Marky Mark

Or Stevey Steve as my mom likes to say!

Kicked off Mark today! So I'm always intrigued by Jesus' interaction with demons. There's never any doubt of who's who - meaning, they always know who Jesus is and the power He has over them. There is no doubt that there is a major spiritual war going on that is "unseen." I know it and I feel it. However, I know that as being a daughter of Christ I can claim the same authority and power of this darkness and demons as Jesus was. So why don't I? Is it really easier to be selfish, and wallow in my self-pity? Is it easier to be bitter and angry and throw temper tantrums? Sometimes I think so. And they make me feel better... for a little bit.

One of the lessons that Jesus teaches over and over and over is that in the Kingdom of Heaven the first will be last and last will be first, and that we are to give and serve others. "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - 10: 45 In my experiences, it has always been better, more fulfilling, and more satisfying when I'm giving myself to others vs. trying to see what I can get from others. That used to be a continual challenge to myself, and it's one I've sadly strayed from. Especially in becoming a parent, and ESPECIALLY if you are breastfeeding a child... I felt like I was giving EVERYTHING to my child, and had no claim to self. I think it's a fun adventure seeking out how to encourage people in ways that speak love to them - like baking things for my coworkers, or letting them know that I appreciate something they are doing. I'm not at complimenting others, I would say it is because of pride - fear of rejection.

Mark 8:34-35 - “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Finishing Act(s)

I'm a little behind on my reading as well as my blogging, so I'm going to try to do some catch up here. I finished reading Acts - chapters 16 through the end over the weekend, and felt like I was much more engaged in reading through this book than I ever have before.

Something that struck me was Paul's composure as he appealed to several judges regarding the charges brought against him. He spoke with honor, respect, integrity, and intelligence. It gave him a great platform as he was able to testify of his conversion not only in front of these people of influence, but all who gathered to watch his trials. You can tell he was just one of those people who when he spoke, people just listened. You wonder how many conversions came from his testimonies.

"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." Acts 28:28

The Good News!

Today I read Acts 5-15, and I must confess that I was pretty tired this morning. This was day 2 of arriving at Starbucks by 6, so that I could read and hop over to work by 7, and I lost focus quite a bit.

I've really enjoyed going from Matthew into Acts. A couple of the things that caught my attention - Saul/Paul's conversion, and "the good news!" We should start with the good news because it leads right into Paul's conversion.

I just want to start by saying the phrase good news is a warm and fuzzy spot for me. When I was in grade school I went to Good News Club. Like I said before I heard this "good news" when I was very young, and I asked Jesus to come into my heart - just how my Grandma put it, who prayed with me. And can I say this is more than good news, it's GREAT news! FANTASTIC news! This is not on life-saving, but life-changing news. Read below, and get excited:

Acts 10:34-43

New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. ³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

³⁹ “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, ⁴⁰ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

This good news, this transforming power that came through the resurrection of Christ is what changed Paul's life. Paul wasn't just your average Jewish Joe Schmoe hanging out at the synagogue - he was a hard core, Christian persecutor/murderer, leader of the Jews. And he was radically changed by the Holy Spirit - if you've never read Acts and about Paul's conversion, it's a must read! This man would have studied the scriptures all of his life, and known the law just as well, if not better, than everyone else but could not deny his encounter with God.

I get down sometimes, and life doesn't make sense... but I can never deny how I've encountered the living God. I've "tasted and seen" His goodness and His power, and not just in my own life, but in others lives around me as well. Praise God for His redemption of ALL people! A little gentile like myself becoming a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I don't know if anyone reads my blog... but sweet friends, if you're not sure about this good news, or where you stand with God. Please consider it! There's nothing more intimate than a journey with your Creator!

Peter

Yesterday I talked about how I often identify with Peter, and today's reading - finishing up Matthew, and beginning Acts I really got a glimpse of how his life was transformed by the Holy Spirit. Peter went from denying Jesus to becoming a powerful preacher of the gospel.

All of which is made possible by the death & resurrection of Jesus. The ultimate sacrifice and act of obedience. As I've read through Matthew you see that Jesus, while being fully God, was fully man. He got hungry. He felt. He cried out to His Father "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He felt the sting of being separated from God - Can you relate?

