Ask the wind - Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

We see a destination, He sees a destiny
Where God leads us is a mystery to us, but never to Him. He knows what we need and when we need it. He know what we can handle, and what we cannot. The disciples thought they were going on a simple little boat ride. After all, they were fisherman, skilled navigators. They knew the sea. There was no need to worry. A child could navigate this small sea. The confidence in themselves was sure and secure... or so they thought.


We see a storm, He sees a nap
As the storm on the horizon drew closer, Jesus took advantage of some good nap time. He was not worried. Nor concerned. He fell fast asleep. I am amazed as to why the disciples woke Him up in the midst of the storm. Did they want Him to grab an oar? Did they want Him to help with the sail? Just exactly how much help could a carpenters son be on a capsizing boat? Panic and fear gripped the crew. Perhaps they were angry at Jesus because He was not afraid but asleep? How dare He not be concerned for them? Perhaps they just wanted some company as they thought that they were going to meet their certain doom.

We see Him not caring, He sees us not believing
It was not that Jesus did not care, it was that the disciples did not see. They saw Jesus in His humanity asleep, but in His deity, He was wide awake! They were looking for a human solution, not a God solution. Jesus responded in a God-like fashion and stilled the seas. I believe the disciples were attempting to dictate the terms of God's work in their lives. Just help us row a little bit Jesus, just until we get out of this mess. Jesus says "I put you in this mess so that you would treat me with the respect I deserve."

We see the problem as the storm, He sees the problem as our faith.
What limitations we place on ourselves by our lack of belief! What negative thoughts we think, what impossible odds we stack against ourselves by our lack of faith! The disciples battled, struggled, failed until their faith showed up! What battles are you facing today? Where is your faith in the midst of the storm?


We fear the storm, the storm fears Him.
Storms are nothing to laugh at. The story of Joppa, Missouri is a tragic one. We can see the effects of weather and the damage which tornadoes and storms can do to an entire community. The question is not why did Jesus calm the storm for the disciples but not for Joppa, the question is whether the Deity of Jesus ceases to be true because Joppa was hit. The answer is clearly "no". Jesus remains true to who He is regardless of the effects of storms in our life. The point of the story is not that Jesus stops storms, the point is that Jesus can stop storms, because He is God. Our fear of God http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifshould not be based on His activity, but rather His power.

We ask skeptics who He is, but we should ask the wind, "Who is this man!"
Don't wait before it is too late to trust Jesus as your Savior. Believe on Him now. Don't judge His effectiveness as a Savior on your situation, or even on other people who do not know Him. Look at the world, the creation, the smallest to the greatest and asked "who created all these?" Then look to Jesus, the author, the perfecter and finisher of life to be everything you need for today!


Pastor Vince Gonzales
North Dallas Family Church

Disciples may not have all the answers, but they have the one who gives them the answers. Mark 4:30-35

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:30-35

How many times have we asked God "why?" and received no answer? Have you ever felt like God is holding out on you and not answering prayers or giving you a reason why? When and where do you search for the answers to the unexplained "why?". This passage gives us a little insight into that dilemma.

The crowd vs The Quiet

Jesus operated in a public arena. He engaged the crowds in ways which perplexed them. He disturbed their comfort zone with strong words at times, and at other times baffled them with questions. Crowds and mobs are prone to uncontrollable rage. There is something about the presence of large people that naturally raises the adrenaline in the room. However, Jesus was not about crowds, he was about people. He used the crowds to create a stir, but the quiet intimate moments to stir peoples hearts to action and understanding. Being a disciple means that we can enjoy the public Jesus and also the private Jesus. As we draw close to Christ, He draws close to us and offers us insight which the mob is incapable of understanding. There are some Christians which enjoy the crowds and the excitement of public gatherings, but there are also others who seek Christ in the quietness of personal bible study and prayer. Being a disciple means you can enjoy both.


Being a disciple is not necessarily being "his" disciple.

The scripture clearly differentiates between disciples and being a disciple of Christ. Jesus spoke differently to his own disciples and left the outsiders trying to figure things out on their own. This is because being a disciple of Christ has its privileges, but not without cost.

Meaning and understanding for us only comes through the lens of suffering and sacrifice. That is where the teachings of Jesus make sense. Some interpret scripture through the lens of fame and prosperity, this is not what Jesus is wanting from us. When we learn to accept Christs teaching about following Him in the light of great difficulties and obstacles, life makes sense. The parable of the mustard seed can be seen as an insignificant life becoming great in the kingdom or just simply a nice story about a tree. Following Christ brings insight and greater commitment.

