Truth & Righteousness Day #5

MARK CHALLENGE – DAY #5: Mark 5

TRUTH:  Mark chapter 5 speaks to me about the supremacy of Christ.  In this chapter we see that even demons must listen to him and do as he commands.  I love in this story the imagery express through the legion of demons shaking and trembling in fear in the presence of God’s holy Son.  If Christ’s supremacy is correctly articulated in this chapter of Mark then Christ is certainly more than qualified to manage, lead and handle any and every aspect of my life.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:  In this reading I am reminded of God’s supremacy over all and in all.

RESPONSE:  My response to my reading today is to give thanks to God for his love and to do a little self-evaluation looking for any areas that I may not be surrendering myself entirely to God.

Truth & Righteousness Day #4

MARK CHALLENGE – DAY #4: Mark 4

TRUTH:  The “Truth Point” that jumps out at me in Mark chapter 4 is found in the parable of the farmer scattering seed.  I noticed that in this parable the seed being scattered in inevitable, however, type of soil/ground and how it receives the seed are the uncertain variables.  The seed is the Word of God, the Good News message.  The ground represents the ones receiving that good news and their ability or desire to let it take root in them. Like it or not we choose what kind of soil we have.  We decide what ear we lend to the messages of God. 

RIGHTEOUSNESS:  In this reading I am reminded of God’s righteousness through the generosity He offers us in his willingness to continually speak His words to us.  His desire is for us to hear and accept His words

RESPONSE:  My response to this reading is to pay more attention to my soil and to make sure that as God speaks to me his message falls on good soil so that that message can take root and grow the way he intends it to.

Truth & Righteousness Day 3

MARK CHALLENGE – DAY #3: Mark 3

TRUTH:  Today’s “Truth Point” is found at the end of Mark chapter 3.  Upon a visit from Jesus’ mother and brothers he broadens the reader’s concept of family.  In verse 35, Jesus says, “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  Being adopted I probably have a little different take on “family” than most.  I know what it feels like to be accepted into a family that was not originally yours.  I have experienced what it feels like to be so thankful to have a family to call your own.  Because of the work that Jesus did on the cross we all have the ability to be adopted into God’s great family.  As we follow Christ and do the will of God we journey as brothers and sisters of Jesus.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:  This text reveals to us the righteousness of God as displayed to us through his acceptance of us through Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE:  My response to my reading today is to embrace my heaven family in a deeper way.  This family of God is not just people who go to church together or believe in similar ways.  We are brothers and sisters.  I need to do a better job at valuing that.

Truth & Righteousness Day #2

MARK CHALLENGE – DAY #2: Mark 2

TRUTH:  All though there are many awesome points of instruction and truth in Mark chapter 2, the one that stands out the most to me found in the account of Jesus healing the paralyzed man.  I am sure that you remember the story.  Jesus is teaching at this particular house.  The news spreads that he is there and a huge crowd gathers.  There were some men who had a friend that was paralyzed.  They desired to get him in front of Jesus so that he might be healed.  They were so intent about getting him there to see Jesus that the loaded him up on a mat and carried him to the house in which Jesus was at.  When they arrived they could not get through the crowd to get there friend in front of Jesus.  Did they give up – NO!  They carried their friend up to the roof and lowered him down through a hole in the roof right in front of Jesus and Jesus heals their friend.  I think about the persistence of these men.  It makes me wonder how far I am willing to go to bring someone to Jesus.  To be honest sometimes I don’t even get out of the starting gate on this. Definitely an area that I need to grow a great deal.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:  I feel this story speaks a message of compassion.  Compassion of the men that took their friend to Jesus and the righteous characteristic of the compassion Jesus showed the man when he healed him.

RESPONSE:  My response to my reading today is to begin to look for ways in which I can show more compassion towards the individual God brings in and around my life and to find ways to bring them in front of Jesus.

Truth & Righteousness - Day 1 Video

Truth & Righteousness Day #1

MARK CHALLENGE – DAY #1: Mark 1

TRUTH:  The first chapter of Mark’s gospel is full of all kinds of good stuff.  We see the introduction of John the Baptist whose life’s mission was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.  We see the baptism of Jesus himself.  Jesus begins his ministry by calling his first disciples and casting out demons and healing many.  The “Truth Point” that jumps out at me, however, is the way in which Jesus calls his disciples.  The call of the disciple is to a lifestyle of “following Jesus” (vs. 17).  As a disciple of Jesus, I am not called to a lifestyle of doing things for him.  It is not even a lifestyle of fixing myself or correcting my own flaws to honor him.  It is simply a lifestyle of following Jesus day in and day out. Going where he goes.  Participating with what he participates with. Loving those he loves.  As simple as it sounds, the lifestyle of a disciple is to continually ask ‘What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD) And do it!

RIGHTEOUSNESS:  In this reading, I am reminded of God’s righteousness through the Love that he exhibits by sending his one and only son to live out an exemplary lifestyle for me to follow.

RESPONSE:  My response to my reading today is to intentionally live the lifestyle that I was called to live.  A lifestyle of following Jesus.

Less of Me

Wow, 2017!  I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around this new year.  This year I will turn 44.  I will celebrate 23 years of marriage.  With a little work and a little luck, I will complete my Masters Degree. My oldest will turn 18, my youngest will become an official teenager, and my daughter (middle child) will begin to drive.  HOW OLD AM I GETTING!?!  (No need to comment! lol)  With each passing year, I stand amazed at how quickly life passes by. 

I have many hopes, goals, and dreams for this new year.  I am determined to enjoy life at a greater level. This commitment will require me to grow closer to God and to grow deeper in my understanding of the plan that He has for my life.  It will also require that I grow in my relationship with my wife as we continue to live out the great plan God has for our lives.  Enjoying life more will also need me to embrace a deeper relationship with my kids as they journey towards adulthood.   In 2016, I started a weight loss journey (down 98 lbs, Yeah!) that I am committed to continuing in 2017. Finally, in 2017, I am determined to have a greater impact on those God brings across my path.  I so desire to see individuals come to a full understanding of their full potential in and through Jesus Christ. I hope to act as a catalyst in helping others in this journey.

Overall, 2017 looks to be an ambitious year.  May I keep John 3:30 "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (NLT) As the foundation of this year.  I invite you to join me in this journey and check back from time to time to see what progress has been made.  I also invite you to enhance your own journey this new year.  My hope is that this Blog will act as an encouragement to you as you journey closer to God and "Live on Purpose!"