[Mark 13, Proverbs 26]

H – Mark 13:5, “And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.”

E – Persevere to The End!

Jesus had already declared 3 times, in the book of Mark, what must happen. He must suffer, die, and be raised from the dead on the third day (Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33-34). He made extremely evident what would bring about the salvation of all people who would confess Him as Savior and Lord (death-burial-resurrection). Yet, in Mark 13 Jesus takes it a step further and begins to speak about His second coming. 

In the days of His second coming, or the end of the age, there will be the best way to describe it, “mass chaos” (13:7-8, 12, 14-17, 24-25). There will also be those that appear to offer hope as the Christ (13:21-22). All of these things will take place in an attempt to lead people, even the elect, astray (v.22). 

There are so many imperatives (our involvement) in this passage: see that know one leads you astray (v.5), be on your guard (v.9, 23, 33), do not be anxious (v.11), keep awake (v.33), stay awake (v. 34, 35, 27). This is a call for the Christ follower to perseverance to the end. Here is a clear reality; if you are not in daily relationship with King Jesus it will be almost utterly impossible to persevere to the end. This is the warning. We need Jesus, every moment of every day. He must be our life (Colossians 3:4).

For one day, this side of heaven, we will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory (v.26) and it will be the ones who endured (in and through Him) to the end who will be saved (v.13). 

A – Prepare, Keep looking up. Believing there is 100% chance I will one day die and/or Christ will come again, people need to hear the Gospel. In a chaotic world the gospel must be proclaimed (v.10). I need to bear witness to Christ Jesus (v.9). He is the only hope for a world and people in chaos. 

R – Lord God, thank you for your salvation. Thank you for the hope of eternity. Thank you that you even prepare us to prepare for what will come. Lord help us not to be anxious, but trust you in all seasons of life. Lord, put people in my path today that need to hear the Gospel and I would simply be faithful to bear witness to your great name. Lord, help me through your conviction to be on guard, keep awake, stay awake, so that no-one or no thing would lead me astray. 

In Jesus Name!

[Mark 5, Proverbs 16]

H – Mark 5:19–20, “[19] And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” [20] And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

E – Being a Witness of God’s Power!

Mark 5 seems unreal. Better yet, it seems like something that should be in a Marvel Movie series. Yet, if you really dig deep you realize that it’s not at all unreal and what God did that day He still does today. But, it takes us opening up some God size lenses to see it. 

In Mark 5:1-20 we are introduced to a man, who we don’t know his name, but we do know his character. He was wild and tormented. He was demon possessed (5:2), wickedly powerful (5:4), and personally miserable (alone, crying out and cutting himself)(5:5). 

Yet, once the demons realized Jesus was on the scene they couldn’t contain the man any longer. They had met their match. They (legion = an army of demons) begged Jesus for mercy. What Jesus allowed next is amazing; unclean spirits going into unclean animals and wreaking havoc. That’s huge because that’s what the enemy desires to do, wreak havoc; kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Yet, this man who had been miserably tormented was now healed and in his right mind (5:15). 

Jesus did what no one else could; heal the man. It’s interesting that this man had tried to receive help or “treatments” in probably many different ways from many different people. Mark 5:2-5 says that he had been bound many times, but nothing anyone had tried to do, or the treatments they offered, could help him any longer. But Jesus!

1 John 3:8b, “……The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

Only Jesus can destroy the works of the devil. There is no treatment that can destroy the works of the devil, no other person that can, nor any program that can. Only Jesus! In miserable torment the only solution is Jesus. When people are bound by addiction, Jesus. When people are confused mentally, Jesus. When people are filled with chaos, Jesus. When people are perceived incapable, Jesus. The answer for the world today is still and will only be Jesus. 

There are 2 people that witnessed God’s power that day, the man and personal witnesses. Jesus charged the man to go home (5:19). Think about this. He had been away from his family and friends. That was part of his misery. He had been alone. Now, go show yourself well. What do you think his family and friends thought when they saw him? Do you think they would tell everyone else what Jesus had done? The personal eyewitnesses gathered and marveled (5:14). They went into town and told everyone, “hey, we lost 2,000 pigs, but come see this man.” The herdsman just lost their livelihood, but they could not get over what they had witnessed. They had to go and tell. 