The peace that comes from explanation.

Perhaps we all want that peace the most. The peace that comes from hearing from Christ, regardless of the explanation. While answers and outcomes may not be the ones we were hoping to hear or to receive, knowing they are the Lords answers brings comfort and eventually, joy. This is because peace comes not from the information gathered buy by the one who gives it.

Are you seeking purpose and meaning from the outcomes of life, or from the one who holds life in His hand? That is something to think about!

Trust me, God is at Work! - Mark 4:26-29

Jesus also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The more you do, the more you will reap, so do something!
One cannot expect something to happen without making it happen. I love the fact that Jesus uses the word "seed". Every action is a seed when once planted begins to grow. However, nothing will grow if nothing is planted. The beautiful thing is that once it is placed in the ground, God takes over and does the rest. What thoughts and actions are you planting today? What plans are you making for your future? What are you planting today to make that happen?

Everything you do takes time, so trust God for it!
We are naturally impatient creatures. Our timetable is not God's. His thousand years is one second and our second can seem like a thousand years. But don't give up! God is surely at work! He has promised to never leave us or forsake us!

The end is not first, it is last, and everything is a work in progress!
We cannot expect things to pop up magically. the laws physics apply to reality. God's plans and activities begin with small steps, but we need to put first things first. God is a God of order and must be respected for such. So start small, dream big and be faithful! God will seem to move slowly, but He is always right on time!

The harvest is worth the wait!
The most beautiful fruit started with seed in the dirt. Not very pretty and certainly not very tasty! But yet, when God is in control, he begins to work out the details in splendid ways! His creation is beautiful. What a joy and blessing to be part of the creative process and share his glory with Him!

There are projects that we do that reap immediate benefits. There are visions and dreams that we have that require a lot of work, patience and sacrifice. Then, there are some jobs that we just don't even see any fruit come of it. But don't give up my friend. God is surely at work!

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Just do it! - What God wants from our lives. Mark 4:21-25

Perhaps there was nothing more that Jesus disliked than indifference. Especially to the way we live our life. As Jesus preached along the shore of Galilee He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Now many would take a look at this parable as a riddle and try to find some type of secret meaning somewhere. For us, it simply means that God has given us life, and that life has meaning. We were designed to glorify God with our lives not hide them from the view of others. As Christians, Jesus places within us the power of the Holy Spirit. He does not put it there for us to hide it. He does not put it there for us to deny it. He puts it there for us to shine it, to bring him glory and honor.
Perhaps the greatest way we can shine our light is through verbal witness. Simply, telling someone about the greatest change that they can ever make in their life is in their lifestyle. People need to know that this life that they are born with is not the final reality. It is a gateway to eternity that God gives us when we are born again and actually start living.
This principle can be demonstrated by people like Chuck Colson. One man who gave his life to Christ and allowed God to use him and shine his light in a very special way. We all know the name Chuck Colson from the Watergate scandal. But the story of his imprisonment is equally as notorious for Jesus. The story begins on the day Colson was released from prison.
One day, shortly before leaving prison, Colson was going about his business in the prison dorm while some inmates played cards. Suddenly, one of the players, a six-foot-tall prisoner named Archie, bellowed, "Hey, Colson. You'll be out of here soon. What are you going to do for us?" Suddenly, the whole room fell silent. All ears were straining to hear the answer. "I'll help in some way," replied Colson. "I'll never forget you guys or this stinking place." "Bull!" roared Archie, slamming down the pack of cards on the table. "You all say that. I've seen big shots like you come and go. They all say the same things while they're inside. Then they get out and forget us fast. There ain't nobody cares about us. Nobody!" But today, 35 years later, thousands upon thousands of Christian volunteers and churches do care. They care enough to visit prison, mentor prisoners, help their families, and share the Good News of Christ with them. That's because in 1976, Colson founded Prison Fellowship, which, together with churches of all confessions and denominations, has become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, with ministry taking place in 113 countries around the globe.
Can you imagine taking great tragedy and making it glorious and impactful for all of eternity.

What do you have in your lamp? Where are you placing it? Are you hiding it or shining it? Jesus concludes his discourse with these words: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Let's go and be a shining light today!

