The Daily Dose

Speak to the Mountain part 1

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23

In the past I’ve struggled with this verse.  It always seemed too big and unattainable to me.  Mostly because I was always focused on the “mountain”. This is typically what we all focus on when trouble comes.  We see the problem or the “mountain”.  It is very distracting and very “in your face” so you are not able to see anything else.  That’s exactly why the enemy put it there, to distract you and knock you off course.

What often happens to me is that I run into “the mountain” for a while, then I try to figure out a way to get around it (unsuccessfully I might add), finally I go to God with it.  I would say something like, “God, I have this big mountain (problem) in my way.  It’s so big I don’t know what to do with it.  I have tried to go around it or figure out a way to move it, but it isn’t budging.  Please do something with it.”  Then I continue praying this way many days because it’s all I know to do. All the while thinking I’m doing the spiritual thing.  I am talking to God after all and certainly He can handle it, but the verse doesn’t say to talk to God about how big the mountain/dilemma is.  This verse says to talk to the mountain.  What? I’m supposed to talk to my problems?  This is way beyond my understanding.

Finally, I realized that these mountains of difficulties are opportunities to use my weapon of the Word of God!  My sword of the Spirit!!  So now I speak to that mountain with the promises and words that God has already given in His Word to take victory over every situation.

For example, if I am facing a financial struggle I attack it with: My God supplies every need I have according to His riches in glory, Philippians 4:19. If I am up against stress and anxiety, I say: I let the peace of God rule in my heart to which I am called and I am thankful (Colossians 3:15)! If sickness is trying to get on me I proclaim: I walk in God’s benefits and one of them is that He heals all my diseases according to Psalms 103:3.

Today I want to encourage you to talk to your mountains.  Stop telling God how big the mountains of your life are and start telling those mountains of circumstances how big your God is and what His Word says about the situation!  Set some time aside to search out the promises about your situation and start thanking Him for the answers He has already given in His Word.  In no time at all you will be walking on level ground again with every obstacle out of your path!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:20-24

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Activate Activity

And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” Mark 11:21

Have you ever prayed a prayer for someone or something but didn’t see immediate results?  I’m sure all of us have in fact, it is pretty uncommon to pray for something and then see it happening at the same time.  It takes a while for time to catch up with our prayer.  We can see this example in today’s reading.

In verse 14 of Mark 11, Jesus spoke to the fig tree and told it that no one would eat fruit from it ever again.  Nothing happened on the outside, but the next day when they walked by the tree again, the disciples noticed that the tree had dried up from the roots.  So something did happen when Jesus cursed the tree, it was just not seen on the surface yet.  Something started happening at the root of the tree that showed up the next day.

This is a perfect example of what happens when we pray or speak into a situation, struggle or problem.  At the point that our prayer is lifted up to our Father in heaven, the door is opened into those circumstances to activate the supernatural activity to turn the trouble around.  In this passage, Jesus doesn’t actually pray about His disappointment in the lack of fruit, He simply spoke to the source and told it not to give fruit anymore. 

Here is the all-important point:  Make sure what you are speaking about your life issues to others line up with what you are praying to God for the answer.  If you are “telling it like it is” to others but asking God to change things in your prayer time, you could be hindering your prayers and limiting God’s work because of your words of unbelief.  You must stand in agreement with that prayer to keep the spiritual door open for God’s work to show up in whatever the concern is.  If others are asking questions or want to talk about the situation, all you need to tell them is that God is working on it, or that you have given it over to God and His hand is moving in the matter.  Then you can ask that person to agree with you in praying for God’s working it all out for good.  You have released His activation in prayer, don’t deactivate it by speaking your doubts and unbelief because of what you are seeing right now.

Today I want to encourage you that whatever you have taken to God in prayer, things are happening at the root.  Whether it is a financial struggle, family matter or faith issue, keep that business before the Lord and thank Him for working out the details to get the thing on track with His plan and purpose.  Then when the subject comes up in conversation with others, you can let them know that you have activated activity in the spiritual realm that is at work even as you are speaking.  It will be no time at all before you see that problem dried up at the roots and in line with the great plan of God!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:12-21

1 2Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 

13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 

14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 

16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 

17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 

19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

Why a donkey

“Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. Mark 11:2

Someday Jesus will come back to this world, riding on a horse to be the conqueror and ruler of the earth.  You can read all about it in the book of Revelation, I’m not making it up.  But in today’s reading He rode into Jerusalem riding on a young donkey.  Why a donkey.  What was the message that He was sending on that Palm Sunday entrance into the city?

A donkey was and still is today a pack animal.  One who carries a load of goods.  They were used in Jesus’ day to pull carts and move things and people from place to place.  It was not a glamorous ride by any means.  If anything it was a ride of humility.  During that time, a king would have been brought into a city in a horse-drawn carriage of some kind.  Not on a lowly donkey that belonged to a stranger.

