relationships (Mark 10:2-12) Finding the Right One

(Mark 10:2-12)

2 And some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began questioning Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. 3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.” 5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, God created them male and female. 7 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, 8 and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.”

10 And in the house the disciples again began questioning Him about this. 11 And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

This is God's will: that a believer marries another believer, that marriage is between a man and a woman, and they become an intimate team as the two become one, with God as their foundation of faith, pillar of strength and guiding light.  This is why it is so important not to rush into marriage.  

Here are a few things to keep in mind when single:

• to find the "right one", do not be looking for the right one
• seek after God to fill you, satisfy you, and complete you
• (Jesus is literally your soulmate!)
• let God know your desires
• then patiently rest in the Lord
• be content in all things, even in being single
• do not get desperate, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord
• pray a lot, pray about everything, even pray for your future spouse
• mature in the Lord as a steadfast believer 
• (in God's guidance, become one who will make a great spouse)
• serve the Lord, and get involved in your church
• surround yourself with steadfast, mature friends
• keep walking and striving with the Lord
• and then when you see someone walking beside you in the same direction, introduce yourself!

relationships (Mark 10:1) Being Accustomed

(Mark 10:1)

1 Setting out from there, Jesus went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; crowds gathered to Him again, and, as He was accustomed, He once more began to teach them.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

I know that because of the Lord, there will be those who instantly hate us, or even somehow fear us.  And even though one of my relatives said that our house had "good energy", she still had the same reaction as some of my other cousins, who claim that when they are around me, they feel judged.  Which is weird, because we never or rarely discuss anything spiritual.  While I can be socially awkward, I know that there is a spiritual battle in their lives oppressing them.  So,  I do pray for them, and most likely, a lot of their feelings are the Holy Spirit convicting their hearts.  How could there not be, when their dark spiritual realm meets up with God's!

I have had some people who noticed a difference in me, and wanted to know more.  I pray that this would happen MORE!!!  But it's not about my efforts, or trying to contrive some sort of essence or scenario.  It is all about me drawing closer to Jesus in my personal relationship.  And then, praying for opportunities!  And praying that when He gives me opportunities that I realize it, and ask Him to give me the right words!  So, like Jesus, I would be "accustomed" to being God-led in teaching (sharing) God's message of hope, when there are those wanting to hear more.

We cannot forget God's love in all of this!  Therefore, in the same way, if and when we are accustomed to drawing closer to the Lord of agape love, as we embrace and are filled with His love, this is what should be flowing out from us.  Not our love, but God's love.  And only THIS (God's agape love) will be "attractive" to those who are seeking unconditional love, truth, hope, peace, joy, healing, strength, and purpose in their lives.

relationships (Mark 9:42-50) Losses That Are Worth It

(Mark 9:42-50)

42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him if a heavy millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life without a foot, than, having your two feet, to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye is causing you to sin, throw it away; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not extinguished. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

We will all go through fire, which equates to God's judgment!  Anyone who has not received the Lord's forgiveness, will remain "in fire" for all eternity.  Anyone who has received the Lord's forgiveness will be "fireproof", because we are covered by His righteousness and we have His indwelling Holy Spirit.  Our good deeds done with impure motives will be burned up.  Believers will be judged and rewarded for those good deeds done with pure motives, those deeds done in the Lord's righteousness and all to His glory!  

There is both impure and pure salt.  I'm thinking that to have salt in ourselves would be synonymous to having God's indwelling Holy Spirit, which all believers have, along with eternal life, and therefore we cannot lose our salvation.  Even though we have God already in our lives, we are still told to "be filled" with His Holy Spirit.

(Matthew 5:18) And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Because Christianity is all about a personal relationship with the Lord, when we sin and stray, we will not lose the Holy Spirit, but we will certainly quench God's spirit.  In this, if we are struggling with some sin, even though it might SEEM enjoyable, any sin is deceptive, divisive, and destructive, and God will allow consequences in our lives to discipline us, to get our attention, and to bring us back to Him.  One might think that there isn't all that much difference, but there is.  

There have been two times in my life where I started drifting away from God, and being around other believers, thinking that I was getting more out of life that way.  What drew me away from God was "the promise" of having close friends.  And even though my straying was not all that dramatic, when I returned to seeking after the Lord and being around His children - the differences WAS very dramatic!  It was literally from darkness to light!  