Blessings,

Pastor Vince

What are you hearing? - Grasping today's Parables Mark 4:1-20

Why we just don't listen!
Jesus taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:3-9

When Jesus Disciples asked him about this parable, they questioned why did He even speak in parables to begin with? Why couldn't he just speak plainly. Jesus explained that there are many people out there who hear, but few who really WANT to hear. That's why Jesus used parables. They require a little bit of thinking, reception and application. Anyone interest in cute, pity little sound bites just won't get them. So to us as believers Jesus poses this explanation. In order to really get the Word, it is going to require some work on our part. Just as the sower trows the seed on the ground, the ground cannot receive it until the prep work for the soil is done first. The sower has to break the ground, remove the rocks and make the soil usable, or receptive to the seed. So too, God must do a work in our lives before we would be able to receive the seed.

First, Satanic intervention blocks the seed.
In verse 15 Jesus says: "Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." Satan takes the real message away by replacing it quickly with something totally different than what the Word actually says. This is his strategy number one against us. Do you remember how he tried to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4? Jesus stay on God's Word and said to Satan "It is written" three times. But Satan responded with mis-quotes, out of context reasoning and words used to try to throw Jesus off track. Jesus is the model for us to receive the Word simply as it is written, plainly and taken to heart. Have you ever been satisfied with surface responses which accomplish nothing or deep thoughtful consideration to what God is saying?

Second, Not willing to take the heat for the Word.
"Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." Jesus said.
We have to be able to take a stand on God's Word. Not be ashamed of it. Jesus said that if you are ashamed om Him and His word He will be ashamed of us when He returns to take us home (Luke 9:36). When one considers how accurate God's Word is, we need not be ashamed of it. I know we all want to be popular when we were younger, and being known for being a Christian is not considered to be the way to go, but wouldn't you want to be "right" rather than "popular". Don't you realize that the reason why people want you to be popular (which really means being like them) is so that they control you, manipulate you and re-create you into their image? So much for being popular. Jesus wants us to be popular with Him alone by knowing, obeying and believing His word.

Third, worry, materialism and the quest for popularity win out over the Word.
Verse 18-19: "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."
The Word of God will accomplish nothing for us if we dilute it with any kind of worldly wisdom. If our goal in life is money and power, looking in God's Word to justify our sinful cravings will do us no good. It just isn't in there! God wants us to prosper in His way, on His terms, not according our failed plans. God's word is truth, and it must be acted upon as the truth for that is the only way that we can be set free. The Bible does not deceive, trick us or manipulate us through guilt to change our lives. Jesus offers us grace to believe, grace to feel and grace to act out what He promises to those who love Him and follow Him. Jesus said "don't worry about tomorrow". If you worry about tomorrow there will be no way to trust Him today. That is what He is calling us to do!

Fourthly, the good listeners hear the Word and take it to heart where it is planted deep and bears much fruit. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says: " And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." This is how we are to listen to God speaking. We hear His voice, we believe His Word, then we allow it to change our lives. Anything less is allowing the Word to slip on by.

Have you allowed God to break up the hard soil in your life? The anger, the frustration and sorrow of this world? Have you allowed Him to remove the rocks (just as broken relationships, life's disappointments) which like large boulders hinder you from loving God? If you don't allow Him to remove these things from your life there will be not way to receive, hear, listen and obey His voice when He speaks to you. Are you allowing God's word into your life?

So the Gatorade commercial is relevant to our study today of God's Word today. The question is: "God's Word: Is it in you?".

Be blessed,

Pastor Vince
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Not fitting in with the "in" crowd. Mark 2:14-21

We saw last week how Jesus took on "big religion" and took authority over it. Now He takes on "big Religious people." The Pharisees attempted to paint Jesus as hanging out with the wrong crowd (Tax gatherers and sinners), eating the wrong things (not fasting) and then finally, not thinking the right things (old wineskins and new wine). In these verses Jesus confronts the problem with religion versus a real relationship with God through His Son Jesus.
Religious people are only empowered by people whom they can trap into believing that their system is the only way because it is theirs. Sinners and tax collectors do not follow any religion whatsoever. That is why they are called "sinners." Due to their lack of a moral compass, they have nothing to do with religion, but because they are made in the image of God, they are very valuable to God. Jesus prefers people who have no religion to those who live for religion because they are more open to receiving Him. The dangerous thing about religion is that it usually does not start with God, but starts with man and what man says about God. Jesus is revelation from God. He came to show us the way and those who do not listen do not wish to change. Irreligious people who are not interested in spiritual things are usually the ones that religious people are not interested in pursuing. As Christ followers, we are to seek the lost, not the ones who are found. That is why Jesus said He came to those who are "sick" and not the "well." The challenge for us is love the ones who are not interested in what we offer, and to love them because they do not "fit" in any religious affiliation. The Pharisees rejected Jesus because He did not play their games and conform into what they believed God to be: "their puppet." Jesus reminds us that He is calling us to a life on not mere religiosity but refreshing life to those who need a place to fit in.

