The Daily Dose

Go to Him

Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Mark 5:15

Recently, as I was in prayer, the Lord showed me a picture of what it looks like when we go to Him in prayer with a problem, concern, petition or request.  As I lifted my hands (palms up) in worship, I had a sensing or knowing that this is how it looks when I carry a burden to Him.  When I am praying, I am taking all my cares and all my supplications to Him and laying them down before Him.  When I finish turning the issues over to Him, I pick up the solution that His gives.  Maybe the answer is wait, maybe the answer is “I got this” or maybe the answer is direction for me to follow that will produce a solution.  I know when I am done in prayer because I have peace and resolution.  Now I am thankful and give thanks every time I think about the circumstances again.  I have laid down my trouble and picked up His answer and now I am carrying it back with me into this world.  Even if the situation has not been resolved yet in the natural world, I continue to thank Him because I have that point in time where I remember picking up His provision in prayer.  If I continue to go before Him asking Him to do the same thing I did yesterday, I haven’t really given that struggle over to Him. I am just continuing to carry the burden back and forth. I need to lay it down.

Today’s reading reminded me of this picture.  A man that was possessed by many demons, runs to Jesus at his first opportunity.  The demons are afraid of Jesus and know He is coming to deliver this man that has been plagued by the possession.  The man in himself has not done anything wrong or right but turns toward Jesus the solution.  Jesus recognizes the problem immediately and commands the spirits to leave.  He answers the problem and then the man is delivered and thankful for all that Jesus has done for Him.  Jesus gives Him direction to fix the problem permanently and not leave the same way he initially came to him.

Let me list the steps that this man followed for His deliverance and hope that you can take these actions to receive freedom from whatever is plaguing your life.

1. Run to Jesus with your dilemma.

2. Present/laydown your cares and concerns

3. Ask Him for the answer and remedy.

4. Pick up your peace and assurance that you have given it to God, and He is answering.

5. Take the answer with you by applying it into the natural situation.

6. Thank Him for the results immediately because you have the resolution, and the answer is in the process of showing up in your world.

7. Leave His presence a different way than when you came to Him. Leave in peace.

Today I want to encourage you to take whatever things life is dealing you right now to your loving Father in heaven.  Lay them down before Him and pick up the peace and provisions He is making right now.  Believe in your heart that He wants the situation to come out for your good and everyone involved and thank Him that you now have peace and the steps to take to receive the resolution.  Now when the subject comes up, you are thankful, you have peace and you tell others that you have taken it to God, He is at work, and you trust Him to handle it.  I love when He gives me steps to walk out after because I feel like I have some control and some part to play in the resolving of the situation.  Even if I have to go humbly to someone and apologize or let them know I love them despite the mess they have made.  I am willing to take it on myself to open the door for God to have the greatest victory.  It’s not always about being right, but it is always about making a way for God’s love and answers to get through.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 5:1-20

1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 

2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 

3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 

4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 

7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 

9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 

10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.

11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 

12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 

13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 

15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 

16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 

17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 

19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 

20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

He calms the storm

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”  Mark 4:41

Jesus did several miracles that involved the natural elements during His earthly ministry.  He walked on water, turned water into wine, and He fed a multitude with five loaves and two fish.  The miracle of nature in Mark chapter 4 is when Jesus spoke to the storm and calmed the sea.  The passage starts out by Jesus telling the disciples they were going to cross over the sea to the other side.  On the way there, they encountered a storm and water was filling up the boat.  The disciples tried by themselves to handle the situation but were unsuccessful.  Finally, they called on Jesus who, by the way, was sleeping in the back of the boat, not disturbed at all by the storm.  Jesus got up and spoke to the natural circumstances and the storm was calmed.  After that, the disciples were really afraid because they realized there was an even stronger force in the boat with them than outside of the boat in the natural elements.

Most of us are familiar with this account, but there are a few details that I want to call attention to.  The first is that they were actually experiencing three different storms at the same time.  The first was the outside forces of wind and water. The second was their emotional distress.  Thirdly, they had a spiritual dilemma and began to question where Jesus was in their storm. Jesus gave them His word at the very beginning of the trip that they were going to the other side of the lake.  When the storm came up, the disciples never even considered that Jesus already gave the a “word” and that they would make it to the other side.

