Tag: Godly Leadrs Don’t Lead by Their “Rights!” - 1 Corinthians 9-10

1 Corinthians 9:12-15

If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

Tag:  Godly Leaders Don’t Lead by Their “Rights!”

In chapter nine of this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul is addressing an issue that was facing that church and their relationship with hm and with other teachers in the church (many of them, false teachers).   That is the subject of this chapter and the above passage specifically.   Paul was being accused of using the Corinthian believers for his own personal gain. (Remember, one of Paul’s mission in the early church was to solicit funds for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem.  So, he was asking for money as part of that responsibility.) In the above passage is teaching them that even though he does have the “right” to solicit fund from them (he has just outlined a powerful argument to that effect), he refuses to claim that right.   He is not right writing this letter to demand that they “pay up” for the work he has done among them, or for the persecuted believers and brothers in Jerusalem.  Paul is not demanding. Paul is not injecting his rights into the argument.  Although, he is reminding them he could.   Paul is a master debater and a marvelous leader.   Paul is setting aside his rights and appealing to their consciousness of being a fellow believer to those in need. He is, in essence, appealing to the power of the Gospel.  He will, shortly, speak to the Gospel in the following verses.   The key for Paul is to know his rights and to not claim them.    A leader does not have to lead inflicting his rights.  A great leader knows his rights but has ideas and arguments and persuasions that don’t need the support of those rights.   

Tag: Belief Conquers Fear - Mark 5-6

Mark 5:35-36

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Tag:  Belief Conquers Fear

Fear is created when we believe something has the power to diminish, destroy or derail our safety.   It can be created when an event presents a pattern that connects with previous bad circumstances where we received damage:  A dog bites you in the past and now, a new dog presents a similar threat.   It can also be conjured up in our imagination because we have created a narrative that is replacing an unknown we face: The doctor tells us we have lump in a breast - we begin to fear because we create a narrative in our minds of all the things that can happen to us.  It can be created because of an obvious, current event that is logical in our minds: We are attacked by an intruder.    Or, as the above shows, we fear when someone we love is hurting, or die, and we hare completely out of control.  Whatever the cause of the fear, the above words from Jesus are the antidote:  “only believe.”   Jesus transcends all fear.  Jesus tells us, “I got this.”   That does not change the circumstances, it just allows us to “frame” the circumstances in a way that we see them through the eyes of the power of God, rather than our own helpless power.   Belief in God changes the emotion of fear in that it replaces the unknown, the loss of control, and destroys all past patterns of thought with a thought that transcends anything we face.  God trumps all situations.   God can (and often does) does something that is incredibly awesome and rescues us from certain peril (as in the above story ... God heals the man’s daughter).  Sometimes, however, God does not do something miraculous to change the situation or circumstances.  Sometimes He simply changes us and gives us an incredible calmness; fills us with supernatural peace; or, replaces our fear with an incredible joy that no one can explain.  How God solves the problem is not the point.  The avenue God sues to solve the problem is:  He wants us to believe.   We are called to believe, whether we want to or not.  We are called to have faith, whether we have it or or not.  Belief trumps fear because God is greater than any of our circumstances or situations.  

Tag: Dress for Work - Jeremiah 1-6

Jeremiah 1:16-17

And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.

Tag:  Dress for Work

Jeremiah has an important task. He is being sent to the nation of Judah to declare to them that because of their constant idol worship of false gods, God is bringing a judgment against them from some country to the north of them.   As a result, Jeremiah needs to prepare himself for work.  In the verses that follow the above verses, God will tell Jeremiah what He will do for him.  God is owing to make him a “fortified city,” an “iron pillar,” and a “bronze wall.”   God is equipping Jeremiah for the tasks he is about to do.   But, Jeremiah is to clothe himself for “work” and be ready to be say “everything” that he is “commanded” to say.   The picture we have here is the picture we have in Ephesians 6 and the instructions of Paul to put on the armor of God.   Note:

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Jeremiah is to, by faith, clothe himself for the work God has him to do.   We are to go out into the world understanding the work and prepared for the work.  By faith we are take the armor of God and trust that God will enable us and use us in the battle against sin and Satan.   God has not only commissioned us to fight the battle, He has equipped us for the mission He has before us.  Our preparation is to, by faith, take the armor He has given us and use it for His glory and His purpose.   

