Are you trying to stop someone who is doing a work for Christ?

³⁸ John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,^[f] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” ³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ For the one who is not against us is for us. Mark 9

One of the sad indictments of Christianity is our division about who is “doing ministry right”.  Church splits have primarily come about because of the application of doctrinal differences.  Some estimate that there are nearly 30,000 different denominations in the world.  Is there any wonder that the message of Christ sometimes seems cluttered?

Poor John, he was so zealous that he was following Jesus the Messiah, that pride crept into his thinking.  He thought, that the disciples were the “only ones” with a special privilege.  Remember this remark followed a discussion about “who was the greatest disciple” among Jesus followers.

Let’s just take the text for what is says.  There were other people who had some success at casting out demons in Jesus Name.  Jesus did not stop them.  Maybe their doctrine was wrong, maybe they were not doing it “just the same way” or maybe they were also drawing a crowd.  But Jesus knew the importance and the authority of his name.  Look what people were accomplishing just using the name of Jesus.

For those we might have a hard time agreeing with, we should be looking at their ministry.  Are they doing a mighty work in Jesus Name?  So many people have suspicions about miracle workers that are shown on TV.  By whose authority are they claiming healing?  Are they telling people to put their faith and trust in Jesus.  Are they saying that only they have this special anointing?  Are people becoming saved?  Is the minister humbling confessing Jesus as Lord?  We know that some ministers will be misled through fame or fortune.  But let’s look at the fruit to see the lives that are changed both physically and spiritually for Jesus.

Let me put it another way.  If you don’t like the way that a particular evangelist displays the miracles that he is doing, what in your life are you offering people as an alternative?  Where do you see the lame walk, the blind see, the demon possessed set free, and large numbers of people giving their hearts to the Lord?

Let’s learn to bless everyone who is trying to make Jesus famous in the lives of the people in our community, city and nation.  There are too many lost people that have yet been reached for the gospel of Christ.

Father, forgive us of pride.  Forgive us of envy of other ministers.  Help us to be vessels of your power, authority and love to people who need it so desperately.  Let us know to identify those who are not against Christianity and bless them for being a part of the family of God.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Want to be the greatest?

And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9

What does it look like to be last and servant of all?  We think we know what it means to be the greatest.  Power, prestige, money and influence are examples of being the greatest.  Paul said it is to think more highly of yourself than others.  Or another expression – not considering others as more important than yourself would be showing pride.

However, just being poor monetarily, or being in a place of extreme need is not the definition of being last that Jesus is referring to.   At the core of the problem is we all have a sense of entitlement.  Jesus wants us to learn that a true sense of fulfillment is in giving and not getting.  When we begin to see the joy in serving others, preferring them as more important, or decreasing that they may increase we are beginning to learn about serving.

I was on a work mission trip in which we were helping build a new house after one had been destroyed in a flood.  Mostly men were doing the work and one teenager was helping.  He played much more than he helped.  I had was one of the lead carpenters on the job.  We were finished with framing the house.  We had one more nail to put in.  Then the teenager came to life and wanted to be the person to put the last nail in the wood.  Boy, did I ever think that I deserved that last hit.  My sweat and blisters agreed that I should take that last photo op.  He had not worked that hard was my thought.  But then, I knew that he should take the last swing.  The joy that he expressed was far more than I would ever have had. 

The point is not that I let him take the last swing…but rather the struggle that I had with my sense of entitlement.  Why did I feel like I deserved to be the one to finish the framing?  

Father, it is hard to want to be the last.  Help us to understand that our rewards come at the very end.  Help us to see people as you see them….lost and without a shepherd.  Thank you for allowing us to serve others in your behalf.  Help us to experience the true joy of serving.

A Whisper from your Father, God - Be Reconciled

²³ “So if you are presenting a sacrifice^[a] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Mark 5:23-24

How much more plain can I say some things to you?  There will be a time of reckoning when you will have to explain your hesitation, your denial, and your constant excuses for not obeying that which you do understand.  I am not angry at you.  But delayed obedience is disobedience.  Go and make things right, then bring your petition to me.  If you have been questioning my silence, think about the last encouragement I gave to you to obey me.