Once again, this incident can be compared to any crisis you may be facing.  When you are in a “storm” you navigate through it the best you know how, even though fear threatens to get on you every time you check out the most recent developments of your crisis.  Along with the turmoil, the questions inevitably come “Where is God in all this?”  And like the disciples questioned “Doesn’t He care about my problem?”  The answer to that question is the same answer it was for the disciples.  When they called on Him, He calmed their storm.  We don’t need to wait until our “boat” is full of water, we can call on Him right at the beginning of any struggle.  However, most of the time He will calm our inner storm first.  If the disciples had remembered the word Jesus gave them before they even got into the boat, they would have found peace there.  They could have said to one another, “Don’t worry, Jesus said we were going to the other side.  He doesn’t lie!”

Today I want to encourage you to drop three anchors that you have available to you in whatever storm you are facing.  Cultivate God’s presence through worship!  Spend some time basking in His presence with worship music and lift your hand surrendering every area of your life to Him. Remember the promises He has given you in His Word!  Psalms 119:81 tells us to hope in His word!  Spend as much time (if not more) in God’s Word as you do getting updates on the “storm.”   Understand God’s process . . . He wants to speak peace to your heart in the middle of the storm.  Romans 5 says our trouble is producing something in us.  The crisis is not for building your character, it is for revealing where you need to grow and to strengthen your character.  Cooperate with God’s process and what He is accomplishing inside of you during this “storm.”  Now there is room for peace right in the middle of the chaos!

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark 4:35-41

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 

36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 

38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Recognize your harvest

“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:29

This is a puzzle to me, because I am not a farmer, but how do you know when a harvest is ready?  I know that if it is fruit, you want to get it before it falls to the ground, but not too much before that because it will not be ready yet.  When we plant tomatoes, I watch them very closely when it is time to pick them because I want them to be ready to eat when we bring them in.  I look at the color, the size and the how easily they will come off the vine.  There are many variables, but a farmer knows from past experience and from studying the laws of nature when his crop is ready to be harvested. He also knows what he will harvest because he know what he planted.

It’s a little different in the spirit world.  We, as people, are continually planting seeds with our words and our actions.  Galatians 6:7 says Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  Whatever you are planting is what you will be seeing as a harvest.  So, if you show kindness to all people, you are planting kindness and hospitality.  If you are impatient and angry with others, you are planting hostility.  If you are giving to others at every opportunity you have, you will see the harvest of abundance.  Likewise, if you are always holding out and looking for ways to get things out of others, you will see a harvest of shortage and scarcity.

There is good news today, and it is that you get to choose what you sow.  Just like the farmer decides what he wants to plant in the ground to eat or feed his livestock with, you get to decide what you will harvest by the words and actions you plant.  The best way to ensure a plentiful and good crop is to line your words and actions up with God’s.  He has created this world with natural laws, but He also set up many spiritual laws also.  Reaping what you sow is one of them.  This takes all the mystery out of why aren’t people being nice to me or why do I always get promoted in the job I do?  Its because you are harvesting your actions and words to others. God’s words and directions are the seed that will yield the greatest harvest in your life. Learn them and do them and when the day is done, you can expect to see goodness in your tomorrows.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to look at your harvests.  What are you seeing in abundance?  Do you experience favor and grace from others or do you feel uneasy and tension from those you meet?  Then take a look at your own behavior and access the seeds/actions you are planting.  Decide today to sow grace, kindness, love, encouragement, and peace, and watch for your harvest to return 100-fold back to you for all your days.

Today’s reading Mark 4:26-34

26 And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 

27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 

28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 

29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 

31 It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 

32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 

34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Is a little enough?

“Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.”   Mark 4:24

Is a little bit of God’s Word enough?  Is a little bit of God’s presence enough?  What about a little bit of the news or a little bit of social media?  I am speaking in context to what is going on in the world today.  My real question is, what are you feeding your spirit?

Let’s take a look at today’s key verse in context of our world’s current crisis.  Are we following this advice or rather command given in this verse?  Jesus says pay attention to what you are listening to and focusing on.  Are you focusing and giving all your attention to the current condition of the world and the fear that goes along with it?  He says to the same degree or amount of time you spend looking at the situation, that is the amount of resulting fear/concern you will have connected to the situation.  The opposite is also true.  The amount of time and focused energy you spend looking into God’s Word and thoughts on life in general, is the same amount of His peace, grace, and goodness you will be given and carry with you to share with others.

