The Daily Dose

Our Shepherd   

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.  Mark 6:34

This passage makes me think of the 23^rd Psalm because it says that the Lord Jesus is our Shepherd.  However, in today’s passage, Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd at all.  He immediately rose up to take that flock as His own because He saw their need and loved them.

How did He know they had no shepherd?  The first thing that was obvious to Him was that they were trying to follow Him even when He had to leave.  Have you ever had a pet that tried to follow you ever where you went?  Even when you told them to “stay!”  they just wanted to be with you.  That’s kind of the way it was when Jesus wanted to step away from the people to rest and refresh, they figured out a way to be with Him.

He also saw that they were hungry for His message and miracles because they were not getting them from a shepherd that they didn’t have.  Lastly, they were unsettled.  These people that were following Jesus were restless and looking for answers.  Jesus began to teach them and meet their needs wherever He went.

Today we know we have a Shepherd, and He is the good Shepherd.  When we trust in Him and follow His direction, we have no want for any other shepherd.  We will not be chasing or seeking someone for the latest “prophecy” or hyped-up message.  We will be satisfied to stay close to Him and let His provision of green pastures, still waters and rest restore our soul.  We will fear no evil if we have to walk through a valley because our Shepherd is with us.  And we know He will always comfort us because He keeps guard and protects with His rod and staff.  He even prepares a message of hope and peace for us to encourage and inspire us even in the presence of our enemy and disappointments. He anoints us with oil until our cup runs over.  His goodness and mercy chase after us all the days of our lives here in this world and when it is all done, we will live with our good Shepherd and Lord forever and ever. (Psalms 23) 

Today’s scripture reading Mark 6:30-44

30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 

31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 

32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 

34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 

35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 

36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.”

37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 

40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 

41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 

42 So they all ate and were filled. 

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 

44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

            Peer Pressure

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.  Mark 6:17

Have you ever felt pressured to do something you didn’t want to do?  Something that a friend or co-worker was pushing you to.  Maybe gossip or go behind someone’s back?  Maybe it was something worse like breaking the law or even crossing over one of your own personal boundaries.

Today’s scripture is probably the worst case of peer pressure in the bible.  The verse says that King Herod wanted to protect John the Baptist and that he personally held him in high regard.  However, he was convinced to have John executed because of an open promise he made in front of many witnesses and not just any witnesses, they were his high officers and the most important men of his region.  He felt so much pressure to not only impress them, but also to show his power that it cost the life of one of God’s prophets.

I always thought this was a demonic demonstration by King Herod, but instead it was just a king feeling the pressure of “important” people to do what they wanted and not what was the right thing to do. 

Pressure from our peers is something that we all feel.  Whether it is to go along with something they think or believe just so we can fit it or go along with them someplace where we shouldn’t be going.  It seems it is so much easier today than ever to cross the lines.

So, what is the solution?  First of all, setting boundaries and submitting your life and your day to God first thing each morning.  Asking your Father in heaven to protect you against the pressures of those around you and empowering you to walk away from groups that have pressured you in the past.  Make a fresh break from the influences that you know you are susceptible to, especially those who are not walking in the same direction that you are.

Today I want to encourage you to surrender all your thoughts, attitudes and actions over to your heavenly Father.  Set up a guard over your habits and decisions.  Make note of areas where you have compromised in the past and feel you may still be weak in and set up boundaries way before you get to the point of caving under pressure.  You may have to cut back on social media time or chatting at the “water cooler” at work, but you will not be missing anything.  Most of all, make the decision that you are going to walk out God’s plan for you life and not the plan of the ones trying to influence you.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 6:14-30

14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 

17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 

18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 

20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 

22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 

23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 

27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 

28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 

29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Shake it off

And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”  Mark 6:11

I talked about offense yesterday and how the people of Jesus’ hometown were offended because they thought they know who Jesus was. They were not willing to admit that they could have been wrong or that maybe there was something they didn’t know about Him.

We have many opportunities in life to become offended and we often take them.  Maybe because of something that was said, or maybe it was something that wasn’t said.  Usually, we become offended because of some action that someone did that we didn’t feel was appropriate or the “right” thing to do.

