Are You Prepared?

N.T.#427 "Are You Prepared?"

Nov. 20, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

Soon it will be time to make preparations for the Thanksgiving dinner. I tend to consider the place it will be held, items needed, how many will be attending, and which food is my responsibility to prepare. If I am bringing desserts, then I get the ingredients ahead of time and usually bake them ahead of time and freeze them. How about you? What preparations do you make?

It was Passover Week and as good Jews, the apostles and Jesus celebrated. Preparations had to be made for it-purchase the lamb, wine, herbs, unleavened bread. No worry guys, for Jesus knew a man who would get it all for them. 

There must have been a man who had come to the Lord Jesus during His 3 years of ministry and previously offered Him an upper room, a guest room, which could be used for this special occasion. The goodman (head of the family; master of the house) of the house was some unnamed follower of the Lord. Jesus had friends in town who loved Him, obviously.

Jesus sent two of His disciples into Jerusalem, with instructions to follow a man home who was bearing a pitcher of water. (caring it on his head like the women did) they were to say to the owner, The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with My disciples? (verse 14,NLT)

The owner would then take the two upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where they should prepare for the meal. So the two followed Jesus' instructions, found the man, found the room, and found the items needed to prepare for the Passover meal there. The two disciples made ready for the group and made ready for the Passover. (verses 15-16) It went just as Jesus had said. 

LET IT GROW 

The disciples may have wondered where they were to spend Passover. Rooms were undoubtedly in short supply with so many people crowding the city. The room had to be cleared of all leaven no less than two days in advance. It was the last possible moment that Jesus gave the instructions. He had planned every meticulous detail for their celebration. He had prearranged the meal, the people involved, the man with the water jar, and the owner of the home waiting for the disciples. The room was prepared in keeping with the Law and furnished with everything they needed. (Swindoll)

Christ has a prearranged plan for each of our lives. Even in difficult times, everything ends up being put together as only God could have done it. It may seem so unplanned, even chaotic, but The Master has a master plan.

God formulates plans to accomplish one objective: to deepen your relationship with Him. Notice that while God's prearranged plan was happening, the disciples still had to prepare the meal. They were involved. Although God has a plan prepared for us, we still play a critical role to fill it. 

Friend, are you prepared to meet Jesus when you die? The soul must be prepared ahead of time. Believe Jesus is the substitute for our paying for our sins. Ask His forgiveness of sins and surrender your life to Him. Then your home in heaven will be prepared for you when you get there.

LET IT GO

May we seek Your will and carry out Your will, Jesus.

Help us deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow You, Savior.

The Betrayer

N.T.#426 "The Betrayer"

Nov. 19, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW 

Doesn't it hurt whenever a friend betrays you, telling a secret that you shared with them in confidence?  Maybe it was something you did that you only told one person and they spread it around or planned to pay you back for it. Jesus had a betrayer in His midst, one of His disciples. Read on to find out who it was.

It must have been a good time for Jesus to visit with His friends while eating at the house of a former leper. Oh how He loved His disciples and close friends.  e needed this time, for soon Jesus would hang on the cross, innocently. Jesus' ministry was hard with harsh religious leaders always questioning Him critizing Him, denying Him to be the Messiah. However, Mary showed her extravagant love for the Master by pouring out her expensive perfume on His head. (I wonder if it was her inheritance or a dowry for her wedding.

What was the reaction of those present? This was more than Judas Iscariot could stand. I figure he was one of those indignantly wondering why Mary wasted the ointment. (verse5) The perfume could have been sold and money given to the poor. The mumblers were discussing the matter quietly among themselves. Judas was the bag man, seeing to the money issues for the guys. 

Then Jesus steeped in. (He always knows what is going on.) 

He said, "Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have Me.  (verses 6-7NLT)

Talk about a defense. Mary did what she could. (verse 8) That act of Mary's is preached throughout the world, remembered and discussed whenever the Good News is preached. We don't read of anyone else sacrificing  extravagantly for Jesus, do we? He is always the giver of love.

