Category: Making Disciples

Mark 5: What are you Begging Jesus for?

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 5.

The man, possessed by a legion of demons, “begged [Jesus] earnestly not to send them out of the country.” In fact, the legion of demons even “begged [Jesus] saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.’”

When the people of the area heard about what happened, they “began to beg Jesus to depart from their region,” while the newly-delivered man, finally freed from the demons, “begged [Jesus] that he might be with Him.” (Mark 5:10, 17, 18 ESV)

What is the reaction of our friends and loved ones, the people of our communities, when they encounter Jesus?

  • Do they ask to be with Him … or do they ask to be free from Him?
  • Do they ask Him to be near Him or far, far away?
  • Do they want to be delivered of the demons  holding them captive, or do they prefer to remain in the comfortable life to which they’ve grown accustomed?

More importantly, what is our own reaction to meeting Him?

  • Does our fear of His awesome power and holiness drive us to our knees in reverence, or does it drive us to run from Him in terror?
  • Do we fall at His feet and beg Him to take us with Him?
  • Do we pursue Him night and day, hungry to touch even the hem of His garment?
  • Do we proclaim to our friends how much the Lord has done for us, or do we hide our light deep beneath a bushel?

Heavenly Father, I’m begging You to be near me, to walk with me, to hold my hand, to be my ever-present companion and help. I need You every hour. I want to be Your mouthpiece, shouting Your praises from the rooftops and from home to home as I go. Please, Father, bless me to be a blessing – to You and to my fellow man. For Your glory and our good I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ who has promised to be with me wherever I go. Amen.

Mark 4: Of Rocky Soil and the Scorching Sun

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 4

Spring has sprung here in the Mid-South. Temperatures are rising, and trees that were bare last month are covered with pink, purple, and white buds. Colorful daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth are poking happy faces through newly green yards. 

Sunshine is our spring-time friend, bringing growth and warmth, so I was grappling with the idea that the sun is also responsible for scorching those seeds that have fallen on rocky ground, causing them to wither away.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:5-6 ESV

But after more thought, I realized how much sense that makes. The pain that the Lord used to draw me to seek Him could just as easily have caused someone to fall away from Him. Truly and thankfully, our lives are in the good hands of the Master Gardener.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I would be Your faithful disciple, putting down roots deep into Your Word, that the trials of life will make me stronger not weaker, better not bitter. I pray for my many countrymen who are still teetering on the fence, reluctant to jump in with both feet, unaware of the protection that Your presence offers. For Your glory and their good I pray that You will water the soil and prepare the ground of their heart that the seeds of the gospel will find a people ready to bear fruit. In the Good and Gracious Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

A Prayer for More Faith. Reflections from 1 Kings 17.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 17

Heavenly Father, please, increase my faith. Give me the faith of a mustard seed and then grow it. Multiply it. Make it spread and take over every aspect of my life. As I feed morning and evening, day after day, on Your Word, may it take root deep into my heart and bear the fruits of repentance and obedience and faith. I want to hear Your voice and obey.  I want Your Spirit to guide me in what I say, what I do, and where I go. Make me Your faithful worker, a steadfast laborer in Your vineyard, for Your glory and fame. By the blood of Jesus Christ, poured out for me I pray. Amen.

Counterfeit Faith. Reflections from 1 Kings.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 14

What do you do when you find yourself in a pickle? Do you cry out to God for help? Do you beg Him for mercy? Do you plead for Him to save you?

I think many Americans run their lives on their own terms 95% of the year and then suddenly remember God when they find themselves in a jam, much like Jeroboam in 1 Kings 14.

As we read earlier in 1 Kings, Jeroboam had set up his own houses of worship complete with altars and golden calves in the Israelite cities of Bethel and Dan. And yet, when his own son, Abijah, became sick, where did Jeroboam turn? Did he send his wife to Bethel or Dan to inquire of those golden calves that he had erected? No, he didn’t. He sent her to Shiloh to inquire of the Lord’s prophet, Ahijah.

Is this genuine faith? No, it isn’t. Jeroboam’s faith is the faith of demons, not the faith of born-again believers.  

Counterfeit faith says, “I know God is real, but I won’t submit my life to him.”

Friends, genuine faith will result in obedience, daily obedience. Genuine faith says, “God is real, so I want to live my life for Him.”

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! …

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

James 2:19, 22-23 ESV

Do you have genuine faith? Or counterfeit faith?

Heavenly Father, You are the one true God. There are so many imposters, but You are the only One who is true. Search my heart and test me. Show me where I’ve fallen prey to the lies of the devil. Show me where I’m faking faith. Please don’t let me come to the day of judgment when my deeds will be laid bare and it will become clear that I was among those who never knew you. Do what You need to do to bring me into a right relationship with You. I want to know You more that I would love you more and walk in the daily obedience of faith. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb who died in my place, Amen.

