February 28th- Greatness?

Leviticus 22:17-23:44
Mark 9:30-10:12
Psalms 44:1-8
Proverbs 10:19

(Mark 9:35)
Circumstances and situations sometimes have their way of bringing us to a humbled position. We so easily elevate ourselves to places of greatness – never seeing that the higher we ascend the further the drop to the bottom. We convince ourselves that when we achieve those ‘levels’ then automatically the label of greatness is given. But greatness in whose eyes.

If we are looking through the eyes of mankind greatness changes continually. There is always going to be a new, bigger and stronger contender – there is always going to be another who ‘dwarfs’ our monumental achievements. Our records are just out there as a target for others to run on by! Greatness in that spectrum can never really be obtained…it’s constantly evolving.

But, what if we’re looking through the eyes of God? Perhaps we should look to the opposite end of the line. King Saul hears there is one who will dare to accept the challenge of Goliath, one who has a bear rug and lion skin as a trophy to confirm His achievements. He waits with anticipation over looking a young shepherd boy who walks in. He overlooks God’s chosen champion – Why? He looked (like we do) for the wrong greatness.

David (later King David) was recorded in scripture as being a man with the heart of God. In essence, what was said was this…’a man with a servant’s heart’ – a man that didn’t worry about the task but remained focused towards the outcome.

Like the Disciples of old, too often we get caught up in wrong debates and discussions. Jesus made it very clear that in order to be the greatest – we have to be willing to become a servant of all. Jesus taught them that day that a willingness (and act) of servant hood was the greatest display of greatness. If you desire to be great for God – never position yourself above His requirements. Remember- He starts at the bottom, and really looks no further…because He’s found what He can use!

February 27th- All’s Possible

Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalms 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18

(Mark 9:23-24)
This has to be one of my all time favorite scriptures in the entirety of the Word of God. Impossibilities becoming totally possible…what a thought! But really it’s much more than just a thought – it’s a fact. But what moves it from thought to fact?

The Word of God was never intended to just be a good thought – it’s what we have made it to be. When God spoke, nothing was able to stand against His spoken Word. Now those words are written down for us – that by faith we can speak them, and by faith they can accomplish what He intended for them to do.

In Isaiah 55:11 God promises (paraphrased) that His spoken (or written) word will not return void (not having accomplished what it’s intention was)but that it would do and bring Blessing.

In Mark 9 we see Jesus teaching us a so important life lesson. It’s not the natural that produces, but rather the supernatural. In the natural there are limitations- but the supernatural knows none.

We have to learn to live our lives in that ‘Faith Zone’ that place of complete trust and faith…that place where impossibilities have no choice but to become possibilities.

Instead of being shocked when God does – why not be shocked when He doesn’t. Why not live in the area of expectancy…after all isn’t that faith? Don’t allow your disbelief to rob you of faith’s results. Allow your doubt to be turned into faith.

Why not dare to believe God! Trust Him – take Him at His Word.

February 26th- Longing for God

Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:11-38
Psalms 42:1-11
Proverbs 10:17

(Psalms 42:1-2)
I know that when I first arrive back in England there is something I always crave…good old ’fish and chips’. If you have never experienced tasting them, then you don’t know what I’m talking about. Wow, I can taste them now…they are incredible. In fact I almost make myself sick of them, while I’m there, as I eat it so much. (Know my kids get tired of them!)

So what is your craving? What is it that you long for in your life? At best most of those ‘things’ are not ‘healthy’ for us – neither do they do us much good – in fact,often they can cause us many problems. So why is it that we have such a longing for ‘stuff’ like that – but yet God is of no interest?

David talks about having such a ‘longing’ and thirst for God. Wonder where our lives would be if we had that same passion? Why is it that everything else seems to have a greater appeal? Why is it that God gets pushed to the back and at best has to eat left –overs out of the fridge? Our longing needs to change…especially when we realize those ‘things’ are just temporal.

Eternally needs to be where our heart is focused. When is the last time you awaken early to read an extra few verses of the Bible? But if we have something special planned we do it without complaint. When is the last time you rushed home from an engagement as it was your time to pray with God? But yet we cut ‘things’ short to watch our favorite TV show!I’m not saying we can’t enjoy those types of things. In fact I believe God wants us to enjoy life…but not at His expense.

Put Him first, long for Him…prioritize your life. Make room for Him, and He’ll provide expansion for your life!

February 25th- Hands Extended

Leviticus 16:29-18:30
Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalms 41:1-13
Proverbs 10:15-16

Psalms 41:1
Missions are the Heart of God – reaching out to those in need. Too often we associate missions as going over seas to foreign lands – which are only one aspect and not the entire picture. Missions is all around us – we live in the greatest mission field ever…our daily lives.

Have you ever stopped to think how many people are perhaps hurting around you? Yes, they wear a big smile and hide behind various masks… but deep down they are broken, destitute and without hope. It’s not just the ‘street bum’ we see by the side of the road begging, they live all around us. They dress like us, talk like us. but yet have nothing.