Are you reaching out to those who need some direction today? Let's learn to love the way Jesus loved!

Peace,

Pastor Vince

Jesus takes on "Big Religion"

I am intrigued by the scene of forgiveness that Jesus expressed in Mark 2:1-12. As the news of His healing ministry spread throughout the land, four faithful friends tear a hole in the roof to get to Jesus. Upon seeing the paralyzed man, Jesus said to him "your sins are forgiven." However, "sin" was not the problem, paralysis was, or so it seemed. This causes me to raise some questions: "Is illness a result of sin?" "When bad things happen to me, is it because I have sinned?" "If sin is the real problem, then how should we look at sick people?" It seems that if we look at this passage as a treatise on illness and sin, we will miss out on what Jesus is doing through this paralyzed man. Jesus steps in and takes over all access to God in front of "big religion."

Jesus takes on "Big religion"
Just as politicians today promise that they will confront "Big business", "big oil", "big industry", so too, Jesus uses the opportunity to confront "big religion." The pharisees fully embraced the power, control and finances of the community by keeping the people in the dark religiously. Jesus ministry was a direct assault on their power base and they knew it. If people were sick, they would go to the temple. If they were needing forgiveness, they would go to the temple. If they needed a word from God, they would go to the temple. Now, in a crowded house, a busted ceiling and a great commotion, the pharisees see that they need to try to wrestle all of the power and attention away from Jesus. "Who can forgive sins but God alone? This man is committing blasphemy" they said. Actually... only Jesus can forgive sin and He sets out to prove it.

Jesus takes on "Big medicine."
While everyone was looking to see if Jesus could really heal, Jesus used the occasion to show that He could really forgive. When Jesus said to the man "rise and walk" he took on "big medicine" only because he had "big authority" from the man upstairs. The problem with with "big religion" is that they don't realize that the "man upstairs" is now the man in their "living room." The problem with "big religion" is that they all make claims to be the power broker, but it is really only Jesus who has real authority and power.

Jesus takes on "big praise."
"This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”, was the response of the crowd in the room. What more can you ask for? One man dismantles the cartel on religion and medicine and He does it for free. He exposes the problems with the scenes of a paralyzed man and the condition of the human soul. Religious and political power are no match for the Kind of Kings and Lord of Lords. Many people sell their souls to these earthly institutions when all that they really need is a touch from Jesus. To have a real relationship with Him and not look for a false power broken, trying to substitute for what they really need.

The dismantling of "big religion" and "big medicine" in America.
The institutions of great churches and hospitals which we enjoy in this great land of ours are some of the finest in the world. The point of the passage is not that human organization of these institutions are not evil, but evil is perpetuated when these institutions believe that they are the real deal and the God is unnecessary and irrelevant. When Jesus forgives sin, He says to the institutions "where do you go when sin is the problem?" "How do you treat it?" "How do you get rid of it?" These are the questions that the great institutions cannot answer because they believe that finding cures is all that you really need. Jesus reminds us that all that we really need is Him.

Here is the question: "Are we seeking healing from big medicine, or from Jesus, through the hands of a doctor." "Are we seeking forgiveness from the church, or from Jesus through the institution of the church." Many people say that they have lost faith in the church and have given up on religion. Perhaps this is because they are looking for the church to be God, and it has simply not lived up to that name. Some people have given up on looking for a cure to their disease and have blamed doctors and technology, then have entered into despair. This is because they are still trusting in "big medicine", "big religion" and not "big Jesus." He is bigger than any institution because His authority comes from one who has the greatest authority one heaven and on earth.