This was Jesus’ way of saying “I come in peace, and I am here to be your savior to rescue all people from the punishment of sin, not to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Romans.”  It was also an example of being on the same level as the people not high and lofty like royalty.  Even though He was God in the flesh, He displayed His love and desire for people by becoming one of them.  He never used His position as the Son of God.  In fact, He referred to Him self as the Son of man.

His humble entry into Jerusalem that day is celebrated still today.  Certainly, He intends for His people to follow His example of humility and peace.  In the world today and even in America, the land of the free, we see and hear constant hostility toward one another.  This is not the attitude that Jesus has, and this is not His Father’s plan for us.  Sure, there are many opportunities to be angry and irritated about the decision being made by the government and even the people in our own towns.  However, hostility and condemnation are not the heart of God.  Love, peace, gentleness and humility are the approach and posture for God’s children.

Today I want to encourage you to have a heart of humility and peace.  Don’t walk into work or school with your defenses up and ready for battle.  These are the days of grace.  God’s grace toward people and His people for each other.  Let the love of God lead in your day and start with loving those closest to you and then let it extend to all people that you encounter all day long.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:1-11

1 As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 

2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 

3 If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 

5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 

6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. 

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 

9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

He is calling you

So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” Mark 10:49

Have you ever cried out to God in a time of trouble and weren’t sure if He was hearing you?  Maybe you weren’t seeing any change in your circumstances, or you weren’t feeling any relief in your pain?  What about calling out to Him for a lost loved one or unbelieving friend?  Has it ever seemed to you that no matter how long your prayed or what you said nothing seemed to be any different?

In today’s reading, there was a man like this.  He was sitting beside the road and even though he was blind, he knew Jesus was nearby.  He began to call out to Him for help.  The people that were close by told him to be quiet and don’t bother Jesus, but that only encouraged the blind man to cry louder.  When Jesus heard his cries, He stopped everything that he was doing and called for the man to be brought to Him.  When Bartimaeus knew that Jesus had heard him calling on Him, he got up and went to Jesus.  Bartimaeus was no longer begging for food like he had in days past.  He knew that now he had the attention of the One that could change anything and everything in His life, so he asked for his sight to be restored and received it immediately.

 Jesus still hears our cries today and He is always listening.  You don’t have to yell loudly or beg and plead for Him to see you, He sees and knows you right where you are.  In fact, He is calling you right where you are today.  His call is always ringing in your heart, but you have to spend some time sitting quietly with Him to hear it.  He is always ready to answer you and He always wants to help, but the reason you don’t always hear or see results is because you are not taking the time to hear His direction and call to you.

Today I want to encourage you to keep calling out to Him!  Don’t be discouraged or disappointed when you don’t see immediate changes in your situation, just continue to sit quietly and listen for any direction He may give to your heart or through His word.  When you sense that He is calling you to take that step of faith toward Him, quickly follow the instructions you believe He is giving.  He is always calling you closer, so be ready to spend the time that it takes to press into all that He has for you.  And be of good cheer, you will get your answers and you will get results, but you will also be required to listen for your part of getting to the place where your answer is.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:46-52

46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

A Place Prepared

“To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”  Mark 10:40

Today’s reading makes it so clear that Jesus was not the one calling the shots when He was here in this world.  He told His students, for the third time, that He was gong up to Jerusalem to be betrayed and condemned to death.  Not His idea, but He also told them at that time that He will come back from the grave after three days to let them know there will be a happy ending.

The point is that Jesus did not make the plan for His life.  It was already established for Him before He was born.  Even in the next section of reading when James and John asked to a specific place next to Him, He said I don’t make the plans, I just execute them.  He told them that each place and position in heaven is prepared ahead of time.  When you get there, you will already have a place waiting for you.  Nobody decides what their place will be, God the Father has a plan.

It is the same for us today.  We are not the ones who even are expected to make our life decisions about the assignments we will accomplish here in the world.  The plan is already set, but it is up to each individual to seek out that mission and step into that calling with the Holy Spirit’s direction.  It isn’t difficult, when you simply acknowledge Him in all your ways and each step you take, He will direct your path and make plain the road designed for you life.  However, if you determine that you are going to make your purpose to be about your own desires and dreams, you will have a harder time discerning His direction when it is given. You will already be in the habit of make decision based on the external circumstances such as costs and feelings rather than trusting Him to provide all that is needed to fulfill His the purpose your were created for.

Today I want to encourage you to press in for your part of His plan.  Ask your Father in Heaven to make His plans and purposes for your life to be loud and clear.  Ask Him to lead you to scripture that confirms the direction He is leading and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit within you to be a blessing to others. Then trust Him to supply every need required to carry those instructions out.  It takes faith to believe we are here in this world to serve those around us, not ourselves.  Take those steps of faith today and watch how a whole new world opens up around you!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:32-45

32 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.”

