Monday Morning: 06 May 2019 – Mark 7:1-23 ~ monitor your heart

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Mark 7:1-23 (NLT)

Jesus Teaches about Inner Purity

One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)

So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”

Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,

‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’

For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”

Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”

Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)

And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
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Morning Reflection:

monitor your heart

“It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you;
you are defiled by what comes from your heart.” – Mark 7:15

Hypocrisy: “God requires soul worship, and men give Him body worship; He asks for the heart, and they present Him with their lips; He demands their thoughts and their minds, and they give him banners, and vestments, and candies.” (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Evil thoughts are the ground out of which the evil actions and attitudes grow. Sin proceeds from the heart (human nature) to the thoughts (human mind) to actions (human deeds).

It’s a never-ending cycle leading to sin and death. Only Jesus can break the cycle by making us new creations in him with – clean hearts, renewed minds, and godly living.

Questions for consideration:

Hypocrisy is a universal problem for believers. Can you think of ways that hypocrisy has crept into you life? Please explain.
Have you monitored your heart lately? What’s going on inside you? Please explain.
As you go through the “vile things” that Jesus lists, are any of theses a problem for you -“sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness?” Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for Christians in the midst of persecution:

Heavenly Father: I pray for Christians suffering persecution and hardship because of their faith. Meet them in their deepest sorrow and comfort them. Strengthen them in faith that they may continue to follow you, and empower them with your Spirit to respond in love to the evil shown by their persecutors – that doors will open to share the Good News of your Kingdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

My Prayer:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy Name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“New Heart” – Mosaic MSC

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

3rd Sunday of Easter, 05 May 2019: 2 Corinthians 1:16-22, John 21:1-14 ~ promises made and guaranteed

The Third Sunday of Easter

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

God of life, in your risen Son you reveal your abiding presence among us and summon us to lives of worship and service. Fill us with reverence as we come before you today. And grant us courage and enthusiasm in bearing witness before the world to your Son, Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“”The Lion and The Lamb”” – Big Daddy Weave

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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (NLT)

Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice — first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:1-14 (NLT)

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
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Intercession:

Almighty God: You claim us as your own and rescue us from all distress. Pour out your Spirit on your people, as we confidently approach your throne of grace. We pray especially –

+ That all believers may hold onto your promises….
+ That believers who are wavering may stand firm….
+ That believers who are suffering may have courage….
+ That missionaries may serve with conviction and enthusiasm….
+ That those working the sea may receive protection….
+ That those working the land may receive just reward….
+ That those who prepare and serve food may themselves be sustained….

Almighty God: Hear our prayers and the cries of our hearts, and have mercy us. Guide us through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may love and serve you all the days of our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Stand In Your Love” – Josh Baldwin

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Closing Declaration: Psalm 33:3-5

Sing a new song of praise to him; sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good, and the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning: 04 May 2019 – Mark 6:30-56 ~ disciples serve as waiters

Saturday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Mark 6:30-56 (NLT)

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”

“How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”

They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.

Jesus Walks on Water

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him.

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
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Morning Reflection:

disciples serve as waiters

Jesus said, “You feed them.” – Mark 6:37

The on-the-job training of the disciples continues in today’s reading – leading to a deeper understanding of who Jesus was and a deeper commitment to him.

Jesus is the ultimate provider of all our needs – teaching, healing and daily bread. In telling the disciples to feed the crowd, Jesus highlighted the inadequacy of their resources (physically and spiritually) to complete the task – the numbers didn’t work – too many people, not enough money, and not enough food; they were stymied. From a human perspective it was impossible, but not from God’s.

+ Jesus: By thanking God for the food and then providing it miraculously for the people, Jesus disclosed that he was not only the Son of Man but also the Son of God.

+ The disciples: Jesus served the people through the disciples who presented what he had provided to the multitudes. The disciples served as waiters. Servants can only serve what the master provides.

Questions for consideration:

Have you ever witnessed God do something that was impossible from a human perspective? Please explain.
Have you ever been asked to do something for God that was impossible from a human perspective? What happened? Please explain.
Where in your life right now are you being challenged to do something that is beyond your ability? In practical terms, what would it mean for you to rely on God to produce the desired outcome. Please explain.
In what way do you need to rely on resources that only God can provide, or multiply, to get you through he day? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the practical needs of persecuted believers:

Heavenly Father, our provider and sustainer: Attend to the needs of your family suffering great hardship and persecution, especially –

+ That they would have access to a Bible…
+ That they would have the courage to remain in their homeland…
+ That those rejected by their family and friends would be welcomed into your family where they are loved and supported emotionally and physically…
+ That socially vulnerable women and those who have lost custody of their children would be protected and their children returned…
+ That those who are destitute would find jobs and safe places to live…

Heavenly Father, you know each one of your children by name: Have mercy on them and attend to their needs. I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You know our needs for teaching, healing, and daily bread – and you know our inadequacy to sustain ourselves. Work your wonders in our lives and give us what we need today – that we might grow in faith and love, and give generously to others what we have receive from you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“First” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 03 May 2019 – Mark 6:1-29 ~ on the job training

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Mark 6:1-29 (NLT)

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples

Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.