A – I know God’s power in my life. I know when He saved me. I know how I’ve experienced Him over and over. I have seen tons of God size miracles in people who have been bound, tormented, alone, and miserable. This should cause me to open up my mouth and proclaim all that God has done when I see it. 

R – Lord God, you are good. There is no one, nor no thing, like you. You alone have the power to destroy the work of the devil. You alone have the power to heal. You alone offer eternal mercy and grace. Thank you for your sovereignty and sufficiency of destroying the works of the devil in my life, when you called me to yourself and saved me. Lord, open my mouth to proclaim all that you have done, are doing, and will do. That you for allowing me to witness your power and proclaim it. 

In Jesus Name!

[Mark 4]

H – Mark 4:24, “And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.”

E – Listen!

Listening is an important part of life. A lot of knowledge is brought forth when you just listen. When you listen you can hear a person; their attitude, wants, desires, you can hear concerns and commands. And to the contrary, if you don’t listen or just a little to what you want to hear, you really won’t know.

Jesus made clear the value of listening. All through Mark 4 you find these words: “Listen!”, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.,” “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.,” “Pay attention to what you hear.”

So, here is the point, pay attention. Jesus warns his disciples, through parables, that people are responsible for the truth they receive. You are responsible for hearing, accepting, and applying (4:20). You are responsible for the light or knowledge received (4:21-23). You are responsible for how you listen to truth and continue to listen (4:33).

Also, your attitude in hearing is a direct correlation of your attitude applying (measure). If the hearer embraces Jesus’ message of the kingdom in a rich and profound way, then still more will be added to you—that is, God will take up residence in that heart and give increased understanding and blessing. However, if the hearer fails to embrace the Word of truth then their attitude leads them to be devoured (4:4), scorched (4:6), or chocked out (4:7). In Jesus’s words, “they fall away” because they cared not to embrace what they heard. 

How you listen to God matters. And, just a reminder, God primarily speaks through His Word. So, if you want to know the Spirit of God you need to stay in the Word of God. Mark 4 is not the only reference to how people need to carefully listen. Paul told Timothy as he implored him to preach, 2 Timothy 4:3–4, “[3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

A – Don’t have itchy ears. Listen! Receive His Word with thanksgiving in my heart (measured to). Proclaim His Word with from an overflowing passion (measure you use). And, don’t stop listening. Let the truth I hear be evident for all to see (multiplying fruit, lamp for all to see). 

R – Lord God, thank you for your truth. Help me to listen and then apply what I hear. May my soil be ready to embrace your Word and I pray it produces bountiful fruit, for your glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[Mark 2, Proverbs 11]

H – Mark 2:7–10, “[7] “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [8] And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? [9] Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”……”

E – Divine Authority!

When Jesus began His ministry He revealed His authority. One of God’s characteristics revealed through Jesus is that He is “all knowing”. He knew the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees. He knew what they were thinking and the questions they would even present about His authority. 

Obviously, they nor the people had heard anyone speak with the kind of authority Jesus spoke with (1:27). But now, Jesus is acting with authority by claiming to forgive sins and healing physical ailments. 

This lead to 2 questions; 1) Why does this man speak like that?, 2) Who can forgive sins but God alone?

The first question, I think at least, can be as simple as because Jesus cared. He spoke with authority because He cared about the will of His father. He spoke with authority because He cared about people. He spoke with authority because He cared about His kingdom. We find Jesus in places that no one would go and talking to people that no one wanted to talk to (2:16). He did this so they would hear The Word (2:2). 

The second question is easily answered, “No One”. Only God could and can forgive sins. I try to put myself in the scribe and Pharisees shoes. Part of me understands their confusions and questions, their doubts and concerns. But, when you hear authority and you see authority there should have been more Nicodemus’ amongst them. Only through Jesus can one be ‘born again’, have their sins forgiven, be filled with joy, and enter into the eternal heaven. That’s also why Jesus spoke with authority. 

Here is something of great truth. When Jesus forgives, He completely forgives. 

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Even in Old Testament poetry we find these words from David, Psalm 32:1–2, “[1] Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

We stand in the need of forgiveness and only God has that authority to forgive, through His son – King Jesus. 

A – There are 2 great truths that I can take away from this. 1) I can only speak with authority when I genuinely care about God and people, and when I believe that the Word is the only remedy for a lost humanity. Therefore, His Word must be central in my life. 2) I can only act with authority when I am walking in genuine faith. I do not have the power to heal, but just like the paralytics friends I can respond in faith to whom I have believed and am persuaded in (2 Timothy 1:12). Therefore, my faith must remain active. 

R – Lord God, thank you that I don’t have to question your authority. You are God alone, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). All things have been made by you, through you, and for you (John 1:3).  Lord, help me daily to submit and surrender to your authority. God, I pray that I would speak and act with authority. But Lord, I know I can’t do that unless I am filled with your Holy Spirit. Help me to love You and all people the way you have called me to love. Use my life for your glory. 

In Jesus Name!

[2 Corinthians 13, Proverbs 9]

H – 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

E – Self Examination!

There are times that we just need to stop and examine ourselves. It’s so easy to go through the motions of life, burdening ourselves for our own placed necessities, busying ourselves with selfish ambitions, and binding ourselves to fleshly passions. Before you know it you find yourself in a low place and wonder, “how did I get here.” That is not a bad place to be, if that place leads you back to restoration in relationship with God the Father (1:9). This is one of the things that Paul prayed for in this church.

For most of the book of 1 & 2 Corinthians Paul had addressed the sinfulness of the church at Corinth. Like most that are rebuked in sin, they attempt to turn the attention away from them and put it on someone else (ie. Paul) and begin to question their motives. But, like any good apologist, Paul, turns the focus away from him and places the focus on Christ, setting the table for the people of this church to examining who they ‘really’ are. 

Here is the question for this church and one that can be asked today, “Is Christ Jesus in You?”

This leads to other questions that test our faith like; “Is your faith real?” “Is Christ Spirit at work within you?” “Are you growing in sanctification?” “Is there evident change in your life?” “Have you been faithful to His Word?” “Do you have love for God?” “Do you rightly love all people?” And on and on. 

Upon examining their faith they should know if their claims revealed them to be in relationship with Christ because the Spirit of God being active in their life or if their life showed no signs of The Spirit’s activity or working in their life. 

The church of Corinth paints a realistic picture of many churches. Warren Wiersbe stated it this way, “No doubt many of the problems in the church at Corinth were caused by people who professed to be saved, but who had never repented and trusted Jesus Christ. Our churches are filled with such people today.”

Wow! May that lead us to self examination and spiritual restoration. 

A – Examination should come every time I open up the Scriptures, every time I begin to Worship, every time I’m convicted in truth. I constantly need to humble myself and allow the Holy Spirit of God to bring examination to my remembrance. Then, as I examine through the lenses of His Spirit make the adequate adjustments through repentance and surrender. 

R – Lord, thank you that you are the God of restoration. Thank you for loving me, instilling in me the peace of your presence. Lord, I don’t want to get over it. So, help me to have moments of self examination that leads me deeper in dependance of you. 

In Jesus Name!

[2 Corinthians 12, Proverbs 6]

H – 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

E – Real Pride vs Real Power!

Chapters 10-13 in 2 Corinthians are powerful in relation to the church of today. Paul was addressing a rebellious minority of the Corinthians who had boasted about a spiritual experience they had. However, this “spiritual experience” did not lead them to genuine repentance, rather a zealous pridefulness. Their claim of being “good” in the eyes of God was based off of what they had seen and who they were ethnically and nothing of what Christ had done internally and personally. 

Paul had a greater boast than any “spiritual experience” he could have been part of or witnessed through another (12:1-4). That kind of boasting only leads one to boast in a spirit of prideful conceit (12:7). Paul’s boast was in and through his weakness (12:5). What a complete 180! Paul’s point was that the evidence of God in their life is not in who they were ethnically, but in who they were spiritually. It was not in what they had seen or experienced, but in what Christ had done to transformed them spiritually through all seasons of life.

What demonstrated the Lord’s power was not heavenly revelations. What demonstrated the Lord’s power was Paul being able to persevere through the trail of a thorn in his flesh by knowing the sufficiency of God’s grace and the power of His presence (12:9). Therefore, he was content with his personal weaknesses and public persecutions. For it was in those moments that he experienced the power of God’s presence through the work of Christ. 

A – My boast should simply be in Christ; His death, burial, and resurrection. My boast should be in how He saved me and how He is transforming me away from the person I used to be. My boasting should be in His presence, regardless of where I am, in any season, going through any trial or difficulty. 

Don’t look for and hold on to spiritual experiences. Simply be content with Jesus and trust Him through every moment of life. 

R – Lord God, thank you for salvation. Thank you that in every moment of my life you are faithful. Your grace is sufficient. Help me be content in you, through all things. Your power in made known in my weakness. Lord, help me to experience your power today. The power to persevere. Give me your sustaining power today. I pray others would see you in me. 

In Jesus Name!

[2 Corinthians 7, Proverbs 29]

H – 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

E – Two Kinds of Grief!

When I’m in grief, sorrow, or bitter distress over things I’ve done or had done to me I have one of two responses; respond in a divine godly manner or in a selfish worldly manner.

First, there is godly grief or sorrow. If I’m a Christ follower I should have regret, a bitter sorrow, and emotional pain when I know I’ve sinned or living in sin. Sin is against God and is pushed away from His holiness. This grief is knowing I’ve wronged God. It’s knowing, like David, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,……”(Psalm 51:4). When I’m caught in sin I only have one true response to flee this regret; repentance. Repentance means a change of mind and behavior and involves action in accord with God’s will. Godly sorrow is desiring the joy that salvation brings. Therefore, godly sorrow always leads to repentance. And, when I walk in repentance, as a Christ follower, I have no regrets.

Second, there is worldly grief. On the surface worldly grief may look similar to godly grief. There may even be sorrowful remorse because of the hurt brought on to others or yourself. Yet, David Garland wrote, “worldly grief is caused by the loss or denial of something we want for ourselves. It is self-centered. It laments such worldly things as failing to receive the recognition one thinks one deserves, not having as much money as one wants, not getting something one covets.” Worldly grief brings selfish intentions to get out or way from problems. Even unbelievers may regret sins that they have committed, but this sorrow does not bring about God-centered repentance, and thus leads to death.

When true believers hear the conviction and rebuke of God’s Word, they turn to God for cleansing and forgiveness. And, when they’ve genuinely repented they have no regret because of the forgiveness that’s been granted and the presence of His Spirit.

A – Hear the Word, Allow the Word to change me, be sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, respond obediently in accord to God’s will, have no regrets.

R – Lord God, thank you for the opportunity to repent. Lord continue to convict me of my wrongs. Thank you for the opportunity to be made right before you, anew. Lord God, I pray I would experience your presence today in a super natural way. Lord, help me to live in light of the joy of my salvation.

In Jesus Name!

[2 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 25]

H – 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

E – Freedom!

When I hear the word “freedom” it doesn’t take long for me to hear the words of William Wallace from the movie Braveheart ring “FREEEDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!” The cool thing is that there really was a man named William Wallace and he really did sacrifice his life for the freedom of Scottish independence from England. 

There is a price for freedom. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says that your freedom was bought with a price through the blood of Jesus. And, His blood does not just bring a half measure of freedom. The Bible says you become free indeed (John 8:36). 

When one confesses their need for Jesus and is saved by His great grace, He promises that His Spirit will be placed in the new believer. For me, when I confessed my need for Jesus and my desire to be saved, it was like a thousand pounds of weight lifted off my shoulders. It was like instant freedom from my sin, selfishness, and the bondage that it brought. 

I can’t explain it, but when I committed to go deeper in the study of His Word and desired to live a life of obedience, it brought freedom. 

When I quit running from my call to be a minister of the Gospel and surrendered my life to be used any way that He saw fit, yep unexplained freedom. 

When my family, by faith, sold everything we owned and moved to a place that we felt the Lord leading us to, there was this crazy freedom. 

Even now, this morning, while reading His Word, allowing His Spirit to work in conjunction with His Word, there is Freedom. 

Why? Because when we allow the Spirit of God to be active in our lives there cannot not be Freedom. From the moment of Salvation to the right now of being in intimate relationship with Him, freedom. 

Freedom is knowing my commendation is from the Lord (3:3), my confidence is through the Lord (3:4), my sufficiency is found in the Lord (3:5), and my transformation can only come from the Lord (3:18). 

Because of this freedom, I should never desire to go back to the place of bondage. My heart’s desire should be freedom. 

A – As I thought how to apply this highlighted passage my mind went to Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” So, may I stand firm in freedom, clinging to Jesus, and flee the easiness of sin that brings a life of slavery. May my spiritual cry be that of William Wallace, FRREEEEDDDOOOOM!

R – Lord God, thank you for freedom. Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for the countless rescues of second chances. Thank you for meeting with me this morning. Thank you for your Spirit that is unwavering and unending. Lord God, I pray you would continue to pour out your Spirit on my life and I would be able to walk and minister from an overflow of freedom. I pray for those that have not experienced and are not experiencing your freedom. Lord, save, please! 

In Jesus Name!

[2 Corinthians 2. Proverbs 22]

H – 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”

E – I’m not defined by my circumstances. 

Pain, suffering, abandonment. Those are words that I do not want to experience. But, Paul knew first hand what it felt like to be in these predicaments and circumstances. Yet, his circumstances didn’t change his purpose. 

Paul knew each moment of his life was God opening or closing doors for him to make much of The Savior (2:12). That even included martyrdom. Paul knew his purpose in being commissioned by God to speak of Christ (2:17). This purpose guided him into and through every circumstance. It doesn’t take long to read the epistles and read of Paul being beaten unmercifully, imprisoned, ship-wrecked, left from dead, trialed before kings and governors. What unpleasant circumstances. Yet, in every event Paul had only one objective; make the name of Christ known. 

Paul knew that Christ lead him and that ultimate victory awaited. Paul believed his purpose was to see people saved through the Word of God. And for that, in any circumstance and situation, he could rejoice, because he knew he was not defined by his circumstances. 

A – There are 2 things that stick out in my head from the highlighted passage to help in unpleasant circumstances. 

1. Paul reflected on God’s Goodness. What a great reminder that there is a silver lining, “But thanks be to God.” God had lead Paul and there was victory in Him and through Him. God had been good in every circumstance, even if it didn’t seem like it humanly. 

2. Paul remembered his great purpose. His purpose was to proclaim the name of Jesus, everywhere. Proclaiming the Gospel was the fragrance of Paul’s life. He knew it was the difference between death and life (2:15) and he couldn’t fathom folks perishing eternally. Therefore, he took his commission personally and passionately. 

I should do the same, regardless of the circumstance. 

R – Lord God, thank you that I’m not defined by my circumstances. God I know you hold me and hold my future. Lord, help me to reflect on your goodness and remember my purpose. God, help me journey this season of my life and through it may my aroma be pleasing unto you. Lord, would you save those on my prayer list.

In Jesus Name!

[1 Corinthians 16, Proverbs 20]

H – 1 Corinthians 16:13–14, “[13] Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. [14] Let all that you do be done in love.”

E – Act Like Men!

The book of 1 Corinthians is so practical in application for today. As Paul closed out this first letter to the church at Corinth he slipped in one last exhortation. 

1. Be watchful! To be watchful could refer to being watchful for the enemy and false teachers, and being watchful for Christ second coming. Regardless, our eyes should be open to the world (both physical and spiritual) around us. 
2. Stand Firm in the Faith! Corinth, like every church, faced its share of hindrances. There was adversity from the community and within the church body. Yet, in the face of what ever they would have to face they were exhorted to remain faithful to Christ. 
3. Act Like Men! Men are suppose to be strong protectors. Many scholars believe the literal translation of this passage is what is found consistently in the Old Testament; “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Paul encouraged these brothers (and sisters) to act with courage and strength in obedience to the Lord and with confidence in his power. 
4. Be Strong! The 3rd and 4th exhortations are closely connected. In the face of opposition, be strong. Don’t give in to the world’s standards. Surrender each moment to The Lord and commit obedience.
5. Show Love. This reminder was very important for a church the was faced with adversity and strife. Paul had exalted love as the highest ideal in this epistle. He reiterated this ideal so the Corinthians would not forget it. Love for God and neighbor was to motivate and govern everything they did.

What an exhortation to the church of Corinth. What and exhortation to the church of today. 

A – Be watchful for the schemes of the enemy and be watchful for the return of Christ. Stand Firm in my Faith. Do not waver. Look up and keep following Him. Be strong and courageous. Stand in the face of opposition and let the Lord fight my battles. Commit to obedience in all that I do. And, may everything I do be out of a desire to love God and all people. 

R – Lord God, thank you for encouraging me this morning through your Word. Lord, help me to be your man. God, help me to be the man that you have called me to be. Help me to love myself, my wife, children, family, faith family, and neighbors the way you have called me to. Convict me when I don’t and lead me to repentance. May your church be watchful, stand firm, be strong and courageous, and show the love of Christ to one another. 

In Jesus Name!