The Daily Dose

He is the God of the living!

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”  Mark 12:27

Some people, believe in God, but they think His love and grace is only for after you leave this world.  Others believe that God’s Salvation through Jesus is only to secure our future with Him after we die.  However, that is just not the case!  God is the God of right now.  He is the Father of those living in this world in the here and now. Those who have made a place for Him in their life.  In fact, when God spoke to Moses in the Old Testament from the burning bush, He told Moses “I am” to let Moses know that He is the God of this present moment, not someday far and away.

In today’s reading, the Sadducees brought a scenario to Jesus about what would happen to a person that was married after they died. This group of religious leaders did not even believe there was a resurrection, but because they wanted to trap Jesus into giving an answer that would condemn Himself, so they posed the question to Him.  Jesus told them they were wrong, in fact He told them they were greatly wrong.  God is not the God of the dead, but for all of us living in the world right now.  When you die, you will go to be with Him in heaven if you know Him personally, but you will be made whole and live with Him for all eternity. Again alive not dead.

Here are just a few scriptures confirming that He is the God that is with you in this present world.  The God of the right now and the God you can trust your life to in these crazy days that we live in.

Psalm 91:15-16 – He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

Exodus 33:14 – And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Psalms 16:8 – I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Deuteronomy 31:8 – And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Today I want to encourage you to press into the God of your salvation.  His presence is here right now and His Spirit lives on the inside of every born-again believer.  He wants you to know His goodness and He wants you to know He is with you always.  Trust Him today to empower you to overcome every obstacle that comes your way and follow in the direction that He is leading.  He is the God of those living right now and we can share His goodness wherever we are.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 12:18-27

18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 

19 “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 

20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 

21 And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 

22 So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 

23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.”

24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 

25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 

26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”

His Image Inside of You

So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.  Mark 12:16-17

Have you ever thought about the image that is inside of you?  We look in mirrors to see our outside appearance, but what is mirroring our inside.  Surprisingly, the answer is simple.  It is what we are taking in through our surroundings each day.  What are we looking at and listening to?  These are the things that are growing our inside (image) person/spirit.

In today’s scripture, Jesus is answering a question the Pharisees asked to try, once again, to trap Him.  His answer is profound and goes deeper than they expected.  He said: “Your money has Caesar’s image on it, so it already belongs to him.  There is no dispute about giving it back to him if he requires it because it’s already his.” Then Jesus goes on with the thought and says, “but, there is something more important you should consider.  What is more important is what God has put His image on, that belong to God.  You should be more concerned with giving back to God what belongs to Him.”  I, like the Pharisees, have always been focused on the tax issue when reading this passage, but I realized that Jesus’ focus was different.   What is really important is what are we doing with God’s things that He gives us?”  Most importantly, that would be ourselves and the image of God we were created in.

The image of God inside of each one of us is the place to focus our growing efforts.  So how do we do that?  Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world (influenced to be like), but be transformed (changed from the world’s image to God’s image) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (accomplish God’s plan for you in this world).”

The first place to start when renewing your mind to be transformed is our influences.  What are we looking at and listening to each day?  It is not possible to be in the world and not hear and see what is going on around you.  It is possible that you purposefully pour the things of God inside of you to be stronger than the thoughts, ideas and attitudes of the world.  You make the decision –   Do you reflect the image of God or the image of the world? 

Today I want to encourage you to make a fresh start by growing the image of God on the inside.  Purpose to put the ways of God into your heart everyday by spending time reading and meditating on His word.  Talk to Him about the plans and thoughts He has for you.  Make the decision to step up your walk with God and take a step away from the world’s way of thinking.  Make God’s image on you be the #1 priority in your day, then you will have perfect vision for the future!

