Come as a Child

N.T.#393 "Come as a Child"

Sept. 18, 2024 

Mark 10-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

Parents were bringing their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. (verses 13, 16) For some reason, the disciples were rebuking them, Now, you don't want to be the one to come between Jesus and children. In this ancient society, children were of low status. They just wanted Jesus to place His hand on the children's heads or shoulders and pronounce God's blessing on them for the future. That wasn't too much to ask for, was it? 

Children trust completely, are not suspicious or proud. they just come as they are. Children come to God empty-handed with nothing to offer. they are helpless, defenseless, messy, unsophisticated, disobedient, unable to keep themselves clean or dress themselves-completely needy. They know only how to reach out and receive help. (Swindoll)

Children put their trust in others wholeheartedly and with humility. That makes it easy to trust in Jesus as their Savior. 

Well, the disciples rebuked the parents that brought the children to Jesus. This displeased Jesus; boy howdy did it.

Displeased means to be greatly afflicted; indignant. 

Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (verse 14)

The kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. Jesus loves the little children for they are precious in His sight. 

Are we teaching children about Jeus and His love for them?

LET IT GROW 

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.  (verse 14b NAS)

Don't be like the Pharisees having pride in yourself and your own righteousness or works. We are to humble ourself, acknowledge our sin, and put our whole trust and dependence in God. 

What did Jesus do next? He took the precious ones in His arms and blessed them with His hands. (verse 16) A touch from Jesus. Don't we all need that touch of Jesus on our life?

*Please pray for Hailey, a teen who is having open heart surgery this morning at 7.

LET IT GO 

Help us trust You, Savior, like a little child.

Lord, we need Thee every hour. 

Change our hearts and attitudes.

May we surrender our all to You today.

Use us for Your glory

God's Intended Marriage

N.T.#392 "God's Intended Marriage"

Sept. 17, 2024 

Mark 10-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Marriage can be a challenge. When two individuals, with two different backgrounds, come together, they have a lot of adjusting to do, no matter the age. Life is not easy. Keeping god first is the only solution. What did Jesus teach us about divorce?

Jesus usually went a step further in His confrontations of the Pharisees. They saw divorce as a legal issue instead of a spiritual one. Jesus exposed the selfish motives of the Pharisees. He always had a good answer, didn't He? Those religious leaders were not concerned about what God intended for marriage. They were always trying to make Jesus look bad before the people. Catch Him in something He did not know. which is ironic. Jesus permitted divorce when the spouse had been unfaithful, Paul recognized divorce when the unbelieving partner leaves the marriage. Sometimes it is necessary when physical survival or the well-being of children is involved.

What is God's intentions for marriage? Jesus held up God's ideal for marriage and told His followers to live by that ideal.

• God made male and female in the beginning. (verse 6) (Genesis 1:27) That is the only marriage union that God blesses, recognizes, and has for us-marriage between a man and a woman.
• A man must leave his parents and be joined to his wife. (verse 7) The vows are a type of covenant between the man and woman before God. they stay together until death parts them.
• Since the two are one now, no one is to split them apart what God has joined together. (verses 8-9)

The Pharisees had become so consumed with the question of divorce that they had forgotten God's design for marriage revealed in God's Word.

Dear one, I know it is hard at times to remain married. Things happen and situations try to drive us apart. But, did we make the commitment to our spouse and to God that we would remain faithful to them as long as we live? Prayer works. And consider, the best is yet to come. Love never fails. Stay in there and fight for your marriage. We have to be an overcomer. Pray for our spouse, serve them, love them more that other people. God does answer our prayers.

LET IT GROW

When they were alone, the disciples asked Jesus more about the same issue. (verse 10) Anyone who divorces his or her mate, Jesus replied, and marries another is committing adultery. He added an exception-save for fornication in Matthew 5:32; 19:9) (verses 11-12) God has not cancelled the first marriage.

May I add, each one must consider their circumstances, and consequences, as well as the results a divorce will have on any children present in the union. It is an individual decision to be taken before God. Seek His will, not your own. Abuse should not be tolerated, my personal opinion. 

Next lesson, we can move on. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His will.

LET IT GO 

Help us teach our children Your Word and truth.

Use us to stand up against sin in our society.

We live for Your honor and glory.

Divorce

N.T.#391 "Divorce"

Sept. 16, 2024 

Mark 10

LET IT GLOW 

Have you been salty, sharing the love, peace, and forgiveness of Jesus with those around you? 

Now we read of Jesus' concluding ministry. He moved on to the area east of the Jordan River. Here come the Pharisees, popping up again, trying to trip up the Messiah. Keep in mind, Jesus wrote the laws before those guys were born. It was decided in heaven before Moses received it on the Mt. 