Today’s scripture is the answer and solution to when we are tempted to get offended.  Jesus told the disciples to go out into other cities and minister there by giving them power.  He told them not to take any provisions with them and trust that the people being ministered to would take care of them.  Then He tells them that if their message and power they offered were not received, don’t hold on to hurt feelings and disappointments but shake it off and it would be a testimony against them.

That is what we must do when offense or any hurt and bitter feelings try to take over our heart, shake it off.  Of course, this is easier said than done.  As I said earlier, I was heading in the direction of offense and didn’t even realize it until days later.  So, the first step to staying out of offense is to recognize when the temptation is coming.  Although offense is very subtle, you can recognize its symptoms right from the beginning.  First peace will leave your heart and you begin thinking about the situation almost continuously.  Fear will settle in, and you begin to wonder why this happened and how could someone be that way?  Then you will begin to rally those closest to you around your hurt feeling by telling them the situation which ultimately results in complaining about and criticizing those involved.  Most times when you are getting offended, you do not want to go right to God with the subject, you want to examine it from every angle first.

After you have set these warning signs in place and use these feelings as an alarm to alert you when you are stepping toward the bait of offense, the first step is to go to God and get your peace back.  Then ask for the power to shake off the resentment and disappointment that was trying to trip you up. Wait there until you have received that release. Then thank your Father in heaven for empowering to stay away from offense and keep love in your heart.

Today I want to encourage you to shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against whatever and whoever is bringing an offense toward you.  Set the boundaries and use the feelings that come in when you are turning toward offense as a warning to you to go to your heavenly Father instead.  Ask Him to forgive you and whoever has hurt you and then ask for the power to shake these feeling off and get your peace back.  Offense is a trap, and the good news is you can escape it and avoid it.  By talking to God first and staying there until you have release. Then you can stay out of the enemy plan to snare you in those ugly bitter feelings of being offended.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 6:7-13

7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 

8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— 

9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 

11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Unbelief

And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:6

Nothing stops the power of God in a life faster than unbelief.  Unbelief is nothing more than doubt and fear.  When you doubt something is true and question its authenticity or are afraid that something is too good to be true or even might not be, you are in unbelief.

In today’s reading, the passage says that Jesus could do no mighty work in His hometown.  I used to believe it was because there was no work to be done there.  That His hometown did not have a need for Jesus’ miracles.  That was just not the case.  Everyone needs Jesus in their life, its the reason He came in the first place. The scripture goes on to say in the very next verse that it was because the people did not believe Him because they thought they already knew who He was.  In verse 3 the passage says the people of His hometown were offended.

Offense is the root cause of unbelief, so it is the one thing that can hold back the power of God in our lives today.  Offense becomes an instant barrier in our connection with God.  When we are offended, it begins to take over our thoughts and our heart.  It essentially tries to step into first place in our lives.  We become preoccupied with the ideas of: how could this happen and why did this happen?  Even thoughts like: that is not right and I don’t deserve this.  We begin to think: I would have done it different, and someone else should make this right.

Even now as I am writing this, I realize that I have recently been offended.  I didn’t even realize it was happening, but I became preoccupied with a situation and mostly I was offended because I could not know the circumstances surrounding it.  It was a confidentiality issue that I felt should have been given an explanation, but there was none to be found.  It festered in me for a while, but ultimately, I recognized that I need to do what’s right and not focus on what I feel others are doing wrong.

In that offense, I was beginning to talk to others about the situation instead of talking to God and that was only feeding the offense.  That attitude was starting to come between me and my Lord.  It was trying to take over my life and I sincerely felt that I was right, and I should have answers.

Thankfully, the Lord is so gracious and showed me where I was getting off track.  He pulled me back in close to Him, but I had to turn away and let go of the offense.  It was cutting off the power that God wanted to pour through my life onto others.