Today’s scripture reading:  Mark12:13-17

13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 

14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 

15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 

16 So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

What will you do with Jesus

Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone? Mark 12:10

We all will face this same question at some point during our lifetime.  What will we do with Jesus?  Will we surrender our will and lives over to Him and invite Him to be our Lord and Savior?  Or will we reject and ignore the longing of our heart to be connected to Him and find the real reason we were born into existence?

Throughout the scriptures the Hebrew people were faced with the dilemma of following God’s way or living like the other nations.  God sent people to the people to steer them in the right direction, but many were rejected by their generation.  Prophets, kings and priests gave warnings and rebukes to encourage the Hebrew nation to follow God’s designed planned to living on this earth.

In today’s reading, Jesus told the Pharisee’s of His day a story symbolizing the rejection of God’s ambassadors.  He told them how many were sent to do the work of the Lord, but were rejected, beaten and some even killed by the authorities of the day.  Lastly, Jesus told them about the Master sending His only Son, the heir, hoping that He would be respected.  Only to find out that He was despised and put to death, greater than all the others that were sent.  The passage says that the Pharisee’s knew He was talking about them, but they still wanted to lay hands on Him instead of surrendering to God.  So sad that they were given so many opportunities to follow the path of righteousness but rejected it every time.

What about you?  How many times have you had the opportunity to surrender your life to Jesus and follow His blessed way?  He will continue to call no matter how long you reject Him.  Not because He wants to punish or shame you, but because He loves you and gave His life for yours.  He paid the penalty for your sin, so you never have to.  He doesn’t want you to die in your sin and spend an eternity paying the price that He already paid for you.  His love can bring peace into your world, His love will bring healing to your relationships and His love will cleanse you from every wrong you have ever done and every hurt you have ever experienced.  His path is the blessed way of living.  He has the secrets to successful living in this world because He designed it and set up the order for it to prosper.

Today I want to encourage you to ask yourself what am I doing with Jesus?  Have you taking the opportunity to invite Him into your life to lead you in His perfect place for you?  I can promise you it will be a greater life than you could ever plan for yourself.  Maybe you have already invited Him in, but haven’t really surrendered to His place and purpose?  Trust Him today to walk out each day of your life to the fullest!  Only then will you find the greatest joy in living your days and only then will you have great success.

Pray a prayer like this today, Jesus will come into your life and turn you in a direction of the greatest adventure you will ever experience while you are living here:  Jesus, I invite you into my life today.  Take the things that I have accomplished so far and turn them to something of purpose of impacting others.  I surrender my will and my life and ask you to forgive my sin and cleanse me from every stain and pain.  From this day forward I receive all things new and believe by faith that you will empower me to walk out the rest of my days in the plan for which I was born to fulfill.  In Jesus name: Amen!

You are now a child of God!  Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

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

1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 

2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 

3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 

4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 

5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 

6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 

7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 

8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 

10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

You don’t HAVE to answer every question

So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Mark 11:33

Have you ever felt interrogated?  Like you were being pressed for answers to questions you didn’t want to talk about or explain to someone.  How about being pressured to give answers on a confidential matter?  Have you ever been tempted to cover something up because you didn’t know how to explain without revealing things you know should not be revealed?  Sometimes we feel the need to make excuses and even lie about something just because someone is pushing us when really, we are not accountable to them at all.

In today’s scripture, Jesus was being questioned by the Pharisees about where He got His authority to do good works and miraculous works.  Instead of saying that He got it from God or His Father in heaven, He answers the question with a question of His own.  He didn’t feel any pressure at all to answer their inquiry.  These were the priest and elders of the day.  The ones that were in charge of the rules and regulations, so certainly they felt they were entitled to some answers.  However, Jesus wasn’t doing anything wrong or breaking any of the law. Instead of answering their questions, Jesus negotiated with them by asking a tough question of His own.  Not because He was being arrogant or rebellious, but rather because He knew there was no right answer that would satisfy them.  If He told them the truth, they would call Him a blasphemer and He wasn’t about to lie or make something up.  He just told them, “No, I’m not going to answer your questions either.”