Go and be reconciled.  I know that they may not receive your sincerity.  I know they may scoff at your appeal for forgiveness.  I know that it may look to you as if the whole conversation may go badly.  BUT, I want to be free to talk with them also.  Your submissive countenance allows me to begin the process of healing their hurt.  Even if they act like your actions are meaningless, my Spirit begins talking to them immediately.  They experience something real, genuine, and refreshing.

When you have been reconciled, I can also walk in a fresh relationship with you. Curses have nowhere to land on your life when you walk humbly.  Even if people try to take advantage of you, I will defend you.  Trust me in this process of reconciliation.  Peter offended my Son.  He became that rock in the church after my Son reconciled with him and gave him the charge to feed our sheep.  That conversation needed to happen for Peter and for my Son.

Maybe it is your spouse, your child, your parent, your co-worker, former employer, or your neighbor.  Trust that when I remind you of the situation, I am also providing the strength to follow through in obedience.  I am working in all relationships, Trust Me.

Whispers From Your Father, God

I believe, help my unbelief

²¹ And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to

him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out^[d] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9

Why did the father ask, “If you can?”  Two reasons.  First, Jesus disciples were unable to help deliver and heal the child.  To put it another way, he tried what the disciples said would work, and it didn’t. Second, the father had never seen someone helped like he needed help.  He most likely had heard that help was available, which is why he was with the disciples.  But it wasn’t working for him.

This story sounds a lot like many people who have attended church in America.  Everyone goes through the religious motions of being a Christian.  They hear that God loves them.  They hear about the miracles of Jesus.  They hear about the miracles of Peter and Paul.  They may even hear about a modern day miracle in another country.  However, they do not know anyone personally who has experienced a miracle.  And the prayers for their own needs feel anemic.  This leads to the same confession of the Father, “If God can help?”  We think incorrectly, “Maybe God is not concerned about my needs, maybe he isn’t able to heal or help my need.”

Jesus makes a bold statement in response to the man.  “All things are possible for the one who believes.”  Because of the father’s immediate response of “I believe help my unbelief”, we would assume that Jesus was talking about the man not having enough faith. BUT perhaps Jesus was declaring a truth about himself first.  Because He believes that God worked in his life…all things were possible including healing this child of being mute and having demonic possession.

To minister deliverance one must know that operating under the authority of Jesus is the most important thing.  All interaction with Satan’s kingdom is subject to the Kingdom of God.  The old system MUST give way, to the new.  Jesus knew this information and was declaring that setting the captive free was possible.

To be sure, we identify most with the father as he expresses his pain, anguish and fear, “I believe, help my unbelief.”  On one hand we can say that God can do anything he pleases.  On the other hand, we can point to pain and suffering that a person may have that has not received healing after repeated long term prayer. 

Believe truth and let our experience catch up with our belief.  It is important to confess what is true, right, and honorable about God.  When we are at a loss in how to reconcile the inconsistency of our experience and God’s truth….Choose God.  May God help our unbelief.

Resurrection Connection

⁴¹ Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he ate it as they watched.

⁴⁴ Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Luke 24

Jesus was standing and talking right in front of the disciples only 3 days after his death.  Look at their emotions, disbelief, joy and wonder.  Yet they still could not understand or believe.  They had already heard the prophecy explained and spoken to them.  Yet they still could not connect the dots as to how and why Jesus was alive and standing in front of them.

Until he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, they remained confused.  If there is a prayer that we MUST pray today, it is for the eyes of understanding to be opened about who Jesus really is.  May people have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying about Jesus.  May the pastors unfold the simplicity of the good news about Jesus, the Messiah.

Connecting the dots is a great drawing game.  You see the outline, but you have to draw all of the number connections to see the full picture.  There are many who are going to church today that are in need of connecting the dots.  Let me share 3 important dots that we can help others know who Jesus really is.

