“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT
How often have you been asked by someone ‘what are your plans?’ It could relate to a number of issues. The question is usually prompted by a change of circumstances in your life whether good or bad. This change could have been long anticipated or has come along suddenly. Whatever the case, plans need to be made for your current situation.
So, what are your plans and have you included the Lord in your plans, whatever they may be? If not, it is important that you do so. You may have not included God in your plans, but He has included you in His plans. ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer.29:11 niv) It only stands to reason to include God for he knows what you’re going to do anyway. It would be smart for us to have our plans coincide with His.
Our plans can only be accomplished by the Lord giving us the ability. Solomon has a couple of Proverbs we can point to help us understand this. “We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer……Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.” (Prov.16:1, 3 nlt) Working out plans on our own is never a good idea. Submitting our plans to God and committing our work fully to Him will result in success. His success for us, not what we think success looks like, but what gives God all the glory. May we include the Lord in all our plans having Him adapt them to His perfect plan.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
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Today America celebrates Thanksgiving day. Scheduled on the fourth Thursday each November, America pauses to give thanks for the many blessings afforded to her. Of course, by America I’m referring to the American people within the borders of the United States. There are many Americans who live abroad for various reasons, such as our armed force, and they most certainly are included in celebrating Thanksgiving.
Many traditions in America have developed over the years for Thanksgiving. We have Mr. Tom Turkey at the head of the table along with all his ‘fixing’ friends. Several major cities have Thanksgiving day parades which are televised and brought into our homes as the turkey is cooking. Families gather throughout the day for the Thanksgiving meal and to top off the pumpkin pie we have whipped cream and football.
Another tradition, and the most important one, is the Thanksgiving prayer before partaking of the meal. Admitting, not all hold to this tradition, but it seems a large majority do. Gathering together to express thanks for the blessings throughout the year we should direct those thanks to one responsible, the Lord God. It seems only natural that Thanksgiving and prayer go together, the giving of thanks through prayer on this special day.
The apostle Paul gives us another angle to thanksgiving and prayer going together. Paul tells us to pray bringing our requests to God ‘with thanksgiving.’ Our prayers to God should always show our gratitude in being able to freely ask God anything. We also thank Him ahead of time for His answer to our prayers according to His will and what is best for us. Thanksgiving and prayer go together every day and not just on Thanksgiving. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 NLT
Having a slip of the tongue moment can result in an embarrassing situation. Some things we say in jest don’t come out the way we intended. We may have thought they were clever and humorous, but they were not received in the same manner. It is at this moment that you realize some things are better left unsaid. Then there are other times when we think certain words are needed to get a point across and this also causes hurt feelings. We may think to ourselves, ‘I can’t win,’ but we can if we learn to control our tongues.
James writes, “ For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (Ja.3:2 nlt) But how can we control our tongues when James writes in a few short verses later, “And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself……..but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” (Ja.3:6, 8 nlt) The answer is we can’t, at least not on our own.
When James says we would be perfect if we learn to control our tongues he doesn’t mean flawless, but ‘complete’ or ‘mature.’ Being spiritually mature one is then able to control their tongue. Does that mean we will never have a slip of the tongue, well I’m afraid not. But if we follow Peter’s advice to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pt.3:13 esv) we will reduce our ‘slip of the tongue’ moments.
“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8 NKJV
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The apostle Paul in writing to the church in Philippi admonishing them to be like minded, united in spirit, and dedicated to one purpose, used the humility of Christ as an example. Jesus, God the Son, humbled Himself while on the earth from His incarnation through to His death on the cross. He identified as wholly man while He was also wholly God. Jesus was obedient to the Father throughout His entire earthly life up to and including His crucifixion. The humility of Christ is witnessed at the beginning of His ministry on earth at His baptism by John the Baptist.
Most of us have trouble today understanding why Jesus was baptized. John, himself, questioned why Jesus came to him to be baptized. After all, John’s mission was to prepare the sinners of the world for the coming Messiah by a baptism of repentance. Jesus was no sinner and had no need of repentance. He was the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. Yet, Jesus came to him and despite John’s rejection said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” (Mt. 3:15 nkjv) John obeyed and baptized Jesus, God the Son.
Jesus, in His baptism, identified with the sinners He came to save. He was the fulfillment of all righteousness as He alone is able to meet all of God’s righteous requirements. Truly the Messiah who came to save would need to be sinless and perfect in every way. Jesus would continue to live a life without sin right through the humiliation of the unjust trials, the beatings, and the public humiliation of the cross.
The humility of Christ is seen throughout the New Testament in various forms. His baptism marked the beginning of His ministry to save us which began by humbling Himself to identify with sinners. Indeed, Jesus’ baptism shows His humility.