Today I want to encourage you to check your heart for unbelief.  Don’t assume there isn’t any there, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any offense or unbelief in your life.  When He does, quickly repent and lay that down.  Don’t let that anger and resentment come between you and you loving heavenly Father.  Decide today that you will let offense go and ask Him to help you get rid of all unbelief in your life.  Soon you will see the power of God flowing in all areas of your life again.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 6:1-6

1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 

2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 

3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 

5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

Producing Results

_{And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Mark 5:40}

Have you ever gotten a direction from God and were excited in your spirit to take that step of faith required to get there?  Inevitably the next thing that happens is you tell a close friend, and they begin to warn you off, telling you why it will not work.  They sincerely think they are helping and are not deliberately trying to sabotage you, but they are not considering that you are following the leading of God’s Spirit and He has a plan.

This is a similar experience to what Jairus had when he took Jesus and His disciples to his house.  When he got there, all the people were carrying on because the little girl had died.  They were sincerely sad but when Jesus told them she was just sleeping, they begin to ridicule Him and give Him all the reasons that they knew better than that.

I love what Jesus did next.  He made them all leave the house.  This was a bold move especially because it was not even His house.  I’m sure these were friends and relative’s of Jairus.  People he had known for years maybe even his whole life, but that didn’t matter to Jesus.  He just cleared the place out.

I have often wondered why He did that.  Surly there were some that were offended and even hurt that Jairus would allow a stranger to come in at such a time and make them all leave.  There were probably even some that were upset with Jairus because he didn’t step in and say it was okay for them to stay.  I don’t believe the reason Jesus asked them to leave was because He needed quiet so He could concentrate on preforming a miracle and I don’t think He made them leave because their weeping and wailing was annoying Him.  I believe the reason He made them all leave was because of their unbelief.  He didn’t want the negative words and attitude shutting down the miracle that was about to happen.

I know that you are probably thinking that He is Jesus, and He could do anything at anytime regardless of who was coming against His actions, and it is true. Yet, even the scriptures say that in Jesus own town He could do no mighty work there because of the people’s unbelief. (See Matthew 13:58) The truth is that our heart and attitude have everything to do with seeing a move of God in our lives.  It is up to us to shut out the nay-sayers and the doubting words that people want to “help” us with and trust the scriptures and words from God that He has given to us to follow.  Even when it comes to directly to obeying scripture, some people may try to talk you out of it because it is Old Testament or just for bible times day.  However, if you truly want to walk with God in life, you will have to stop walking with unbelief and fear of what others will think. Walking with God will always require steps of faith continually.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look at the places where you have stepped out in faith following the direction God has given.  Did you ever have to resist some negativity?  Now think about the steps the Holy Spirit is leading you to now?  Are you hearing any doubting and steering away from cynical words from the people around you?  Begin today to put those voices out and step closer to the ones who will support and help you accomplish all that God has put in your heart.  Don’t loose out on your miracle because of doubt and unbelief, turn away from the opposers and criticizers and turn toward the One who will make it all come to pass by leading you step by step!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 5:35-42

35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 

37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 

38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 

39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 

41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 

42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 

43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Press into God

“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”  Mark 5:27-28

I can’t even imagine what this woman must have been going through.  She was sick!  Sick for twelve years.  The passage says she suffered through many “medical” treatments from many physicians.  In that day, you can pretty much be sure the “treatments” were barbaric.  Not only that, she had given everything she had for the chance to be made well and only grew worse in her condition.   After twelve years, it would seem like there was no hope for her to ever be well.  On top of everything, she was considered unclean, and the law prohibited her to live among healthy people.  She was considered contagious.  I am confident that a surge of hope began to grow in her when she heard about Jesus.  Maybe there was a chance she could be healed like others she had heard about.  However, she didn’t think “maybe”. The scripture says she believed it so much that she kept saying, “if I can get to Him and touch Him, I know I will be made well.”  She was convinced that touching just the hem of Jesus’ clothes would be all it took to make her cleansed.  The reason was because she kept saying it until she believed it.  She repeated over and over, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” What is really amazing to me is that she never asked if it was God’s will for her to be well. She somehow knew that what she was going through was evil and if she could get to Jesus, she would reach the goodness of God.

