Read: Mark 5:1-43; Matthew 8:28-9:26; Luke 8:26-56
When Jesus told them not to tell anyone after he had done a miracle, John took him seriously. He doesn’t write about either of these happenings.
Remember yesterday, Satan tried to destroy them in the storm and keep them from reaching the other side. That was because it was one of his strongholds. The demon that spoke to Jesus was the principality over legions in that man and the principality over that whole area. Once he was dealt with, the whole area would be loosed to hear and receive the gospel. They weren’t at first; at first they wanted Jesus to just leave. The man that had been delivered begged to leave with Jesus but Jesus told him to tay and tell his family and the people in his area what God had done for him. He did that. He visited the Ten Towns of that region and proclaimed what Jesus did for him. He was to prime the pump because Jesus would come back and be able to preach to the people and they would be ready to hear.
Jesus went back across the lake and healed a woman who had been sick 12 years and raised a 12 year old from the dead. Just like the woman, man was dying in their sin and had no cure. Just the touch of Jesus garment brought life and healing. Twelve means government. Jesus came to change the whole government structure of the church. The father of the girl was a leader of the local synagogue. He fell before Jesus and pleaded with him to to come to his house and raise his sick child. Before he could come, news came that she had died. The religious system was sick like that girl and needed to die so Jesus could raise it up and new living structure. That was what he came to do. Jesus came to die and raise up the kingdom of heaven in our hearts.
Lord, may we die to our old ways and allow you to resurrect your kingdom in our hearts.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Wed.’s Devo - Parables and Storms
Read: Matthew 13:10-52; Luke 8:9-25; Mark 4:26-34; Matthew 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25
Once again, John doesn’t tell about any of these miracles or teachings. Today, Matthew and Luke explain the parable about the seed and the sower. Jesus explained that the secrets of the kingdom are kept for the true followers of Jesus. But, they were responsible to steward what they heard and understood. Four of them wrote books and we are so glad they did. Jesus warned them to watch how they heard. If they intently listen with their heart open then what they hear will grow and multiply. That is one of the principles of the kingdom of heaven. It starts out small and always multiplies and produces more fruit. Jesus explained it as yeast put in the making of bread and small mustard seeds that produced great plants and wheat in the field. The devil has sown his bad wheat into God’s field called the world. Jesus told them not to be concerned about the tares in the field but to let them grow right along with the wheat. In the end the harvesting angels will come with their nets and fish out the good ones and throw the bad ones into the fiery furnace.
After Jesus finished teaching the crowds he took his disciples to the other side of the lake. The devil stirred up the waters to keep them from reaching the other side. How do we know the storm was from the enemy? Jesus rebuked it. He would never rebuke his Father. Satan did not want Jesus to get to his next assignment. Jesus was about to bring down the principality of that whole region. We will read about it tomorrow.
Lord, help us to have faith to do the greater works than you did because You are in us.
Once again, John doesn’t tell about any of these miracles or teachings. Today, Matthew and Luke explain the parable about the seed and the sower. Jesus explained that the secrets of the kingdom are kept for the true followers of Jesus. But, they were responsible to steward what they heard and understood. Four of them wrote books and we are so glad they did. Jesus warned them to watch how they heard. If they intently listen with their heart open then what they hear will grow and multiply. That is one of the principles of the kingdom of heaven. It starts out small and always multiplies and produces more fruit. Jesus explained it as yeast put in the making of bread and small mustard seeds that produced great plants and wheat in the field. The devil has sown his bad wheat into God’s field called the world. Jesus told them not to be concerned about the tares in the field but to let them grow right along with the wheat. In the end the harvesting angels will come with their nets and fish out the good ones and throw the bad ones into the fiery furnace.
After Jesus finished teaching the crowds he took his disciples to the other side of the lake. The devil stirred up the waters to keep them from reaching the other side. How do we know the storm was from the enemy? Jesus rebuked it. He would never rebuke his Father. Satan did not want Jesus to get to his next assignment. Jesus was about to bring down the principality of that whole region. We will read about it tomorrow.
Lord, help us to have faith to do the greater works than you did because You are in us.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Tues.’s Devo - The Seed and the Sower
Read: Luke 8:1-8; Mark 3:20-4:20; Matthew 12:22-13:9
When Jesus traveled he took his twelve disciples and a few women with him. Interesting to note that one was the wife of Herod’s business manager. These women supported Jesus and his disciples monetarily.