Tag; God Obscures His Creation - Job 25-26

Job 26:9

He covers the face of the full moon

and spreads over it his cloud.

Tag:  God Obscures His Creation

The response above is found in the section where Job is replying to his friends and declaring the greatest and mystery of God.   His point in this section is to tell how great God is and how God is in complete control ... but, some things are hidden by God.  In the above verse the thing hidden is either metaphorically the moon or God’s throne.  The word translated above for “moon” can often, also be translated “throne.”   It seems in the context of Job talking about God’s control and power over creation, the best interpretation would be “moon.”   However, Job is also stating in this chapter that God is not only awesome and in complete control, but also that God’s power and purposes are often obscure to us.   Whatever the meaning of the word, the passage is saying plainly that God is and does have power over His creation.  Since Job is one of God’s creation, Job must be willing to accept what God has done and will do with His creation.   This is where Job gets into trouble.   Job wants God to justify what He has done to Job.  God, as the Creator, does not have to justify Himself or what He does with His creation to anyone.   The next time we see the clouds obscure the sun or the moon we might want to recall this verse and remember that God is the Creator and, at times, obscures His Purpose in our lives ... but He is still the Creator!! 

Tag: Steadfast Love - Psalm 36-38

Psalms 36:5-7

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

your judgments are like the great deep;

man and beast you save, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Tag:  Steadfast Love

God’s love is the predominant theme of the Bible.   Because of His great love He designed the plan of salvation and sacrificed His Son for our redemption.   It is God’s Love that propels His every step in our lives.    Because of God’s love for us and our love for Him we can know that all things are for His purposed and our good:

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Because of His great love and trusting in that love we have no fear: 

1 John 4:16-18

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Because God “perfectly” loves us, we have no fear because what He allows in our lives is “perfect” for us.  God ONLY allows the things He wants into our lives.  Because He loves us He will not allow any harm to come to us.  We might have suffering in this life, but, even the suffering He allows is to cause us to lean more heavily on Him:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.

God’s Love enables us to live in a way to glorify Him.  It is steadfast and NEVER leaves us. 

Tag: Organizational Leadership and God - 1 Samuel 11-15

1 Samuel 12:14

If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.

Tag: Organizational Leadership and God

The truth of this passage is simple:

God cares little of our hierarchy as long as He is at the top of it!

The nation of Israel wanted an earthly king so they could be like other nations.  That might be the day “organizational management systems” were born in Israel.  Up until now, Israel was a “theocracy.”  God was their King.  The Church is a “theocracy” as Christ is Her head.  God is supposed to be at the top. He has little interest in our other management systems.  God does seem to believe in a single leadership model: Some “one” leading.  Moses lead.  Joshua lead.  Samuel lead.  The Judges Lead.  David Lead.  In the case we have above, Saul lead.   In the early church Peter seems to lead; then Paul; in Acts 15 James.   So, leadership is not the issue.  In each of these cases the Person at the top was God.   It is not who is leading the group, it is who is leading the leader that matters.  God wants and demands to be at the center of our lives and the top of the leadership food chain.  Nothing else matters if He is at the top.  

Tag: When Dying - Genesis 48-50

Genesis 48:1-4

(Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh)

After this, Joseph was told, “Behold, your father is ill.” So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And it was told to Jacob, “Your son Joseph has come to you.” Then Israel summoned his strength and sat up in bed. And Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.’

Tag:  When Dying

Jacob (Israel) is about to die.  As he is doing so, he recalls the promises of God.   That might be the best advice we can give to anyone who is facing death’s door and can see it.  Jacob remembered the promises of God to be blessed.   In our dying this, too, can be the peace we need in a frightful time.  God has given us many promises that are encouraging to us in times of need.  This is one of them:

John 14:1-3

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

God wants us to trust in Him in the darkest moments.  Jacob chooses to remember the promises of God while facing death.  That is the best way to face death.  Trusting in the promises of God.  Our fears meet their match in the promises of God.  