Are we doing what we can in order to show Jesus' love?

LET IT GROW 

"Don't do it Judas," I want to yell at him. However, we know this was all in God's plan of redeeming His people-dying for them. The plot never changes when we read about it. 

What happened next? 

• Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to betray Jesus unto them.
• He was one of the disciples. He had witnessed healings, miracles, and the wisdom of Jesus. He heard Jesus proclaim that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. 
• Judas made an arrangement to betray Jesus to those priests. 
• They promised to give Judas money for his deed of informing them about the whereabouts of Jesus. 
• Later, in John 13, at the Last Super, Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Jesus revealed who it was whenever He gave a piece of bread dipped in sauce (sop) Judas ate the bread and Satan entered into him. (verses26-27)
• Jesus told Judas to hurry and do what he was going to do. (Some thought Jesus told Judas to go and pay for the food or give some money to the poor.) Little did the guys know what the next couple of days held for them all.

Don't we wish we could rewrite the ending of this story? Yet, it was all predetermined. God knew mankind would sin and we need a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus was willing to be that Sacrificial Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. (John the Baptist0

Dear one, have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior/ He loves you so much that He was willing to die for you.

LET IT GO 

Oh what a Savior! Isn't He wonderful.

Help us to never betray You, Jesus, but to remain faithful until our last breath.

She Did What She Could

N.T.#425 "She Did What She Could"

Nov. 18, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

She did nothing spectacular; she didn't perform miracles; she didn't preach sermons. She didn't do it to impress the disciples or to gain public attention or to gain praise from Jesus. Yet Jesus was so moved by her selfless loyalty that He deemed it worthy of remembrance throughout the remainder of history. Mary poured out her love on Jesus as she broke her expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus head.  The whole room filled with the fragrance. (It was just a few days before Jesus' death and burial.

We do not know all that God finds most pleasing, nor do we know what acts of our love He may choose to honor through our children and future generations. God can take our faithfulness and begin a spiritual legacy, making it a blessing to others for generations to come. We will never know until eternity all who received a blessing because of our righteous life. That is why it is so important that we daily express our love and devotion to Jesus. Are we doing that?

[Resource: Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional ]

LET IT GROW 

We read about Mary's extravagant expression of love for Jesus, her Savior. Yet, some of the onlookers were indignant about what Mary did. They said Mary could have sold the expensive perfume for a year's wages and the money given to the poor. What a harsh scolding for a good deed.

Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to Me? She has done what she could and has anointed My body for burial ahead of time. (verse 8)

Did you catch that phrase Jesus used? She did what she could.

How many times are we guilty of not doing what we could to help others? to spread the Good News? What we do unto the least of these My brethren, you have done unto Me. Isn't that what Jesus said. And the same is true when we neglect to do the good to others, we do not do it unto Jesus.

What kind of deeds are we known for doing? 

LET IT GO 

I want to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. 

Take what I have to help others.

Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Jesus.

Extravagant Love

N.T.#424 "Extravagant Love"

Nov. 15, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Across the road at our farmhouse grows wild honeysuckle. When you pass by it, you know it is there, because of its sweet fragrance. As a kid, I would pick the yellow flower and take the insides out in order to get one drop of the sweet oil inside it. The roots are woodsy and hard to get rid of when there becomes too much, for it grows wild alright. 

Today we read of a plant in the same family-spikenard. This oil is taken from the roots of the plant, which has a purple flower. It promotes feelings of calmness and relaxation. Also, the spikenard was used as an incense offering in the Jerusalem Temple. Join me as Jesus encountered this spikenard.

The setting of this occurrence took place at the home of Simon the leper. Now a leper was an outcast in the Jewish society, so he was probably miraculously cleansed of his leprosy by Jesus. Simon may have planned this meal for Jesus in gratitude. This man is mentioned in the NT only in connection with this narrative. (MacArthur)

Simon hosted a banquet and Jesus attended with His disciples and friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Most likely he was cured of the disease or no one would have come to his place for dinner. According to Luke 7, the host was a Pharisee in terms of his theology and politics. 