Counterfeit Gods. Reflections from 1 Kings.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 12

After Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel was divided. Judah (and Benjamin) followed Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, while the other ten tribes of Israel followed Jeroboam, an Ephraimite who had been a hard-working servant of Solomon. Jeroboam feared that the Israelites would turn back to Rehoboam if they went to Jerusalem to worship God, so he set up counterfeit gods and counterfeit temples, counterfeit priests and counterfeit feasts.

Isn’t that just like Satan?

Satan doesn’t create his own stuff. He’s not a creator; he’s a fake trying to look like the real thing, and he copies what is true in order to draw people away from it. He disguises himself as an angel of light, and so do his followers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

God created mankind to worship Him. When we aren’t worshipping Him, we will worship other things, created things rather than the Creator Himself.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-23 ESV

There are still people all over the world who are worshipping idols, crafted objects made to resemble a supernatural being, but the majority of Americans think we’re above that. Most red-blooded Americans wouldn’t dream of bowing down to worship a golden calf or a stone Buddha. Oh, friends, but we are worshipping all kinds of counterfeit gods. We worship at the altars of money, fame, and sex. We worship at the altars of food, fame, fortune, and phones. We worship at the altars of Amazon, Facebook, and YouTube. These counterfeit gods are trying to steal our allegiance from the One True God, the only one who is worthy of our worship, and we’re falling for it.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of our worship. You are the one who created the sun, moon and stars, the earth and the seas and all that is in them. You are who created me and every man, woman, and child on the face of our planet. Open our eyes to the counterfeits that we have made with our own hands, the worthless things that we are setting before our eyes day after day. Forgive us, Father. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. For Your glory we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

That Other Nations will Bless the Lord. Reflections from 1 Kings 10.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 10

It’s hard to imagine how much has changed in our world since I began teaching English online in December of 2018. I am so grateful for technology that allows me to have face to face conversations with people who live on the other side of the world, people who don’t live in towns full of churches and radios that freely broadcast Christian media.

Like I said one morning last month to some precious online sisters, “The great thing about living in America isn’t that we’re rich. The great thing about living in America is that we have freedom to worship our great God.” I pray that our nation would be known not for our lavish lifestyle but for our love for the Lord, not for our abundant wealth but for our abundant wisdom, not for our sports and movies and hospitals but for our kindness and integrity and generosity.

The Queen of Sheba blessed the Lord because she was impressed by King Solomon’s wisdom and wealth. I wonder, “Are other nations drawn to know and bless the Lord because of America’s wisdom and wealth?”

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, May we use our wealth to point the world to You, rather than to ourselves. Help us to remember that everything we have is a gift from Your abundant goodness. You know all things. You have all wisdom. Solomon’s wisdom didn’t come from books. It came from You. Bless our nation with wisdom. Bless Your children with wisdom, that others might be attracted to know You, the source of wisdom. For the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Come to the Lord and Be Saved: Thoughts from the Book of Amos.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Amos 9

Come to the Lord and be saved.

Turn from your sin.

Turn to Him and be saved.

Chase after wickedness and selfishness no more.

Cease from your evil pursuits and do good.

Who am I to say such things?

Who am I?

Me?

I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody, who can save anybody.

Like Amos I’m just a simple person crying out, warning people of the impending danger. ⚠️

Watch out! Watch out!

Danger ahead!

You’re heading the wrong way!

The bridge is out!

Take this turn here and get on the narrow path, the path over the scarred back of Jesus, the path that runs through His blood,

He’s the only way, friends.

Come to Him and be saved.

Oh, Heavenly Father, You made a way back to You, by the blood of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for us. Make us Your messengers, Your ambassadors, Your heralds of good news. Let us not grow weary and weak. Strengthen us to stand at the crossroads and cry out again and again, “THIS IS THE WAY! COME THIS WAY!” By the power of Christ in us and for the glory of His Name we pray, Amen.

I’m Just a Nobody – The Williams Brothers

An Everlasting Covenant. Thoughts from 2 Samuel.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Samuel 23.

After reading all the yuck of the previous 12 chapters of 2 Samuel, I held my breath reading David’s words in 2 Samuel 23:5.

For he has made with me
an everlasting covenant,
ordered in all things and secure.
For will he not cause to prosper
all my help and my desire?

2 Samuel 23:5 ESV

Then I was reminded of 2 Samuel 7 when God made that everlasting covenant with David,

“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

2 Samuel 7:12-16 ESV

And then I was reminded of 2 Samuel 12 when God swore to bring evil upon David because of his sin.

“Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’

Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’”

2 Samuel 12:9-12 ESV

And I was once again reminded that God is a promise keeping God, both in His promises of blessing and His promises of wrath. God did keep His everlasting covenant with the house of David, bringing Jesus, our eternal King of kings, but God also kept His oath that the sword would come upon David’s house and that his wives would be given to his neighbor, as we just read about in chapters 15-16.