The greatest poverty to embrace this world is spiritual. In the natural maybe ourselves we don’t have much to reach out with…but spiritually we should be able to pour into peoples lives. I heard a story once bout a missionary who was in a remote village in Africa. He turned to the Missionary Pastor there and said these words. “In America we pray for you in your poverty”. To his amazement the little humble pastor replied “in our poverty we pray for you in your riches”. What he was saying was this: we have found ourselves with so much but yet still seemingly to have so little. We struggle to find true contentment and strive for more and more, always looking at the wrong wealth.

Go to these foreign countries…see these people with what we label as nothing – but see peace and contentment all upon their faces. It’s because they have found great ‘gain’ in God. Yes, we need to reach out to those around and help meet their needs physically – but not at the expense of that which is eternal.

Reach out and change someone’s life today – share with them the greatest gift ever. Give them the opportunity to be ‘rich’ in God! – That’s His heart!

February 24th- ‘Listen to yourself’

   

Leviticus 15:1-16:28

Mark 7:1-23

Psalms 40:11-17

Proverbs 10:13-14

 

(Mark 7:14)

I often challenge people to stop and listen to the noise of their lives.  We can learn much about ourselves that way…if we’ll just stop and listen.  Being honest with yourself is then the next major challenge, and then accepting the noise you hear.

 

Jesus was very clear in His teaching on this subject.  The religious leaders were so concerned about what was going in – where Jesus said ‘not in, but out’ is the true revealer’.  It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t watch what we feed ourselves- that is of utmost importance, but the focus need to be on the State of our heart.

 

Our heart is like the ‘cd’ player of our lives.  Everything our mouth ‘plays’ comes straight from the heart.  Our focus can be so much on religious performance- doing this, or doing that in this way or the other; that we fail to concentrate on our relationship.

 

The religious leaders of that day believed that demon spirits could literally attach themselves to objects or persons. If the Jewish Ritual for washing was not performed correctly these spirits could be swallowed and consumed while eating.  As strange as that seems – they really believed it to be so.  This is why Jesus focuses in on the ‘out’ not the ‘in’. 

 

Too much attention was being paid towards their personal cleaning, that the inner man was being neglected.  From God’s word we see that God looks the other way from man.  He begins from within and works out; while man starts from without and works in.

 

Today don’t neglect the basics- but also major on the important things.  Proverbs tells us ‘to keep our hearts with all diligence for out of it springs the issues of life’. (4:23) Remember defilement comes from within; from within the center of your existence…your heart.

February 23rd- Patience in Waiting

Leviticus 14:1-57
Mark 6:30-56
Psalms 40:1-10
Proverbs 10:11-12

(Psalms 40:1-2)
I don’t know one person out there that has fully mastered the patience ‘deal’. We certainly are not helped by the society we live in. Our days are so packed with activities and ‘business’ that patience is almost a course word to us. Waiting for more than a minute for my burger…no way, that’s unacceptable. Waiting for my slow computer to upload something…wow, its torture.

I sometimes have to wonder if God holds back, to allow us to realize the importance of ‘patience’ possesses in our lives. How many of us have missed the mark because we refused to wait; how many of us have found ourselves in wrong places because we determine the outcome instead of God. The Bible tells us to ‘wait patiently!’ Really that means we need to learn to live in a state of ‘trust’- trusting in Him! Wow, that is easier said than done! But it’s a place we need to rediscover.

Today, realize that God has the best for your life. Realize that God is on hand ready to be your help and strength; but he works on His time clock and not yours. His willingness is evident, but His schedule is sometimes concealed. But the result assured. Our position needs to be that of trust – positioning ourselves to relieve His intervention. God hears your cry, and to the patient, He will respond.

It’s not an easy lesson to learn- but one we must. Pray for those ‘open doors’, but make sure His hand is the one on the handle. Be patient- He’s heard your cry – but maybe He’s trying to develop your faith. Trust Him!

February 22nd- Just a Moment In Time

Leviticus 13:1-59
Mark 6:1-29
Psalms 39:1-13
Proverbs 10:10

Psalms 39:4
The Dash – I was reminded just this week while in New York performing a funeral of the little illustration about a ‘Dash’. When you look on a tomb stone you will see the date of birth, and the date of death…but in between a little ‘Dash’. That little dash represents the entirety of our lives. Every word we have spoken, every action performed, every opportunity fulfilled (or wasted) – our whole life is depicted by just a little dash.

Really when you think about it, our life is just a moment in time, when you consider Eternity…we’re just a little ‘dash’. But are we making our ‘Dash’ count. No, we’re not promised long, but what are we doing with the little moment we have?

There is so much wasted time…time being a commodity that can never be regained. We allow so many opportunities to pass us by. Simple things like talking to our kids in the car, instead of constantly being on the phone. Missing those opportunities when we can produce memories.

You see our lives may end- but our legacy (the memories we leave) will live on. Today determine to make your moment count. You may come in contact with someone you may never see again, but that someone was a ‘Divine Encounter’ for you to reach. They tell us that to eat an elephant is the same as eating a pizza, just one bite at a time. Our lives can appear to become so overwhelming and consumed that we sometimes fail to do anything. Take your life one bite at a time. Live for everyday – build on awesome ‘Dash’.

