Even a Little Faith Is Enough

Scripture – Mark 5:7-13: ⁷He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won’t torture me!” ⁸For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” ⁹Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. ¹¹A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹²The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Reflection: The evil spirits always seem to recognize Jesus. They know who He is and what He can do. I guess they live in a spiritual plain of existence where they see things differently.

Another thing that’s always made clear is that Jesus has authority over the evil spirits. Even here, where so many of them were holding this man captive, they recognized the “strongest man” had arrived.

Then there was something in the man himself as he recognized Jesus as someone who could help him. Even with these demons running his life, he was able to reach out with what little of himself was still there. And it was enough.

Christ recognizes and responds to faithful actions. Even a little faith is enough at times.

Lord give me faith today. Help me recognize every situation as an opportunity to serve you. Thank you for responding to my little faith.

Open Arms

Scripture – Mark 5:1-6: ¹They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. ⁴For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.

Reflection: This brings back the image of the strong man in Mark 3:27. No one was strong enough to subdue this man that came to Jesus. But I suspect that’s about to change.

I imagine him as the kind of man no one wanted to be around. I know I bump into people like that – people I want to keep at a distance. Left on my own, I would keep myself safely isolated from them. There is, however, one woman who continually comes by our church office. While she has an apartment, she looks and acts like a person who lives on the street. She has some challenges mentally. And the Lord keeps sending her to talk with me and give me a hug. Sometimes she even brings me a present. (Yesterday it was an old flashlight she found.)

The Lord has taught me to love her and care for her. And through her I am still learning to open my arms to anyone – even one who may come running out of the tombs.

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving and accepting me. Please continue opening my mind and heart and arms to all the people you love. Give me patience, sensitivity and wisdom today with everyone I meet.

Leaving the Crowd Behind

Scripture – Mark 4:35-41: ³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” ³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Reflection: This is very helpful to me. After a full day, Jesus left the crowd behind. He wasn’t finished in the sense of everything being done. There was still more to do. There were still people to teach and heal. Yet He was finished in that it was time for a break.

There is always more to do. I’ve learned to accept that. Everything that can be done will not be done. I can wear myself out trying to finish what is unfinishable. Or I can follow Jesus’ example and take regular breaks.

I will pay attention to Christ’s direction for me. He will always take care of me. So sometimes I will leave the crowd behind.

Lord, show me your way today. Teach me when to stay engaged and when to step back. I trust you to take care of my schedule today.

A Good Seed Scatterer

Scripture – Mark 4:26-34: ²⁶He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” ³⁰Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. ³²Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” ³³With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. ³⁴He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Reflection: Here are a couple “kingdom” parables – snapshots of the kingdom of God from different angles. I’m struck by the first one. Seed is scattered. It sprouts and grows. I don’t know how. That’s a fact. I don’t know how that happens. But that’s no reason for me to stop scattering seed.

I don’t need to understand how things work in order to use them. I turn on a TV and I have no clue how the pictures appears on the screen. The workings of the internet are a total mystery to me. Yet I use those tools most every day.

So I‘ll continue to scatter kingdom seed. I’ll be intentional about doing that.

Lord, the fact is , I don’t even understand how prayer works. Somehow you hear and you responds when I pray. And on my good days, I hear your response, and a dialogue ensues. Hear me now and show me how to be a good seed scatterer today.

Daily Weeding

Scripture – Mark 4:10-20: ¹⁰When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹²so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ (Isaiah 6:9,10)” ¹³Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.”

Reflection: There are so many “thorns” that pop up in life – things that will distract me and get me off track. It’s the old idea of letting the urgent things in life take priority over the important things. Some things will suddenly jump up and cry out for attention right now!

When I let myself worry about this life and get caught up in the things of life, I lose my focus on the Kingdom of God. The good seed Christ has given me doesn’t have a chance to grow and mature.

Weeding is a day to day task. If I look at my life and pull out the thorn bushes before they get too big, the seed has room to grow. It’s not too hard pull out small bushes. But once they get some roots down, it’s a different story.