Here we go again with those religious guys, challenging Jesus.

The nature of marriage, which the Lord had ordained to be a permanent union between a man and a woman.by choice, is sealed in heaven. Regardless of what any earthly institution says, only God can dissolve the marriage. A divorce does not violate God's moral standard when one had committed adultery. The Greek word, porneia, encompasses a range of illicit sexual activities, including adultery, homosexuality, incest, bestiality, and child molestation. In the eyes of God, a couple may choose to divorce if porneia severs their bond. Later, Paul addressed the circumstance when one becomes the victim of an unjust divorce. If someone is abandoned, he or she is "not under bondage" the same way a widow is not bound to a dead spouse. (1 cor. 7:15, 49-40)

[Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights on Mark] (verses 1-12)

LET IT GROW 

We have a Savior who is gracious toward us. It is because of the hardheartedness of people that divorce is prominent in our society. The unrepentant pursuit of sexual immorality is common today. The original plan of God for marriage, was that one man be married to one woman for life. (MacArthur)

Yet, is there any family that has not been affected by divorce. My husband and I are blessed to have had parents that stayed married until death. Both of our children have in laws in a similar situation. I pray our grandchildren can say the same. I know our society is a mess, but do not be discouraged. God is in the business of changing hearts. Marriage is hard; Jesus can give us what we need to love more and forgive more.

LET IT GO

Teach us to choose forgiveness, Jesus.

Help us take back what the enemy stole.

May we love and serve our spouse today.

Are You Salty?

N.T.#390 "Are You Salty?"

Sept. 13, 2024 

Mark 9-Part 7

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus gave a hyperbole to His disciples in reference to sin. If some part of your body causes you to sin, then pluck it out or cut it off. It is better to have a severed member of the body than to keep it and go to hell. Obviously, the real problem lies with the heart and mind. In other words, get rid of what causes one to sin. It could involve where we go, what we do, or what we see. May I add what we listen to, also. Nothing should separate us from serving the Savior and being the right witness pleasing to God. Oh be careful little eyes what you see.

Yet for the unbeliever, Jesus described hell as a place where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. Hell is a real place of intense suffering externally (fire) and internally (worm) forever. Where are you spending eternity? Jesus has provided a way to heaven; His is the only Way. Have you believed in Him today?

In verse 49, Jesus is referring to the salt covenant mentions in @ Chronicles 13:5. the grain and meat sacrifices were to be salted as a covenant in itself between the person giving it and God. It would be a clean sacrifice, protecting it from spoilage. In previous time, salt was a legal binding as the two ate it together, as an agreement to protect one another against enemies, and to preserve relationships (covenant). 

LET IT GROW

What can we learn from this?

• Salt in a follower of Jesus is good. We make the commitment to Jesus to obey Him and His Word.
• We are to have salt in our self and be the salt of the earth. (Matt. 5:13) (verse 50)
• We are to present our body as a living sacrifice unto God. (Romans 12:1)
• We are not to be conformed to this world, but have our mind transformed so we can show others what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
• We are to have peace with others.

Is our life different in the world, showing Jesus' love? How about our morals? God is faithful and keeps His covenants and promises. Are we?

LET IT GO

Help us be strong in our walk of faith with You, Jesus.

Keep us from the temptations around us, a faithful servant.

May we serve others as we serve You.

Glory to God in the highest. 

Protecting Little Ones

N.T.#389 "Protecting Little Ones"

Sept 12, 2024 

Mark 9-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

Have you picked up on Jesus doing some serious teachings to His disciples? Three experienced the transfiguration of Jesus, He foretold of His death and rising, seeing a boy delivered from a demon and could talk, then hearing that the greatest one is a servant. These were some serious events. Then learning ones not against them is on their side. (verse 40) do we rejoice when others have spiritual victories? Do we encourage others who aren't in our group, yet have spiritual victories serving Jesus?

When Jesus followers give a cup of water in His name, we will be rewarded. Love should be our motive. We need to be protective of little children and new Christians. (verse 42)

How much time and expense do we spend on physical comfort? The world values self-preservation of our bodies. We sacrifice to keep it warm, fed, covered, protected, adorned, comfortable, and healthy. Of course, we have a responsibility of being a good steward of the gift God has given us. Yet, physical comfort should not be our first priority in God's kingdom. What is? Righteousness is to be our main concern of the King and His kingdom. (Matt. 6:33)

Paul said in Romans 14:17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

We are to have perfect rightness in our daily walk, peace with god and the brethren, joy and love through the Holy Spirit. We are to seek serving King Jesus and His kingdom, putting them first. Then,  serving others will fall into place. How is our serving doing?