Everything Jesus did upset the religious leaders. They were so jealous they couldn’t see or judge straight. Since they couldn’t do what Jesus did they sought to undermine his reputation. God sent Jesus a man demon-possessed who was blind and couldn’t speak. Jesus cast the demon out and healed the man.
Since the religious leaders couldn’t figure out how he could cast demons out of people, they decided he must have a demon himself. Jesus explained that a demon can’t cast out a demon. It takes someone more powerful than Satan to throw Satan out and He was that person.
Jesus went on to explain that if you didn’t work with him you were his enemy. He warned them that they could be forgiven of their sins against him but they would not be forgiven if they spoke evil against the Holy Spirit. He reminded them that they would be held responsible for every idle word they spoke. (May that be a reminder to me.)
Jesus gave them the parable of the seed and the sower and told them that if they didn’t understand this parable, they wouldn’t understand any of them. So, I want to expound on this parable.
If you see a house that is beautiful on the outside but you’ve seen what a mess it is inside, you realize that the outside is just a facade and not a true measure of the value of the real home. Anyone can build a beautiful building, but what goes on in that building is the real value of the building. In the parable about the seed and the sower, it was neither the seed or the sower that were bad. The sower was God and the seed was the Word of God. The problem was with the soil. The soil represents our hearts. If we don’t have room for the seed then it won’t take root and grow. If we make room for the seed then it will grow and spread in our hearts. Our hearts must be soft and tender.
The Pharasee’s tried to do the opposite. They tried to make their appearance perfect when their hearts were hard and a mess. God works from the inside out. We try to work from the outside in. When we get saved it is not our job to clean our outside up. The Holy Spirit will do that. It is our job to make room in our hearts for the seed to grow. Then it will spread to our actions and desires without us having to lift a finger. When our hearts are changed we change the root. The old branches from the dead root will eventually wither up and die too. The key is filling the soil of our hearts with plant food which is the Word of God and water which is the Holy Spirit. Then all the things like judging others, worry, conflict with others, etc. will all work out under the law of love.
Lord, may our hearts be fertile soil that receives the seed of your Word and produces a garden of love.
When Jesus traveled he took his twelve disciples and a few women with him. Interesting to note that one was the wife of Herod’s business manager. These women supported Jesus and his disciples monetarily.
Everything Jesus did upset the religious leaders. They were so jealous they couldn’t see or judge straight. Since they couldn’t do what Jesus did they sought to undermine his reputation. God sent Jesus a man demon-possessed who was blind and couldn’t speak. Jesus cast the demon out and healed the man.
Since the religious leaders couldn’t figure out how he could cast demons out of people, they decided he must have a demon himself. Jesus explained that a demon can’t cast out a demon. It takes someone more powerful than Satan to throw Satan out and He was that person.
Jesus went on to explain that if you didn’t work with him you were his enemy. He warned them that they could be forgiven of their sins against him but they would not be forgiven if they spoke evil against the Holy Spirit. He reminded them that they would be held responsible for every idle word they spoke. (May that be a reminder to me.)
Jesus gave them the parable of the seed and the sower and told them that if they didn’t understand this parable, they wouldn’t understand any of them. So, I want to expound on this parable.
If you see a house that is beautiful on the outside but you’ve seen what a mess it is inside, you realize that the outside is just a facade and not a true measure of the value of the real home. Anyone can build a beautiful building, but what goes on in that building is the real value of the building. In the parable about the seed and the sower, it was neither the seed or the sower that were bad. The sower was God and the seed was the Word of God. The problem was with the soil. The soil represents our hearts. If we don’t have room for the seed then it won’t take root and grow. If we make room for the seed then it will grow and spread in our hearts. Our hearts must be soft and tender.
The Pharasee’s tried to do the opposite. They tried to make their appearance perfect when their hearts were hard and a mess. God works from the inside out. We try to work from the outside in. When we get saved it is not our job to clean our outside up. The Holy Spirit will do that. It is our job to make room in our hearts for the seed to grow. Then it will spread to our actions and desires without us having to lift a finger. When our hearts are changed we change the root. The old branches from the dead root will eventually wither up and die too. The key is filling the soil of our hearts with plant food which is the Word of God and water which is the Holy Spirit. Then all the things like judging others, worry, conflict with others, etc. will all work out under the law of love.