Lord, show me what weeds need to be removed today. Give me strength and the desire to take them out. And where the roots are too, deep, please remove them for me. Thanks.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate tomorrow morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Reading for Sunday, January 27:

Scripture – Mark 4:21-25: ²¹He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? ²²For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. ²³If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” ²⁴“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. ²⁵Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

Using the Ears God Gave Me

Scripture – Mark 4:1-9: ¹Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. ²He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: ³“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.” ⁹Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Reflection: So many things get in the way of my hearing things. Usually, I’m distracted by something. So if you are trying to tell me something, I might actually be listening to another conversation next to us, and I don’t hear what you’re saying.

Sometimes my perception of the speaker affects how I will hear what he or she says. With some speakers I’m inclined to tune in more carefully than I do with others.

Sometimes I just don’t want to hear what’s being said. I know I’ll be challenged – even convicted – if I pay attention. So I stop listening because I don’t feel like changing.

Lord, you have given me ears to hear. And you provide a lot of good things to hear, as well. Remind me to listen today – to give focused attention to people I meet. Thank you for always hearing me.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate this Sunday morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Family Ties

Scripture – Mark 3:31-35: ³¹Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. ³²A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” ³³“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. ³⁴Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Reflection: What was it like to be related to Jesus? To be in His immediate family? What did they know about Him growing up? What did they hear? What did they see? As we saw a couple days ago, at this point, his family pretty much thought He was crazy. (Mark 3:21) So here, presumably, they’ve come to take Him home. In response, Jesus puts out this new image of the wider family of God.

“Whoever does God’s will” is in the family – related to Jesus Christ. That’s why in a lot of churches and Christian communities, we call each other brother and sister. Having grown up with that idea, I tend to take it for granted. Yet, in Christ, everyone finds a place in the family. Everyone belongs.

I’ll remember that today. When I encounter fellow believers, I’ll remind myself we’re related. The family ties we have are stronger than any church membership role.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing me into the family. I’m sorry for being such an unpleasant member from time to time. Teach me to keep growing and filling whatever role you have for me. As you continue to show me my place in the family, save me from envying the roles you might assign to other people.

Dealing with the Strong Man

Scripture – Mark 3:22-30: ²²And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” ²³So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. ²⁸I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. ²⁹But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.” ³⁰He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”

Reflection: Who is this “strong man,” and who can tie him up? It’s easy to identify him as Satan. And at a basic level, I think that’s what Jesus means. At the same time, Satan’s strength will be exercised in each of us uniquely. So there are personal things to consider.

In my own life, there are some specific areas of weakness and vulnerability. Satan will work on me at those points, knowing he is stronger than my ability to resist. Left to my own strength, I have no chance.

Jesus Christ is stronger. He can tie up the strong man because He is the strongest man. That’s what Jesus demonstrated through His command over the demons. That’s what He demonstrates daily in my heart.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your protective power. I would be so lost and defeated without you. Please continue holding Satan back. I trust you to do that. You know the areas where I am weakest. Tie up the strong man today.

He Called and They Came

Scripture – Mark 3:13-21: ¹³Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); ¹⁷James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); ¹⁸Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. ²⁰Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Reflection: Wow! There are a lot of interesting dynamics here. It looks like Jesus finally found a place away from the crowds. He went up on the mountainside, and then He “called to him those he wanted.” I wonder who those people were. How many were there?

However many, He called and they came. There’s a snapshot of discipleship. They didn’t ask what He wanted. He just called and they responded. I can learn from that.

Then, out of that group, “he appointed twelve” for special assignment. What was that like for the others? How do I react when Christ calls someone next to me to serve in what seems to be a higher, more important position?

Lord, however you choose to use me, I am ready. Teach me to humbly offer myself openly to you. On my good days, I don’t care how big or small a thing you have for me to do. I’m just ready to serve. So please, Lord, may this be a good day.

Alone Time

Scripture – Mark 3:7-12: ⁷Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. ⁸When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. ⁹Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. ¹⁰For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. ¹¹Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” ¹²But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

Reflection: It looks like it was getting harder and harder for Jesus to have any alone time. Here He tried to withdraw with His disciples, but a large crowd followed. It looks like His last refuge was to get into a small boat.