Use clear and simple presentation of the good news about Jesus Christ including as much scripture as possible,  The word of God has power and life within it.  Jesus quoted the OT to substantiate his claim that the Son of Man had a purpose to fulfill and then rise again.  Use the scripture when talking about Jesus.

A changed life validates the message.  We are not to present a perfect life, but one that is being transformed to holiness through the grace that comes from Christ.  Joy, hope and love are qualities that people are so hungry for.  They are found in Jesus and in a transformed life.  Let people see the grace of God operating in your life.

Third, do not forget that Holy Spirit is the key to ALL that is done to reveal Christ.  The disciples were instructed to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit.  When they did this, 3000 were saved in one day.  Peter’s explanation for that day was that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.  He is the X-factor for the Christian.  If you are already a child of God, place your hand over your heart and invite the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, your mind, your tongue.  May he use every part of your body and life to communicate the good news about Jesus.

There is great Joy for us on this Easter Day.  Jesus is ALIVE.

My Stone of Remembrance

And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’  Joshua 4

I know how easy it is for you to forget my ways and my miracles.  I remember everi prayer that you have prayed.  Those times in school when you needed help with your studies, the lonely time when friends forgot you, struggles in your relationships or the helplessness you felt as a new parent, I remember them all.  I know how I answered each of these requests.

Difficulty and pain in life try to rob you from remembering me and my ways.  So, it is good for you to have stones of remembrance.  It is not enough just to have a stone, but you must retell the story that goes with the stone.  When my nation of Israel passed over the Jordan on dry land, I told them to pick up rocks.  Make a memorial.  The children were to start the conversation about their parents past.  They were to include ME in the story.  It is important to connect the stone and the story to ME.  Children will then begin to look to see how I might move in their lives.  It is the passing of godly heritage that you are giving to them.

I also have a stone of remembrance, I left it at the empty tomb.  When I see that stone, it reminds me of the sacrifice of my Son.  It reminds me of all that he did when he died for you.  When I see the stone, it reminds me of the completion of the payment necessary for your sin.  My Son died that you might live.  Make sure that you tell your children about My stone.  Even THAT rock cries out to Me that My Son has a name higher than any other name.  He is Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God.

If you have problems remembering my love and devotion to you, carry a little pebble in your pocket, keep one on your desk, or put one in your yard.  And when your child or neighbor asks about that rock…tell them about MY stone too!

Whispers From Your Father, God

Transfigured revelation about God

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³ and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one^[a] on earth could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Mark 9

Jesus took his 3 closest friends away from everyone else.  He was transfigured, changed into the glory of God.  Elijah and Moses, The prophet and the Law talked with Him.  Peter responded that it was good that they were present. Duh! 

Here is the point, it is simple but profound.  When you spend time alone with Jesus, we have the opportunity to “see” him in his greater light.  Jesus has risen from the dead and has a glorified body, right now.  I am not talking about “seeing” him physically.  But rather, we have the ability for God to “reveal” to us more of himself. 

This is not a mystery or special secret that I am referring too.  I am also not talking about a different stage of enlightenment that you can obtain.  This is not about new age thinking and going into the deeper secrets of God.  God has already revealed who he is in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

But there is a wealth of understanding, appreciation, honor, gratitude and love that we can experience from Him.  Mediating on the goodness of God can lead to an awareness of his guiding hand over your life.  This then leads to gratitude for his grace that He unfolds.  I remember coming in late to a church service in 1986 and saw an old friend across the room.  We chatted for a couple of minutes after the service and exchanged numbers for an opportunity to catch up.  Never did I think that those next two encounters would lead to marrying my wife.  She was and is way too far out of my league.  So many other guys had tried to win her affection.  But God had a plan for us.  This plan included a lifetime of ministry, 6 children that are making a difference for Christ in their spheres of influence.  The way that God orchestrated all of those events for that day for us to meet, makes Him that much bigger in my eyes. 

If he can handle that encounter, how much more can He do in every arena of our lives?  He transforms my thinking about Him.