Lord, may our hearts be fertile soil that receives the seed of your Word and produces a garden of love.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Mon.’s Devo - John’s Question
Read: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7; Matthew 11
It is interesting to me that Mark didn’t record the healing of the Roman officer since he wrote his book to the Romans, but he didn’t. Maybe he was trying to protect the man from persecution. Only Matthew and Luke recorded the miracles we read about today. Jesus was impressed with the Roman officer because he understood authority. This man didn’t need Jesus to come and lay hands on his son in person, he just needed a command and he knew it would be done. Jesus marveled at his faith.
Jesus rose the widow’s son from the dead at his own funeral. This got the attention of the crowd!
John had been thrown in prison and was wondering why Jesus hadn’t set him free since he was a prisoner and one of the promises prophesied about the Messiah was that he would set captives free. Surely Jesus had forgotten about him. When his disciples asked him if he was the Messiah, Jesus pointed to all the things he had done that was prophesied then he said, “Blessed are those who are not offended in me.” In other words, he was telling John to look at the things he had done instead of the things that he hadn’t done. Jesus only did what he saw his father doing and God was not setting John free. John’s mission was nearing an end and he was about to be promoted to heaven.
Jesus went on to honor John the Baptist to the crowd. He was giving John’s eulogy.
Then Jesus rebuked their generation. They refused to be satisfied. They criticized John’s fasted lifestyle, nor were they satisfied with Jesus’ joy. I pray that we are not like that. John told them to repent and get serious and Jesus told them to become like a little child. They were both right.
Lord, help us to gain a healthy balance of grace and holiness.
It is interesting to me that Mark didn’t record the healing of the Roman officer since he wrote his book to the Romans, but he didn’t. Maybe he was trying to protect the man from persecution. Only Matthew and Luke recorded the miracles we read about today. Jesus was impressed with the Roman officer because he understood authority. This man didn’t need Jesus to come and lay hands on his son in person, he just needed a command and he knew it would be done. Jesus marveled at his faith.
Jesus rose the widow’s son from the dead at his own funeral. This got the attention of the crowd!
John had been thrown in prison and was wondering why Jesus hadn’t set him free since he was a prisoner and one of the promises prophesied about the Messiah was that he would set captives free. Surely Jesus had forgotten about him. When his disciples asked him if he was the Messiah, Jesus pointed to all the things he had done that was prophesied then he said, “Blessed are those who are not offended in me.” In other words, he was telling John to look at the things he had done instead of the things that he hadn’t done. Jesus only did what he saw his father doing and God was not setting John free. John’s mission was nearing an end and he was about to be promoted to heaven.
Jesus went on to honor John the Baptist to the crowd. He was giving John’s eulogy.
Then Jesus rebuked their generation. They refused to be satisfied. They criticized John’s fasted lifestyle, nor were they satisfied with Jesus’ joy. I pray that we are not like that. John told them to repent and get serious and Jesus told them to become like a little child. They were both right.
Lord, help us to gain a healthy balance of grace and holiness.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Sun.’s Devo - The Kingdom of Heaven
Read: Matthew 6:5-7:23; Luke 6:37-49
Yesterday’s reading had to do with how we should relate rightly with man. Today’s reading has to do with how we relate rightly with God. When we talk to God we are not do it to impress other people. Prayer is an intimate conversation between us and God. Corporate prayer is totally different. That is when we meet together to petition God about a common request. This is powerful and affective. Corporate worship is also extremely powerful but should never become a show that honors a person. Jesus gave them a model to use in praying. It shows us a godly order. First, we give God honor and praise. We enter into the gates with praise on our lips. Then we recognize God’s heart for the kingdom to be established on earth and we agree with Him. Then we pray for our daily needs and for others. Lastly, we pray against the enemy.
Forgiveness is so important for us to understand. God is held from forgiving us through our own hard hearts. If we forgive people freely for anything they have done against us we free ourselves and open the channel in our lives for forgiveness to flow. It also releases that person to repent and be forgiven.