Tag: Worldly Concerns Can Hinder Christian Purpose - 1 Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Tag:  Worldly Concerns Hinder Christian Purpose

Paul is in the middle of answering a question the Corinthian believer asked him about marriage and divorce.   Paul has already taught them many truths in this passage, but one sure concern Paul had about marriage, divorce, being single, being a widow and remarriage, was how that all impacts the purpose we all have, as believers, in Christ.   Paul, in the above passage, is outlining an overriding principle he wants every category to know:  The concerns of this world can impact our focus.   Paul makes it clear that those who are married have concerns to “please” their spouse.  Those who are not married, do not have those same concerns.   No matter our status, we need to make sure we understand that the time is short and our time on this earth is short.   We can tell from the above passage that Paul was very much anticipating that Christ would return, soon.   Because of that truth, that impacted Paul’s thoughts about marriage and/or remarriage.    We have a purpose to fulfill, in Paul’s theology.   He is not objecting to marriage, but he is giving us a warning that marriage does change the way we focus.   It is interesting that he does not draw a conclusion based upon that truth.  He leaves that up to the readers.   What he does want all to know is that marriage is part of some people’s lives and that marriage can, at time, take our focus away from the things of the Lord.   But, there are times when the things of the Lord should take us away from the things of marriage.  In regard to sexual matters, note what he said earlier:

1 Corinthians 7:5

Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Marriage and Christianity are not to be separated.  But, marriage is to be understood via the lens of Christianity.   God crated marriage.  God created the church.   There is harmony between both.  But, focus can be lost in either.   

Tag: The World Chokes the Word - Mark 3-4

Mark 4:18-19

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Tag:  The World Chokes the Word

The parable of the sower and the seed is one of the most known of all Jesus’ parables.  He talked in parables so that those who He wanted to hear the truths would hear them and the simple, the curious, the common man would not latch onto truth they were not ready for, or, more importantly, prepared for, by God (Mark 4:10-12).   In the above portion of this parable we have Jesus explanation about the “seeds” (God’s Word) that was sown among the thorns.   When good seed starts to grow in the midst of thorns, thorns do what thorns do.   The choke out the fruit the seed is supposed to bring forth.    So, too, the world cares and the world’s concerns.   If we are attempting to have God’s Word grow in our lives but we are planted right in the middle of a thorn patch, we should not expect much fruit in our lives.   We can’t read God’s Word for a few minutes a day and then live in the midst of the concerns of the world the other 23 hours and “x” minutes - and expect spiritual growth.   The cares of this world and the cares of the reaches and desires of this world will choke us to death.  We hear about them all day long in music, entertainment choices, mindless TV choices, pop up ads that appear on our devices, political feeds, social media feeds, etc.  The cares of this world have NO restraint.    They will simply choke all the work we do with the Word if we don’t find a way to separate from the world.  We have to cut the world off and all the Word to come into our lives to change the way we think.  If we don’t, we allow the world and their ideas and thoughts to simple choke the truth of the Word.  

Tag: Remember God’s Goodness - Isaiah 62-66

Isaiah 63:14

Like livestock that go down into the valley,

the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.

So you led your people,

to make for yourself a glorious name.

Tag:  Remember God’s Goodness

The nation of Israel is in a bad place.  They had rejected God and worship idols in the mountains.   They had decided to pursue the gods of the nations rather than to be a Light to the nations.   Isaiah has talked to them about their forsaken and judgement.   Yet, in this section of his prophetic speech, Isaiah is reminding Israel about the times past (that can yet be again ... as they walk in faith).   In the above passage he is telling them that in the midst of turmoil, danger, peril and onslaught, the “Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.”  This is still true today.  God does not change our circumstances but, through His Spirit, produces within us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness; goodness, faithfulness; gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  God can produce, and does produce, within us, the ability to have peace in the midst of turmoil.  That is because it is not us making the peace, or doing a great act of “fake it to make it.”   It is because we so rely on God and lean into Him that He miraculously produces these qualities inside us.   We can rejoice and remember the goodness of God because He still works that way today for those who stop worshiping idols and put Him at the center of their lives. When God is at the center of our thinking, peace is at the center of our lives.  

Tag; Pain is a Place to Start - Job 23-24

Job 23:1-2

(Job Replies: Where Is God?)