Do you have Him?
Is He the answer to your sin problem?
Are you trusting in your religious affiliation or Jesus mighty hand?
If you ask Jesus to forgive you of each and every one of your sins, and God has forgiven you. Is there no need to trust in anyone and anything else? Let's get away from our addiction to "big business", "big religion" and "big mediciine" and let's look to our big God!

Isn't it great that we serve such a really "Big God".

Let me hear somebody say "Amen!"

Why this man? - One leper out of a thousand yet Jesus chose him. Mark 1:40-45

Mark chapter one records that Jesus walked along the shore of Galilee healing diseases and teaching in the synagogues. It mentions the word "many" were healed on several occasions. He drove out "many" with demons and "many" came to see him. In fact verse 33 of chapter 1 mentions that the "entire town" came to see him. The crowds were innumerable and the people who were healed could not be counted anymore. Of all the miracles performed that day only two were mentioned specifically by the author. One, was Simon's mother in law, and the other was the leprous man. The author Mark probably knew Simons mother in law, so he would recall the event quite easily, but my question is why does the leper stand out? I would venture to say that his heart was in the right place while the others were not. He was seeking a healer, not just a healing. He was interested in the relationship with Christ, not just the results of Christ. I believe that this is what Christ is seeking in us today. An ongoing, minute by minute servanthood relationship rather than a quick "thank you Jesus, I'll see you later" relationship. Let's scan the details:

The man approached with respect and politeness: On his knees he came and begged for his healing. He did not doubt Christs ability, he doubted his worthiness to receive the healing he so desperately needed. “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

The man received a compassionate response from Jesus. While some translations say: "Jesus was indignant", a better translation says that he was "moved with compassion". This makes more sense because of what Christ did after He responded to the man. "He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed." (v. 42). If you recall from the old testament, it was forbidden to touch a leper, but Jesus willingly did. He looked at him and healed him because he loved him. Jesus loved him because this man had faith, which perhaps the others did not.

The man could not contain his joy, but shared with the world what Jesus had done. Although it seems that this was not what Jesus wanted, he wanted him to tell the priests that the Messiah was here, he rather told those around him and forgot about the priests. It is kind of hard to blame him for disobedience, I am sure that religion was the last thing on the ex-lepers mind, he wanted everyone to know about Jesus.

This whole episode brings us to the point of prayer. Are you asking Christ in your prayer life with faith, approaching him humbling and being willing to be used by Him? Or are you simply looking for a healing and not the healer? Are you looking for a need to be met or a needing to meet the healer. Look beyond your need and get to know the one who wants to get to know you.


Peace.

Jesus in the Synagogue: "Not taking sides, but taking over."

Mark 1:21- 28: "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."

Jesus takes over the spiritual conversation (v. 21-22).
The first act of authority Jesus displayed was to walk into the synagogue and to begin to teach. In doing so, he was challenging the Rabbis of the day as to their understanding and insight into the teachings of Moses. The scriptures do not tell us what passage He read from, nor what He taught concerning the passage, but I am sure that His teachings went something like this: "What I just read, was talking about me, what you just heard, was speaking about me, what you must do now, is decide what you are going to do about me." Sounds kind of self centered doesn't it? Well, when you are the King of the Universe, and rightfully so, that interpretation should be the truth. I am sure this bothered the Rabbis, especially when they were accustomed to nobody speaking with authority, for they all quoted other Rabbis who said other things. They were usually Rabbis who were dead, but often quoted as a way for a younger Rabbi to establish his authority on the basis of some other ones fame. This was the tradition and habit of the Rabbis, and still is to this day. Jesus quoted no one but God by reciting the scripture which He established as the very Words of God. Jesus did not need the fame of former religious men to establish His authority. He took it for himself. But Jesus doesn't stop there, by taking over the synagogue, taking over the Bible study and taking over the teaching, He takes over what even the other Rabbis could not take over, the spiritual realm of unclean spirits.


Jesus takes over the spiritual confusion (vs. 23-25).
I suspect that people with impure spirits were everywhere in Jesus day. They would disrupt public gatherings, family meetings, and even sabbath day services. What do you do with these pesky people who allow themselves to be used as an instrument of Satan. This person was not just having a bad day, they were having a bad life. In the first part of the evil spirits statement, he tried to rouse the synagogue against Jesus. In the second part of the statement, he claims that he knew who Jesus was, the "Holy One of God". While the statement was true, Jesus did not want His identity to be associated with evil, nor is identity to be forced upon people. Jesus always wanted the truth proclaimed, with individual people making the right choice about his identity on their own. As Jesus took command of the situation, the evil spirit was exposed for what it truly was, a possessive, divisive spirit which controlled people and situations. The way Jesus dismissed the spirit was powerful like a tornado tossing a house several miles away. While the crowd was aware of evil spirits, they were not aware of the ability to flick them away so quickly. Jesus displayed His power physically, intellectually and spiritually. What more could you want in a Savior?