Don’t waste your God given moment!

February 21st – Rejoicing in another’s Miracle

Leviticus 1:1-12:8
Mark 5:21-43
Psalms 38:1-22
Proverbs 10:8-9

(Mark 5:35-36)
Everywhere Jesus went people gained hope. They had never witnessed such a man as this. The lame walked, the blind saw, the deaf heard – miracles took place. His fame spread. Everyone wanted to be in His presence.

One day a ruler named Jarius came to Jesus. His daughter was deathly ill, “Jesus can you come and heal my daughter? Jesus agreed to go. Along the way there was a commotion, Jesus stopped and looked around – He asked “who touched me?” What a strange thing to say – everyone was touching Him, everyone was trying to get His attention.

Jesus realized however, there was a ‘different touch!’ –Jarius, I’m sure, by this time was getting impatient – “come on – I have a daughter that needs your help!”

A little lady emerges from the crowd confessing she was the one, she was the ‘touch’ that Jesus felt. Jesus begins to minister to her; He has been disrupted from getting to Jarius’ house. While all this is taking place, news arrives from the home of Jairus. There’s no more hope, your daughter is dead, don’t bother Jesus any longer.

Jesus heard the words which were spoken, and to them replied “do not be afraid, only believe – I’m coming to your house next!” Perhaps there is a lesson here we need to learn – we’re not the only one with a need; but yet we try to monopolize all of Jesus’ time. Perhaps we need to learn to rejoice in another’s miracle on the way to ours.

It’s so easy to be totally consumed with our problems that we fail to see the miracles taking place all around us. Today, why not rejoice with others – while Jesus is still on the way to you!!!

February 20th- The Other Side

Leviticus 9: 7-10:20
Mark 4:26- 5:20
Psalms 37:30-40
Proverbs 10:6-7

Mark 5:1
Thank God there is another side. Thank God we’re going to make it through the storms of life. Let me give you the principles that will bring you through a storm – and take you on to your intended destination. Remember – a storm only desires to shipwreck and destroy your life.

1.)Don’t let the no-hopers ruin your day – we are surrounded daily with negativity screaming in our face. People have become so pessimistic and almost given up hope. When we surrender up hope we have given away almost everything. Refuse to allow ‘no hopers’ to determine the outcome. Don’t let that rob you of the greatest days of your life.

2.Live with vision, mission and purpose- Realize that there is still unfulfilled destiny ahead. If we haven’t made it…we never will if we quit. Storms try to blind our vision, question our mission and disrupt our purpose.

3.) Find stability in the storm – The fact of the matter is this, you can’t stop the storm – but you can find stability and security in the midst of it. We have to learn to use the anchors God has given us. Anchors such as prayer, His Word, church life, godly people. Holding on to those will produce the stability required to make it through. (take note- what are some of the first things we fail to do if it storms? – hold on to those anchors!)

4.) Trust God- stay on board- we laugh about it, but so often the first thing we want to do is jump ship- in essence we’re choosing to leave the one thing of safety in the storm. Your chances of survival are a lot better trusting and staying on board. Remove all plan B’s- plan A is still the same. The storm will not change it – but rather validate it.

5.)Don’t neglect the basics- Storms will try to make you neglect (overlook) the everyday important things. People are waiting on the other side of our storms –we have to continue to carry the light and be His people of Hope.

We’re going to make it to the other side!!!!

February 14th- Happy Valentine’s Day

Exodus 37:1-38:31
Matthew 28:1-20
Psalms 34:11-22
Proverbs 9:9-10

I know that usually every day I focus in on a particular area of your Read through the Bible in a year passage. Today I’m not going to focus in on just an area, but the entire Word of God.

God’s Word (from beginning to end) is the greatest love story that has ever been penned… one that includes both you and me. Within every one of us is a ‘God Shaped’ void that only His love can fill…and man, does it fill to overflowing. God’s story of love is one of giving. Providing with freedom to both accept and thrive in that love. But too often we have chosen to rebel and push that away. God’s love, however, doesn’t write us off, but still remains as a present force that longs for connection. A force that will elevate us beyond any sin and failure. What an incredible love! But the story doesn’t stop there, it also includes us.

Now in return God asks us to carry that love to those around us. Asking us to love the unloved, and care for those forgotten. We can get so caught up in our own world – that we forget the God given purpose we are here for – to be His hands and feet.

During the Second World War, there was a small village in the center of France. This village sustained massive bombardments destroying most of its buildings. The statue of Jesus that towered over the town square was also destroyed. Villagers gathered around collecting up the broken statue, vowing one day to rebuild this important monument.

After the ware they began to rebuild – focusing first on the statue in the middle of the square. Piece by piece it came together, till it was almost complete. However, there were 4 key pieces missing…both hands and feet. What would they do? They decided it would have to be removed and destroyed forever. Arriving the next day they discovered a small plaque that had been left at its base. On it was written: It’s up to us to be His hands and feet”!

What greater message can we have on the day of ‘love’ – to be His love…to be His hands and feet, extended! Let love (God) be love through you.