 Actually, every moment of every day is the time to worship! Psalm 150:2-6 NASB95 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. [3] Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. [4] Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. [5] Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
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 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:38-44 NASB95
And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” [39] And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. [40] They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. [41] And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and they picked up twelve full baskets of the broken pieces, and also of the fish. [44] There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. How in the world do you feed 5,000 hungry men with five small barley loaves and two small fish? In the natural course of events this cannot happen...period! It is an impossibility! When Jesus instructed His disciples to feed the crowd of people, and then commanded them to go and find what food was available; according to the Gospel of John, Andrew found a boy with a lunch of five small barley loaves and two small fish. This lunch was an adequate lunch for one boy, not 5,000 hungry men. The reaction of the disciples is not recorded, but I would guess that about half of them were in a panic and the other half felt vindicated for questioning Jesus' choice of taking the responsibility for feeding the crowd. Jesus responded by doing an epic miracle. He fed 5,000 hungry men with five loaves and two fish. If there was any doubt among the disciples as to whether Jesus was the Messiah, it probably vanished as He broke the bread and broke the fish...and then continued to break the bread and fish. Jesus continued this on-going miracle until the entire group was fed and there were 12 baskets of left-overs. What does this tell us about Jesus? It tells us that Jesus was God in the flesh; and with God, "All things are possible." What happens to the person who is able to perform epic miracles? They become famous. In our time, the video would have gone viral. Everyone on the planet would have seen the miracle, and Jesus would be famous! On a smaller scale, Jesus fame did begin to grow as the reports of the miracle began to spread. The people of Judea knew one thing with certainty, "Jesus was no ordinary Rabbi!" Questions to Consider:
 Mark 6:35-38 NASB95
When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; [36] send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” [37] But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” [38] And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” The disciples let Jesus know that they had a problem. There was a crowd of hungry people and no food in sight. That is a problem. Let me start with the bad news: "As long as we are living on planet earth, we will have problems." Jesus said it this way: "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b) B-T-W, Jesus overcoming the world is the "Good News!" In this short phrase, Jesus communicates two truths: 1) Everyone is going to face difficult challenges. 2) Jesus is the solution; both in the short-term and long-term. There is a spiritual song that originated among the Africans that were sold into slavery and shipped to the shores of America. It was called, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." (The Louis Armstrong version of this song is a classic) Lyrics: Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, glory, halleluiah. Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down, Oh, yes, Lord. Sometimes I'm almost to the ground, I have my trials here below, Oh, yes, Lord. If you get there before I do tell all-a my friends I'm coming to Heaven! Oh, yes, Lord! Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, glory, halleluiah. It is hard for me to imagine a worse trouble to endure than slavery. In spite of the circumstances, this spiritual song reflects a people who trusted Jesus for a long-term solution. Whether in chains. Whether you are part of a large hungry crowd. Whether you are struggling to pay your bills. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the storm, whatever the trial, whatever the opposition, whatever the problem...the solution remains steadfast. In all of life's twists and turns the Believer turns to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Questions to Consider:
 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:33-34 NASB95
The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. If there is a phrase that defines the pop-culture of today's America, this would be it: "Sheep Without a Shepherd." Many of the decisions being made by the power brokers of America (movie executives, government officials, corporations, teacher's unions, etc.) reflect a culture that is in rebellion without a clue. There is a "push" to abandon the moral ideals upon which our country was established without the benefit of "better" ideals. (I am not under the illusion that America has ever been a perfect nation, but our imperfections just reveal that the depraved hearts of mankind have a hard time living up to the moral standards that they are trying to establish) The Prophet Isaiah describes mankind in the following terms: Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." That describes "us" before we met Jesus. Rebels without a cause. Sheep without a shepherd. Blind people wandering in darkness. Jesus rightly defined the crowd that was waiting for His arrival on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. They were lost sheep and Jesus was moved with compassion. Jesus' reaction to the shepherdless sheep is the same reaction that "we" should have towards the lost sheep in our time. Compassion should be the compelling emotion that keeps us on mission. Believers in Christ, we are Christ's Ambassadors, and our mission is to represent Jesus to our world. Questions to Consider:
 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-44 The Apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. [31] And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) [32] They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
In our scripture reading, Mark refers to the disciples as "The Apostles." Please note that at the time in which our story takes place, the disciples were not considered apostles. However, by the time Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, the disciples had become the Apostles that were leading the early church. There are a couple of ideas that I take away from this: Firstly, Jesus did not call His disciples on the basis of who they were; He called them on the basis of who they would become. Jesus saw the potential in the men that He called to follow Him. I believe that this is how God views "us." We have been called to be followers of Christ, because God sees the potential of what we can become. In other words, God has faith in us before we have faith in Him. Secondly, like the disciples who were "transformed" into apostles, we are on a journey of transformation. Transformation means that we are not who we will become. In our spiritual journey, we make the effort to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus. This puts us in the position or posture of offering ourselves to God's purposes. (You might call this "drawing near to God) God's response? He draws near to us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed. And...disciples become apostles... What is God's design for you? Questions to Consider:
When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. Mark 6:47-48 NASB