If we could see the kingdom of heaven, we would never worry about another thing here on earth. This is not our home. We are building a spiritual house by the way we live down here that will manifest when we get to heaven. We will get to do everything we love to do here in that kingdom. God will use us in the gifts we love to move in when we get to heaven. So, when the devil comes to discourage you by what you are lacking or having to do without down here, remind him of what is waiting for you in heaven. Earth is a short visit compared to eternity. God promised to meet every one of our needs here on earth and he wants to do it in such an abundant way that it will exemplify what is in heaven but we have to give him all of our heart. He wants his blessing to bless us, not curse us. An inheritance gotten too soon may not be a blessing in the end. (Proverbs 20:21) God wants to bless us as our soul prospers so that we can handle the blessing and use it wisely.
Lord, than you for making a way we can fellowship with you. May that be our hearts desire.
Yesterday’s reading had to do with how we should relate rightly with man. Today’s reading has to do with how we relate rightly with God. When we talk to God we are not do it to impress other people. Prayer is an intimate conversation between us and God. Corporate prayer is totally different. That is when we meet together to petition God about a common request. This is powerful and affective. Corporate worship is also extremely powerful but should never become a show that honors a person. Jesus gave them a model to use in praying. It shows us a godly order. First, we give God honor and praise. We enter into the gates with praise on our lips. Then we recognize God’s heart for the kingdom to be established on earth and we agree with Him. Then we pray for our daily needs and for others. Lastly, we pray against the enemy.
Forgiveness is so important for us to understand. God is held from forgiving us through our own hard hearts. If we forgive people freely for anything they have done against us we free ourselves and open the channel in our lives for forgiveness to flow. It also releases that person to repent and be forgiven.
If we could see the kingdom of heaven, we would never worry about another thing here on earth. This is not our home. We are building a spiritual house by the way we live down here that will manifest when we get to heaven. We will get to do everything we love to do here in that kingdom. God will use us in the gifts we love to move in when we get to heaven. So, when the devil comes to discourage you by what you are lacking or having to do without down here, remind him of what is waiting for you in heaven. Earth is a short visit compared to eternity. God promised to meet every one of our needs here on earth and he wants to do it in such an abundant way that it will exemplify what is in heaven but we have to give him all of our heart. He wants his blessing to bless us, not curse us. An inheritance gotten too soon may not be a blessing in the end. (Proverbs 20:21) God wants to bless us as our soul prospers so that we can handle the blessing and use it wisely.
Lord, than you for making a way we can fellowship with you. May that be our hearts desire.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Sat’s Devo - The Fire of God
Read: Luke 11:14-12:34
Jesus came to set the world on fire. He came to baptize us with fire. He came as the Word that divides soul and spirit, joint and marrow and the thoughts and intents of the heart. He came to divide families against one another because of Him. He came to wake us up; not to for death but for life! Because he came to set the world on fire, he did all kinds of acts that stirred the people up…especially the religious leaders. The miracles we read about today were all done on the Sabbath. Jesus did most of his healing on the Sabbath because that was when he was with people and it was a picture. The Sabbath has to do with the 7th day, the day of rest. In the seventh millennium it will be when Jesus reigns and all will be healed. He was pointing toward another day, but he did heal on other days. We are living in the other days and Jesus still heals today. He is looking for faithful people that can bring the Sabbath to earth. When Jesus healed the blind man it stirred things up so much it got the man thrown out of the synagogue. I love what Jesus said when the Pharisees asked him if he thought they were blind. He said, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty, But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”
The blind man had been blind since birth. He was a picture of a person born into sin as we all are. It was not his parent’s fault, we are all born into sin. Sin makes us blind and only Jesus can take the veil from our eyes and wash them so that we can see spiritually. Jesus did that for this man. All he had to do was to believe and obey. He chose to do both and he was healed. Once he could see he could accept who Jesus was. The fact that he was thrown out of the synagogue was to show that the law no longer had power over him. He would never have to be subjected to the old covenant but had a new one - Jesus.
Lord, thank you for giving us eyes to see. Wash our eyes again so we can see clearer.