Jesus takes over the spiritual headlines.
I love the conclusion that the people in the synagogue reach: "“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."

Do you realize on this day that there is no authority on earth other Jesus? At the end of the Gospel of Mark we read that all authority on heaven and earth was given to Jesus after the resurrection. We do not need to follow stories, fables, sound bites, pithy little poems, the opinions of others but rather the teachings of Christ as given to us in the New Testament.

In what area of weakness are crying out to God for? Could it be areas in your family, thought life or present day struggles. Following Christ and His teachings, holding to His promises and declaring victory today restores order, peace, forgiveness and restoration to our heavenly Father.

Follow the Savior in His steps today!

"Lifes purpose" The definition of discipleship

Mark 1:16-18 "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

There are three things I notice about Jesus call upon our lives based on the episode in Mark chapter 1, The call, the job description and the response.

Jesus calls us where we are
Jesus life was strategic, as we walked along the perimeters of the sea, His mission was to go into Jerusalem, be crucified, die and be raised from the dead. In accomplishing his mission, He called certain men to be with Him, to accompany Him, to learn from Him and also to be His messengers. As Jesus called the first disciples, He went and found men where they were, doing what they do, to accomplish extraordinary things. He did not train them, but their following Him would be there training. He was not looking for experience, but willingness. Real people in real places. This should make us think about how much He wants us to get in the game. We often think that there are more qualified and experienced people people elsewhere, who can get the job done. This certainly was not the pattern for Jesus. Do you know that Jesus wants to take you to the next level of your life from where you are right now? He wants to begin right now today, not when you are ready and prepared. He is looking for a few more disciples. They did not discuss pay, benefits or hours, they were looking for a boss, and they made a decision to put Jesus in charge of their careers. They knew that if Jesus was in charge, He would also take care of the pay, housing and retirement.

Jesus calls us to do what we do, but for Him.
Jesus first instruction was to follow, the second part was to do. He will not ask us to do anything that we do not want to do. He wants us to follow, and in the following we will "do". If you are not willing to follow, then you are not willing to do, so if you respond to His call, then you will be willing to do what He wants you to do. So follow Him, and let Him clarify what He wants you to do. Jesus did not change their job description, He changed their purpose. They were fisherman by trade, now they were to be fisherman by call. They fished for themselves, now they fished for Christ. They fished in the sea, now they will fish where Christ leads. They fished to eat, and now they eat in order to fish.

Jesus calls, and He expects us to move
I like when the story says: "At once they left their nets and followed him." There was no fear or hesitancy in their leaving the nets. I am sure there was a sense of peace, calm and excitement in their response to Jesus. They were drawn to Him in a way that was greater than their profession, they wanted to do the same thing they were doing in the sea but now for Him.

There are many times that I see men often confused about Church, family and life. I have sensed great fear and opposition to really getting involved in church, Bible study, prayer and family leadership. I am sure this is because they confused holding down a good job, feeding the family and getting the kids to school as job number one. While being responsible is commendable, it is a good start but not and end in itself. Working is no substitute for working for the Lord. Being a good parent is no substitute for parenting for the Lord. And punching the time clock is not substitute for punching the time clock for the Lord.

Develop a life's purpose defines our discipleship.
Does what we do define who we do it for? Does joy and pleasure come from what we do or who we do it for? If you hate your job, and your life would changing your job making you any happier? How long would an increase in pay go you make you happier? The reality is that once we understand for whom we do things for will we ever be able to enjoy our work. In other words, our work description does not change but who we are doing it for does!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to do for you what before I was unwilling to do because now I understand my lifes purpose. Help me to see that it is not my life I am enhancing but you will and pleasure that I am seeking to fulfill. This life is a fleeting moment before the time we meet face to face and my earthly labor will be no more. Help me to serve you until that day that you say "Well done, my good and faithful servant." In Jesus name, Amen.