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 

40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 

42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 

43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 

44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Hard, not impossible

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23

Today I want to focus on God’s blessings and how they can fill our lives with great joy.  God is not against us having things and riches, He is against things and riches having us.  He knows that being consumed with the things of earth can destroy us.  Instead He plans for us to fill up with God and let Him pour His blessings on you!

In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that is it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is not impossible.  God wants our faith and trust to be in Him.  He doesn’t want us to put our security in things and money because they are not able to give us a satisfying life and they are temporary.  However, if we don’t have these things, we cannot expand God’s kingdom, bless others, and reach those who have needs. 

Many things here in this world are very necessary for the time we spend on earth.  God wants us to enjoy our time here, and He is the One who gave us the things and the ability to acquire them.  Yet, the reason is for eternal purposes not for temporary pleasures.  God’s not after your things, He’s after your heart.

Today I encourage you to be thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to you.  Thank Him that He adds no sorrow with them.  Reach out to others with the resources that you have been so richly blessed with and show others the love of God through the things He has given.  Don’t worry about replenishing them.  God will always take care and provide for you especially if you are using the blessings, He has given you to bless others.  Jesus said, ““Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,” Mark 10:29.  In the next verse He included “you will receive a hundredfold now, in this time.”  Be a blessing to all those around you because He’s got you covered and His blessings never end.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:23-31

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 

24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 

30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Follow Me

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Mark 10:21

You can’t take it with you!  Have you ever heard that old saying before?  When you die and leave this world, all the things you have accumulated have to stay here.  It cannot go with you into the next life.  That thought doesn’t disturb me much, but some people put their entire life in the security of having things here in this world.  Don’t get me wrong, I do like to be comfortable, but I am fully content to leave behind material things to chase after the plans and purpose God has for my life.

In the reading today, there was a young man that came to Jesus.  Obviously concerned about what was going to happen when he died.  He was looking for an eternal life inheritance, but he never expected to hear what Jesus told him was required for securing it.  Jesus told him that the one thing he needed to do that he currently wasn’t doing is get rid of all his “stuff” and follow Jesus.  Follow Jesus’ way of doing things and follow Jesus’ plan for life.

The young man gave up hope and was very sad because he had a great amount of possessions.  He didn’t consider the benefit and the honor it would have been to become a part of Jesus’ ministry. He could not imagine a life without comfort and with self-sacrifice for others.  He had the greatest invitation and opportunity to be with Jesus up close and personal while He walked on the earth but was blinded by the love he had for the things of this world.

That invitation is available to you still today!  The door is always open to follow Jesus.  In fact, He is waiting for you to choose the security of eternal life with Him over the collateral of the physical world you live in.  Make the choice today to put Him in first place in your life and put the worldly possessions behind and follow Him.

Today I want to encourage you to receive His gift of salvation if you have not turned your life over to Him yet. Begin a personal relationship with Him by talking with Him daily and learning about His ways and His love for you and all people. Start that conversation now by praying a prayer from your heart like this: _{Jesus, I want to follow you! I invite you into my life today to lead me in Your perfect path and plan! Empower me today to know you more and give me Your grace to walk out the destiny you have planned for my life before the world came into existence.} Keep the conversation going and get wisdom from Him about every area of your life. Your life will change and it will be for so much better.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:17-22

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 

19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

He Blessed Them

But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14

This is one of the Jesus moments I have never really thought too much about.  Usually when reading this passage, I take this at face value that Jesus loves children too.  As I considered what this situation may have looked like in my imagination, there seems to be much more to it than that.

First of all, we read a lot about the people that came to Jesus for healing or deliverance of some kind, but in this case, people were bringing their children to receive a blessing from Jesus.  This is a good thing or so you would think.  Apparently, the disciples did not think it was good, nor were they going to let those with children get close enough to Jesus to receive His blessing.  It doesn’t say for sure what the disciples said to the people, but I imagine it was something like: “Jesus is too busy to be bothered with your children” or “Jesus does not have time for kids’ stuff.”

Jesus, on the other hand took time for everyone that came to Him, whether for a blessing, a healing or a casting out some kind evil.  It didn’t matter what a person came to Him for, He always had a plan to get them what they were after.

He does the same thing today.  Mostly, we all need salvation from paying the penalty of our sin and eternal separation from our Father after we leave this world.  Jesus is always ready to rescue us from this world’s hold on our lives.  He is also always ready to answer other requests we have too.  Just like He did for the people that followed Him in His days here in this earth, He still answers our cries now that He is at home with His Father in heaven.  I am so thankful that His does!  As a parent, I often bring my children to Him for His blessing.  I want nothing else but His best plan for them.  His blessing covers it all!  Their health, their well-being, their peace and their longevity.