Father, Thank you that you are so deep, wide and vast in your wisdom and love, who can know it?  Yet you reveal yourself to us again and again.  You are incredibly good.  Thank you for bring Pam and I together.  In Jesus Name, Amen

The Cross of following Jesus

³⁴ And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever would save his life^[d] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. ³⁶ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  Mark 8

Salvation is free in the sense that you can do nothing on your own merits to pay for it.  Jesus paid the price for your salvation.  But to follow Jesus will cost you your life.  You cannot continue to follow your own way of thinking or pattern for living and also say you are coming after Christ.  This type of living is mutually exclusive.

So what does Jesus expect of us?  He lays it out in 4 simple steps.  First, he invites us to follow him.  He does not demand it, just asks us to follow. He is looking to see if there is a desire, a want, a passion to pursue the things of God.  Then he tells what holds most people back…denying themselves.  It is taking the back seat, second place, stepping out of the lime light, and becoming less that Jesus may become first place.  Jesus shares his glory with no one.  All of our efforts and activities are about focusing everyone’s attention on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Tony Evans said that taking up our cross are all those things associated with Jesus.  As we align our lives with living out biblical Christianity, we will begin to see what it means to carry a cross.  When we love our enemies instead of suing them, when we bless those who curse us, when we give our money to the poor who may not use it rightly, when preach repentance to those who mock our standards, when we forgive when it makes more sense to get even, then we are just beginning to know the what a cross of Jesus feels like.

We are not enduring all of the shame for no reason.  Jesus says that we should follow him.  The end of it all…eternity with Jesus helps us endure when we are ready to quit.  It helps us to persevere when we want to take a short cut or compromise in areas that we know are wrong.  Jesus is worth following at all times.

Father, You are worthy to be followed and obeyed.  There is no on like you that we can compare.  Help us to us see where we need to become less so that you can become more in our lives.  We must decrease that you may increase.  There are too many lost people that need to be reached.  Thank you Jesus for showing the way and walking the path before us.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

God speaks plainly, so why do we complicate it?

³¹ And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8

I love this phrase in verse 32, “and he said this plainly.”  The disciples understood exactly what Jesus had just told them about his death.  The idea did not mesh well with their understanding for their King and messiah.  He was supposed to set them free from Roman oppression. He was supposed to make them the head and not the tail.  All their hopes for a better life did not include 

his death.  They had hitched their wagon to Him, death was not an option. Peter thought he needed to correct Jesus thoughts about his future.

Yet, Jesus taught them that he must SUFFER, Be REJECTED and be KILLED.  They had no understanding what he meant by rising again in 3 days.  After his resurrection they understood what he had been talking about.

You see it is the plain things that God requires of us that we stumble over. In the next verse he talks about following him in his steps.  Carrying the cross which would include suffering and shame.  To follow Jesus is to walk the walk that he walked.  This is not popular Christian doctrine, but it is solid biblical doctrine.  Jesus said that we are to forgive (everyone), we are to love God (with all that we have and are), we are to love our neighbor as we do ourselves, that all of our money is his (we steward what he has given us) and all of our free time, work time, family time is his (he paid for our lives).

He empowers us through his Spirit to accomplish all that he expects from us.  His presence will never leave us.  We can do what he asks of us. Let’s not try to negotiate another method or plan for our lives.  Let’s set our mind continually on the things of God from His perspective.

Father, give us ears to hear you speak plainly.  Let us have the heart that is moved to obedience to what we hear.  Even if the path includes pain and rejection we will follow you.  You are all that we have to follow that brings true life.  Thank you Jesus.

Jesus asked, Who do you say that I am?

²⁷ And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” ²⁸ And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say,Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” ²⁹ And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” ³⁰ And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.  Mark 8

It is a good question to ask people who they think Jesus is.  Much can be learned from that answer.   Some may have no knowledge of who he is for they are ignorant since no one has told them.  This is true of some international students when asked about their knowledge of Jesus, they genuinely want to know who he is. 

Others have a historic understanding of Jesus.  He was a good man that had a major influence on the world in which we live.  They believe he was a real man who had some good teachings.  Many who see him as a Mahatma Gandhi type figure who through peace addressed the government of his time.