The main question is:  Is a little time with God enough?  Is giving just a little bit of attention to God enough to get you through this crisis?  At minimum, we should at least give God the same amount of time, thought, and attention as we give to the news, media, and general commentary of the world’s predicaments.  In reality, we should be shutting out the world’s fears and anxieties.  They don’t know where their help comes from, but we do and that is who we want to give our attention to.  I’m not saying we need to be uninformed, but I am saying we don’t need to be afraid.  Our God is bigger, our God is stronger, and our God is more than enough to get us through to victory.  However, if we don’t make our God the priority, He will become smaller in our life, and the way of the world and all of its fear will become bigger.

This is the time to shine our light.  These are dark days.  We knew they would come.  It is not a surprise to us.  Jesus told us the times are getting darker.  However, that means we have the opportunity to shine the light brighter.  There is hope in these dark circumstances and we need to be the ones speaking that hope.  Don’t speak the same words of the media or any of the lost world’s views, speak God’s Word and speak God’s wisdom.  There is hope and let’s be happy to share it.  God loves all people, and He sent His Son to die for all to prove it.  God’s love is where our peace, healing, and hope is, and His Word confirms it!

Today I want to encourage you to get more of God in your life.  Don’t settle for just a little.  Determine to spend more time looking at what God says about these days than what the world says.  Look up scriptures on hope, peace, healing, and God’s goodness.  God is not trying to be far away from us, He wants us to get closer to Him not further away.  Press into God!  Take heed and pay attention to what He is saying and turn down the voice of the world.  The bottom line is do you want more peace, or do you want more anxiety?  You have the choice, and it is in Who you are heeding the most.  What are you going to focus on?

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark 4:21-25

21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 

22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 

25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Water with praise

The sower sows the word. Mark 4:14

This passage is the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds.  At the beginning of Mark 4, Jesus told a parable about a farmer that went out to plant his crop.  He said some of the seeds fell by the wayside.  Apparently while the farmer was going to where he intended to plant his crop, some of the seed fell along the way.  Some also fell on stony and rocky ground.  Then some fell in the thorns and thistles.  However, the only crop that produced fruit was the seed that was intentionally planted in well prepared ground.  It is also important to note that the seed planted in good ground did not yield at the same rate.  Some produced 30, some 60 and only some 100.  What made the difference?

In today’s reading, Jesus explains the teaching on sowing seed.  He starts by telling the disciples that the seed is the word.  He is talking about God’s word, but I want to take it a step further and say it is God’s word of purpose on an individual’s life.

This is something the Lord showed me recently when I was going through a rough season.  During that time, I felt unmotivated and uninspired to pursue the things God has called me to do.  I began to question why am I doing these things, and does it even matter or make a difference in anyone’s life?  The stress I was feeling from personal circumstances was pulling me down and taking over the desires of my heart.  I was still spending time with God and praying about the crisis, but I was not feeling any relief or peace about any part of my life.

When I read Jesus’ explanation of the parable, I was reminded about this struggle that I had just come out of. I remembered how He had shown me that the tribulations, persecutions, cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things are all distractions of the enemy designed to knock me off course.  These were working hard to get me there.  Then as I was driving one day a song came on and I began to praise and worship my Father for His ability and faithfulness to take care of the distracting situation and keep me on course with Him.  By the time the song was over, I was refreshed, I was renewed, and I was restored.  I felt the peace of God come over me and He once again established the desire of my heart to continue in the good plans He has called me to. It was like fresh water on the dry ground of my heart. That praise turned the dryness of my life into a flowing river of joy because of the things God was doing at that time.

Today I want to encourage you to watch over the seed of God’s word of purpose for your life.  Be attentive to nurture and care for the plans He has laid out for you.  Don’t let the cares and concerns of problems derail you from the path of righteousness that you have been called to.  Then remember to water the seed of those words regularly with praise and thanksgiving for Who He is and what He has done and is doing right now in your life.  Access the areas that you feel weak in and put some extra “water” of praise and worship in those places.  Soon you will see results jump from 30 – 100-fold because you did not let the distractions of life uproot you or choke your harvest before it was ready.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 4:14-25

14 The sower sows the word. 

15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 

16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 

17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 

18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 

19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 

22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 

23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 

25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Soil analysis

“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:20

I love the stories Jesus told.  They were more than just stories though, they were parables.   Absolute truths in this world that line up with God’s Kingdom’s principles.  He gave pictures that were so wisely given they were not only relevant in the day He taught them in person, but they are timeless.  Throughout all time, they could be understood by any generation because the subjects He used were things that never change.