The disciples seemed to have many difficulties throughout the gospels when they were in the sea. We saw in Mark 4 the same sort of difficulty in the Sea of Galilee. We don't know if this was common for anyone who used the sea as a means of travel back then, or if it was intensified with the disciples and noted. But it seems to me that there was often something or someone standing in opposition to the disciples. The disciples tried everything in their power to control the boat with oars and to keep themselves from sinking and ultimately drowning. The oars of life may prolong our ultimate demise but they cannot save us. Jesus was seeing all of this take place from the shore. He was watching the fear, the anxiety, the anger, the restlessness, and the doubt in His disciples. Keep in mind that this is all taking place after a very long day of ministry, and is happening in the "fourth watch" which is anywhere from 3am - 6am in the morning! Have you ever felt that your life is out of control, and that there seems to be so much opposition to the extent that nothing you do seems to fix it? Have you ever experienced times where you feel you have no rest? I know I have had those experiences numerous times. In those times it's important for us to remind ourselves that Someone is watching us in our struggles. But He does not stand at a distance on the safe shoreline shouting out instructions to us on how we can fix it. He is going to come into the midst of our struggles and bring His divine power. The sea of fear was turned into a sea of triumph once Jesus stepped into it. He can do the same for everyone of His disciples today. Questions to Consider: 1. What are some struggles you are experiencing right now? What are the "oars" that you are using to try and fix them? 2. How has Jesus stepped into your life during times of trial to bring about victory? Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
In my life I have dealt with many distractions that have gotten me off of the path that God wants me on. Maybe it was a distraction for a short period of time or for an extended period of time. Some of these distractions were pure and not carnal, others not so much. Whether these distractions have been video games, sports, starting businesses, making money etc., the fact remains that they have been used by the enemy to lead me to compromise and to keep me stagnant, neutralized, and not walking in the calling of God. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to lay aside those types of things that he calls "encumbrances or weights" that hinder us from running the race with endurance. The Christian life is a race that continues over our lifespan. It is not a 40-yard dash, or even a 200 meter race. The sign of truly following Christ is not that we make big splashes, or go a couple of years walking in obedience. The Christian life is consistency (not perfection) over decades walking with Christ. This is hard for us to grasp in our Facebook and Instagram world we live in. Everyone is trying to "make it big" with one big splash. Even in the church there are those who are just waiting for the big conference or church to call so they can get their name out there. These are all distractions from the enemy to get our eyes off of Jesus and onto ourselves. The Christian life is not about running aimlessly; the writer of Hebrews tells us that we run with our eyes fixated on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He is our goal, our focus, and our finish line. It is not until we grasp Him face to face that our race has been completed. Paul reminds us of the distractions that will come in that we must not give into. Note, these are not sinful behaviors that Paul is addressing here per se. He is simply pointing out that they are useless and that they produce nothing, except to slow us down. Writing to Timothy Paul says: Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:22-23 NASB Writing in Titus 3:9 Paul says: But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. These things that Paul is pointing out are simply distractions used by the enemy and this world to keep us from advancing the kingdom of God. People today spend hours talking about these very same things that Paul tells us are unprofitable and worthless. They are worthless and unprofitable if you are in a race that requires endurance to complete. Questions to Consider: 1. Do an honest analysis of your life. How much time to you spend talking about the things of this world with your family, friends, coworkers etc., more than talking about Christ? 2. In connection with question 1, do you feel that the time you spend talking about all the issues of the world is causing you to look more like Christ or is pointing people to Christ?  Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-17 NASB95
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. [4] How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. [5] Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. [6] Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. [8] I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” [9] I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. [10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. [11] You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. [12] For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me. [13] Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me. [14] Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt. [15] Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” [16] Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” [17] Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-17 NASB95
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. [4] How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. [5] Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. [6] Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. [7] Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. [8] I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” [9] I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. [10] I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. [11] You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. [12] For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me. [13] Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me. [14] Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt. [15] Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” [16] Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” [17] Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29“Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Luke 14:27-30 NASB
In Luke 14, Jesus is speaking to a large crowd of people following Him. Jesus begins to be blunt with them in regards to what it really looks like to follow Him and what it "costs". This section of scripture has become known as the "Cost of Discipleship." The point that Jesus is getting across to this crowd is that following Him will cost us something. It will cost us our families, friends, our status, and our reputation. This call to discipleship is a beginning call that must go out. It is a call that must not be hidden in our gospel presentations. It must be clearly stated the way that Jesus is stating it in Luke 14:25-35. But what's interesting to me when you look at being a disciple of Jesus, is that there isn't a cost in the long run. In the short-term it seems like a massive, surrendering, and risky call; which it is. But later on in Matthew 13:44 Jesus shows us what's really happening behind the scenes. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. What Jesus is describing here is a glimpse of what takes place in the heart of a disciple of Christ at the moment they decide to follow Christ. They sell everything they have to buy a field with unmatched wealth hidden in it. They look at what they have, and who Christ is, and they place more value on Christ to where they would leave behind everything else. When we look at it this way we see that there really isn't a cost associated. They sold something of limited value to buy something of eternal value, namely the kingdom of heaven and Christ Himself. This is why it is vital that we present Christ properly in our gospel presentations. When we limit Jesus down to simply being a man, a prophet, or a "nice guy", that doesn't make Him worthy of our lives. If He is God who walked on the earth; the representation of the love of God that touched mankind; and all things that were created are by Him and for Him; that is Someone of immense value, power, glory, and dominion. He is worthy of it all. I was in a time of worship a few years ago and a song came on that marked me and became a theme of my life. The song is titled "I Will Waste My Life" by Misty Edwards. One of the lines in the song goes: For I am in love with You, And there is no cost. I am in love with You, And there is no loss. What Misty is describing in these lyrics is that when we truly love and find value in Christ, we don't view it as costing us or losing us anything. When we leave behind others or our possessions for the sake of Christ, there is no loss associated in comparison to what we gain. In the moment the call is costly, but the good news of the gospel is not the cost, but the Reward. Our reward is Christ Himself. (2) I Will Waste My Life (Behind the Song) - Misty Edwards - YouTube Questions to Consider: 1. How much value to you place on Christ in comparison to other things? |
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