Others have a Sunday School fact type understanding.  They were taught many things about Jesus,  He did miracles like multiplying food, walk on water, heal blind and sick people and was a good man.  They may even know that he died on the cross and rose again from the dead.  These are true events that took place in the life and ministry of Jesus.  The writer of James says that even the demons believe this same information and shudder.

This most important question is not about the facts of Jesus, but about your relationship with him.  Peter said that Jesus is the Christ which means the anointed one.  Anointed for what?  Jesus is  a savior!  He removes the blot and barrier of sin that keeps us from relating to God.  When we ask Jesus to save us from our sins, we know him personally.  We become children of God.

When we use words like my and mine, we are using words of intimacy.  When a person has had a real encounter with Jesus you will hear phrases like…He is my shepherd, He watches over me, He forgives me of my sin, He is my savior, and/or he is my lord.

So, how would you answer Jesus question, Who do you say I am?

Father, thank you for loving us so deeply.  Thank you that you give us the opportunity to know you as lord and savior.  Thank you that you allow us to be called your friends.  Help us to live with the consciousness of your abiding presence.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Persevering prayer for the sick

²² And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. ²³ And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” ²⁴ And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” ²⁵ Then Jesus^[c] laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Mark 8

Have you prayed for someone to be healed?  We know that our bodies heal naturally.  We know doctors have found medicines that respond to illnesses in our bodies to make us better.  How does the power of God heal supernaturally?

Jesus healed blind eyes in several different ways, thus indicating that healing does not follow a certain method.  Sometimes he touched the hurt in the body, other times he just spoke healing.  In this particular healing he added another practice, he asked a question.

Sometimes we may feel impressed to pray for healing.  We ask God to heal.  We look at the person and nothing appears to have changed.  So we end the pray with “if it is your will, then you can heal.”  In reality we are saying, “I guess my prayer didn’t work, so it must not be God’s timing for healing.” 

Jesus question helped him know that the man was not yet totally healed.  IT says clearly that Jesus laid his hands on the man, AGAIN.  If Jesus had to engage in healing prayer a second time, how much more should we be willing to persevere?  When God begins to bring healing in a body, the physical part of the body begins to respond.  Sometimes the person may feel a warmth in the area receiving prayer.  They may begin to hear a little bit of noise or begin to have a little movement where none existed before.  Asking questions and having the person do something that they could not do before increases faith in the praying process.  Both the one receiving prayer and the one praying are encouraged to pursue God more for complete healing because of “movement” of healing in the body.

It is wrong for us to think that we have to expect perfection in regard to praying for healing.  Not all persons may receive complete healing, but some may.  I remember one person that prayed often for people to be raised from the dead.  A skeptic asked if everyone was raised from the dead that he prayed for.  No, he replied, but some do.

The devil will not tempt you to step out of your comfort zone to pray for someone’s healing.  But God will.  He invites you and empowers you to step out in faith and pray for another’s pain.  Go in pairs and trust God.  Someone needs prayers for healing…will you be that person to pray for them?

Father, we need the boldness of the Holy Spirit to pray for the sick.  Silver and gold we may not have.  But we have the authority, the power, and the commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to see His kingdom come to earth.  Thank you for choosing to use us.   In Jesus Name, Amen.

Where do you get your leaven?

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. ¹² And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” ¹³ And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.   ¹⁴ Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”^[b] 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.

When Jesus says “watch out”, it probably is very important.  We normally say these words when an accident is about to happen.  You look at the driver of the car you are in and think he is unaware of the impending danger that he is about to experience.  Jesus is saying beware, the leaven of the Pharisee can come at any moment.