Did I have to lop off any limb?  Figuratively, yes.  Both times I had lost friends.  I had walked away from good friends, to be with other friends, who either brought me closer to feeling hopeless, or outright turned on me.  I had to cut off that limb, to then lose those other (shallow) friends!  But, the Lord God replaced that "limb" when I went back to Him, and developed deep, meaningful friendships with other steadfast believers. 

In all likelihood, when I had strayed, I probably negatively impacted other young Christians.  Maybe even inspired them to walk away from their faith.  If so, I pray that they saw my "return", which encouraged them to do the same.  Our faith is a journey.  In our personal relationship with the Lord, the closer we grow to Him, the more like Him we will be... the less likely we will cause a young Christian to stumble or stray from their faith.  The closer we all draw to God and His great love and peace, the closer we will draw to one another.

relationships (Mark 9:38-50) The Dangers of Deflection

(Mark 9:38-50)

38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

In the verses just previous to these, we saw Jesus talking to the disciples about being humble, like a child.  And now John tries to deflect... which is still looking at others as competition.  Classic sinful human behavior.  When someone tells us what we have done wrong, we say, "But look at THAT person over there!"  

Not only is this wrong to do, but John was pointing out someone who was actually doing God's work!  This is slander.  And when we really look at the details around the false accusation, it was giving the demonic realm credit for God's work.  Also, take careful note in verse 38, John's criticism was that the person was doing things in God's name, but was not following THEM.  We do need to constantly look at the "logs" in our own eyes, confess our sins, and make sure that WE are focused on the Lord, and are encouraging others to remain focused on the Lord!

If a person is a true Christian (Christ follower), and is doing and saying things in the Lord's name, love, guidance and power... we should be very excited about this!  Encouraging those people!  Praying for those people!  Sadly, I've heard too many people trying to compare their churches with others.  Look, unless there is solid proof that a church has gone astray in their doctrines, we need to rejoice at the fact that people are going to a good church!  Even if it isn't our church!  To put down and tear down another church just so ours looks better - is to do the work of Satan!

We are told to pray for all spiritual leaders, all churches, all fellow Christians- so that we all continue to strive in God's steadfast love and truth!  It's not about us.  It is about God, and how much God loves everyone, and desires that all come to know Him in a personal relationship.

relationships (Mark 9:33-50) Humble Success

(Mark 9:33-50)

33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And He took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

People are very competitive!  Competition is not a bad thing, until sin is introduced.  Our problem is that we are sinful, selfish and self-centered.  And if and when one starts to love money and power, things will go very wrong.  If and when one places great importance on their appearances, things will go very wrong.  Etc.

Competition can be healthy, when we are striving to do the best we can at who we are and what we are doing- when it is done with God's love, guidance and strength! Otherwise, we can not only drive ourselves crazy, but we can negatively impact others in our "religions" of success.

Of course, sports is a great outlet to use aggression "for good" when we play with integrity, according to the rules.  It's okay and even good to work hard, as unto the Lord, which will provide greater opportunities for promotions, and not have us mooching off of others.  But most importantly, working with integrity will be a living testimony for God.  Whatever it is that we are striving for or towards, it needs to be in proper perspective.

Since our spiritual walk with the Lord is all about having a personal relationship with Him, and it is all about serving the Lord in promoting His will and desire that all come to know Him, whatever we do and say should reflect Jesus and His love.  Since it is not OUR love and OUR way that will bring true success in showing GOD'S love and carrying out GOD'S will, it comes down to how humble we are.

Like a child, one is to humbly repent and receive the Lord into their hearts.  And like a child, we are to continuously depend on the Lord for everything!  If we are concerned about being great, or better than someone else, that means that we have taken our eyes off of God, and are focused on ourselves and others.  It is only when we ask and allow the Lord to work for us, with us, in us and through us, that the Lord can accomplish great things.  Just like Jesus came in flesh to serve, we are to have the heart of a servant- a heart for THE Servant- who died for us, saved us, cares for us, equips us and helps us!!!

relationships (Mark 9:30-50) Learning and Teaching Opportunities

(Mark 9:30-50)

30 And from there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

This is a multilayered lesson for us:  to know how Jesus teaches us, and to know how we should teach others, with several reasons behind it.  First of all, one needs to understand what Christianity is.  