Back in those days, guests reclined at a low table. (They didn't sit in chairs at a high table.) They lay around a low table with the left elbow propped with a cushion for support. They ate facing the table with their feet angled away from the food. (Swindoll)

What a nice relaxing time for the Savior to visit with His friends. Jesus was loved His friends and they loved Him. Kindness, respect, and honor was shown to the Son of man and Son of God.  Although the cross was approaching quickly, Jesus freely conversed with His friends as usual.

Isn't it refreshing to have a meal with our loved ones. Do we take time to sit and converse with our Savior? What precious memories we have of those special times.

LET IT GROW 

Something unusual happened at the dinner party. An extraordinary act of love and respect was paid to Jesus. Mary demonstrated her love and devotion to the Lord by breaking open a vase or vial of costly perfumed oil. According to John 12, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. 

According to Mark, Mary broke her alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, whcih was very precious. She then poured it on Jesus' head. The expensive perfume was costly and so was her worship. (This perfume had been imported from the Himalayas or India.)

The aroma overtook the room and drew criticism from onlookers. Those who focused on the monetary value of the perfume criticized Mary's act of anointing Jesus' body to the burial coming.(verses 4-8) Mary had spiritual discernment, which was sadly lacking with others. She let the Lord Jesus know that she understood the cross was soon for Him. then Jesus praised her devotion as a good deed and to signal the coming of His own death.

Centuries later, the Holy spirit fills our hearts with its sweetness. Have we broken our alabaster box upon Jesus so that there might be a fragrance in our lives and become a blessing to others? Are we doing all that we can to help others? (J. Vernon McGee)

May we do something extravagantly for You, Jesus.

LET IT GO 

Help us give our all to You, precious Jesus, for You gave your all for us.

May we love others as ourself and love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Holy Spirit, direct us today to those in need of Your love and forgiveness.

Crafty People

 N.T.#423 "Crafty People"

Nov. 14, 2024 

Mark 14

LET IT GLOW 

Watch out for the crafty people around us. Evil would like to bring us down. Yet, Jesus can rescue us.

Jesus predicted His Crucifixion was to take place in 2 days, which would be Friday, with Him speaking on Wednesday evening. (Matt. 26:2) By this time, Jesus had previously mentioned His crucifixion and resurrection six times to His disciples. 

In 2 days, the Feast of the Passover and of unleavened bread would be celebrated. You probably recall what that was about. An unblemished, year-old male sheep or goat was to be killed the night the Lord of death of the first-born was to take place in Egypt while the Israelites were slaves there. At their meal, they were to have unleavened bread and bitter herbs with their traveling clothes on. They were to put blood of the animal over the two doorposts. No first-born would die who was inside that house.

Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread became an annual remembrance of how God delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. Today, believers partake of the Lord's Supper as our type of Passover remembering our freedom from sin and our new life.

A lot of things happen in this longest chapter in Mark:

• Arrangements for the betrayal of Jesus
• The anointing of Jesus at Bethany
• The Last Supper in Jerusalem
• The prayer at Gethsemane
• The betrayal at Gethsemane
• The Jewish trial at Caiaphas' house. (John MacArthur)

Mary anoints Jesus, Judas betrays Him, Peter denies Him, and the Sanhedrin arrests Him. Jesus delivers Himself into the hands of men and into the will of the Father.

Has Jesus delivered you from the bondage of sin by saving your soul? It only takes faith to believe that Jesus was the perfect Sacrificial Lamb killed in order to take away our sins. What a glorious Savior!

LET IT GROW

Did you notice in the first verse that it was the chief priests and scribes who sought how they might take Jesus by craft and put Him to death?

Craft means trick; bait; deceit.