Personally, this would be a nightmare. I’m not much of a “crowd” person. Time spent in the midst of large groups is draining to me. It’s not that it’s a bad time. I usually enjoy myself. It’s just that I need some alone time to be recharged.

Lord, you have called me to serve in the midst of people, and I thank you for that. At the same time, you have shown by your example that getting away is also okay – even necessary. Please show me the personal line to walk. Keep me charged and refreshed – ready to serve you in whatever setting you choose.

Spiritual Common Sense

Scripture – Mark 2:23-28: ²³One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. ²⁴The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” ²⁵He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ²⁶In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” ²⁷Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Reflection: Here’s a perfect example of new wine and old wineskins not getting along. The idea of keeping the Sabbath law had been stretched to absurd lengths. In this scene, for example, Jesus’ disciples were technically doing work on the Sabbath. In verse 23 they were reaping – gathering grain like it was harvest time. I have done exactly what they were doing. I’ve been in a wheat field and pulled off heads of grain to eat as I walked along. Clearly, it’s not work.

In the face of that, Jesus injects some spiritual common sense. The disciples were fulfilling God’s Sabbath law. They were out for a walk. I imagine them just enjoying the day as they relaxed and rested.

Over the years the Sabbath laws had evolved to a place where it would have been impossible to keep them all. Jesus came back to the simple fact that the Sabbath was made for us. It’s a way God takes care of His people. In this hurry-up world, He still calls us to slow down for a day and rest.

Lord, teach me to follow your direction fitfully, without getting crazy. You always have my best interest in mind. Remind me of that. Restore to me the joy of your salvation.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate tomorrow morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Reading for Sunday, January 20:

Scripture – Mark 3:1-6: ¹Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. ²Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. ³Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” ⁴Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. ⁵He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. ⁶Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

New Wine for Old Wineskins

Scripture – Mark 2:18-22: ¹⁸Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” ¹⁹Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. ²⁰But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. ²¹“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. ²²And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.”

Reflection: There are many new churches today – so-called “emerging” churches. Often those of us in the “established” churches look at these new ones with suspicion. I find it interesting in this passage that two groups were fasting. My guess is the Pharisees would question Jesus out of suspicion that He was doing something wrong. John’s disciples, however, would question out of a desire to understand why Jesus acted differently.

The wine of God’s Kingdom is constantly being produced. I need to keep myself open to the new, emerging wineskins that are being produced along with it. God is doing a wonderful work through them.

My call continues to be to serve through Bethel – an old wineskin that is being constantly renewed. Somehow, Christ has maintained a flexibility in us so the new wine does not burst the skin.

Lord, please continue renewing me (and us) as we serve you in these ever-changing times. Keep us clear about who and why we are.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate this Sunday morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Life Outside the Church

Scripture – Mark 2:13-17: ¹³Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. ¹⁴As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. ¹⁵While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” ¹⁷On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Reflection: So, Levi got up and followed Jesus. He left his tax collecting business in the midst of work. That’s an interesting scene in itself. Was he in the middle of a tax return? Was the next in line left wondering what to do? That, of course, is left to imagination.

What we can see is, though Levi started out following Jesus, somehow they ended up at Levi’s house for a dinner party. And many people who had been shut out of the religion of their day had the opportunity to see and know Jesus.

Who are those people today? Who are the people who feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in a church setting, but would enjoy meeting Jesus?

Lord, first of all, help me recognize the “Levis” around me. Then open the door to their homes and friends for me. Then use me to invite these folks into a personal relationship with you. I’ve thought about this for a long time. If it’s part of your plan, use me to help people come to you.

Forgiveness

Scripture – Mark 2:6-12: ⁶Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ⁸Immediately 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? ⁹Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He said to the paralytic, ¹¹“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹²He 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!”

Reflection: There’s a difference between forgiving sins and proclaiming the forgiveness of sins. Obviously, I can’t forgive sins. The teachers of the law were right. Only God can do that. However, proclaiming to someone that God has forgiven their sins is great fun and quite empowering.

I’ve know people who live with such a burden of guilt. They’ve convinced themselves that God can’t just forgive their sins. Somehow they’ve got to work things out for themselves. Essentially, they’re trying earn God’s forgiveness.

