Mark 3 - 4.23.22
Scripture
Mark 3:9
Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.
Observation – What does it say?
Jesus had healed so many people and word traveled fast. It was becoming the norm that wherever he went, crowds of people would quickly show up. People came from all over to hear him preach, bringing the sick and those tormented by demons.
Understanding – What does it mean?
This is my prayer for today!
We just celebrated Easter and the fact that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is now living in us. Because of the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer, Jesus said that these signs would now accompany those who believe (that’s you and me!):
Mark 16:17-18
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
When we are preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and people believe and are saved, when we offer to pray for the sick and God heals them, when we pray for those in bondage to demonic influence and depression and addiction and anger and God heals them, this is what happens:
Acts 2:41
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 4:4
But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
Acts 5:16
Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The church exploded in growth as people encountered the love and transforming power of God, as it flowed through average followers of Jesus like you and me.
Life Application
I’m echoing the prayer of Habakkuk today:
Habakkuk 3:2
Lord, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
God, move in such a way, through us, that the lost would be crowding our church buildings, our homes, our work desks, because they have heard of what you’re doing and they’re hungry for a touch from you. May we be a transforming presence here where you have placed us. Amen.
- Levi Thompson
Ephesians 1- 04.21.22
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:17-18a
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which he has called you…”
OBSERVATION:
Paul addresses his letter to “the saints”. Nine times in this letter, Paul addresses his readers as saints. They were alive, not dead, though they had once been “dead in their trespasses and sin (2:1-3). The word “saint” is simply one of the many terms used in the New Testament to describe “one who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord”. The word saint means set apart . It is a word that applies to all born again believers because it refers to our position IN Christ.
UNDERSTANDING:
I am beyond captivated with Paul’s prayer request. I have prayed, meditated, studied, researched, and struggled with this scripture for weeks now—and still I believe I am only at the very beginning of grasping the intention of this prayer. Since Paul is addressing believers, they already have the Holy Spirit. Yet, he is praying for them to have a greater measure..the spirit of revelation and wisdom
“SO” they may KNOW Christ better AND understand the HOPE that HE has called them (us) to.
This is what God has shown me so far.
When I speak about salvation to others, I frequently use the analogy of God’s “Gift”. Through faith in Christ’s completed work on the cross and resurrection we can have salvation; forgiveness of sins, restored relationship with God, and security of eternity in heaven. As I explain this amazing gift, God showed me that I was visualizing a small gold box with a red bow. God explained to me that ALL that comes WITH Salvation could never be contained in a small gift box. God’s gifts to us THROUGH salvation are UNCONTAINABLE.
I think this is what Paul wanted the Ephesian believers (and us) to grab hold of.
With Salvation comes: The HOPE!
This Hope is not like worldly hope, meaning something may happen.
This Hope IS the Assurance of Christ.
“So now wrap your heart tightly around the HOPE that lives WITHIN us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!” (Hebrews 10:23 TPT)
LIFE APPLICATION
Living a Power-Filled Life IN Jesus
Our Hope is grounded IN the reality of JESUS—Which encourages our Faith.
Which Brings Hope “Front and Center” in our Lives—what is unseen is SEEN by how we live out our lives in every circumstance.
Which results in Christ being Glorified IN and THROUGH us.
“Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.” (Hebrews 1:1 TPT)
Lord Jesus,
I pray that the “eyes of my heart may be enlightened” more and more to understand the Fullness of the Hope that is mine IN You. I pray for myself and our desert streams church body to have “the spirit of wisdom and revelation” as we abide in you, spend time in Your Word, pray, seek You, worship You, and Listen…to serve and glorify you in all we do.
in Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Psalm 148-4.20.22
SCRIPTURE
Psalms 148:1 NIV
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.”
OBSERVATION-What does it say?
The Psalmist gives us even more reasons to praise the Lord, in addition to what was mentioned yesterday in Psalm 147.
UNDERSTANDING-What does it mean?
Praising God must be a part of every Believer’s life.
The word “Praise” is mentioned 13 times in this 14 verse Psalm. This Psalm also opens AND closes with the words “Praise the Lord.”
LIFE APPLICATION
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the LORD. (Psalm 150:6)
Here’s a link to a throw back worship song called “Let Everything that has Breath”: https://youtu.be/n7lvyd1JdQU
-Michelle Gaddi