Then Job answered and said:

“Today also my complaint is bitter;

my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.

Tag: Pain Is a Place To Start

Job is a hurting man.  In the above verse he makes a plain statement:  “My hand is heaven on account of my groaning.”   I was recently sick.  It was absolutely nothing, in any way, shape, or form, compared to Job’s plight.  The flu does not compare to Job’s plight.  But, my pain was bad and I did not think correctly.   I have lost my job and family due to conflict and selfishness.   I was in so much pain, emotionally, that I almost took my life.   My pain was bad and I was not thinking correctly.   In these two chapters of Job, he is not thinking correctly.  But, he has to start somewhere.   These chapters show a turning point for Job as he begins to question God’s integrity. He has been warming up that thought for several chapters, but here, he is not thinking correctly.   He wants to know where God is when he sees multiple examples of injustice in the world around him.    He is not afraid, in his pain, to come to God with his true feelings.  We can understand ... especially if we, too, have experienced pain.   Pain is a weird place to talk to God.  But, it is a place to talk to Him.  It is a place to start.  God will soon reply to Job.  He will never answer Job’s questions.  He will so show Job where He is (powerfully in control).   But, Job begins to talk to God in his pain.  It is a place for him to start.   

Tag: Washington D.C. is a Mess - Here is Why - Psalms 33-35

Psalms 33:10-12

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever,

the plans of his heart to all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

Tag: Washington D.C. is a Mess and God Plans it That Way

In the above passage we have the song writer in Psalms creating a song about the nations.   He has just reminded the reader that God is in the heavens and, in fact, made the heavens and with the breath of his mouth, “all their host.”  This psalm in general is about the steadfast love of the Lord.  But in the above verses the writer is speaking about the pathetic nature of mankind.   God looks down from heaven and sees the plans of man.  They are not His plans.   The last couple of verses in the above section tell us that when a nation is God’s and has God in their midst, they are blessed. He makes His plans happen in them and for them.   However, when the nations are not about God and they want to parse God into so many little “gods” that anyone can name and manipulate to their favor, God is not well pleased.  So the point of the text is that God takes the plans of man, the plans that do not fit His plans, and makes them come to nothing.   He then “frustrates” the plans of the people.  If we have ever been frustrated with our government, it is now.  But, that is because God can’t bless us, because we are pushing God out of our nation.  We are allowing our nation to reject God’s truths and to write their own versions of truth, as they seem fit.   God will make their plans to come to nothing and frustrate the plans of the people.  

Tag: The World Does Not Get Grace - 1 Samuel 6-10

1 Samuel 6:1-5

(The Ark Returned to Israel)

The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land.

Tag:  The World Does Not Get Grace

The Philistines had won the battle, but were about to lose the real war.  In battle they had defeated Israel, killed the priest’s (Eli) sons, watched Israel run away in humiliation AND taken the Ark of the Covenant as a treasure.   That was their biggest mistake.  As a result of brining the Ark into their midst, God sent a plaque on them that produced tumors.   Now they wanted to know what to do.  Because they did not understand God’s grace, they attempted what we read above. They thought that works would bring them rightness before God.   Now, by sending the Ark back to the nation of Israel, they did end the tumors.   But, it did not make them right before God.  The “works” they did helped them feel better.  It relieved the immediate pain of the tumors.  But, “works” will not get us right before God.  Despite this one act of contrition they were still enemies of God (Romans 8:7).   The only way for them to be “right” before God is to come to Him and ask for His grace.  Works does not provide grace (Romans 11:6). We have to understand that God wants to give us grace, but we must humbly stop trying to earn it.   Grace comes by a gift.   They were able to stop the pain and win the battle.  But, they still lost the war.  They needed to seek God’s grace to win that war.  We win when we submit to God and He extends us grace.   

Tag:Forgiveness vs Trust - Genesis 44-47

Genesis 44:10

He said, “Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.”

Tag: Forgiveness vs Trust

Forgiveness doesn't always translate to trust. Here we see Joseph practice forgiveness with verification.