The fact is, I can never “earn” anything from God. I can never put Him in my debt so He owes me something. In His grace He forgives my sin if I confess to Him. (1 John 1:9) This I can joyfully proclaim to others.

Lord, thank you so much for forgiving my sins. Thank you for your grace in the lives of us all. Remind me to confess and to accept your forgiveness. There’s great freedom in that. Thank you, again!

Just a Few Words

Scripture – Mark 2:1-5 ¹A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ²So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. ⁴Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. ⁵When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Reflection: When word got out that Jesus had returned to Capernaum, people again came crowding around. As they came, Jesus “preached the word to them.” I think it’s a safe presumption that some healing was also going on. At the same time, though, He had words for the people, as well.

Sometimes good behavior is not enough of a witness. I think it’s crucial that I live in a way that’s consistent with my faith in Christ. At the same time, words are sometimes necessary. I don’t need a lot of words – just a few to touch on the reason for my behavior. I’ll keep in mind that preaching was always part of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

Lord, give me the right words to speak when it’s appropriate. In all I do and say, teach me to proclaim your word for all people. And please, keep working on my behavior. Give me the new attitudes to act like your follower in ever more consistent ways.

Adjusting My Attitude (Whether I Want to or Not)

Scripture – Mark 1:40-45: ⁴⁰A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” ⁴¹Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴²Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. ⁴³Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴“See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Reflection: Here’s a growing edge for me. Over and over Jesus encounters people. And always He has an attitude of openness to them. This man came up to Jesus with a request. Jesus was “filled with compassion.”

More times than I care to admit, people will come into my life and I’m filled with something far less than compassion. It’s usually a sense of frustration, related to resentment. I’ll tend to see people as interruptions in the midst of my “important” work. Yet, what do I have to do that’s more important than loving someone for a few minutes?

I’ll monitor myself this week. With God’s help I’ll make whatever attitude adjustments are necessary when I encounter people. I’ll nurture compassion.

Lord, thank you for always loving and listening to me. Teach me and transform me to be more like you in the way I see other people. Forgive my self-centeredness. Teach to me welcome people as you do.

Private Acts of Compassion

Scripture – Mark 1:29-34: ²⁹As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. ³¹So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. ³²That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Reflection: A couple things catch my attention here. First, this is a private healing of Simon’s mother-in-law. There are no crowds. It’s a simple act of compassion for a single person in private. Second, it’s still the Sabbath when Jesus does this. After sunset, when the Sabbath was over, people showed up. They knew it was against the Jewish Law to heal on the Sabbath.

One aspect of integrity is that I act the same privately as I do publicly. Jesus didn’t need to show off. He did a lot of public healing. Many times He intentionally broke the Law by healing people on the Sabbath. Here, though, He’s in the privacy of a home. He had nothing to prove to any of the people there. No point to drive home. It was a simple act of compassion for someone in need.

Lord, keep me open to such acts as I go through this day. Remind me that I follow you and trust your lead in all times – even and perhaps especially at home.

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate tomorrow morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

Reading for Sunday, January 13:

Scripture – Mark 1:35-39: ³⁵Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” ³⁸Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

An Authority Like No Other

Scripture – Mark 1:21-28: ²¹They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²²The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ²⁴“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” ²⁵“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. ²⁷The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Reflection: What was it like to sit under Jesus’ teaching? I’ve been in many settings with many different teachers. Some just sort of read from a book or repeat what they’ve read somewhere. Others have a deeper sense of authority. They speak and teach out of life experience, not just from the written material. These are the people I find engaging and challenging.

The life experience of Jesus is beyond anything we can comprehend. I mean, He is God. There was a never a moment when He wasn’t alive. So His authority is unlimited. That’s why His words continue to have such a life-changing impact today.

Lord, I’m sorry for the times I take you for granted – the times I treat your words so casually. You are the Lord of all – the Director of my life. You are the one I have chosen to trust and follow ultimately. As much as I stumble along the way, in you and you alone I find life. In the words of Lenny Leblanc, “There is none like you, no one else can touch my heart like you do, I could search for all eternity through, and find there is none like you.”

An Invitation: For anyone interested in sharing their personal reflections from this week’s readings, you are invited to come by the Tim Hortons donut shop at Dix-Toledo and Northline in Southgate this Sunday morning at 9:45am. We’ll have a cup of coffee and see what the Lord has been teaching us this week.

