Mark 7:20-23

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

 

²⁰ He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ²¹ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²² greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. ²³ All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”



An evil action begins with a single thought. Allowing our minds to dwell on lust, envy, hatred, or revenge will lead to sin. Don't defile yourself by focusing on evil. Instead, follow Paul's advice in Philippians 4:8 and think about what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.



Joe

Mark 6:48-50

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”



The disciples were afraid, but Jesus' presence calmed their fears. We all experience fear. Do we try to deal with it ourselves, or do we let Jesus deal with it? In times of fear and uncertainty, it is calming to know that Christ is always with us. To recognize Christ's presence is the antidote for fear.


Joe

Mark 6:37-42

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

³⁷ But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
³⁸ “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
³⁹ Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. ⁴¹ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. ⁴² They all ate and were satisfied.


When Jesus asked the disciples to provide food for over 5000 people, they asked in astonishment if they should go spend 8 months' wages on bread. How do you react when you are given an impossible task? A situation that seems impossible with human resources is simply an opportunity for God. The disciples did everything they could by gathering the available food and organizing the people into groups. Then, in answer to prayer, God did the impossible. When facing a seemingly impossible task, do what you can and ask God to do the rest. He may see fit to make the impossible happen.


Joe

Mark 6:31

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

³¹ Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”


When the disciples had returned from their mission, Jesus took them away to rest. Doing God's work is very important, but Jesus recognized that to do it effectively we need periodic rest and renewal. Jesus and His disciples , however, did not always find it easy to get the rest they needed.


Joe

Mark 6:17-20

The Message (MSG)

 

 

^17-20 Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife whom he had married. For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn’t dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt—and yet he couldn’t stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back.



Herod arrested John the Baptist under pressure from his wife and advisors. Though Herod respected John's integrity, in the end Herod had John killed because of pressure from his peers and family.
What you do under pressure often shows what you are really like.



Please pray for my Dad as he undergoes prostate surgery today.


Joe

Mark 6:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

⁷ And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.

 

 

The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ's plan. One advantage in going out by twos was that they could strengthen and encourage each other, especially when they faced rejection. Our strength comes from God, but He meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don't try to go it alone.

 

 

Joe

Mark 6:4

The Message (MSG)

 

 

 

⁴ Jesus told them, “A prophet has little honor in his hometown, among his relatives, on the streets he played in as a child.”



Jesus said that a prophet {in other words, a worker for God} is never honored in his hometown. But that doesn't make his work any less important. A person doesn't need to be respected or honored to be useful to God. If friends, neighbors, or family don't respect your Christian work, don't let their rejection keep you from serving God.



Joe

Mark 4:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

Parable of the Lamp

 

²¹ Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a bowl or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

 

 

If a lamp doesn't help people see, it is useless. Does your life show other people how to find God and how to live for Him? If not, ask what "bowls" have extinguished your light. Complacency, resentment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedience could keep God's light from shining through you to others.

 

 

 

Joe

Mark 2:3-4

The Message (MSG)

 

 

3-4 A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher.

 

 

The paralytic's need moved his friends to action, and they brought him to Jesus. When you recognize someone's need, do you act? Many people have physical and spiritual needs you can meet, either by yourself or with others who are also concerned. Human need moved these 4 men; let it also move you to compassionate action.

Joe

Mark 1:5

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

 

 

The purpose of John's preaching was to prepare people to accept Jesus as God's son. When John challenged the people to confess sin individually, he signaled the start of a new way to relate to God.

 

Is change needed in your life before you can hear and understand Jesus' message? You have to admit that you need forgiveness before you can accept it. To prepare to receive Christ, repent. Denounce the world's dead-end attractions, sinful temptations and harmful attitudes.

 

 

Joe

Matthew 28:18-20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”


God gave Jesus authority over heaven and earth. On the basis of that authority, Jesus told His disciples to make more disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. With this same authority, Jesus still commands us to tell others the Good News and make them disciples for the kingdom.

Joe

Matthew 28:2

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.



The stone was not rolled back so Jesus could get out, but so others could get in and see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, just as He had promised.


Joe

Matthew 26:40-41

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴⁰ Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? ⁴¹ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”


Jesus used Peter's drowsiness to warn him about the kinds of temptation he would soon face. The way to overcome temptation is to keep watch and pray. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties, and spiritually equipped to fight it. Because temptation strikes where we are most vulnerable, we can't resist it alone. Prayer is essential because God's strength can shore up our defenses and defeat Satan's power.

Joe {Encouraged today!}

Matthew 26:35

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

³⁵ “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.



All the disciples declared that they would die before disowning Jesus. A few hours later, however, they all scattered. Talk is cheap. It is easy to say we are devoted to Christ, but our claims are meaningful only when they are tested in crucible of persecution. How strong is your faith? Is it strong enough to stand up under intense trial?



Joe ( Please pray for my family... the enemy is turning up the heat! )

Matthew 24:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹² Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.


With false teaching and loose morals comes a particularly destructive disease - the loss of true love for God and others. Sin cools your love for God and others by turning your focus on yourself. You cannot truly love if you only think of yourself.