So, I know I am supposed to forgive people. But, what do I do then? Do I trust them again? Does true Biblical forgiveness equal full trust? In our story today of Joseph and his brothers we have some insight into that question. God gives us the story of Joseph to teach us much about Him and about us and life. Some see Joseph as a type of Christ in the Old Testament and a picture for us to learn from. Joseph is one of only a few people mentioned in the Bible who has no recorded act of sin. If Joseph is truly Christ like, what can we learn from his relationship with the brothers who hurt him? Prior to revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph gives them a test. He puts his "special" cup in the bag of his brother Benjamin. When confronting the brothers with this act of "theft" Joseph is testing them to see if they will sell out Benjamin just like they sold him into slavery. Joseph wants to know if they will betray Benjamin to save their own skin. He gives them a test. In today's modern version of Christianity forgiveness is passed around like candy. In fact, if we don't forgive and wrap it in absolute trust we are seen as non-forgiving. Joseph was willing to forgive his brothers - but not without verification. His motto might have been forgive but verify. Not a bad motto. The fact that their should be a time and demonstration to the repentance of others is a lesson Joseph teaches us. This is not always the case but it ought to be considered as a strategy to employ when trying to work with those who hurt us. Forgive - but verify for trust.

Tag: Imagine a World Where God’s Word Ruled Our Disputes! 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 6:1-8

(Lawsuits Against Believers)

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

Tag: Imagine a World Where God’s Word Ruled Our Disputes!!

The church at Corinth was not always the best example of a group of believers that had it all together.  In chapter five we read that there was actually a young man who was having a sexual affair with his step mother.   Paul condemned the man and the church for failing to speak out and act against such behavior.   Now in chapter six we read about some other believers who were taking each other to a civilian court to win a verdict against another brother.   Paul sternly condemns them for this.   His reasons are as follows:

1.  Why would the “saints” allow a “non-saint” (non-believer) to judge them.   The “saints” are going to judge the word.   

2.  The church has believes are not “incompetent” to judge trivial matters ... if this is a matter of the world it is trivial. 

3.  Believers are going to judge the angels.  That makes us highly qualified for trivial matters. 

4.  It is shameful to take disputes between believers and show them to the world.  It damages the Kingdom.  No matter of this world, that is a dispute between believers, is more important than the reputation of the Kingdom of God. 

5. The leadership of the Church has been given wisdom for these very things. 

6.  You are already in “defeat” that you can’t resolve this based upon Christian love..  The fact that two believers can’t allow the Spirit of God to produce love in their lives to care for any dispute is a “defeat.”  

7.  The proper way to handle this is to allow yourself to be defrauded; to suffer loss.  Again, there is nothing in this world that is more important than the Body of Christ and the harmony we have in Christ.   When we allow disputes to go unresolved through Christian love we defraud our brother or sister in Christ.  

God knows how to handle disputes.   It is not before non-believers.  

Anyone Can Come to Jesus - Mark 1-2

Mark 2:17

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Tag:  Anyone Can Come to Jesus

In the above passage Jesus intersects with fishermen.  He calls them to be with Him and to believe in Him and to serve with and for Him.  They respond.  Throughout the book of Mark, we see Jesus interest and engage with all sorts of human beings.  He has no limits in his reach.  But, notice they are not the prized and the famous and the whole and the best.  Notice the type of people Jesus ministers to and calls into His Kingdom. Not just fishermen:

1. Man with a withered had (Mark 1:23)

2. A mother-in-law with a fever (Mark 1:30)

3. All who were sick and oppressed by demons (March 1:32)

4. A leper (Mark 1:40)

5. A paralytic (Mark 2:3)

6. A group of tax collectors (Mark 3:14-15)

7. A man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1)

8.  All who were diseased (Mark 3:10)

9.  A demon possess man (Mark 5:2)

10.  A ruler of a synagogue and his daughter (Mark 5:22)

11. A woman who had a blood issue (Mark 5:27)

12.  Hungry people (Mark 6:34)

13.  A group of fearful and failing disciples (Mark 6:50)

14.  Sick people on beds (Mark 6:55)

15. A Syrophoeenician woman (an immigrant) (Mark 7:26)

16. A deaf man (Mark 7:32)

17.  More hungry people (Mark 8:2)

18.  A blind and begging man (Mark 8:22)

19.  A dead boy and his family (Mark 9:20)

20.  A group of proud and arrogant disciples (Mark 9:34)

21.  A judgmental disciple (Mark 9:32)

22. False teachers and leaders (Mark 10:2; 11:27; 12:13; 12:18; 12:28; 14:53)

23.  Little, innocent children (Mark 10:13)

24. A rich young man (Mark 10:17)

25. Ambitious, but selfish, disciples (Mark 10:35)

26.  Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46)