Jesus came to set the world on fire. He came to baptize us with fire. He came as the Word that divides soul and spirit, joint and marrow and the thoughts and intents of the heart. He came to divide families against one another because of Him. He came to wake us up; not to for death but for life! Because he came to set the world on fire, he did all kinds of acts that stirred the people up…especially the religious leaders. The miracles we read about today were all done on the Sabbath. Jesus did most of his healing on the Sabbath because that was when he was with people and it was a picture. The Sabbath has to do with the 7th day, the day of rest. In the seventh millennium it will be when Jesus reigns and all will be healed. He was pointing toward another day, but he did heal on other days. We are living in the other days and Jesus still heals today. He is looking for faithful people that can bring the Sabbath to earth. When Jesus healed the blind man it stirred things up so much it got the man thrown out of the synagogue. I love what Jesus said when the Pharisees asked him if he thought they were blind. He said, “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty, But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”
The blind man had been blind since birth. He was a picture of a person born into sin as we all are. It was not his parent’s fault, we are all born into sin. Sin makes us blind and only Jesus can take the veil from our eyes and wash them so that we can see spiritually. Jesus did that for this man. All he had to do was to believe and obey. He chose to do both and he was healed. Once he could see he could accept who Jesus was. The fact that he was thrown out of the synagogue was to show that the law no longer had power over him. He would never have to be subjected to the old covenant but had a new one - Jesus.
Lord, thank you for giving us eyes to see. Wash our eyes again so we can see clearer.
Sat.’s Devo - The Lens of Love
Read: Mark 3:7-12; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-26; Matthew 5-6:4
Proverbs 25:2 says that it is the glory of God to hide a matter and the glory of princes to seek out a matter. Jesus didn’t want it proclaimed that he was the Son of God. He wanted to do acts of kindness and power that made people come closer and discover it for themselves - in their hearts. That is the only way to salvation. It can make sense on paper, but to be born again takes a spiritual rebirth.
Jesus spent all night with his father listening to who he chose for Jesus disciples. In the morning he gathered the crowd and called out their names. I wonder if he was surprised when that person came forward. He had already chosen a few of them in his daily walk. After Jesus had his government of twelve in place he launched out in his teaching ministry. One of his greatest sermons was the Sermon on the Mount. Only Matthew and Luke record this event and only Matthew gives us the sermon in detail. In his sermon, Jesus takes some of the Commandments of the law and spiritualizes them and applies them to their daily lives. First, he addresses the ones this privilege is for: the humble, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers. In other words, it is for the softened hearts. He tells them that they are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Then he walked them through the 10 Commandments. He made them a heart issue instead of a capital offense. I doubt any of them had ever murdered… but all had called people names and judged their position. Jesus was trying to show them that God’s love was the heart of the commandment. Those stones that they threw in the Old Testament to condemn become words in the New Testament. And to God, they were the same. He even told them to love their enemies which had to have taken the wind out of their sail. They were being oppressed by the Roman government and we all think we can hate them. Jesus had a better way. Jesus took love to a whole new level.
Lord, help us to see everything through Your lens of love.
Proverbs 25:2 says that it is the glory of God to hide a matter and the glory of princes to seek out a matter. Jesus didn’t want it proclaimed that he was the Son of God. He wanted to do acts of kindness and power that made people come closer and discover it for themselves - in their hearts. That is the only way to salvation. It can make sense on paper, but to be born again takes a spiritual rebirth.
Jesus spent all night with his father listening to who he chose for Jesus disciples. In the morning he gathered the crowd and called out their names. I wonder if he was surprised when that person came forward. He had already chosen a few of them in his daily walk. After Jesus had his government of twelve in place he launched out in his teaching ministry. One of his greatest sermons was the Sermon on the Mount. Only Matthew and Luke record this event and only Matthew gives us the sermon in detail. In his sermon, Jesus takes some of the Commandments of the law and spiritualizes them and applies them to their daily lives. First, he addresses the ones this privilege is for: the humble, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers. In other words, it is for the softened hearts. He tells them that they are the salt of the earth, the light of the world. Then he walked them through the 10 Commandments. He made them a heart issue instead of a capital offense. I doubt any of them had ever murdered… but all had called people names and judged their position. Jesus was trying to show them that God’s love was the heart of the commandment. Those stones that they threw in the Old Testament to condemn become words in the New Testament. And to God, they were the same. He even told them to love their enemies which had to have taken the wind out of their sail. They were being oppressed by the Roman government and we all think we can hate them. Jesus had a better way. Jesus took love to a whole new level.
Lord, help us to see everything through Your lens of love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)