Living faith expresses itself in love. Love gives faith a place to operate. (Galatians 5:6)

LET IT GROW 

Did you notice Three verses read the same? Jesus was servious about warning folks about hell, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (verses 44, 46, 48)

Lying south of Jerusalem was a rubbish heap and gradually adopted a spiritual application. Fires burned continuously and worms multiplied throughout the debris. (Those not receiving the Savior will spend eternity in hell.) 

Are we warning our loved ones, neighbors, friends, and strangers that come into our life? Jesus is the only way to heaven.

LET IT GO 

Are You a Servant?

 N.T.#388 "Are You a Servant?"

Sept. 11, 2024 

Mark 9-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

I like to slip college students some extra money without a show. I have been there and experienced needs when I was one. Doing so just might life them up when discouraged, help them have something needed. It fills me with joy to do it. Even giving a cup of water will be rewarded. How about you?

Greatness comes by being a servant to others-not by exalting yourself above others. Jesus came as a servant and was trying to teach His disciples how to be one. Jesus illustrated His point with a child. to show kindness to a child-who can offer nothing in return-is to serve God. (verse 36) (Evans)

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receive, receiveth Me not, but Him that sent Me. (verse 37)

In other words, when we receive someone, we are treating them like a member of the family-with kindness, hospitality. It may have been one of Peter's children which Jesus sat on His lap as a teaching and example to us believers. We are to be like children, humble and trusting the Savior. Then, we are to accept true believers like little children, serving them. (MacArthur) 

It seems the rivalry over greatness was resolved. Jesus took care of it.

That puts serving others in a better understandable situation, doesn't it? Who have we been serving? Family, friends, neighbors? What about strangers in need?

LET IT GROW 

Back in Mark 6, Jesus had sent His disciples out on a mission trip. The results were not written down anywhere, as far as I know, except here-John mentions they saw someone using Jesus' name to cast out demons. they told the man to stop because he wasn't in their group. (verse 38)

How did Jesus respond? 

• He told the disciples to not stop the guy. (verse 39)
• No one who performs a miracle in Jesus' name will soon be able to speak evil of Him. 
• Anyone who is not against us is for us. (verse 40)
• If a Christian gives a cup of water in Jesus' name, they will surely be rewarded. (verse 41) Acts of kindness done to His followers are considered to be done to Jesus. (Matt. 27:40)
• But if you cause one of these little ones who trust in Jesus to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. A millstone was a very large stone used in a mill for grinding, requiring a donkey to move it. 

Later, John wrote in I John 4:11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

Jesus took it seriously how we treat others. Are we looking for ways we can serve others in Jesus' name?

" How can I help you today?" should be our motto.

Friend, are you a citizen in God's kingdom? It is by faith in Jesus and His grace that we can be.

LET IT GO

Help us to love others to You, Jesus.

Help us to serve others like we are serving You, Precious Savior.

Open our eyes today.

Who is the Greatest?

N.T.#387 "Who is the Greatest?"

Sept. 10, 2024 

Mark 9-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus and His disciples were headed toward Capernaum. Jesus didn't want anyone to know He was there so He could spend more time with His disciples. Again, Jesus told the disciples that He was going to be betrayed, killed, and rise 3 days later from the dead. (verses 30-31) Twice before Jesus had told them what wwas going to happen to Him. (8:31, 9:12) (The guys didn't understand what the Messiah meant and were afraid to ask Him. After all Jesus had called them a faithless generation when they couldn't cast out the demon in the boy. (verse 19)

Finally, Jesus asked the disciples what they had been discussing on the road trip. (He already knew the guys had been arguing about which of the was the greatest.) These guys were so focused on their status and position that they losted focus on what God wanted to do through them. They were supposed to be on mission with Jesus to bring salvation to others. Instead, their own ambitions got in the way.

Before we get too hard on the boys, don't we do the same thing? We get wrapped up in a project for Jesus and lose sight of why we are doing it in the first place. Guilty. We need to listen to others around us. What is the greatest need, purpose, best way to accomplish it? How can we help those involved in carrying out the task?

LET IT GROW 

If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (verse 35b)

Jesus wanted the disciples to accept His different way of leadership in His kingdom-servanthood. To be an important person and great in God's kingdom, we must first lean to be a servant showing kindness and meeting other's needs. It isn't by exalting our self above others. Leave our honor of servanthood to God and His rewards. 

Serving others is real leadership. A real leader has a servant's heart. They are not above any job and appreciate the worth of others. Look for ways we can serve. Don't approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges. 

I am sure it wasn't what the disciples expected at all. It may not be an easy task, but we can do it with Jesus changing our attitude.

LET IT GO

Help us not get sides tracked, keeping the main thing the main thing-honoring God in all we do.

Show us how You want us to serve others today, Jesus.