The point is that it is ok not to answer every question or you don’t have to feel pressure to and be defensive with an immediate answer.  You can take your time and consider wisdom.  What will help in the situation and what will encourage the hearing rather than come off as an offense.  You can have the perfect answer by taking a minute and asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom in that moment.  He always has it and He wants to give it to you to share.

Today I want to encourage you the next time you feel hard pressed to give answers to ask three questions in that moment.  Do I really need to answer this inquisition?  Is there a question I can ask in return to eliminate excuses?  What is the wise response to this pressure?  Then listen to the response that comes from your heart.  You don’t have to prove anything and don’t let pride be your automatic.  Press into wisdom and grace in every situation and insert goodness into the uncomfortable and stress filled circumstances.  You will deflate your accuser every time and bring peace in the process.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:27-33

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 

28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 

30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

32 But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 

33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Take a step up!

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  Mark 11:25 & 26

Today I want look at verses 25-26 in Mark 11 where Jesus continues His “having an effective faith life” message.  So, after He talked about mountain moving faith it looks like He changes the subject to forgiveness, but before He talks about forgiving, He says when you’re “standing” in prayer, don’t forget about forgiving.  It looks like prayer and forgiving others are connected.  Many times, I have started out praying by confessing and asking forgiveness, but this passage takes it a step further. Jesus said I should examine my heart for unforgiveness first.

In Luke 17:1-5 Jesus’ disciples ask Him how many times they were to forgive someone who offended them.  Peter thought he was being super spiritual by saying “seven times?”  Jesus’ response was seventy times seven.  The disciples were astonished at His answer and said, “LORD, increase our faith!”  In other words, they were saying, this is unheard of.  We need to hear more about how to do that.  So, Jesus unpacks it by talking about the requirement of a servant.  He basically says to forgive is an act of obedience and faith that is a minimum requirement for believers.

To this I say . . . “LORD, increase my faith!”  Previously, I thought that forgiving others was for me so that I could be internally healed and release the toxic feelings of hurt that were caused by offense.  However, after considering this passage, the LORD showed me that forgiveness has nothing to do with my feelings or healing.  Rather it is a choice that requires a step of faith to be effective in my prayer life.  Like every other faith decisions we make in life, the step of faith leads, then the feelings follow.

Some time ago the LORD showed me an area where I needed to take a step of faith and forgive someone.  My response was, “Yes, I forgive them.  I just never want to see them or think about them ever again!”  That’s when He showed me that forgiveness is an act of love and after I have truly forgiven someone, love should fill my heart.  I said, “LORD, increase my faith!”  That was not my idea of forgiveness.  I thought forgive and forget was a great act of faith.  If I was willing to forgive and let it go that should be celebrated.  But that’s not what Jesus did.  He forgave me and Love flooded His heart for me.  I was broken, unclean, and hopeless.  Forgiveness to Him meant that He picked me up out of a pit and took me in and made me His very own child.  The least I can do is forgive and love all others that He also forgives and loves.

This is way beyond me and my way of thinking.  He didn’t take my sin as an offense toward Him but as a cry for help.  I needed a Savior to forgive me and cleanse me.  In Jesus’ willingness to be obedient to pay the price for my sin and forgive me, He became the vessel that God could reach through to get to me.  In the same way, when we truly forgive others instead of taking on the hurt feelings or grudges or even indifference, only then can God reach through us to the person who has done the wrong.  That is why the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:32 to “forgive others, in the same way that God in Christ Jesus forgave you.”

So today, when offenses come (and they will) let the love of God fill your heart and recognize it as an opportunity to show compassion.  Begin to see hurts and offenses as a cry for help that someone is displaying and allow your act of forgiveness to open the door for God to reach through.  Then watch His love for others fills your heart and life to the point that you want to see them all reached! God is working through your step of faith to forgive to get the greatest victory in the situation.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 11:20-26

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.