• As soon as we have humbly repented of our sins and ask that the Lord Jesus be our Lord and Savior, believing that He is the Son of God (part of the Holy Trinity) who died for us to pay for all sin, and rose again to have victory over death and freedom from sin:
• The Lord Jesus forgives us of all sin (past, present and future)
• The Lord covers us with His holy righteousness
• The Lord gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit
• Who changes us from the inside out
• Who seals us for all eternity so we cannot lose our salvation
• Who will help us better understand scriptures and God's will
• Who will help and equip us to apply God's will

Since the Lord has given us His word (the Bible, which contains everything we could possibly ever need to know), He wants us to understand His message to us, so that we can know Him better, trust Him more, and continue to draw closer to Him in a love relationship.  Being a believer is all about having a personal relationship with the Lord God, so there will be a desire to get to know Him better and better.  

It is very clear, even from these verses, that God does not expect His children to know and understand everything immediately.  In fact, until we reach heaven, we will not know and understand everything, so it is a continuous journey that we should be thrilled to take WITH the Lord!  The awesome part is that the Lord knows all things, and is more than thrilled to pour His wisdom into us, and yet, knowing our struggles and limitations, is so very patient and gracious towards us.

In those days, Jewish teachers often explained the more complex topics to their students in private.  One reason was so that others would not become confused or frustrated.  Another was so that the advanced students would not be publicly shamed when they were rebuked or when they struggled to grasp a concept.  Students also knew not to disrespect teachers by confronting them with questions they might not know how to answer.  But, rarely were students expected to fully emulate their masters, let alone exceed their master's knowledge and ability.  

For Christians, the greatest part about having Jesus as our private teacher, is that He is always with us, He always knows the answer, He is always able to help us, He always wants us to ask Him to help, and He always wants us to ask Him to do things for us, with us, in us, and through us.

In the same way as Jesus did, with God's help, we are to teach others and our children with patience and with grace.  With God's help, we should strive to teach 'age-appropriate" lessons that clearly point others to the Lord.  With God's help, we are to strive in living our lives by example!

relationships (Mark 9:14-29) Teamwork in the Battles

(Mark 9:14-29)

14 And when they came back to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16 And He asked them, “What are you disputing with them?” 17 And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.” 19 And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” 20 And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!” 26 And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him, and he got up. 28 When He came into the house, His disciples began asking Him privately, “Why is it that we could not cast it out?” 29 And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

I have definitely prayed that phrase, quite a few times- "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" Because why not?! The Lord wants us to go to Him with everything!  

As well, I also understand what Jesus is saying in verse 29.  Having been around someone during my childhood who was involved in the occult, I have seen, heard, felt, and sensed many things.  On one occasion, I sensed a presence, and all I had to say was "Go away." But on another occasion, I was "paralyzed", and all I could do was pray in my head, "Jesus help!  Jesus help!..."  And, it wasn't immediate, but supernatural help came!!!

While we have been given authority over the spiritual realm, this is no joke.  And never think that we can or should be some sort of demon hunter.  After doing the Bible read-through for my devotion-blog specifically on the topic of spiritual warfare, I can say with confidence that God never asks us to do that.  Simply put, in our personal relationship with the Lord, consider God as our bodyguard, in everything!  We are not the ones who are able to fight, it is God, and God alone!

The Lord's salvation protects us from being possessed, and protects us from ever losing our salvation.  The Lord's guidance through His indwelling Holy Spirit, and His word, will equip us with His righteousness, peace, love, faith, strength, truth and gospel message.  

I've shared this before, but it's so poignant and helpful.  A missionary in France spoke at our church.  At the time when their group was about to hold an event, there was a heavy cloud of oppression over the entire city.  For days, they kept praying that God would lift that cloud.  It was only until they started to pray that the gospel message would reach the hearts of these people, that the cloud lifted!

Therefore, we are to stay focused on God and carrying out His will, in His guidance and strength, all to His glory... and NOT focus on sin and evil and trying to wage war against it.  That's God's job!  In our personal relationship with Him, He wants to do life with us, as a team... but listen, every team needs a leader!  Let's let God take the lead, always!  He is our heavenly Father, and He alone is sovereign!  

Everything we need to know is given in scriptures, specifically in the following verses, that for everything, all we need is God...

(1 Timothy 6:11-12)

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(Ephesians 6:10-17) 

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.