“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.” Luke 3:8 NLT
One’s ancestors can have a positive or negative effect on them. Positively speaking, one born into a family of great wealth and high standing in the community usually fare well. One born into the other end of the spectrum have an uphill battle from the start. But the outcome of both is not based on one’s ancestors’ wealth or status in life, but what they have accomplished with the opportunities afforded to them. Opportunities to follow one’s dreams and passions along with their God given skill set gives them the responsibility to choose the direction of their future.
Our lot in life is not based on who our ancestors are. My father was a machine assembler, that didn’t make me one; he was also a talented musician, not me either; and he was an excellent cook, certainly not me. Some people believe that because their parents were Christians they are also Christians. Many believe that being baptized and belonging to the church their family has traditionally attended for years also makes them a Christian and assured of heaven.
The problem is some attribute salvation and becoming a Christian to a family inheritance. Salvation is to choose to follow Jesus Christ, accepting Him as your personal Savior. There is no such thing as a Christian Ancestry guaranteeing salvation. Those who came to John the Baptist thought the same thing. They were Jews who were descendants of Abraham. It was their rite of passage. Their ancestry made it all right. John made it clear it was not so. They needed to repent of their sins and turn to God. (Luke 3:8)
Still true today, one needs to acknowledge and repent of their sins, trusting Jesus’s work on the cross for salvation. It’s a personal choice, it’s your choice, why not make it today!
“but the angel said, ‘Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” Mark 16:6 NLT
We have come to the end of our study in the book of Mark with more than a ray of hope, but a sun filled assurance of hope that our savior lives. Christians don’t hope as the world does, we have a certainty that God’s Word is true and Jesus Christ defeated death by rising from dead assuring us of eternal life. This is good news.
Last week we ended with those who witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), Salome, and many other women who had followed Him. The Roman officer in charge exclaimed as Jesus cried out with His last breath, “This man was truly the Son of God!” (Mk.15:39 nlt) Jesus, the Son of God, had suffered a horrific death on our behalf as He took on Himself the sins of the whole world.
Since the Sabbath was about to start in a few short hours, “Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)” (Mk.15:43 nlt) Pilate granted his request after inquiring if Jesus had already died. Most men who were crucified died two or three days after being nailed to a cross. Pilate was surprised Jesus was dead. After confirming His death Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph who “bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.” (Mk.15:46 nlt) Some of the women who were there saw where Jesus’ body was laid and going home they prepared spices to bring to the gravesite.
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Mark records for us that the next day at sunset marking the end of the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out to buy additional spices to anoint Jesus’ body the next morning. The Jews did not embalm their dead. The women were planning to offer the spices they had prepared and purchased as an act of devotion and love. They obviously were not expecting anything other than to find a sealed grave when they got to the tomb. In fact, they even discussed on the way how would they get the stone rolled away. So, “Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’” (Mk.16:2-3 nlt) But to their surprise when they arrived, they saw the stone had already been moved aside.
The Bible says the women were shocked at what they saw as they entered the tomb. Entering through the main entryway into the fore chamber they preceded to the back into a low rectangular opening leading to the burial chamber. That is where they saw an angel in a white robe sitting on the right side. The angel said to them, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” (Mk.16:6 nlt) He then told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen and He was going to Galilee and they were to meet Him there. The women left the tomb frighten and bewildered by what they had just witnessed.
We learn from the other gospel writers the women did report to the disciples all that had happen and that Jesus was alive. The disciples all doubted at first, but all came to believe that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead. Note the special attention given to Peter. “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee.” (Mk.16:7 nlt) This wasn’t addressed to Peter because he was the leader, but to reassure him that he was still one of Jesus’ disciples. This should be a great encouragement to us knowing that the Lord never gives up on us or discards us when we disobey Him and even deny Him.
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The climax to the gospel of Jesus Christ is His resurrection. He is declared the Son of God in great power. “and he (Jesus) was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Ro.1:4 nlt) Jesus was raised so we can be raised. He is alive at this very moment sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus’ resurrection assures all of us eternal life who accept Him as Lord and Savior. This is the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining us each Sunday in our look at the book of Mark in ‘Biblical Insights.’ I pray is has been a huge blessing!
As an avid sports fan I must admit boxing has been left behind, and shame on me. My younger years saw the hype of major prize fights as Ali-Frazier, Ali-Foreman, Foreman-Frazier, among others during the 1970’s. Being captivated I watched and participated in them always looking for an upset and being shocked when there was one. Somewhere along the line my interest started to fade, paying attention only to the headlines. No excuse. I guess my sports interests got a little crowded.
I say this to say my interest may have faded, but the sport has not faded. Its popularity is still strong with 400 million regular viewers worldwide. It is estimated that there are around 1.2 billion fans today. So, I guess it’s safe to say, they haven’t missed me. But my guess is, I must be missing something. Boxing is a sport dating back to the third millennium B.C. in Egypt. It first appeared as an Olympic event at the 23rd Olympiad in 688 B.C… And in the first century boxing was one the competitive contests of the Isthmian games held in Greece. The apostle Paul was well acquainted with these games as they were held in Corinth before returning to Isthmus. Paul also had knowledge of boxing as a sport in these games.
