Mark 4:24 – “Consider carefully what you hear, he continued, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.”

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.”

• It has encouragement when we need it. 
• It has direction when we need it.
• It has corrections 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!  

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 is a word for us. Remember God’s question to Moses?  What is in your hand?  We need to stop trying to be and do what others are and 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, a 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!

LORD, help us to respond to Your Word as the Living Word of God!

Mark 2:8-12 – “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone, and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

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 delay?  How often do we have an impression and 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 be so committed to You that when You speak, we respond Immediately!

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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.  Love God with everything fiber of our being and love our neighbors as ourselves.   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 don’t, we can’t love our neighbors rightly.  If we don’t 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 love the way You love!

Matthew 16:5-12 – “When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  ⁷ They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”  ⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The chief things in life are the presence of God and love.  If we have God’s presence and are loved, we rejoice and declare, “This is a good day.”   

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 others for a second meeting.  This is not a gang-up 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 all 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 think spiritually rather than rely on natural thoughts!

Matthew 11:28-30 – “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.”

Hold this close to your heart; the Mighty God we serve loves you and has your name, address, and a list of your needs and desires. 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, you are trying to live godly through the strength of the flesh.  It is impossible for you to live for God. We have to live a life that flows from Him as He lives “in” us.  The godliness of our lives is His life, nature, and character shining through.

In Matthew 11:28-30, we have the infamous declaration of Jesus 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 “come.”  We get that Word in our situations.  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” is our need.   When did God put us in charge?   He didn’t?  Then, why are we trying to do what only He can do?

LORD, help us to live godly lives totally surrendered to You!