The Living Book
Mark 4:24 – “And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.”
It has encouragement when we need it. It has direction when we need it. It has correction when we need it. It has inspiration when we need it. It has revelation when we need it. Sometimes, we don’t even know we need what it provides. That’s why we can read the same passage on 100 different days and get 100 different levels of understanding. It is a LIVING BOOK!
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the first thought that came to my mind was, “What an amazing God we serve, and what an amazing book we have in the Bible.”
In 1 Samuel 17, when David faced Goliath, some important truths were revealed. David (v 40) took what he had, what he knew, and what he had been trained to use rather than Saul’s armor. That’s a word for us.
Remember God’s question to Moses? What’s in your hand? We need to stop trying to be and do what others do and use what we have for the task before us. No person, in their right mind (natural thinking) would have faced a giant trained for war with a stick, slingshot, and a few rocks. David didn’t either.
What? But it says… Read again what David actually said. 1 Samuel 17:45, “You (Goliath) come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, BUT I COME to you in the NAME of the LORD of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.” What was David’s real weapon? THE NAME OF THE LORD! The other things are contact points, nothing more. The real power was THE NAME!
Jesus said in Mark 4:24 – “Take care WHAT you listen to…” Often, our problem is that we LISTEN to the wrong voices. We listen to the hordes of hell, the perception of people, and the longings of our hearts. We even call those a Word from God. But if we LISTEN to the true voice of the Spirit of God, we find the courage and strength to stand or go with what we have rather than waiting on a dream. If nothing is impossible for God, then NOTHING is impossible!
What do you need today? The Book has the answer, encouragement, enlightenment, and inspiration. Read it as a personal letter from God to you!
Invest yourself in the Book of Books and glean from its treasures!
How About Immediately?
Mark 1:16-20 – “As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately, He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went away to follow Him.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was drawn to reflect on a word used repeatedly in Mark 1 and 2. The word “immediately” captured my attention. How often do we hear a word and then delay? How often do we have an impression and then delay? What does our hesitation say to God, others, and ourselves?
Waiting on God is important, but upon hearing from God, there is no place for hesitation. The only hesitation allowed is when the word is “Wait.” Our hesitation is often rooted in our doubt. We are not convinced God said it. We are not convinced people will accept it. We are not convinced we can do it. We make everything external rather than trusting the Christ IN us and the Holy Spirit who anoints us.
A side note that is revelatory is that the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. Access to the Holy of Holies was now open to everyone. Access to God’s inner sanctuary was now for whosoever will. It came from the top to the bottom. The old was finished, and the new began.
If we grasp the reality that access to God is open to all, then when we hear, we are free to respond IMMEDIATELY! Immediate obedience brings prolonged blessings! Immediate obedience opens the door to God’s presence, and in His presence, there is peace, power, and provision.
My word of the day is IMMEDIATELY! Not when my ship comes in, I will sail, but I will head for the sea NOW and know that ship or no ship, I will sail by the Spirit. Remember when money became the issue and focus, Judas betrayed Jesus.
LORD, help us to have an instantaneous response to Your directive!
Ritualism or God
Matthew 21:18-19 – “Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree withered.”
As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, something out of Judges and Matthew captured my attention. Some churches and individuals have nothing but form and maybe a faint memory of God’s presence and power. Everything is rote ritualism but devoid of God.
Samson is an example. He became so friendly with the world (Delilah) and so presumptuous about God’s favor that he lost his strength. Judges 16:20, “He did not know (realize) that the LORD had departed from him.”
In Matthew 21:18-19, we see the barren fig tree. Jesus was hungry. Jesus saw a tree that looked fruitful on the outside (actions & words). Jesus found no fruit and cursed the tree at its roots.
How many churches and individuals have the appearance but no presence (fruit)? How many go through the routine and do not know God has departed? Maybe they never knew anything but form. Maybe they no longer believe in or expect power.
What is the answer? Matthew 22:36-40. We are to love God with every fiber of our being and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we get those two right, and everything else gets right.
It all begins with LOVE! It all continues through LOVE! Do we love God with our all? If we do not, we cannot love our neighbors rightly. If we do not love our neighbors, whom we can see, how can we love God, whom we can’t see? LOVE is the motivation and vehicle by which we become!
LORD, help us to avoid ritualism and enter your presence!
Spiritual Poverty
Matthew 16:6 – “And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, several realities filled my thoughts. Natural thinking leads to spiritual poverty. In Matthew 16, the disciples had forgotten to take bread (needed provisions). In verse 6, Jesus warned about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Natural thinking robbed them of Revelation.
In verse 8, Jesus called their faith small. He reminded them of the miracles of feeding the multitudes. In other words, “Hey guys, you are concerned about bread! Remember what I did! I have already demonstrated that natural food is not a problem.” Having the wrong focus opens the door to wrong actions.
Natural thinking prevents one from having God’s fullness. Matthew 18:16-20 is a powerful reminder of the path to peace and plenty, or poverty spiritually. Sin is never ignored, but restoration must be the goal. Go to them “in private.” That is key #1.
Then, take 2 or 3 for a second meeting. This is not a gang of buddies but godly, prayerful, objective, and informed people whose hearts are for restoration. Their counsel may be to you as well as the offender. The objective is not exposure; it is restoration.
Then, take it to the church. Do you notice something missing? It is private, and before the church, not a public proclamation of their sins and failures. That is not seeking restoration. God’s desire is restoration!
In verses 21-22, Peter spoke out of natural thinking. He sought to limit forgiveness, but Jesus made it unlimited. Natural thinking wants justification for its anger. Spiritual thinking seeks restoration even at the expense of hurt.
The key is Matthew 19:21. Die to self, release everything to God (even your hurt). That which holds your heart controls you. My heart breaks for the offender and the offended. Both need healing and restoration. I’m praying for an outpouring of the mind of Christ to break the power of natural thinking.
LORD, help us to avoid Spiritual Poverty and live in the Abundant Life of Jesus!
Lord, I Am Trying
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, godliness became my focus. Sadly, too often, even the most well-intentioned fall into the trap of religious legalistic living. How many times have I heard someone say, “I’m trying to live for God!”
That’s the problem, we are trying to live godly through the strength of the flesh. It is impossible for us to live for God through human effort. We have to live a life that flows from Him as He lives “in” us. The godliness of our lives is reflected in His life, nature, and character shining through. In Matthew 11:28-30, we have the infamous declaration of Jesus for us to take on His yoke.
Some have the mistaken view that coming to Jesus and giving Him our concerns means immediate ease and that all our problems magically go away. Godliness is not ease but trust. It is not the absence of problems but the faith and courage to endure. It is to relax rather than fretting and trying to figure out how to fix it. Flesh-driven lives have no true peace. Godliness overflows from peace.
In the parable of the sower, we see a picture of life. How many hear the Word, the Promise, or the prophetic and rejoice only to find that shortly their focus is on the problem and their joy is gone. They toss and turn, worry, and fret, and are left empty. (Matthew 13:20-21).
In Matthew 14, we have Jesus walking on the water and Peter’s request. Peter got the Rhema to “come.” We get our Rhema Word in our situations, and then we have a choice: faith or fear. Faith gets out of the boat and stands on the Word. Then many find that they are like Peter, they refocus, and the cares of life overwhelm them. If we are going to enjoy the provision of a life of godliness, we must not lose focus and refocus on the cares of life. He is God!
We must decide to die to the flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to bring the life of Jesus to fullness in us. The song “I Surrender All” embodies our need. When did God put us in charge? Well, He did not? Then, why are we trying to do what only He can do?
LORD, help us to stop trying and start living!
Roy's Covenant Corner 