Let’s take a look at what she did.  First of all, she came up behind Him in a crowd of people, thinking she could just sneak her healing from Him, without Him even knowing. (Not very likely) She took her faith stand by repeating to herself, “I only have to touch His clothes.”  She didn’t even want Him to know she was there.  However, as soon as she did touch Him, He felt that healing power leave Him.  What?  This is unbelievable.  How could Jesus unintentionally heal someone? Then to make it even more unbelievable, there were many people touching Him at that exact moment.  The disciples said the crowd was thronging/pressing Him.  Why didn’t any of the others get that release of power?

The answer is in vs. 34.  Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”  Jesus told her that she did it.   It was her faith that drew the healing power out of Jesus.  We know that faith comes by hearing and apparently, she heard about Jesus healing others, then she heard herself say, “I can just touch His clothes and be healed.”  Nobody else ever did that, at least not that had been written about. 

Lastly, I want to consider how she was feeling.  We know she wasn’t feeling good.  She was sick and for sure she was weak and drained of energy because of her blood issue.  Yet she pushed through it all to get to where Jesus was.  She believed so much that if she could get to where Jesus was, she would be better.  Therefore, nothing could hold her back.  In all likelihood, she was crawling on the ground to get to Jesus.  How many of us today are willing to take on that kind of faith?  I know when we are not feeling well we do not always have the energy to get up and press into Him, but if we can push through to get to Him, our healing is on the other side of the press.

Today I want to encourage you to press into God with faith in the area where you need an answer to prayer.  Say in your heart and out loud the promise that He has given you about that situation.  Keep saying that scripture or “word” you have from Him about your struggle and draw His power from Him with the faith His Word has given you!

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 5:25-34

25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 

26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 

27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 

28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 

33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 

34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Humility

And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet.  Mark 5:22

I have read this passage many times and heard many messages on the power of Jesus to raise Jairus’s daughter.  Only after reading it again today did I see something new in it.   It is the steps of humility that Jairus took to get to Jesus.

First of all, He was a ruler of the synagogue.  If you know anything about Jesus’ ministry, you know that most of the religions leader of His day only came to hear Him speak to try to trap Him or discredit His message.  Being a leader of the synagogue, it would have been a great risk for Jairus to openly visit Jesus. To ask for His help would have probably jeopardized his job as a leader and it definitely would be bad for his reputation.

But Jairus didn’t come to Jesus as a leader, and He didn’t come to Him about religion or rules of conduct.  He came to Jesus in humility.  We know this because the very first thing Jairus did was fall at Jesus feet.  He didn’t come with an attitude that he was someone important and special and Jesus should drop everything because of that reason.  He came to Jesus as a father desperate for his daughter’s life to be spared.  He was willing to risk public humiliation and his position as a leader with the Priests and Pharisees.   Nothing else in the world matter to him except seeing his daughter raised up and restored to his family.

Of course, Jesus was ready to go with Him.  He is always available when we come to him with a humble spirit.  It is when we come with a heart of entitlement that we may be put on hold for a while.

So, what is it with you?  What are you facing that you are holding your ground and not willing to humble yourself to the direction of the Spirit of God?  What relationships do you need to surrender over to Him to have His perfect work in your life be completed?  What issue are you holding onto, believing that you can handle it on your own or that you are right and don’t have to submit to His authority and directions?  How’s that working out for you?  Trust Him today and come to Him with a broken and contrite spirit (Psalms 34:18). Make the most important thing to be restoration and peace and then do everything He leads you to do to get that healing in every area of your life.

Today I want to encourage you to take the steps Jairus took when you have trouble in your life.  Take a step of humility and take the issue to Jesus.  Fall down before him and tell Him your request and petition. Believe that He has the answer and when you get the steps you need to take for Him to bring that answer into the circumstances, do them quickly, even if you have to humble yourself to do them.  He will come into the situation, and He will heal whatever it is that is broken.

Today’s scripture reading: Mark 5:21-24

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 

22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 

23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 

24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

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.