27.  Capitalist (Mark 11:15)

28.  A faithful widow (Mark 12:42)

29.  Disciples - theological students (Mark 13:3)

30.  Simon the leper (Mark 14:3)

31. A prostitute (Mark 14:3)

32. A betraying disciple (Mark 14:10)

33. A Man carrying a jar of water (Mark 14:13)

34.  A denying disciple (Mark 14:30)

35.  Sleepy disciples (Mark 14:37)

36.  A naked, denying disciple (Mark 14:51)

37. A political power broker (Mark 15:1)

38.  A mob (Mark 15:11)

39.  Roman soldiers (Mark 15:16)

40. A stranger, the man who bore His cross (Mark 15:21)

41.  Women who ministered with and to him (Mark 15:40)

42.  A rich man who had a empty tomb (Mark 15:42)

43:  The followers after his death (Mark 16:9, 12)

Jesus ministered and loved many people. Seldom was it the rich and the famous and the best.  It was always the sick and the weak and the failing.  Those are who come to Christ and receive grace.  

Tag: Bad Leadership - Isaiah 56-61

Isaiah 56:9-12

(Israel's Irresponsible Leaders)

All you beasts of the field, come to devour—

all you beasts in the forest.

His watchmen are blind;

they are all without knowledge;

they are all silent dogs;

they cannot bark,

dreaming, lying down,

loving to slumber.

The dogs have a mighty appetite;

they never have enough.

But they are shepherds who have no understanding;

they have all turned to their own way,

each to his own gain, one and all.

“Come,” they say, “let me get wine;

let us fill ourselves with strong drink;

and tomorrow will be like this day,

great beyond measure.”

Tag:  What Does Bad Leadership Look Like? 

In the above passage, Isaiah is writing about the poor leadership in Israel.   He makes several observations about what bad leadership looks like.  These leaders were:

1.  They are Brutes - “All you beasts of the field, come to devour—all you beasts in the forest.”  - These leaders had one thing in mind: Devour and Conquer.   

2. They are Blind - “... His watchmen are blind;

they are all without knowledge;” - These leaders did not know how to lead, did not know God or His Word.  Poor leaders lack knowledge about the area they are leading. 

3. They lack a Bark - “... they are all silent dogs;

they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. - The reason for a dog is that the dog will bark when there is danger.   Great leaders warn us of dangers approaching.  These leaders did not.  Instead, they simply lay down and slumber.  Poor leaders are like dogs who sleep rather than watch. 

4.  They Binge - “ ... The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. - Bad leaders feed their own appetite, obsessionally.   They simply want to consume what they want.  Good leaders should feed their flock.  These leaders simply consume 

5.  They are Brainwashers - “... “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”  - Bad leaders love to wave a treat in one hand and a false path in the other.  These leaders of Israel were trying to change the minds of the nation to please their own appetite.  They make it sound so safe in one way ... leading to death and destruction in reality.   

Bad leaders can be found in organizations, churches, schools, institutions families and/or clubs.   Avoid them.  Be aware of them.  

Tag: Is God Too Removed From Our Lives - Job 22

Job 22:12-14

“Is not God high in the heavens?

See the highest stars, how lofty they are!

But you say, ‘What does God know?

Can he judge through the deep darkness?

Thick clouds veil him, so that he does not see,

and he walks on the vault of heaven.’