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Believe you Receive

“Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”  Mark 11:24

Here is another part of “mountain moving” faith.  Believing you receive when you pray.  Have you ever found yourself praying the same things over and over and not seeing the desired results?  Today, I want to focus on this verse in Mark 11:24 that says to believe you receive WHEN you pray. 

I used to find myself asking God for the same things every day, kind of like hoping/wishing something would happen.  But one day I noticed in this scripture that I am to believe I receive it . . .  when I pray it, not when I see the results.  It’s like what we read earlier in Mark 11 when Jesus spoke to the fig tree.  He spoke the word over the tree but there was no immediate evidence on the outside that anything had happen.  Jesus didn’t stand there at the tree and keep speaking or praying until He “saw” something happening.  He went on His way and “believed He received”.  The next day they saw the results.  Jesus words went to the root of the tree and began to work immediately. On the outside there was no sign of anything happening, but as soon as He spoke, things began to happen beneath the surface.

It’s the same thing with us. When we pray to God, we instantly release the request into God’s hands.  Now He is working on it, this is when we start believing.  Whether it takes a few days, a few months or even a few years, we know God is working on it.  Now it is time to start thanking Him for His promise and that He is working on every detail of our concern/prayer.  God is so good and loves each one of us so much.  He looks forward to taking care of our petition.  Nothing is too big for Him!

Psalms 138:8 says, “The LORD will perfect what concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”  I like to look at it in the same way I would do with my own children.  If they have a problem and ask for help, sometimes I can fix it immediately and sometimes it may take a while.  But I go to work on it right away because I want to help them to overcome and be successful in everything they do. 

Today I want to encourage you to believe you receive WHEN you pray.  Recognize that your answer has started at the root of the issue and is working its way to the surface.  Now, you know He is at work on the issue, and you can begin to thank God for working on your requests and that your answer is on the way!  Lastly, enjoy the process as you walk step by step, getting closer with Him along the way!

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.

Speak to the Mountain 2

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

Yesterday I talked about speaking to your mountains with the promises God gave in His Word, but today I want to talk about the rest of this verse in Mark 11.  The verse says you cannot doubt in your heart and you must believe the things you say will be done.  This doesn’t seem too hard on the surface.  Number one: You can have no doubt.  That is no doubt in the Word of God.  So the first place to start is to decide that God’s Word (the Holy Bible) is the final and ultimate authority in your life.  If you have doubts in God’s Word, you certainly cannot speak it confidently. 

Secondly, you must believe the things you are saying will be done.  That is when you speak the promise of God over a situation, you have to believe that God will fulfill that promise that He has already made.  You can’t think in your heart maybe this will work or maybe it won’t.  Or maybe God will keep this promise or maybe this promise isn’t for me.  You have to know and believe God and His Word.  This was Huge for me, because I know God can do what He says, but I didn’t know how to be sure He would do it for me.  This is why spending personal quiet time with God each day is so important.  You begin to learn the character and integrity of God and His Word then top that off with His love and faithfulness.  Rise up to believe He will do exactly what He said and did for His people in His Word.  You can trust God to Keep His Word.

Isaiah 55:11 says God’s Word goes from His mouth; and will not return void (without results), but it will be accomplished (fulfilled).

So when you are going through something, ask God to give you a scripture or “word” to speak over that mountain of circumstances because when He puts that word in your heart and reminds you about what His Word says, you have confidence that you can take hold of that Word and believe that it will come to pass because it came directly to you through the Holy Spirit.

Today I want to encourage you to take time to examine your heart and ask yourself, Do I really believe this Word from God or do I have any doubts about it?  If you do find a glimmer of doubt, draw that out and ask God for the assurance and confidence in your relationship with Him to believe all that He has for you. Your relationship will grow very deep as you remove all doubt and unbelief from your heart and step into that place of trusting every Word He has spoken.

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.

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.