In Mark 4 He gives a parable about a sower/planter planting seed (a farmer).  We can understand seed today, because a seed has been the same since the beginning of time here on earth.  You plant it and it grows.  What’s interesting about this parable is in verse 13 of Mark 4, Jesus tells His disciples that if they can’t understand the meaning of the “Sower sows the word” parable, then they wouldn’t be able to understand any of His teachings by parable.  So, this is foundational insight into the kingdom of heaven way of living above your circumstances.

What I want to draw out of this teaching is the point that Jesus made throughout the entire teaching that the seed was the same (the Word of God) but the ground that seed was planted in made all the difference in how the seed would grow.  It was a perfect parallel of how a seed grows in the earth.  Wayside, stony, and thorny/weedy ground are not where an experienced farmer plants.  He plants in the ground that has been cultivated and well prepared to receive the seed.

I think this is Jesus’ point in the story that before we can plant the Word of God into other people effectively, we have to prepare the ground of their heart, first of all with prayer, then with God’s love and grace.  We live in a broken world with broken people who are desperately seeking love and hope. Sometimes people we meet are not lovely because of being beaten up so badly by the world.  Others may be beautiful and look like they have it all together, but underneath it all they have hard and cold hearts of stone that need softened with the love of God.   Allow the Holy Spirit to break up the hard, fallow ground in the hearts of those around you as you build a relationship of trust and integrity with them. Then when the ground of their heart is ready, you can plant the seed of God’s Word and it will grow up some thirty, some sixty and some a hundredfold.

Today I want to encourage you to start with your own heart.  If the seeds of God’s Word seem to bounce off or blow away right after you hear them, then take time to prepare and cultivate the ground of your own heart.  Break up that fallowness by basking in the love of God today.  Spend some time in praise and worship. Then when you are renewed in the spirit of the things God has for you, you can spend time reading, meditating, and planting God’s Word permanently in your heart.  It will generate life-giving energy that will give you a whole new outlook in your life!  Now you are ready to share it with other!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 4:1-13

1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 

2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:

3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 

4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. 

5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 

6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 

7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 

8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

9 And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. 

11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 

12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”

13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 

Do His will

For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Mark 3:35

God wanted a family.  It was in His heart before He created the world and the universe.  He carefully planned it all out, and then He planned a path for each individual that belonged to Him.  He gave us all an ability, and with that a place to use that ability to bring others to Him.  He made it plain and clear that Jesus is the only way, but Jesus gives us some insight into how we can identify where we stand as a born again believer.

In today’s reading, Jesus’ natural family comes to see Him.  He was teaching in a crowd of people, so they could not get to Him, but they got the message to Him that they were outside seeking Him.  Then Jesus clearly spelled out who His mother, brothers and sisters were and are still today.  He said whoever does God’s will is My brother, sister and mother.

How is that working out for you?  Are you following the will of God?  Are you walking out the plans He created you for? Do you live your life by the principles He established at the beginning of time?  This is not where your salvation is found, but it is how you fit into His family.  His plan for your life will be the place where you are contributing to His kingdom, not just the world’s kingdom.  Sure, we contribute to the good of our society by being a working-class, law-abiding citizen, but that it not who we really are, we are God’s family and as His family, we are empowered to humbly overcome through His Word and through His Spirit.

 Today I want to encourage you to take a look at how you are blessed in your life and how that blessing is there for you to reach the world around you.  Don’t consume it all on your own lusts and desires and don’t be distracted by the cares and attractions that the world has.  Surrender it over to the Lord for the use of God’s kingdom’s progress.  Complete the mission He has for you today and for your life while you are here in this world.  In this way, you will live out the full number of your days and be known as His brother, sister or mother.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 3:31-35

31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 

32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”

33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 

34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! 

35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

Divided or United

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. Mark 3:24

In today’s reading, Jesus was being accused of working for the devil because He was casting out devils.  He tells the people there a parable about binding and plundering the strong man before you plunder his house, but He started by saying a kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand.

This statement is true on every level.  Whether it is Satan’s domain or an earthly kingdom.  Unless a country is united and in agreement in laws and spirit, it will not last through the divisions.