Tag:  Is God Too Removed From Our Lives

Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, is, again, waxing eloquent about Job’s dilemma.    He, like Job’s other friends, has interpreted Job’s events as sin in Job’s life.   Eliphaz has listened to Job’s discourse (especially chapter twenty-one) and believes Job is saying that God is not acting on what He knows; and, in fact, that God is not “able” to even see what man’s wickedness has amounted to.   Eliphaz believes that Job is limiting God’s knowledge of Job’s condition.   Hence the above passage.   Eliphaz is, of course, off on both his interpretation of what God is doing and what Job was saying in the previous discourse.   In his attempt to correct Job, however, Eliphaz has expressed a theological truth:  God is NOT hidden in the clouds and CAN see what is happening with mankind.   Job, in the previous chapter, had stated that the wicked act as though God is not concerned about their lives ... therefore free of judgment: 

Job 21:9-14

Their houses are safe from fear,

and no rod of God is upon them.

Their bull breeds without fail;

their cow calves and does not miscarry.

They send out their little boys like a flock,

and their children dance.

They sing to the tambourine and the lyre

and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.

They spend their days in prosperity,

and in peace they go down to Sheol.

They say to God, ‘Depart from us!

We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.

Mankind likes to think that God is passive about their lives. They believe, IF there is a God, He is not concerned about their internet searches, entertainment choices, or their lustful bents.   The believe that God is far removed from their lives, they can do what they want with their lives.   Eliphaz is wrong about the application to Job, but right on the point of this truth.  God does see what we do and will act, soon.   We must never think that God is not “pondering” our path:

Proverbs 5:21

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.  

God is, indeed, pondering our paths.   He is not in the dark clouds above or have His head in the sands.   He sees all and will act accordingly.  

Tag: We Are Surrounded - Psalms 30-32

Psalms 32:10

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

Tag:  We Are Surrounded

When we look around us we can see many dangers and perils.   We can see a government bent upon consuming itself.  We can see a world headed for hatred, if not all ready there.  We can see a creation waxing old and unreliable.   But, for believers, what we can’t always see is the truth in the above verse.   Those who do not trust in God will, at one point, be surrounded with sorrow.   When death comes upon them they have no hope. When sickness engulfs them they have no hope. When crisis lays hold of them they have no hope.   But, with the one who trusts in God, the story is different.   Those who put their trust in God are surrounded by “steadfast love.”  Note what David said just a few verses earlier in this song:

Psalms 32:6-7

Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

God surrounds us with “shouts of deliverance” and with “steadfast love.”   We can know we are safe and secure in the arms of God even if the entire world deserts us.  We are surrounded ... by His great love that never fails!!!  REJOICE!!!

Tag: Sin Impacts Community - 1 Samuel 1-5

1 Samuel 4:12-18

A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

Tag: Spiritual Condition Impacts Community

The above story shows the truth that the spiritual condition of believers can impact all aspects of the community around them.   Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the spiritual leaders of the day.   But, together, they did not honor God or the worship of God:

1 Samuel 3:12-14

On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

God had warned them.   But, they did not listen.   Eli simply knew that God would do what God would do and did not think of repenting and/or correcting his sons. When Samuel told him everything God said to him, here was Eli’s response:

1 Samuel 3:18

So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

Failure to repent and change course will result in affliction to not only yourself, but the community around you.  Because of their failure, Israel lost thousands of soldiers and a defeat to God’s enemy.  When we fail to correct course we impact the community around us. Even though Eli was warned time and time again, he did not repent, he did not correct course.  Instead he impact his sons and the entire nation.   Failure to correct course impacts an entire community.  

Tag: Give God Glory at Work - Genesis 40-43

Genesis 41:28

It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Tag:  God Should Get the Glory in Our Work

Joseph is in prison and Pharaoh has a bad dream. That is the context of the above verse.   Pharaoh wants an interpretation and Pharaoh is informed that Joesph is a dream teller.  Something he did as a child is now a skill that will cause him to be second in command in the entire land.   When asked to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, Joseph could have become selfish and self promoting.   Instead, Joseph gives glory to God right away.  Note a previous stamens by Joseph:

Genesis 41:15-16

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Joseph was more than willing to give God the glory.  He had been in prison for years and could have been very bitter at God and his family.  Instead, we see a man that is willing to recognize God’s sovereign will in his life and God’s power to give him wisdom.   What would be Pharaoh’s response when Joseph interprets the dream?

Genesis 41:38-39

And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.

We are to give God glory for our skills and gifts.  When we do, so, too, will others.