You can go to Him with anything you are facing today, too.  Whether you are going through a personal crisis or want to have His blessing on your children, you can receive simply by asking.  The only differences from then and now is that He is in heaven and His disciples are not here to stop you from getting to Him.  You have complete access to Him anywhere and anytime.  When you call out to Him in faith, He will always respond.

Today I want to encourage you to call out to Jesus as the answer to your struggles. If you are not currently going through anything, call out to Him for His blessing.  Then bless others by calling on Him in their behalf.  You can bless others as Jesus did, simply by taking them before the Lord in prayer and asking Him.  It is what intercession is all about!  Blessing others by bringing them before the Lord to reach into their lives with His grace.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10 13-16

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 

15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 

16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

In the beginning

But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ Mark 10:6

This is a passage that looks like Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about divorce.  They were trying to trap Him again with their questions, but I believe Jesus is talking about something deeper.  He is talking about God’s original intent for mankind.  He said, “in the beginning they were made one flesh, male and female. (See Gen. 1:27, 2:23) God made Adam and Eve, man and wife.  Everyone after that was to leave (separate from) mother and father to become man and wife.  He started by saying that Moses permitted divorce because of hardened hearts or rebellion against God’s original intent for mankind.  The deeper meaning in this passage is that because of sin, God gave the law to Moses for people to have a standard of what was right and wrong.  The high priest was to make sacrifices for the people’s sin, and it was a provision offered for sin until the time Jesus’ blood was offered up for forgiveness and eradication of all sin.  God’s plan for creation never changed. Even though sin entered into it, God’s will was the same as it was in the beginning. In accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, people are brought back to the place of God’s original plan of Kingdom living.  This doesn’t mean that we never sin again, it simply means that God made provision for us to live in a relationship with Him and to walk out His best plan for our lives in Jesus!

In times past, the Christian church has made it seem like divorce is a sin that cannot be forgiven or at minimum, a divorced person cannot join in the church body of believers.  Yet, even in the law, God made provision for divorce, how much more of a deliverance is available for those who now are in Christ Jesus.  Today, we live in a society that is rampant with divorce and although we know this is not God’s original plan for us, we also know that in Christ Jesus, there is life beyond it. 

Today I want to encourage you to love those who have suffered the pain and heartache of divorce and broken families.  Help them to pick up the pieces by showing them the life that is possible when given to Christ Jesus.  There is a way to get back to God’s original plan for us and that is by receiving the provision He made in Jesus and walking close to Him each day.  Don’t settle for any life less than what God originally planned for you to live, walk in all His goodness and power that He planned for you since the beginning of time.

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark 10:1-12    

1 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.”

Cut it off

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—  Mark 9:43

This scripture has always been a little disturbing to me.  I mean, it seems so harsh to cut off your right hand and extreme for that matter.  Why would you cut off a part of your body?  Why not just remove the sin from your life.  However, now that I understand this passage better, it makes perfect sense to me.  In fact, that is exactly what the message of the verse is.  If you are struggling with a sin that you can’t seem to shake, cut it off!  Cut off all connections with that sin and get as far away from it as you possibly can.  The passage also says that if you are having trouble with what you are looking at, stop looking at it and get it out of your sight.

An example of this may be a toxic relationship that always seems to influence you to activities that you do not want to be involved in?  Cut it off.  Break off that relationship and get far from it.  Until you are strong enough and stable enough to say no to the temptation that come with that friendship, flee from that connection to save your soul.

If you struggle with addictive substances such as drugs or alcohol, cut them off.  Give yourself no access to them and stay far away from people who would try to lure you back in again.

It reminds me of Joseph, when he was pursued by Potiphar’s wife.  He cut that conversation, relationship and coat off as quickly as he could.  He ran out of the place because he knew that was the wrong environment to be in to maintain purity.  This is a perfect example of how we should behave when approached with temptation.  Do not consider, do not count the cost just get away from it even if you have to leave something or everything behind.

James 4:7 gives us the answer to any temptation that comes our way.  It says: Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  When you acknowledge your Heavenly Father in all your ways, you are taking the first step in resisting the enemy and his plans to trap you in a sin that you cannot get away from.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all submit all your thoughts and ways to God.  Then He will strengthen you to resist the devil and his tricks to hold you in bondage to habits and addictions.  Next, cut off all relationships, activities and substances that cause you to stumble.  Cut them off and get far away from them.  The more you stay away, the easier it will be to keep away.  So, the next time your right hand tries to cause you to sin, cut that sin off before it ever happens.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 9:42-50

42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 

43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 

44 where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 

46 where ‘Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’

47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 

48 where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 

50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”