Mark 2 - 2.12.23

Scripture

Mark 2:4-5

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Observation

Jesus was preaching in a home in Capernaum and 4 men brought a paralyzed man to Him for healing. Because of the large crowd (there wasn’t even room outside the door as stated in vs. 2), they made an opening in the roof to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus.

Their faith made them do everything possible to see Jesus. When they couldn’t get to Him, they didn’t give up. Because of the 4 men’s persistence, Jesus healed the paralyzed man’s paralysis and forgave him of all his sins.

Application

Be desperate for Jesus. Jesus wants to be found by us. Seek God because He sought us first.

When we feel like Jesus’ presence is far away or feel like He is not listening to us, we need to be willing to knock down walls and dig holes in roofs in pursuit of Him. When we feel far away from Jesus, it is not because of Him, but because of us. The Lord wants to be found by us because He loves us. He sought us first (see Luke 15 with the story of the lost sheep and lost son), so we must continue seeking Him in response to that love.

Let’s be like the 4 men in this chapter and like the persistent widow with the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8. God honors our persistence in our pursuit of Him and because He’s a good Father, He will act and respond. Don’t give up praying, seeking, or knocking. We will find Him if we don’t give up.

What practical things do you and I need to do to show our desperation for Jesus?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬)

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1).

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for seeking us out first and pursuing us with a relentless love. Because of that love, You desire to be found by us. May we continually seek You in faith when we feel You are far away. Your Word says You never leave or forsake us, so we know that it is us who need to draw closer to You when dry times like that happen. We need You and can’t live without your love and grace towards us. Thank You for every breath we take which is evidence of Your grace and existence. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 73 - 2.9.24

Scripture: 

Psalm 73:23, 27-28

”Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.“

”Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.“

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Observation:

The writer of this Psalm, Asaph, starts by reflecting on how he envied the arrogant and prosperity of the wicked.  In verse 2 he says he nearly lost his foothold and slipped. After ranting he reflects back and realizes the truth, God has great things in store for those who love Him and the wicked will perish.  He turns to God who is always there. God will guide us just like a teacher takes a student’s hand who needs direction. It is easy to get distracted when we see those doing wrong appearing to prosper.  However, as we open up to God’s direction, He is good to those pure in heart. He will take us into glory. Prosperity on earth is nothing compared to what waits in Heaven.  I love what this results in: verse 28 Asaph declares, ”But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.“  

Application:

I need to do a mindset check daily and be sure I am focusing on God.  Remembering what he has in store for me is good. There is no reason to envy those who appear to be prospering while doing evil.  God is my refuge, and has done so many marvelous things. How can I not tell of all He’s done?

Prayer: 

Lord, When we take a deep inventory there are times envy can sneak into our lives and cause us to lose our foothold. Thank you for taking my hand to guide me back on course. May I seek your counsel, dwell in your safety, make you my refuge, and tell others of all your deeds. Thank you that you will take me into your glory.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Colossians 4 - 02.08.24

SCRIPTURE -Colossians 4:2-4 NCV

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. 

Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity

to tell people HIS message. 

Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. 

This is why I am in prison. 

Pray that I can speak in a way that will make it clear, as I should.”

OBSERVATION 

Paul closes his letter to the church in Colossae with requests for prayer-

“Continue Praying….and—

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY”

“Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people His [Good News] Message.”

“Pray that I can speak it in a way that will make it clear—as I should.”

APPLICATION 

Pray for me—to share the Gospel and make it clear-as I should.

I. Prayer Precedes God’s Power

Today Paul’s prayer request caught my attention—

I need to ask people to pray for me.

Please pray that God will give me opportunities-

put people on my mind and in my heart—the People who HE is pursuing-

and cause me to hear HIS voice without distraction. (Jesus says the harvest is ripe)

Please pray also for me to be able to “share the Gospel in a way that will make it clear —to whoever God gives me to speak to. 

How I need these prayers—desperately.

It occurs to me—If the Apostle Paul

[who was personally commissioned by Jesus to spread the Gospel]

felt he-- needed Prayer for opportunities  AND 

Prayer to speak the Gospel in a way that will make it —“clear “

how much MORE do I-- need these prayers.

II.  Paul goes on to give us some practical advice when sharing the Gospel—

Be wise in the way you act with people—

make the MOST of every opportunity.

When you DO have a conversation with someone—

Be kind and gracious—

seasoned with salt—

SO you will Know how to answer everyone.”

(Colossians 4:5, 6)

Be Prepared:

to give the reason for our Hope, filled with the wisdom of God, careful that our actions line up with our words, and kind and gracious when answering questions—

Why did Paul say our conversation should be “seasoned with salt”?

AND what does that actually look like?

There’s a saying “Take this with ‘a grain’ of salt”. We should NEVER consider a grain of salt when speaking of God’s Kingdom and Salvation. We want to look for opportunities to  Add much SALT into the conversation. (Warren Wiersbe)

🤯 Of Course! This makes sense! Salt is a preservative!

We want what we say to be “preserved” into their minds and hearts!

““You ARE the SALT of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13 a NIV)

Jesus called us to BE the Salt of the earth—so we ARE—

We have the opportunity to deposit HIS Life-Saving Truth and Love INTO People’s lives wherever we GO…

PRAYER 

Jesus,

Thank You for Your WORD Today.

Help me to remember that someone had the courage to come up to me when they didn’t know me and share the Gospel Truth in Love. 

I was rude to her, and she will only know in heaven what her courage and boldness meant.

With some—we will never know the result of our words [testimonies]until heaven. May we never walk away defeated. Some sow, Some water—Only You LORD cause these seeds to grow.

Help me Lord to open my mouth with courage and boldness. 

You created me with a passionate heart for a reason. Help me not to shy away.

Lord—Help me to hear You and obey. 

Lord-Help me to find others who may want to come with me. YOU said Jesus that YOUR Harvest IS Ripe! Send MORE workers into YOUR Field LORD.

Send us all Lord—where You have planted us in our circle of influence.

Everyday is a Good Day for Your Kingdom to Come.

Please Pray for me to have opportunities to share the gospel-and to be able to speak it in a way that makes it clear.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka