Mark 8:33
33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NAS)
Ever feel singled out for the attack. I am sure that is how Peter felt when Jesus rebuked him in front of all the disciples. Rebuke from anyone is difficult to take, but a direct rebuke from the Lord Jesus must have been especially hard. Peter had just made the great confession of his faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Then Peter takes Jesus aside and reprimands Jesus because Jesus tells the disciples He is going to suffer and die. Peter probably deserved rebuking.
On top of being rebuked Jesus called him Satan. Not exactly a compliment. Peter’s problem was much like yours. There are times you probably are not thinking like God thinks. Jesus says Peter was thinking like a mere human. His thoughts were self-centered and self-serving. Jesus would remind you to have the mind of Christ; a mind focused toward God and His ways and interests. Real purpose and a meaningful life with will never be a reality with your mind set on your own selfishness.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Speed Bumps #60
Acts 4:2-3
2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. (NAS)
Do you have speed bumps in your neighborhood? The purpose of the bumps is to slow down traffic. You don’t want to fly over them at a high speed. Do you have potholes in your street? They will slow you down too. Peter had preached the great sermon at Pentecost with three thousand people coming to faith in Christ. He had just healed a lame man in the temple and had preached another powerful sermon.
And then the bump came. The religious leaders of the day were really bothered that Peter was teaching people about Jesus and the resurrection. So into jail he went. Probably not what Peter wanted or expected.
What kind of bump or pothole have you just hit? The victory came to Peter. He was released and was once again in ministry mode. Praise the Lord for short lived potholes and speed bumps that grow your faith even greater.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Dennis Wood
2being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. (NAS)
Do you have speed bumps in your neighborhood? The purpose of the bumps is to slow down traffic. You don’t want to fly over them at a high speed. Do you have potholes in your street? They will slow you down too. Peter had preached the great sermon at Pentecost with three thousand people coming to faith in Christ. He had just healed a lame man in the temple and had preached another powerful sermon.
And then the bump came. The religious leaders of the day were really bothered that Peter was teaching people about Jesus and the resurrection. So into jail he went. Probably not what Peter wanted or expected.
What kind of bump or pothole have you just hit? The victory came to Peter. He was released and was once again in ministry mode. Praise the Lord for short lived potholes and speed bumps that grow your faith even greater.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Dennis Wood
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Abundant Givers #59
Mark 12:42-44
42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (NAS)
Luke 12:15 And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (NAS)
Giving is such a Godly quality. Jesus used the opportunity of a poor widow giving all she had into the temple treasury to teach a valuable lesson. Giving from our abundance in an abundant way is not wrong. But this widow gave from her poverty all she had. Jesus quickly points to the abundant givers that the widow gave more than all the rest, because she gave her all.
Whether it be your money, your time, or your abilities God desires you to give your all. He warns you to guard yourself against greed. Your life does not consist in possessions. It is amazing how relevant Jesus two thousand year-old teachings are to our current world. Ask yourself, “Am I greedy?” Ask yourself, “Am I giving my all.” Let me encourage you to be an
unselfish giver and run from greed.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus
42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on." (NAS)
Luke 12:15 And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (NAS)
Giving is such a Godly quality. Jesus used the opportunity of a poor widow giving all she had into the temple treasury to teach a valuable lesson. Giving from our abundance in an abundant way is not wrong. But this widow gave from her poverty all she had. Jesus quickly points to the abundant givers that the widow gave more than all the rest, because she gave her all.
Whether it be your money, your time, or your abilities God desires you to give your all. He warns you to guard yourself against greed. Your life does not consist in possessions. It is amazing how relevant Jesus two thousand year-old teachings are to our current world. Ask yourself, “Am I greedy?” Ask yourself, “Am I giving my all.” Let me encourage you to be an
unselfish giver and run from greed.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Do You Have a Hearing Problem? #58
Mark 7:34 and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!" (NAS)
Jesus was deeply concerned with the well being of people He met. On this occasion a deaf man was brought to Him. He simply took a deep breath and spoke a word to heaven which meant, “Be Opened.” Could it be that your spiritual ears are closed so that you cannot hear God when He speak to you. You may be trying to make your life better but seem to be failing. Maybe your real need is to listen to God. Open His Word and let Him speak to you the ‘words of life.’ Could you look to heaven on your own behalf and ask God to open your ears so that you could
hear Him.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Jesus was deeply concerned with the well being of people He met. On this occasion a deaf man was brought to Him. He simply took a deep breath and spoke a word to heaven which meant, “Be Opened.” Could it be that your spiritual ears are closed so that you cannot hear God when He speak to you. You may be trying to make your life better but seem to be failing. Maybe your real need is to listen to God. Open His Word and let Him speak to you the ‘words of life.’ Could you look to heaven on your own behalf and ask God to open your ears so that you could
hear Him.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Shortsighted? #57
Genesis 50:19-21
19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?
20 "And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (NAS)
God is the great comforter and encourager. Often His words to you will encourage you not to be afraid. You may be facing situations and circumstances which seem fearful. God through His servant Joseph reminds you that although it appears evil against you that God is for you. The evil brought against you by the enemy is going to be used for good by God Himself.
Joseph had been sold into slavery, spent time in jail as a result of a false accusation, was raised to the office of the prime minister of Egypt all in order to provide food for the entire world in the midst of a great famine. When his brothers sold him into slavery it was evil, but God turned the tables and brought good from it.
Your perspective is very short-sighted. God looks at the realms of history and sees it all working together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. You are not to be afraid. You are in the hands of the Sovereign Lord, the God of the Universe. He can comfort and encourage you.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?
20 "And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
21 "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (NAS)
God is the great comforter and encourager. Often His words to you will encourage you not to be afraid. You may be facing situations and circumstances which seem fearful. God through His servant Joseph reminds you that although it appears evil against you that God is for you. The evil brought against you by the enemy is going to be used for good by God Himself.
Joseph had been sold into slavery, spent time in jail as a result of a false accusation, was raised to the office of the prime minister of Egypt all in order to provide food for the entire world in the midst of a great famine. When his brothers sold him into slavery it was evil, but God turned the tables and brought good from it.
Your perspective is very short-sighted. God looks at the realms of history and sees it all working together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. You are not to be afraid. You are in the hands of the Sovereign Lord, the God of the Universe. He can comfort and encourage you.
I hope you find purpose for your life today as you grow in Christ. May God bless you as your spiritual life prospers in Jesus.
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