The Death of John the Baptist

Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.” Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.”

When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.”

For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.” He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!”

She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?”

Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!”

So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!”

Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison, brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother. When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb.
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Morning Reflection:

On the job training

Jesus called his twelve disciples together
and began sending them out two by two,
giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. – Mark 6:7

In today’s reading, Jesus authorized the disciples to be his delegates with respect to both word and power. Their message and deeds were to be an extension of his own.

The disciples did three things: preached repentance, healed the sick, and cast out evil spirits. Their ministry was to be an extension of Jesus’ ministry – on the job training – demonstrating that Jesus’ power extended beyond his personal presence and that God would work through them as He did through Jesus.

So the disciples went out,
telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.
And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people,
anointing them with olive oil. – Mark 6:12-13

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that the Kingdom power and authority that Jesus gave to his disciples is given to believers today? Please explain.
Do you believe Jesus’ Kingdom power and authority is only given to a chosen few, or is given to every believer? Please explain.
Have you ever seen, or experienced, Jesus’ Kingdom power and authority to preach repentance, heal the sick, and cast out demons through believers today? Please explain.
Have you ever been trained in this kind of ministry? How did it go? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for world leaders to fight against Christian persecution:

Sovereign Lord: All authority vested in governance comes from you and is accountable to you. Stir the hearts of every world leader to carry out their responsibilities justly and peacefully with special attention to Christians who are defenseless, in need of protection. Give them the wisdom to enact the necessary policies and procedures to make a lasting, global difference. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Use me as you will – teach me, train me, send me – to the lost, the broken, and the bound. Use me here where i am, or send me out where you want me to be. Give me eyes to see the opportunities and need you place before me. And give me the boldness to respond in faith. All to the glory of your name, and the advance of your Kingdom. Amen.
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“Here I Am Send Me” – Darlene Zschech

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 02 May 2019 – Mark 5:21-43 ~ faith and healing

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Mark 5:21-43 (NLT)

Jesus Heals in Response to Faith

Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.

Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”

His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.
Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” – Mark 5:3

In today’s reading, Jesus demonstrates his Kingdom authority over life (Jairus’ daughter) and health (woman with bleeding). In both cases, Jesus heals in responds to the faith of the people involved, but let’s focus on the woman’s healing.

+ Jesus: His healing power did not work automatically, like a power surge cause by a short-circuit (the woman’s touch).

Jesus became aware in himself, without any external suggestion, the significance of the woman’s touch, and, was actively willing to honor her faith.
His power, the inherent ability to perform, was always under the control of His conscious volition.
His consciousness of that power going forth from Him suggests that His healing ministries cost Jesus much spiritual energy.
It would explain why He found it necessary at times to escape the crowds to find time for refreshing through fellowship with the Father.

+ The woman: Could feel that her body had been healed.

Her faith arose out of desperation, she was willing to try anything, and Jesus represented her best hope for healing.
Jesus clarifies her healing and calms her fears; her faith healed her not the touching of a piece of cloth.
She is called “daughter,” her faith in Jesus has brought her into his spiritual family.
“Go in peace” – not simple just freedom from inward anxiety, but the wholeness or completeness of life that comes from being brought into a right relationship with God.

Questions for consideration:

Have you ever been desperate for Jesus’ healing touch? What did you do? What did Jesus do? Please explain.
Have you ever prayed, asking Jesus to heal another person? Was touch involved in any way? What happened? Please explain.
Are you waiting for Jesus to do something miraculous in your life? Are you waiting in faith? Or have you lost hope? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for churches to rise up:

Lord Jesus: Awaken your church to the critical needs of believers around the world who are suffering calamity and great persecution. Grant that we would be faithful in prayer, and generous in our giving for physical support. Rally your church around those who are suffering for your name’s sake. And empower us by your Spirit to engage our political leaders, especially here in America, in order to remind them that Christian persecution is a real issue that must be addressed in our time. I ask this in your name, and for the Father’s glory. Amen.

My Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Come to us with your healing power. Pour out your Spirit on all who believe. And for those who are desperate, help them, heal them, give them hope, and grant them your peace. For your name’s sake, and the Father’s glory. Amen.
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“Healing Rain” – Michael W. Smith