Joe

Matthew 23:25-28

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
²⁷ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. ²⁸ Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.



Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for outwardly appearing saintly and holy but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed. Living our Christianity merely as a show for others is like washing a cup on the outside only. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness on the outside won't be a sham.



Joe

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord...


Dear Amanda,
It has been 9 years since the Lord took you home. I love you and miss you so much.
Dad



We don’t know what the Lord’s plans are for us. I like to think that His plans for Amanda involved a position He had for her in heaven. I’m sure she is doing a great job up there.


My thoughts are all over the place today…so I am just going to say …
Take the time today to tell the important people (Wife, Husband, Parents, Children, Grandchildren) in your life how much you love them!

Joe

Matthew 23:5-7

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

⁵ “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. ⁶ And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. ⁷ They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.


People desire positions of leadership not only in business but also in the church. It is dangerous when love for the position grows stronger than loyalty to God. This is what happened to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus is not against all leadership - we need Christian leaders - but against leadership that serves itself rather than others.


Joe

Matthew 21:42

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

⁴² Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.’

 

Jesus refers to himself as "the stone the builders rejected." Although Jesus was rejected by many of His people, He will become the capstone, or cornerstone, of His new building, the church.

 

 

Joe

Matthew 20:27-28

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your servant. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus' mission was to serve others and to give His life away. A real leader has a servant's heart. Servant leaders appreciate others' worth and realize their not above any job. If you see something that needs to be done, don't wait to be asked. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant.


Joe

Matthew 18:8-9

The Message (MSG)

 

^8-9 “If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away. You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire. And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.



We must remove stumbling blocks that cause us to sin. This does not mean to cut off a part of the body; it means that any relationship, practice, or activity that leads to sin should be stopped. Jesus says it would be better to go to heaven with one hand than to hell with both. Sin, of course, affects more than our hands; it affects our minds and hearts.



Joe

Matthew 18:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Greatest in the Kingdom

18 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
² Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. ³ Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.


Jesus used a child to help His self-centered disciples get the point. We are not to be childish, {like the disciples, arguing over petty issues}, but rather childlike, with humble and sincere hearts. Are you being childlike, or childish?

Joe

Matthew 15:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”



The disciples asked Jesus to get rid of the woman because she was bothering them with her nagging persistence. They showed no compassion for her or sensitivity to her needs. It is possible to become so occupied with spiritual matters that we miss real needs right around us. This is especially likely if we are prejudiced against needy people or if they cause us inconvenience. Instead of being bothered, be aware of the opportunities that surround you. Be open to the beauty of God's message for all people, and make an effort not to shut out those who are different from you.


Joe

Matthew 14:19-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁹ Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. ²⁰ They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. ²¹ About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!


Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed over 5000 people. What He was originally given seemed insufficient, but in His hands it became more than enough. We often feel that our contribution to Jesus is meager, but He can use and multiply whatever we give Him, whether it is talent, time, or treasure. It is when we give them to Jesus that our resources are multiplied.


Joe

Matthew 12:34-36

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

 

³⁴ ... For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.


Jesus reminds us that what we say reveals what is in our hearts. What kinds of words come from your mouth? That is an indication of what your heart is really like. You can't solve your heart problem, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at its source.


Joe

Matthew 11:25

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

 

Rest for the Weary

 

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.


Jesus mentioned two kinds of people in His prayer: the "wise" - arrogant in their own knowledge - and the "little children" - humbly open to receive the truth of God's Word. Are you wise in your own eyes, or do you seek the truth in childlike faith, realizing that only God holds all the answers.


Joe

Matthew 9:9

New Living Translation (NLT)
 

Jesus Calls Matthew

⁹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

 

 

When Jesus called Matthew to be one of His disciples, Mathew got up and followed, leaving a lucrative career. When God calls you to follow or obey Him, do you do it with as much abandon as Matthew? Sometimes the decision to follow Christ requires difficult or painful choices. Like Matthew, we must decide to leave behind those things that would keep us from following Christ.

 

 

Joe

Matthew 9:2

New International Version (NIV)

 

² Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

 

Among the first words Jesus said to the paralyzed man were "Your sins are forgiven." Then He healed the man. We must be careful not to concentrate on God's power to heal physical sickness more than His power to forgive spiritual sickness in the form of sin. Jesus saw that even more than physical health, this man needed spiritual health. Spiritual health comes only from Jesus' healing touch.

 

Joe

Matthew 8:23-26

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.


Although the disciples had witnessed many miracles, they panicked in this storm. As experienced sailors, they knew its danger; what they did not know was that Christ could control the forces of nature. There is often a stormy area of our human nature where we feel God can't or won't work. When we truly understand who God is, we will realize that He controls both the storms of nature and the storms of the troubled heart. Jesus' power that calmed this storm can also help us deal with the problems we face. Jesus is willing to help if we only ask Him. We should never discount His power even in terrible trials.


Joe (Happy Labor Day...enjoy the day with your family.)

Matthew 7:21-23

New Living Translation (NLT)

True Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

 

Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with Him. On judgment day, only our relationship with Christ - our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience will matter. Many people think that if they are "good" people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgment.

 

Joe