“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given” (Mark 4:25)

February 19, 2012

Listening precedes understanding. Jesus taught this maxim after speaking in parables that some didn’t get. Our ADD culture offers no help here. We must learn the habit of listening to God’s Word. It is a spiritual discipline that takes time. The more you listen, the more you understand.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7)

February 18, 2012

No doubt the shepherd-king had learned this discipline while watching over his father’s flocks. Have you learned the spiritual discipline of silence? God does not shout over the noise of your life. Find a quiet place to read His Word and then… listen.

“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17)

February 17, 2012

The problem in our culture today is that no one sees themselves as a sinner, because relativism has done away with the very idea of sin. If there are no absolutes, then everyone is right in their own eyes. Lord, help us to answer and carry Your call to a lost world.

“Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him” (Mark 1:41)

February 16, 2012

While others avoided even looking at lepers, Jesus touched and healed them. Their rotting flesh too terrible to see or smell, lepers were avoided by all. But Jesus touched them. People didn’t realize that sin had made them all spiritual lepers. And what love it took for the Holy One to touch even them.

“Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them” (Exodus 39:43)

February 15, 2012

What gets inspected doesn’t get neglected. Good leaders know that delegated tasks aren’t complete until inspected. And wise leaders know how to give out a blessing to those who have served well. Leader tip: Inspect and bless.

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” (Matthew 28:20)

February 14, 2012

This is not a new list of “don’ts” to keep. These commands are the description of Kingdom living for those who call Christ, King. They are a like landmarks confirming that you are following the way of the Master. Only those who have died and been reborn in Christ can keep these.

“So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you” (Proverbs 9:8)

February 13, 2012

Why I love preaching to our WCCers. They love hearing the Word and having it correct their thinking. How do you respond when you hear God’s Word preached?

“So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him” (Exodus 34:30)

February 12, 2012

May we all on this Lord’s Day gather together with unveiled faces reflecting God’s glory as we worship and hear His Word. Lord, make our faces radiant with your glory (2 Cor. 3:18).

“The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born” (Psalm 33:6)

February 11, 2012

Recognizing God as Creator is the beginning of right thinking. Meditating on His infinite power, as the Psalmist does here, we learn to fear God and to have faith in His omnipotence. Does anything trouble God or wrinkle His brow? What is worrying you today?

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts” (Exodus 31:3)

February 10, 2012

The Spirit gives differing gifts, but all for the glory of God and edification of His people. Bezalel was uniquely gifted to fashion the Temple furnishings. His work was as important to God as the priest’s and prophet’s. How has God gifted you?