The religious leaders were quite crafty, for sure. They played into the hands Satan, but Jesus claimed the kingdom's victory over Satan's dominion. They wanted to abduct Jesus and kill Him privately to avoid inciting the people to riot. 

Jesus knew His divinely ordained path led to the cross, but He would not make killing Him convenient. (Swindoll)

Are we on the path which God has for our life? Are we doing His will?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for giving Your all for us. Such love to comprehend.

Rescue us from the evil around us.

Have You will, Your way, today, and always.

Work im me so I can be.......

Are We Watching?

 N.T.#422 "Are We Watching?"

Nov. 13, 2024 

Mark 13-Part 5

Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. (verse 33)

LET IT GLOW 

In our key verse above, Jesus told His disciples and us to do three things as we are awaiting His return:

1. Heed, which means beware; look; see; perceive.
2. Watch, which means keep awake.
3. Pray, which means pray to God; supplicate; worship.

As God's people, our proper attitude is to watch and pray as we face the prophetic future. This is since no one knows the timing of those events Jesus prophesied. 

We must stay awake to the fact that Jesus could rapture us out of here at any time. Therefore, we need to make sure our loved ones are ready, too.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? He forgives our sins because He loves us so much that He died to take our place in punishment for our sins. Will you believe in Jesus today?

LET IT GROW

Did you notice the word watch is used here (verses 33-37) three times? That makes it important to us. 

Jesus likened Himself to a man who went away on a journey leaving his servants with authority to watch over things while he was gone. (verse 34) After His resurrection, Jesus would ascend into heaven and give His church authority to minister in the world on His behalf. As Christ's disciples, we must not become spiritually lethargic but remain watchful and prepared for Him to return at any time. (verse 35)(Tony Evans)

The rapture of the church will occur before the tribulation period begins. Be alert, church! (verse 37) See Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) 

We need not be misled by claims or speculations of what will happen. We are to not be afraid to tell people about Christ. We must stand firm by faith and not be surprised by persecution. Then we must be morally alert, obedient to the commands for living according to God's Word. Are we living right for God in a world where He is largely ignored?

This is not our home, dear ones. We need to hold things lightly so we can let go whenever God requires it.

LET IT GO

Show us what we need to let go of so it can be used for kingdom work.

Help us stay away from false teachings, stay awake for Your return, and stay alert to those who need You, Jesus.

The Gathering

N.T.#420 "The Gathering"

Nov. 12, 2024 

Mark 13-Part 3

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall He send His angels and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (verse 26-27)

LET IT GLOW 

There will be a gathering. Shall we see what is planned upon Christ's return to earth?

• One day everyone will see Jesus coming on a supernatural glory cloud. (Rev. 1:7) 
• His return will be accompanied with visible manifestations of this power and glory.
• Angels will gather unbelievers for judgment (Matt. 13:41-50) and they will gather the elect for glory. (verse 27)
• The elect will include the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (Rev. 7:4), their converts (Rev. 7:9), and the converts of the angelic preachers. (Rev. 14:6) 
• They will alos include the OT saints, gathered out of their graves and united with their redeemed spirits. (Dan. 12:1-3)
• None will miss entering the Millennial Kingdom, for they will be gathered from the 4 corners of the earth. (John MacArthur)

We won't want to miss this gathering. Are you a believer in Jesus Christ?

LET IT GROW

When the fig tree sprouts leaves, you know summer is near. (verse 28) When believers during the tribulation see the things that Jesus predicted, they can be assured that His return is near. Believers living during the tribulation will not pass away until all of these prophecies come true. (verse 30)

No one knows the hour, not man, not angels, not the Son, but God the Father alone knows when this will take place. (verse 32)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My Words shall not pass away. (verse 31.

Isn't it comforting to know we can rely on the Words of Jesus? Take comfort that God has this under control. Are we watching and praying so we will be ready?

LET IT GO 

Our trust is in You, God our Father.