It is the same in God’s Kingdom and although we know in heaven, there is total agreement and His Kingdom rules overall, His kingdom in this world is a little shaky.  Yes, the church body widely sends missionaries around the world to get the message of salvation to all, and we all worship the one true God in heaven.  It gets a little unstable when we argue over doctrines and procedures.  Many denominations raise these issues above the more important issue of Jesus and His provision of salvation and love for all people.

Jesus said on many occasions that He desired mercy/compassion over rules.  His focus was always reaching to hurting people and He always started with love for others wherever He was.  This is where our focus as a body of believers needs to be.  We do not need to watch and criticize how other congregations love and worship God and we do not need to govern the actions of other denominations to gage their spirituality.  Yes, our actions are important, but what is most essential is that we are walking in the action of love toward all people including our brothers and sisters in the LORD.

Today I want to encourage you to walk in agreement.  Live your life in agreement with God’s Word and walk out your days in accordance with His love.  When all believers of Salvation in Christ Jesus come together, the enemy will not be able to bind the strong church and the gates of hell will never prevail with divisions and disunity.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 3:20-30

20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 

21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”

23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 

24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 

25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 

26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 

27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 

29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”— 

30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

I want to invite you all to the first digital edition of VOICES Magazine.  Select the link below to connect to the Home page of our online platform, VOICESMag.net.  We are excited to share with you on the subject of serving others in this issue.  Choose from your favorite writers on the article page and read their latest contribution.  We not only have new content for you this quarter, but we also have some new writers.

Check out the Limited Edition section as we welcome Lauren Nussbaumer who has agreed to stay on with a teacher’s perspective in the coming issues.  Our mission focus this quarter is a ministry in Cranberry Township, PA called Help Your Neighbor.  Thank you, Sarah Grayson for your submission about local outreach.

Lastly, our invitation article is the first online submission all the way from Monrovia, Liberia.  We are so excited that the digital platform has opened up, not only a who new audience for us, but also an endless supply of writers and testimonies to be shared.

Please take some time to enjoy the spring quarter of VOICES Magazine and when you are finished,  share the content with someone who may need an encouraging “voice” in their life today.

Love to VOICES readers everywhere,

Lynette Lyden VOICES Magazine Coordinator

https://www.voicesmag.net

Jesus was in a small group

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, Mark 3:14

Who are you walking through life with?  Your family?  Close friends?  Church members?  Hopefully we all have loved ones that we connect with day to day.  Jesus gave us the example of walking through life with others in His concept of small groups.  He chose twelve men to walk through life with to lead, teach, encourage, build up, and serve.

Today’s scripture starts with Jesus choosing His twelve disciples/apostles.  This became His small group.  Actually, it was God’s small group because He gave Jesus the direction to choose a core group to do life and ministry with.  In this small group, Jesus taught these men for three years and He walked through life with them. They not only served in Jesus’ ministry, but they served each other including Jesus as their leader.  Their connection became so great that after Jesus left, the disciples picked up where he left off and continued that ministry and it goes on even today.  Jesus needed this group so that the message of salvation would be spread, after He was gone to be with His Father.

The small group concept continued after Jesus’ resurrection when the New Testament church began having meetings in their homes.  They could not go to the synagogue to meet and talk about Jesus without seriously offending someone, so they met daily with each other to care for and served one another.

Over the years the church has grown and become one of the largest organizations in the entire world.  Since the local church has grown and our focus in life tends to get distracted with keeping up in the world, it seems like this is a good time to reestablish small groups for accountability and support.  Even though you may have members of your church that you are close to, small groups are a way to get new believers connected so they don’t fall away when pressure comes.  Small groups can also become community outreach groups and neighborhood support groups.  It is an excellent way to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world!

Today I want to encourage you if you are not part of a small group, get involved with one.  If you don’t know how or where, maybe start one of your own.  You can start a Bible study group, an activity group (hiking, golfing) or a community service group.  If you are new in the faith, ask the person who led you to Jesus if they would be willing to co-lead a group with you to keep you on track as you learn.  When leading an activity or serving group, it can be more about the project or activity, just make sure to include a time of prayer, prayer requests, and some discussion of what life is dealing to people in the group.  You can do some scripture encouragement and some worship, too.  There is really no set structure, just so the focus is connecting closely with others and walking through life together.  Remember this is God’s group, you are only leading or participating in His group.  Make Him the focus and encourage all who join to walk closer with Him and other people.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 3:13-19

13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 

14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 

15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 

16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; 

17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 

18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 

19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.