So, then I wondered, why do so many professing Christians only talk about God’s steadfast love and refuse to talk about His just anger against our sin?

The reason God’s great mercy
is the BEST NEWS EVER
is because God’s great wrath
is the WORST NEWS EVER.

Friends, if you are not in Christ, then you are still under God’s judgment, and if you are judged by your own deeds, you will be found “guilty as charged” and endure God’s eternal condemnation.

Everyone loves John 3:16 ESV — “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” But, let’s not forget about the other verses of John 3,

  • “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:18 ESV
  • “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:36 ESV

And what about 1 John 5:11-12? “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.“

Heavenly Father, help us to believe and proclaim the full counsel of Your Word, the full gospel of truth, that You are holy and righteous, that You are the judge of even our secret sins, those hidden things that no one else knows about, the thoughts and intentions of the heart as well as our words and deeds. None of us can stand before You by our own merit. We need You, Lord. Cover us with the blood of Jesus and wash us clean. Redeem us and deliver us from sin. In the Holy, Almighty Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Brought to the King’s Table like one of the King’s Sons: Thoughts from the life of Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 9.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Samuel 9.

I’ve loved the story of Mephibosheth since I very first read it. I hope you will love it, too.

“And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”

And he said, “I am your servant.”

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?”

Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”

The king said to him, “Where is he?”

And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.”

Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!”

And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.”

And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”

Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 9:1-10a

It reminds me of my 2024 Word of the Year, “ENOUGH” and the refrain of Dayenu, a traditional Passover song, “it would have been enough.” Click here to read the full lyrics.

  • If David had allowed Mephibosheth to continue living in Israel, Dayenu, it would have been enough.
  • If David had given Mephibosheth a daily allotment of bread to eat, Dayenu, it would have been enough.
  • If David had given Mephibosheth a small plot of his land, Dayenu, it would have been enough.
  • If David had given Mephibosheth a single servant, Dayenu, it would have been enough.
  • If David had allowed Mephibosheth to eat at his table once a year, Dayenu, it would have been enough.

What a picture this is of what Jesus has done for us!

Jesus has given us more than a meager portion of bread and a scant cup of water. He has given us the living bread of His Word and the living water of His Spirit. He has prepared a bountiful table before us. He has filled our cups to overflowing.

Jesus has given us more than a corner in a godforsaken land. He has brought us to His own banqueting table and spread His banner of love over us. He has even gone to prepare a place for us in the glories of eternal heaven.

Jesus has given us more than a mere human servant. He has given up His own life for us. He Himself has washed our feet, laying down His own life in our place. He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and to walk with us as our ever-present counselor and comforter.

Jesus has made us more than His slaves. By His own blood, He has made us His friends and His children. He has invited us to live in His home and to eat at His table forever and ever.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;”

1 John 3:1a ESV

Have you received this gift? If not, what are you waiting for?

If so, who does God want you to share it with?

The gift of salvation is the gift that keeps on giving. Our Father’s table is large enough to fit people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Let’s go out to the streets and bring them in to join us at this feast.

Advent Day 6 – All Nations Will be Blessed Through Faith in Messiah Jesus (Jacob’s Ladder + Luke 6)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Luke 6

Wednesday night, our family read the sixth advent devotional in “From Creation to Christ” along with Luke 6. If you don’t have your own copy, you can order your own a Kindle version instantly, while you wait for the paper copy to arrive.

When we read the story of Jacob dreaming about a ladder set up on earth reaching to heaven, let’s pay careful attention to Genesis 28:13-14, where the Lord repeats the promise He had made to Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather, telling Jacob that, “The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

I was reminded of Galatians 3.

“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” … Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. … But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Galatians 3:8, 16, 25-29 ESV

Friends, though there are many children of Abraham, there is only one ladder by which anyone can reach God, that is Abraham’s one offspring, Christ, the Son of God.

Then, turning to Luke 6, I noticed in verses 17 and 18 that “[Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.”

According to Got Questions, “Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities north of Israel.” And in Luke 10:13, Jesus compares the cities of Galilee (Chorazin and Bethsaida) with these Gentiles cities, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (You can read more about Tyre and Sidon in Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 15:21-28.)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) It is by faith in Him that we can come to the Father now and for all eternity. All the nations will be blessed through the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through Messiah Jesus, the Promised, Long-Awaited Seed.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will use me to bless the nations of the world. Draw all men to Yourself by faith in Jesus Christ, Your Only Begotten Son. Send Your children out to preach the good news in the corners and in the marketplaces, from the rooftops and through the airwaves. Bring the nations in! We want heaven to be filled with every nation, tribe, people, and tongue to the praise of Your glorious name. In the Name of Jesus Christ who is the Only Way to You, Father, we pray. Amen.

O Holy Night in English, Arabic, and Hebrew