Paul often used illustrations from life events to get a spiritual point across. He wrote to the church in Corinth, “I do not box as one beating the air.” (1Cor.9:26 esv) Corinth residents would have been familiar with boxing as an event in the Isthmian games. Boxing by nature is a contact sport. One beating the air doesn’t get very far. Paul was noting his zeal in telling others about Christ and the training involved. One must give it all they got when contacting others with the truth of the gospel for it to have any effect. Paul was saying he was not like a boxer who waves his arms around with no results.
Although I left boxing behind as a sport there are valuable lessons to learn. Be sure to make solid contact in presenting the gospel with others and always give your best in training with the Lord, never beating the air.
“We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.” Acts 6:2-3 NLT
Formal church structure in most denominations and independent churches have an office entitled ‘deacon’ within the church organization. The word ‘deacon’ is first used in Scripture in Philippians 1:1 by the apostle Paul, and then again by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 as he lays out the qualifications for deacons. You won’t find the word again in Scripture, but enough is said as to who is to fulfill that office, those who fill the qualifications.
You may ask, what is a deacon? A simple answer is ‘one who serves.’ Within the church, a deacon is one who assists the pastor and elders in various tasks of church ministry. They are ones who serve. Although the work of a deacon is not expanded on in Paul’s writings, Luke gives us a perfect example of the role of a deacon. We find the story in Acts chapter 6 where the church was rapidly expanding and problems were starting to develop. There was a complaint by the Greek speaking believers about the Hebrew speaking believers in the distribution of food to their widows. Clearly this was an important function and responsibility of the church, but not as in the preaching and teaching of the Word. Regardless, this work needed to be done, done properly and in order. And for that to happen you need people who fit the criteria for being a deacon.
The church body has many parts to it. Deacons are an important part of the church, and more are needed to carry on the work God has called us to do. It is important to note, the qualifications for deacons and elders are almost identical. One who desires to serve in this role should be very conscious of this. The Lord may be calling you to serve as a deacon, so, take note of the qualifications of the first deacons and follow their lead.
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT
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There are many verses in Scripture that refer to giving thanks. Jesus Himself set an example in giving thanks to His Father while on earth. The angels expressed thanks to God and to His Son. Thanks are to be given in private and public worship to God and for all things, and especially as a part of our daily prayers.
One of the greatest examples recorded in the Bible of giving thanks in private worship and daily prayer is found in Daniel chapter 6. The very familiar story of Daniel in the lions’ den comprises this 6th chapter of Daniel. Daniel was faced with certain death if he continued praying to God, praising Him and giving thanks. King Darius inadvertently signed an edit that sealed Daniel’s fate. Any person found praying to any divine object or human, except the king would be thrown into the lions’ den. It was Daniel’s daily routine to pray with his windows opened towards Jerusalem three times a day giving thanks to God.
Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” (1Thess.5:17-18a) Daniel is indeed an example of Paul’s words. He prayed continually and although it must have been hard to give thanks for his situation, the Bible said he gave thanks to God. Yes, it is sometimes hard for us to see pass our circumstances thanking God for them. But God does not allow anything to come into our lives He hadn’t ordained to happen. We need to thank Him, for He knows all things and what is best for us.
So let us not be saving up our thanks for Thanksgiving Day, but may we be like Daniel, praying and giving thanks to God daily and in everything.
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4 NLT
Last week a major portion of North America was treated to a display of the Northern Lights. Aurora Borealis, as they are called, are spectacular displays of light that occur in the night sky caused by particles from the sun colliding with the earths upper atmosphere. There are many scientific terms and research that has been done by very intelligent people for explaining how and why these lights occur. I appreciate them all, but I’ll go with the most natural one of all, it’s God painting the sky.
David writing in Psalm 8 notes the wonders he sees in the night sky with the moon and stars. No magnificent light show of the aurora borealis is mentioned. But what David witnessed was enough. The numbers of stars he couldn’t count in the sky and the light of the moon proved God’s greatness and His magnificent show without any northern lights. On a side note, in David’s time the night sky had no intrusion from city lights, airplanes, or cloud-covered gases. David saw the night sky as God had intended it, a spectacular view and a portrait of His greatness.
How often do we pause to recognize God’s creation all around us? We shouldn’t need a reminder of a northern lights occurrence to pay attention to His handiwork. It is seen every day and everywhere if we look for it. The greatest northern light that has ever appeared was when God sent His Son, the light of the world, into this world to save us from our sin. You don’t need to wait for particles from the sun to collide with earth’s atmosphere to see His light, only for the Son to collide with your heart through the Holy Spirit. His light is always visible; will you see it?
Word for the Soul 