lives are producing nothing...I believe that you and I can be in dangerous dangerous situation. Dont just automatically assume that you and I are the good soil. It is more then just praying a prayer. It is lifestyle change. It is an outward display of difference. It is a life marked by doing. Can people see a difference in your life?
Mark 5
Mark 5:20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
I love seeing the ways that God is able to change and use people. Here is a man that had TERRORIZED the community that he lived in. Was so demon-possessed that no one could stop him or hold him down. Except Jesus and the power that He holds. When Jesus healed this man, he was a life that was forever transformed and changed. I think that we can sometimes be so ashamed of our past and where we have come from that we can minimize or forget that power that a changed life can truly have. This man shared freely about what God had done in his life, the miracle of his life now being transformed, and letting his life be a testimony of what it meant to be radically changed. Are you allowing God to use your story? The things that you have faced? The frustrations and obstacles that you have overcome through the power of a living God? Allow God to use your past to give glory and honor to Him...and let the people be amazed at who God is...
Mark 6
Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
I wish that we could see people the way that Jesus saw them. I need to learn a heart of compassion. A heart of giving. A heart of seeing people for who they are...lost and in need of a Savior that has changed my life! I often times use tiredness, justification, and just comparing myself to others when I have opportunities to help or share with other as an excuse. But Jesus never did. No matter how tired...no matter what kind of a day that He had had, He had compassion and love for those that He came in contact with. If we had THAT kind of heart and attitude, our world would never look the same.
Mark 7
Mark 7:8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.
Jesus is talking once again to the religious leaders of the day. This verse struck me because I think that I can sometimes too become more intrigued and excited about traditions or just the way that we always do things then actually being most concerned with what God wants. I far too often find myself comparing who I am with the people that are around me as opposed to what God has called me.
Mark 8
Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
These are strong STRONG words from Jesus. Can you imagine Jesus being ashamed of you and who are? I want to be acknowledged before Him...known for the good things that I do! Yet how often in my daily walk do I deny who He is...or am too ashamed to stand up for Him and the things that He calls us to. I spent some time this morning just meditating on these words...I encourage you to do the same...
So far to date...
Books read: 4
Chapters Read: 167
Verses Read: 5460
Monday, March 4, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Leading with a Servants Heart...
The journey to read through the bible in one year. One thought and one verse from every book and chapter of the bible…
NUMBERS 10
Numbers 10:21 Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location
All of us, especially in todays age, know what it is like to be uprooted and travel. We are constantly facing new circumstances, changes in our life, our location, and in the friendships and relationships that we have. Life is so full of changes, and few things truly ever remain stable. This was the exact situation the Israelites were facing. I love that God constantly reminded them of how constant that He is/was. Before they even had a chance to get everything set up, the Tabernacle would be put up and serve to show the people that God was always with them. For us, stability doesnt mean lack of change but a willingness to acknowledge that we will go and do what God wants and calls us too...WITH the knowledge that He is right in the middle of where we are.
NUMBERS 11
Numbers 11:13-15 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
My new favorite passage on leadership struggles! In moments where people all around do nothing but complain and whine about EVERYTHING...I love that Moses feel and even says exactly how I have felt so many times! I understand that part of my job is GOING to involve people who are frustrated and just want to complain...but I identify SO much with what this has to say! Thanks Moses for just the plain reality that leadership can often times just flat out be tough and blow...especially when people have nothing better to do then gripe, complain, and bring up frustrations about minor things, or stuff that they dont have a true understanding about...
NUMBERS 12
Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.
Can you imagine this being said about you? How amazing that here is Moses...leading millions of people...having a ton of control and power, and yet being known as this. I think that as leaders, we need to take more lessons from Moses. How humble are we? Are we quick to deflect praise and credit back to the one who gave us that ability, or are we taking it for ourselves? It is so easy for us to take things for granted and to take credit...or begin to think that we can do things for ourselves. I never want to be that as a leader. I believe that we need to put people in our inner circles to help hold us accountable. I want to be humble...God help me to ALWAYS give You the glory for what You are doing...
NUMBERS 13
Numbers 13:20 ...enter the land boldly...
When Moses sent out the 12 spies to check out the promised land, I love the directive that He gives...enter the land BOLDLY...I far FAR too often am so timid and almost apathetic when I get a call from God. If it is clear...BE BOLD! If God is TRULY for us (which He is) then who can be against us? Be bold and live it out!
NUMBERS 14
Numbers 14:19 In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
No matter how much we stumble, disobey, act like fools, or just flat out ignore Him, He is always ready and willing to forgive. You and I can never ever ever escape His love. But we cant constantly use that grace as an excuse for inaction or continued disobedience I think that we are far too often permitting ourselves the ability to sin, knowing that this concept is true...and forgetting about who we are dealing with...
So far to date...
Books read: 4
Chapters Read: 161
Verses Read: 5210
NUMBERS 10
Numbers 10:21 Next came the Kohathite division of the Levites, carrying the sacred objects from the Tabernacle. Before they arrived at the next camp, the Tabernacle would already be set up at its new location
All of us, especially in todays age, know what it is like to be uprooted and travel. We are constantly facing new circumstances, changes in our life, our location, and in the friendships and relationships that we have. Life is so full of changes, and few things truly ever remain stable. This was the exact situation the Israelites were facing. I love that God constantly reminded them of how constant that He is/was. Before they even had a chance to get everything set up, the Tabernacle would be put up and serve to show the people that God was always with them. For us, stability doesnt mean lack of change but a willingness to acknowledge that we will go and do what God wants and calls us too...WITH the knowledge that He is right in the middle of where we are.
NUMBERS 11
Numbers 11:13-15 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
My new favorite passage on leadership struggles! In moments where people all around do nothing but complain and whine about EVERYTHING...I love that Moses feel and even says exactly how I have felt so many times! I understand that part of my job is GOING to involve people who are frustrated and just want to complain...but I identify SO much with what this has to say! Thanks Moses for just the plain reality that leadership can often times just flat out be tough and blow...especially when people have nothing better to do then gripe, complain, and bring up frustrations about minor things, or stuff that they dont have a true understanding about...
NUMBERS 12
Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.
Can you imagine this being said about you? How amazing that here is Moses...leading millions of people...having a ton of control and power, and yet being known as this. I think that as leaders, we need to take more lessons from Moses. How humble are we? Are we quick to deflect praise and credit back to the one who gave us that ability, or are we taking it for ourselves? It is so easy for us to take things for granted and to take credit...or begin to think that we can do things for ourselves. I never want to be that as a leader. I believe that we need to put people in our inner circles to help hold us accountable. I want to be humble...God help me to ALWAYS give You the glory for what You are doing...
NUMBERS 13
Numbers 13:20 ...enter the land boldly...
When Moses sent out the 12 spies to check out the promised land, I love the directive that He gives...enter the land BOLDLY...I far FAR too often am so timid and almost apathetic when I get a call from God. If it is clear...BE BOLD! If God is TRULY for us (which He is) then who can be against us? Be bold and live it out!
NUMBERS 14
Numbers 14:19 In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”
No matter how much we stumble, disobey, act like fools, or just flat out ignore Him, He is always ready and willing to forgive. You and I can never ever ever escape His love. But we cant constantly use that grace as an excuse for inaction or continued disobedience I think that we are far too often permitting ourselves the ability to sin, knowing that this concept is true...and forgetting about who we are dealing with...
So far to date...
Books read: 4
Chapters Read: 161
Verses Read: 5210
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