I gave my life to Christ a very young age, 4 or so, but I really began in intimate journey with Him 12 years ago. I go through periods where I feel that sting of separation from my Creator, by no means comparing mine to what Jesus felt - because He did no wrong. I deserve the pain and the consequence of death for being a sinful being. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift from God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." I'm not sure I will ever understand the depths of the grace of God. Even today, as my anger is kindled at the feeling of injustice in the Casey Anthony trial, I think of how she is not beyond God's grace. God rejoices when even one gives thier life to Him - all those parables about lost sheep & coins, and that includes Casey Anthony.

God, I pray that I would take rest in your abundant grace. I pray that I would share that love and grace with others, so that they might taste & see of your goodness. We are all in desperate need of you - our God, Creator, Savior, Redeemer!! I can't fathom that not only do you want to save us from our fate of eternal death and separation from You, you have great things in store for us. Forgive me for not always beleiving that. Your plan for me is far greater than my own. Continue to redeem this broken vessel Lord Jesus.

Day 2

Thoughts on day 2's reading - Matthew 13-23

A lot of parables, which at times don't make sense, but thankfully! Jesus explains them, for the most part, the Holy Spirit does the rest! What theme's did I see over and over? Jesus' love and compassion for people, all people, and his emphasis on loving, looking out for, and serving the poor. A phrase often used in reference to the Pharisees & Sadducees - 'You brood of vipers!' I alway's shudder when I read through Jesus rebuking the Pharisees & Sadducees, and I think it's because I feel like I can often fall into times where I have the head knowledge, but not the heart engagement. Nevertheless, it leads me to pray - I pray that I am not a hypocrite, or dishonoring God when I speak of Him or am sharing His Word. I ask Him to reveal those things so that I can seek change, through Him.

There is actually a lot of passages that I love in these 10 chapters. The Parable's regarding God's joy in just one person coming to know Him. I still find myself in awe, in a very childlike way, on Jesus feeding the 4 and 5 thousand + people. In reading about the crowds that followed Jesus, I try to picture myself there, and I feel like I would just follow along, and stare at Him. How sweet would that be... to get a glimpse. I get choked up and teary-eyed just thinking about it. One day... :)

And then there's Peter... I have always connected to Peter. "O you of little faith" in chapter 14, then in chapter 16 as Peter proclaims Jesus is the Christ, "on this rock I will build my church... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." I know this isn't unique to just me, but man, I feel that battle - between faith and logic. Something I keep thinking about is that my faith and logic don't always cohabitate well together!

May we seek to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and love our neighbors as ourselves! Oh, also, I've decided Will & I are going to read through the New Testament in his kiddie Bible too! :) I think I get just as much out of it's simple 15-20 word sections!

New In 30

Our church is doing a challenge called "New in 30," which means reading the New Testament in 30 days. I personally love a good challenge in reading the Word, and actually thought it was just what I needed as I've hit a lull in my Old Testament readings.

Today's assignment was to read Matthew 1-12, that's right, 12 chapters in one day! I actually got a little head start yesterday so I wouldn't be as overwhelmed by it today. This was much needed as Matthew starts out with the lineage of Jesus, briefly goes through JC's birth & before I knew it we were in the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5. I alway's kind of find myself dumbfounded as I read through Jesus' preaching here, because it's such a slap in the face to any rule-keeping or checklist following religion that is living in my heart. Praise the Lord for his graciousness at the end of chapter 11, which felt like a breath of fresh air:

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I'm coming Lord!! I'm weary and burdened! I'm alway's feeling conflicted and/or convicted when reading these chapters, because Jesus is calling us to become the least in order to receive the greatest reward. I can't exactly explain or comprehend what this means, but I know that I don't always seek to put others above myself... I seek selfish gain.

As I'm flipping back through the pages I read I see there is so much good stuff - the Salt & Light section, Laying up Treasures in Heaven, Ask & it will be Given sections... all contain verses that have really hit me at one time or another. But for this read through, this is all I've got...