What is this leaven and why is it bad? This type of leaven are thoughts of doubt about the power and kingdom of God released here on earth.  This leaven comes when we place ourselves in the position of a Judge.  The Pharisees saw the same miracles as the other disciples, yet they did not believe.  They felt as if one more type of miracle would then persuade them of Jesus claim to be God.  Jesus said that even if a person rose again from the dead, they still would not believe.  Why?  Because of the leaven of thought in their mind, that God would never become a man and walk among them.  They had a thought about the character of God that was different than this man, Jesus.  These thoughts were so ingrained in their thinking that Jesus said because they thought they could see, they would remain in their blindness. 

Can God raise a person from death today?  Can He use you to do it?  Can God multiply food to feed people?  Can He heal a person of cancer?  Can He save and transform your “messed up” relative?  The excuses that we give defending why these are not part of our normal Christian walk, reveal the little bits of leaven in our own thinking.  Jesus example to the disciples about the leaven was for them to remember the miracle of multiplication of bread and fish.  Remembering how God has worked in the past, helps face the dilemma in our present.  We are to draw strength from our past experiences of God’s grace.  This remembering chorales our mind to think right thoughts.  Say out loud.  “I know that God was with me during this ….. and I know that He will be with me now.”  Even if there is no feeling of His presence, you “right” thought will negate the leaven of “God doesn’t care.”

I was once part of a group of people that were experiencing laughter and joy.  There were many who expressed a renewed freshness in their walk with God.  Out of your bellies shall flow rivers of living water and by this he meant the Spirit.  I saw with my own eyes the joy.  I saw how many were nearly drunk with joy.  Although I was present, I did not have the same experience.  On one night there was about 15 people present.  I was worshiping, but also judging.  Was this really real? Were people just caught up in the hype of the moment?  Was this going to make a difference in their daily walk with Christ?  This prayer time went on for about an hour and a half.  I was going to pray out loud.  But I couldn’t!  I could move my lips, tongue and mouth.  I could think of the words that I wanted to say, but they were stopped in my throat.  No pain, I just could not speak.  Then I remembered Zachariah, John the Baptist father.  Because he doubted what God was going to do in giving him a son, he would be made mute for a season.  When he emerged from the temple, he could not speak.  For 3 hours after the prayer time that night, I could not speak.  I knew this was directly related to my doubting that night.  This was not about verifying everyone’s experience of joy and laughter, it was about the leaven of doubt that resided in me.

Some have no leaven and can’t comprehend why someone would second guess the miracles and movement of God.  Yes, we need to be careful to not be deceived.  Are the fruit of miracles leading to the glory of Jesus?  Jesus tells us to watch out, it only takes a little bit of leaven to ruin the whole batch.  Just a few incorrect thoughts about how God wants to work in and through your life can stifle His power from being realized through you.  Ask him to reveal any leaven in regards to the free exercise of His presence and  power in your sphere of influence.

Father, forgive us for sitting in judgment of your ways.  You ask us to believe.  Help us to understand how much influence incorrect thoughts about you have on our lives. Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Repentance includes changing the way we think…because we have been thinking wrongly.  Any thought that is against your character is wrong.  You are loving, you are good, you are holy, you are caring, you are in control, you are purposeful.  Help us Oh God.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

You do all things well

³⁶ And Jesus^[h] charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”  Mark 7

This phrase was spoken after Jesus had healed a deaf and mute man.  Not only could he hear, but he could speak as well.  Jesus healing for this man was for the total package.

Astonished beyond measure was the reaction from the crowd.  When was the last time that you felt this emotion after experiencing a move from God?  It doesn’t have to be a physical miracle of healing, although it may be.  One of the greatest miracles is the birth of a new believer.  The bible declares that such a person is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.  This radical transformation can only happen when Christ steps in.

After amazement, they comment that “he does all things well.”  Were they surprised that he could do all things well?  Were their expectations such that they were not used to anyone with his abilities to do all things?

We as believers are not expected to do all things, but those things we do are to be done well.  We are not trying to impress God, we are to be whole involved in our activity.  Whatever you do, do it for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, help us to find the balance between doing things out of obligation and doing them with joy.  Help us to do things with excellence.  Help us to know that we gave our best efforts, we were fully involved, totally engaged, laid it all on the line.  You deserve our best.  In Jesus Name, Amen.