An Immediate Response

Scripture – Mark 1:14-20: ¹⁴After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” ¹⁶As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” ¹⁸At once they left their nets and followed him. ¹⁹When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Reflection: There are few instances where I will drop everything and go. A phone call might come about an emergency in the family. Or a crisis might develop with someone in the church. Or perhaps an immediate need for help becomes apparent when I hear a loud crash.

How often do I immediately respond when I hear Jesus call? There have been a few times when I’ve sensed He’s wanted me to do something “right now.” And I have responded right then. Usually, though, I check my calendar or tie up some loose ends. Maybe I’ll check with some other people. Then, when it’s more convenient for me, I’ll go.

Lord, keep me open to you today. Make me ready to leave whatever “nets” I’m dealing with and follow your lead. When you have an urgent call for me, I’ll respond with urgency. I’m sorry I drag my feet so often. Please give me a discerning spirit to move at whatever pace you have for me today.

Embracing Life in the Desert

Scripture – Mark 1:9-13: ⁹At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” ¹²At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, ¹³and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Reflection: As Jesus comes on the scene and begins living in the public eye, the first thing that comes is the desert experience. I find it interesting that the Spirit sent Him out there. He was there for forty days, tempted by Satan, in the company of wild animals and angels.

Faith is not to be observed only in church settings and in the company of other Christians. (Although sometimes the wild animal image seems appropriate there, as well.) God calls me to live in the world – to be faithful in the desert. As a pastor it’s easy (and tempting) to stay always around church people. I’ll be aware this week of my life outside church. I’ll pay attention to all the conversations I have outside church.

Lord, show me the desert you have for me. Teach me to embrace it rather than avoid it. Guide me along in that area of life. Show me how to deal with temptations, wild animals and angels. Keep me out on the growing edge of life and faith.

Confident Humility

Scripture – Mark 1:4-8: ⁴And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: Here we meet John – the way-maker prophesied by Isaiah. What a sight he must have been. Yet his call to repentance shot around the region like lightening. People – all kinds of people – came out to confess their sins and be baptized as a sign of their repentance. At the same time, John always pointed beyond himself to the one coming after him.

John knew who he was – and who he was not. He was helping people get ready for Jesus. In that, he lived with a confident humility.

The church is all about Jesus Christ. In all we do and say, if He’s not the focus, we’re off base.

Lord, please keep me (us) clear today as to who we are and who you are. Through my life may you be glorified today. I don’t know how to make that happen. Teach me to let it happen.

To Be a Way-Maker

Scripture – Mark 1:1-3: ¹The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ²It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—³“a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Reflection: “Gospel” means good news. And so this marks the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ. I often find myself wondering why people have such resistant attitude toward Christ. I can’t imagine living without Him. He has affected every area of my life – all for the better. The more I trust Him the more peace I have.

So questions I struggle with are: How can I prepare a way for Him? How can I make a straight path for Him and to Him? As a Christian community, how can we invite people, encourage people, walk with people along that path so they can connect with Him themselves?

I’ll keep myself open to those questions as we begin this journey through Mark. I’ll keep open to who Jesus is as shown by Mark.

Lord, you are my life. I have nothing of any lasting value apart from you. By your grace I have your good news – even in my imperfect life. Teach me to be a way-maker for you. Lift me above mere concerns about getting people to come to church. Show me how to help people come to you.

Too Many People?!!

Scripture – Judges 7:1-3: ¹Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. ²The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, ³announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

Reflection: What a message to receive! It goes against everything we know as common sense. It seems we are usually scrambling to find more people to be involved. The bigger the project, the more we think we need. Here’s Gideon, trying to do what God has called him to do. As best as he can, he’s assembled the biggest army he can muster to carry out this impossible mission. Then God comes back to him with this message that he has too many people. He needs to cut down the number. Yikes!!

God’s reasoning still fits today. I find it easy to take on more responsibility than is mine. Christ leads me in a direction. I go along, assuming I’ve got to make things happen. In reality, my job is to be available to do whatever the Lord wants. God’s job is to provide the power and any other resources needed. I’ll remember that today.

Lord, thank you for your power. Keep me clear as to what my responsibilities are as I follow your lead. Forgive me for trying to take over your role. You are the Lord. You get the credit and all the praise. I get to be part of your miraculous work. Thank you for that.

Reading for Sunday, January 6 (Don’t miss this!)

Scripture – Judges 7:4-7: ⁴But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say,‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” ⁵So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” ⁶Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. ⁷The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.”

A Willing Spirit

Scripture – Judges 6:36-40: ³⁶Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—³⁷look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” ³⁸And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. ³⁹Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.” ⁴⁰That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

Reflection: This is a clear picture. It’s easy to see and understand what Gideon is asking and why he’s asking. Sometimes God gives me confirmations that are this clear. Other times I find myself sort of guessing whether or not I understand God’s direction.

Gideon, I think, was new to this business of living by faith. And especially at this point, God had called him to do something way beyond what he ever thought he could do. At the same time, there’s no hint that Gideon is trying to avoid God’s call.

Maybe that’s the difference for me. There are times I’m really trying to get out of a job the Lord has for me. My desire for a sign is not a desire for confirmation. Rather, I’m hoping the Lord will let me know I’ve misunderstood.

Lord, please forgive my rebellious actions. And change my rebellious nature. Help me embrace your call whenever it comes. Strengthen my faith and trust in you so I don’t need a sign. Give me wisdom and discernment, along with a willing spirit, as I serve you today.

A New New Year

Scripture – Judges 6:33-35: ³³Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. ³⁴Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. ³⁵He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.

Reflection: The enemies of Israel were gathering. The people had seen this before over the years. They would have expected another attack, much like they’d always seen. But this time, God had a different plan. This time God would use Gideon to lead His people against the enemies.

I find it easy to let things happen as they’ve happened in the past. Yet each moment is a new experience. This day has never been before. While I’ve seen many new years begin, I’ve never seen this new year. What new thing does God have in mind?

Lord, as familiar as some things and circumstances seem, they are all new. Keep me open to that today. Keep me ready for whatever new thing you will do. The fact is, I don’t know who you might raise up to use in a new way. Give me wisdom and discernment as you act today. When necessary, show me when to intervene and when to stay out of the way.

No Defense Needed

Scripture – Judges 6:30-32: ³⁰The men of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” ³¹But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” ³²So that day they called Gideon “Jerub-Baal,” saying, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.

Reflection: In the eyes of the people of the town, Gideon had committed an offense worthy of death. They were so afraid of Baal and had given him such a high place in their lives that God had been overshadowed. Their concern was with pleasing Baal. They were afraid to cross him. In the face of that, Joash raised a simple, pertinent point: Baal should be able to defend himself, if he’s really a god.

It’s hard to remember sometimes there is only one God. He’s the one who created the world. He’s the Father of Jesus Christ. There is no Baal. There never was, and there is not today. Whatever I try to put in God’s place is an illusion.

Baal could not defend himself because he existed only in the minds of the people. God, on the other hand, needs no defense from me precisely because He is real and is perfectly capable of defending Himself.

Lord Jesus, please keep my mind and heart clear today. With all the false gods pretending to fill your place, keep me focused on you. For you alone are the Lord of all. You alone are God.

Free Indeed!

Scripture – Judges 6:27-29: ²⁷So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than in the daytime. ²⁸In the morning when the men of the town got up, there was Baal’s altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar! ²⁹They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

Reflection: Gideon was afraid. He was afraid of his family and other people in town. What would they think? What would they do? Still, he did what the Lord told him.

A big lesson I learned several years ago is that my feelings do not have to control my actions. Whether I’m angry, excited, sad, afraid – it’s still the same. I don’t have to act according to the way I feel. If I’m going to wait until I’m not afraid, for example, there are a lot of things I would never do.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is leaning into my fear and doing what needs to be done in spite of it.

Lord, please continue to encourage me as this new year begins. Through whatever mean you choose – family, friends, your Holy Spirit – encourage me to serve you more fully. I’m sorry for the times I give in to fear, or whatever the feeling might be. Be my motivating force today in all I do. Thanks.